“What is it that people fear most? Well! At least according to a survey done in the US!”
I threw this question to participants of a half day event held at the JIM Perak HQ. A few heads shook, some mutterings from lips…but my ears could not catch what were being said.
“Giving a cool speech in front of an audience!” said one – a teenage girl, seated on the second row from the front.
“You got that right!” said I, smiling, “in fact, some said they would rather die than open their mouths when all eyes are transfixed on who else but you, the speaker!”
Smiles…from the participants.
31st March 2008, was a date that I could slot in a short half-day workshop on Public Speaking in between my busy schedule. Participants were from the various districts making up JIM Perak State such as Ipoh City, Kuala Kangsar, Hilir Perak and Manjung). Their ages – ranging from teens right down to the late 40’s.
Halfway through the morning, I shared tips on the theories and facts. After the break, it was show time! Yes! Participants had a “hands-on’ experience.
“Cool! Everbody is excited and trying their best. In their respective groups,” I commented to an observer who decided to attend but preferred not to participate.
If sessions like this may be done periodically, I believe that most of the members would be able to overcome their ‘butterflies in their tummies’ and cold sweats on their palms syndrome; be it in a small group formal discussion or a one to one encounter with a total stranger.
In less than 2 hours, participants were able to evaluate themselves on how good they were and how they should improve themselves based on feedback from other group members. And unexpectedly, someone most demure and quiet (who did not have a clue that she can be a good speaker all this while) was most surprised that she was voted one of the best speakers (Puan Latifah – the wife of our one time YDP JIM Negeri Perak – Dr. Mohd. Fadzil). The rest of the participants looked equally excited and strived to give their best shots during the exercise.
The ability to speak effectively is absolutely necessary for each and every one of us, irrespective of where we are and what we do. The urgency is ubiquitous, in situations such as:
a. whereby effective communications need to prevail. For example, our children - entrance to institutions of higher learning, undergoing the process of interviews,..good diction and clear delivery may heighten and impress would-be employers. An effective speaker may easily get their message across to the people around them, avoiding deadlock and inefficiency in the whole work process, thus ensuring smooth transactions. An NGO like JIM certainly need this plus point!
I threw this question to participants of a half day event held at the JIM Perak HQ. A few heads shook, some mutterings from lips…but my ears could not catch what were being said.
“Giving a cool speech in front of an audience!” said one – a teenage girl, seated on the second row from the front.
“You got that right!” said I, smiling, “in fact, some said they would rather die than open their mouths when all eyes are transfixed on who else but you, the speaker!”
Smiles…from the participants.
31st March 2008, was a date that I could slot in a short half-day workshop on Public Speaking in between my busy schedule. Participants were from the various districts making up JIM Perak State such as Ipoh City, Kuala Kangsar, Hilir Perak and Manjung). Their ages – ranging from teens right down to the late 40’s.
Halfway through the morning, I shared tips on the theories and facts. After the break, it was show time! Yes! Participants had a “hands-on’ experience.
“Cool! Everbody is excited and trying their best. In their respective groups,” I commented to an observer who decided to attend but preferred not to participate.
If sessions like this may be done periodically, I believe that most of the members would be able to overcome their ‘butterflies in their tummies’ and cold sweats on their palms syndrome; be it in a small group formal discussion or a one to one encounter with a total stranger.
In less than 2 hours, participants were able to evaluate themselves on how good they were and how they should improve themselves based on feedback from other group members. And unexpectedly, someone most demure and quiet (who did not have a clue that she can be a good speaker all this while) was most surprised that she was voted one of the best speakers (Puan Latifah – the wife of our one time YDP JIM Negeri Perak – Dr. Mohd. Fadzil). The rest of the participants looked equally excited and strived to give their best shots during the exercise.
The ability to speak effectively is absolutely necessary for each and every one of us, irrespective of where we are and what we do. The urgency is ubiquitous, in situations such as:
a. whereby effective communications need to prevail. For example, our children - entrance to institutions of higher learning, undergoing the process of interviews,..good diction and clear delivery may heighten and impress would-be employers. An effective speaker may easily get their message across to the people around them, avoiding deadlock and inefficiency in the whole work process, thus ensuring smooth transactions. An NGO like JIM certainly need this plus point!
b. When we are able to make other people understand us and our message gets across, our self esteem would certainly spiral exponentially. “You feel good about yourself”. Self motivation curves up on our personal graph and we certainly feel like contributing more efforts and more often too!
c.Most significantly, communicative skills is paramount for every one of as dai’e (a task incumbent on every Muslim individual regardless who and where we are i.e. the task to dissipate the teachings of Islam). More so, for JIM members.
The least that the participants could gather from this small effort was to gain a few pointers. For example, throwing our voice over and the importance of voice intonations, body language such as hand gestures and how we carry ourselves, eye movements such as sweeping through the audience and focusing on faces and the eyes of audience, as well as facial expressions to ensure more ‘umph’ factor in delivery.
A more consistent group effort would ensure the effectiveness of this type of programme and to maintain the momentum afterwards. I believe that, in trying to wean people out of their comfort zone and to get them to contribute more towards uplifting our society, we need to supply the necessary ‘tools’ to them. In a way, I am very happy to be able to share what little knowledge that I have, in the speaking skills workshop such as this (and writing skills workshop before this)…
It is hoped that this knowledge would be forwarded and shared by the participants in their respective districts amongst the other members…May Allah reward us all…Amin.
Sharing is caring..which in turn may propagate love amongst us. This feeling of satisfaction is difficult to describe. But then again, it is aptly wrapped up in a saying which my other half (Ir. Haji Mohamad Sofian Ahmad) love to quote in his numerous invited speeches:-
“We make a living by earning…
We make a life by giving!”
The least that the participants could gather from this small effort was to gain a few pointers. For example, throwing our voice over and the importance of voice intonations, body language such as hand gestures and how we carry ourselves, eye movements such as sweeping through the audience and focusing on faces and the eyes of audience, as well as facial expressions to ensure more ‘umph’ factor in delivery.
A more consistent group effort would ensure the effectiveness of this type of programme and to maintain the momentum afterwards. I believe that, in trying to wean people out of their comfort zone and to get them to contribute more towards uplifting our society, we need to supply the necessary ‘tools’ to them. In a way, I am very happy to be able to share what little knowledge that I have, in the speaking skills workshop such as this (and writing skills workshop before this)…
It is hoped that this knowledge would be forwarded and shared by the participants in their respective districts amongst the other members…May Allah reward us all…Amin.
Sharing is caring..which in turn may propagate love amongst us. This feeling of satisfaction is difficult to describe. But then again, it is aptly wrapped up in a saying which my other half (Ir. Haji Mohamad Sofian Ahmad) love to quote in his numerous invited speeches:-
“We make a living by earning…
We make a life by giving!”
1 comment:
It takes a lot of courage and practice to address an audience. Good to hear you doing a great job - especially a topic of my personal interest!
Post a Comment