Public speaking tips for introverts (like me)

Public speaking tips for introverts (like me)Public speaking tips for introverts (like me)It welches just an ordinary Tuesday. I woke up, made a strong pot of coffee, and groggily checked my email. At the top of my inbox welches no ordinary email.Hello Were producing an event in New Mexico. Wed love to fly you down there to teach a writing class, if youre interested.Me? Fly?? Teach??? Class??? This was quite a few years ago, and - aside from a smattering of small 1-hour workshops here and there - Id never done any public speaking or teaching. Not like this. But its something Id been dreaming about.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI grazed over the rest of the details in the email, practically shaking with excitement. I typed back, Oh my goodness a thousand times yes or something to that effect. Fairly quickly, the details got sorted out, my flight was booked, and it was really happening. My very first real speaking engagement at a real event with people purchasing tickets and whatnot.For about a week, I felt so excited, like I was prancing on clouds. But after initial exuberance wore off,I began to feel doubtful and anxious.Im not a world famous author or anything like that. What if Im not really qualified to teach this kind of class?What if Im boring? What if I forget what I meant to say? What if I zulauf out of things to say?What if I talk too quickly? What if I talk too slowly? What if I say um constantly?What if the event producers regret inviting me?And so forth.To manage these anxieties, my strategy was toover-prepare.I was scheduled to teach a 3-hour writing class, so naturally, I compiled approximately 300 pages of notes (haha) to ensure that we wouldnt run out of things to do. I rehearsed endlessly, pacing in circles around my bedroom, trying to pummel every detail into my brain. And of course, the night before the event, I had bizarre dreams abo ut people yelling angrily at me. Fun timesThen at last, it was time for the actual class to begin. It was much cozier than I imagined it would be - just me, and a lovely group of people, all gathered around a big wooden table with comfy chairs and couches arranged around the room.The class started. We got through about 3 of my 300 pages of notes, did a couple of writing exercises, shared a few stories, and just like that, it was over. The time soared by.As we wrapped up, everyone was smiling. Nobody was mad at me. Turns out, I was a pretty decent teacher after all.That experience bolstered my confidence. In the years that followed, I wound up teaching classes, workshops, and retreats in 18 cities around the world - and also on a cruise ship, crossing the Atlantic Ocean.Ive discovered that Iloveteaching. And Ive also discovered that its possible to be a captivating teacher, presenter, and storyteller even if youre a very quiet, introverted person like me._____If youve got an introv erted personality, too, here are some public speaking tips for you1. Be completely yourselfIf you have a soothing, soft-spoken voice, use your natural voice - dont try to force yourself to sound peppier or more like Tony Robbins. Just be yourself.If you want to begin your class with a few moments of silent meditation, or by reading your favorite poem to set the tone, do that.If youre more comfortable having everyone sit in a circle rather than in rows of chairs, rearrange the room.When you feel at ease, then your students feel at ease, too.2. Start with small groupsIve spoken to groups of 400 people, 50 people, 20 people, 8 people, 6 peopleBig groups are fun. But personally, I prefer the intimacy of a small group. 6-8 people is my favorite size. I like being able to landsee everyones faces. I like knowing everyone on a first-name basis.If youve never done much public speaking or teaching before, I definitely recommend starting with a small-group setting. It tends to be more relaxed , cozy, and introvert-friendly.I often say to folks, If you can host a small dinner party with 6 people - and make those 6 people feel welcomed, appreciated, and comfortable - then you can probably teach a small workshop or seminar, too.3. Build confidence with podcasts, webinars, and other online appearancesPublic speaking, presenting, teaching these are skills, and like any other skills,the more you practice, the more confident you feel.A great way to practice is to do some type of online speaking engagement - like a podcast or webinar. You can sit at home in your pajamas. You can clutch a comforting mug of tea. You can refer to your notes if you feel anxious. Nobodys physically in the room with you, so nobodys going to see you sweating or nervously tapping your feet.You can speak into your microphone and pretend that youre having a conversation with just one person, not dozens or hundreds of people. Much less intimidating4. Trust that you are qualified enoughA mentor once told me, If theres a path, and if you are 3 steps ahead on that path, then you are qualified to teach the people who are 3 steps behind you. You dont have to be 1,000 steps ahead of them. Just 3.If you know how to change a flat tire on a car, then you can probably teach someone else how to do that, too. If youve been blogging for 2 years, then you can probably teach someone how to set up a blog and publish their first post.You dont necessarily need to be the worlds foremost expertor world famous or the recipient of a Nobel Prize in order to be an inspiring and effective teacher. You just have to know a few things that your students dont know yet, and be willing to share. Thats all. If you can do that, then you are qualified enough.5. Dont be afraid of silenceOnce, I attended an event where the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh was speaking to a crowd of thousands in a packed auditorium. He spoke so softly. He laughed so softly. Sometimes, moments would pass and hed say nothing at all. The audi torium was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. It was a magical experience.I realized,Being quiet, being introverted, being gentle, allowing silence to elapse these qualities can make someone a very powerful public speaker.When Im teaching, I try to build some silence into every class. I might give my students a writing exercise to do, and then set a timer for 5 minutes, and let them scribble away in silence, or with peaceful music playing in the background. Ive learned that we dont need to fill every single moment with talking - me talking, or anybody else. There can be spaces of nothingness, time for people to think and reflect. Often, those spaces of nothingness are more valuable than anything I could possibly say.Public speaking doesnt necessarily mean fireworks and flashy presentations on a projector screen and pacing across the stage with a microphone in your hand. It can mean candlelight flickering around the room, and moments of silence, and intimacy, and hugging everyone goodbye on their way out the door.There are many types of speakers, and many types of events and classes, and many different ways to leave an impact on your audience.Ultimately, if your vorhaben isto help, inspire, and uplift the audience - to make their day a little better than it was before,then your intention will shine through.Even if you fumble a few things, even if youre not completely perfect, your intention will come across. Thats what your audience will feel and remember about you.This article first appeared on Be Leaderly..bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-group-1012255-lyDBLV9 width 900pxheight 550px

Intelligence Specialist Promoted to Supervisor (GS-13)

Intelligence Specialist Promoted to Supervisor (GS-13)Intelligence Specialist Promoted to Supervisor (GS-13)Intelligence Specialist Promoted to Supervisor (GS-13)The selecting board told me it welches the best resume theyve seen for an intelligence specialist in a long time.Date Hired December 2013Jobseeker Type Federal to FederalPrevious Job Title Intelligence SpecialistTarget Job Title Supervisory Intelligence SpecialistResult HiredWriter/Coach John GagnonStrategy/Process The client had been working in collection operations management at a GS-12 equivalent, but was seeking a promotion and specifically identified a supervisory dream job in an intelligence agency. The clients prior resume was a simple one-pager that didnt highlight key skills, particularly language ability. After reviewing the announcement, interviewing the client, and determining the clients best strengths, the writer drafted a new 5-page resume and an accompanying cover letter.

How to deal with decisions about March Madness at work

How to deal with decisions about March Madness at workHow to deal with decisions about March Madness at workEvery Spring a national event captures the attention of millions of employees the NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments.Individuals who are die-hard basketball fans, those who may follow their local college kollektiv when they are doing well, and people who just like to pick teams according to their mascots all become intrigued and involved in following the games.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraUnderstanding March MadnessWhile March Madness is typically referred to as a singular event, those familiar with the tournaments know that they actually are a series of games and regional tournaments over a three-week period. The process begins with Selection Sunday where the 68 teams who get to play in the tournament are announced. Individuals then fill out their game brackets to choose who they think will win individual games and eventually, the championship. There often are informal pools for betting on the winners, and more formal versions fans set up on the Internet. The win or leave format takes teams from pre-tournament play-in games, through the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, the Final Four and then the championship game.The impact of March Madness on workWhy is it important for supervisors, managers and employers to understand March Madness? Because for many employees, March Madness becomes an important part of their life, influencing their thought time, emotions, and relationships both personally and at work. And secondly, because many of the games (especially in the first two weeks) are played during the day on weekdays. This creates some challenges at work.When a game is being played, it is available to be watched or listened to on television, radio and the computer. So, many employees are distracted from their work while a game important to the m (or for some people, any game) is being played. Sometimes, when a local team is playing, seemingly the whole city or vicinity shuts down to watch and the experience can actually become a team building experience among colleagues (including good natured teasing for those rooting for the opponent).The dilemmas raisedThis raises the question for managershow should we handle these situations?Do we give people the freedom to watch (essentially, providing time off of work)?Do we set up a formal process where they can use personal time to watch the game?If they are salaried employees, do we allow them to manage their time as they wish as long as they fulfill their obligations?Do we make no allowances and suggest they record the game to watch later?What do we do if we know people are watching on the sly at their desks or lingering longer in the break room?Some guiding principlesThere are numerous, overlapping issues that need to be considered, including any legal implications regarding u nequal treatment of employees, how to serve your clients best, decision-making and communication processes, and staff morale.Let me make some suggestions that can help avoid creating undesired resultsWhatever options you are considering, be sure and pass them by your HR manager(or your HR legal consultant) to make sure you are notlage breaking any laws or creating significant risk for being sued for how you handle the issue.Understand that individuals feel valued and appreciated in different ways(words of praise, time and attention, help with projects, and tangible gifts are some.)While watching the NCAA tournament games may not be important to you, to some of your employees it is extremely so. Think of someone who attends all of the games, goes to away games, wears the colleges sportswear, and talksa lotabout the team. You can really hit the mark by making it possible for them to watch the game and employees often respond with sincere appreciation and a higher sense of loyalty to you.Discuss the situation with your management team, sales and customer service representatives and make sure you understand the needs of your clients,approaching deadlines, and how you can be responsive during the games, when needed.Consider the Benefits, Costs and Potential Risks. Although there are many options on the continuum, if we simplify the options into a) giving employees flex time to watch the games, and b) not allowing employees to watch the games during work, the following results can be considered.COMMUNICATE.COMMUNICATE.What seems like a good idea (and a fairly innocuous way of being nice to your employees) can become a nightmare, leading to hurt feelings and frustration, and even major conflict, unfortunately.Talk with your managers and supervisors. Get input from those you know who are interested in watching the games, and hear from those who have no interest at all. Then be clear who is making the decision, how and by when the decision will be made, and the altern atives available (people love choices). Consider including communicating the principles and factors by which the decision was made.Final issues to considerThere is no right or wrong answer for how best to deal with March Madness in the workplace. And the choice you makemayvary according to the specific circumstances this year your local team is involved, there are too many deadlines to meet, etc.Essentially, the issue becomes a cost / benefit analysisAre the relational and morale benefits worth the hassle?How much complaining might there be from non-interested employees?Is it necessary to determine equivalent ways to give others some time off?Regardless of what you choose, enjoy the tournamentThis article originally appeared on Appreciation at Work.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your producti vityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Rise of the Master of Engineering Management Degree

The Rise of the Master of Engineering Management Degree The Rise of the Master of Engineering Management Degree The Rise of the Master of Engineering Management DegreeThe Master of Engineering Management degree is on the rise. On the surface it might seem the degree is meant for engineers eager to climb a few rungs in their career, hone their geschftsleben skills, or flex their leadership skills.But Jeffrey Glass, faculty director of Duke Universitys Master of Engineering Management Program and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the university, believes that any engineer could benefit from the degree. On the one hand, its more common for engineers to find themselves in management positions early in their careers. More important is the changing nature of engineering jobs at any level. At events sponsored by Duke University, students have the opportunity to showcase an innovative project. reputation Duke UniversityWhat I think is a bigger driver for th e Master of Engineering Management degrees that are coming upand there are so many more than there were even five or ten years agois this idea that we no longer do engineering in a vacuum, Glass says.The traditional engineer of yesterday was given an engineering problem to solve and then did it. In school, the approach is often underscored with problems that have clearly defined answers. Thats not how it works in the real world anymore.In earning an MEM degree, students learn the systems perspective, where you look at an organization and the problems youre trying to solve in a broader sense, not just from the simple engineering solution, Glass says. Now you have to solve a customer problem, an engineering problem, an organizational problem, and a stakeholder problem.For You The Engineering Manager, Engaging Todays WorkforceIts not only that engineers must now know the context of the problems theyre working on. They are also faced with blurry end-zones and fuzzy data. Youre going to have to decide when enough is enough and make a decision based on ambiguous information, Glass says, I think thats a huge shift in the mindset.Youre going to have to decide when enough is enough and make a decision based on ambiguous information. I think thats a huge shift in the mindset.Prof. Jeffrey Glass, Duke UniversityWhile the MEM program trains engineers for the leadership skills and business acumen needed in managerial roles, the skills gained through the degree can be applied to many aspects of a job. Engineers with this broader outlook are more and more sought after, whatever the position they are being sought to fill.Companies are going to see them as much more highly valued because they understand some of the decisions that maybe cant be explained with the principles and the knowledge that a conventional engineer would have, Glass says. If they have this knowledge of the organizational context and the business context, they understand that, OK, there are things here that are not related to the technology or engineering. I can accept that. It might seem, at first glance, that dealing with such ambiguity is antithetical to the typical engineering frame of mind. But this isnt necessarily the case. Ive managed a lot of engineers, and what I love about it is that they are very analytical and willing to learn anything, anytime, Glass says. So that makes them very good in terms of management. The ambiguity problem is just a matter of practice, its a matter of skill sets applied to a different environment.The bottom line is that an MEM degree not only helps engineers be better managers, but trains them to be better overall employees. Its not to set them up to be a manger right away, but to be the fruchtwein effective engineer right away, Glass says.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Read More12 Skills You Need to Advance an Engineering CareerExperiential Learning and Cooperative Education Pay Off For Further Discussion

Underrated Concerns on Honors and Awards Resume Examples You Need to Think About

Underrated Concerns on Honors and Awards Resume Examples You Need to Think About Lies Youve Been Told About Honors and Awards Resume Examples Before you dive off the maximal board, make koranvers that you can swim. If you just have a couple of professional awards to add it is preferable to include them in your professional experience. When trying to determine which civic and community awards would be great awards to put on a resume, it is helpful to use awards which are a yearly recognition of some kind of excellence. Any normal activity that doesnt consist of attainment of an award, scholarship, or other means of recognition shouldnt be listed as an accomplishment ever since your capacity to be extraordinary has not yet been measured by means of an organization. Instead, your target is to demonstrate the reader how youre EXTRAordinary. Its definitely better to provide a good illustration of whenever you have demonstrated a skill, including receiving an award. Likewise in case you have won any sporting awards for team sports, it demonstrates that youve got strong teamwork abilities. A high quality resume paper also will help make a fantastic impression. No matter if youre utilizing an audio resume or a video resume, make sure to concentrate on your professional life. An expert image is needed. Whether you list your honors and awards in a different section or in different locations, you might still require help seeing the right way to format a resume. How to Get Started with Honors and Awards Resume Examples? Accomplishments are great assistance, so concentrate on them Most employers search for prospective employees in their pool of applicants that has the ability to provide great results particularly in the collectors job. To make sure that you get noticed by means of an employer, be certain to stick to some basic rules. What the majority of employers really need to hire isnt just an individual that has met the qualifications for a specific rol e. Most likely, a prospective employer wont understand the meaning, which means youve lost what otherwise might be an extremely positive point. My customers leave not only with an achievement-focused resume that provides them with extraordinary competitive advantage in the work market, but using a new awareness of confidence that accompanies the capacity to articulate the previous effects and benefits theyve produced for employers, along with the potential they must add similar value later on. Every applicant whos searching for a job want to make a specialist resume due to their interview. When youve lost your job, it is a no-brainer that you will need to prepare a resume. Each job has a particular set of requirements. New Step by Step Roadmap for Honors and Awards Resume Examples The job tasks should incorporate everything in only a few words. It actually is difficult more than enough to find work. Write down the skills youre sure of and those which you possess. You can di scover a lot from military resume examples which you find online. Over the previous 29 decades, more than 1,000 software and data businesses have received CODiE Awards. In a way, its a marketing document and the item is you You may always incorporate that information into different parts of your resume. All the information that you include needs to be pertinent to the position youre applying for. Honors and Awards Resume Examples Options You should instead concentrate on the qualifications youve got, emphasizing your real value as employee. Rewriting your resume to emphasize achievements is the one most impactful change you can possibly make. Employers do background checks and might request transcripts also. Additionally, they might ask your references or former employers to verify the information you listed. Its also critical to understand how to format a CV in a manner thats both crystal clear and well-structured. The examples which you find online will have the abil ity to demonstrate how each type differs. Therefore, its imperative you select your formatting and wording carefully. Good formatting is also essential. Third, you might not have a good deal of specialist experience to back your aims up. For instance, accomplishments from childhood or higher school may not be valuable information for employers if it doesnt apply to the function. In the present economy you need all of the help that you are able to get. In addition, there are organizations that mimic legitimate honor societies so as to earn money from naive students. The Appeal of Honors and Awards Resume Examples Other schools ensure it is optional. Law school resumes arent the exact same as a resume that you would utilize to turn in an application for work. High school honors can indicate lots of distinct things. You usually incorporate an education resume honors and awards section when you wish to wow hiring managers and others responsible for hiring, like superintende nts or school principals.

The True Story About How to Write Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Know

The True Story About How to Write Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Know The Meaning of How to Write Resume You have to tailor your resume to each work application so that it responds to the particular necessities of the job which youre applying for. It is possible to also understand the job resumes. If its possible to perform many different varieties of jobs, then you could consider having a separate resume for each job. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. The Debate Over How to Write Resume You may enter your social networking profile address for an extra point of contact. You dont need to supply any personal or private info on your resume. Resume heading is the one of the main location, where you must include no more than the ideal information. The work search may be a lengthy process just examine the statistics below Choosing Good How to Write Resume Freelance work ought to be included as a boost to your r esume, and is less valuable if youre doing work that doesnt relate to your field or wouldnt lead to a reference. At this time youre fully equipped with all the info you have to effectively compose a summary in a resume thats eye-catching and will get you the job that you dream about. Your resume should incorporate these sections. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilised to secure new employment. They may be organized in different ways. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. You merely receive a very brief quantity of time to generate an impression and a well written resume summary can make a big difference. Posting your resume online may be an effective means and it takes very little time. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is vital. The End of How to Write Resume Keep in mind, your resume is only a means to entice an employer, so you may get your foot in the door. Our resume builder is t he quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. The aim of your resume is to tell a possible employer something about you to binnensee whether youre a superior fit for the job which you are looking for. If your resume isnt tightly focused at work youre seeking, nor simple to read, then it may not get read. The Number One Question You Must Ask for How to Write Resume Writing your objective is among the most significant measures you have to do before writing your resume. Writing a strong application is a difficult procedure and we would like to make it simpler. If you require more comprehensive aid in writing your resume, I encourage you to have a peek at the Resume Masterpiece. Therefore, writing a good resume ought to be deemed as writing a bit of marketing paper with the aim of selling yourself to the employer. Resume paper selection is a significant facet of the presentation of a completed resume. A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. You may choose to test out different kinds of resume templates. Employing a resume template is now an acceptable and smart practice for several explanations.