Impromptu speaking

I have spent the day working with a group of people who have in some way been involved in Space Unlimited projects – including some young people. We were reviewing the benefits to all participants – teachers, the businesses, Space Unlimited itself and the coaches (of which I am one) – and of course, and most importantly – the young people.

They were working in a separate group from us oldies and at the end of the session they agreed to talk about what they had discussed. Each stood up confidently, spoke to the poster/notes that were displayed and took questions on what they had said. This gave us a great insight into their point of view on the benefits of the projects.

As I become more and more involved in speaking in public – training and delivering – I  also notice more about how comfortable and naturally good at speaking some people are. Those youngsters this morning were great- and I gave them that feedback. And I agreed when one of the older folks said to me that many adults would not be that confident in speaking to a group at very short notice.

Some of the feedback from a young person’s point of view of being a participant in a Space Unlimited project was that prior to that they felt that adults would not listen to them. Now they know that that is not the case. But telling the story/making the point/ trying to influence will be more successful if you speak with clarity, confidence and passion.

Which is a lesson for us all.