I was at the Hilton for an important work event; our MD and Board members were present as well as top management staff. Employees of different levels were also asked to be present as the organisation’s new corporate identity was being unveiled. I felt privileged to be in the midst of my organisation’s top brass and was really looking forward to the event.
As the event commenced, a top member of the management team went to the podium to address the audience on the brand and why we all needed to embrace it. As the second speaker addressed us, the gentleman moderating the event approached me.
“What department are you in?” he asked.
I was puzzled, and seeing the look on my face he spoke again.
“Aren’t you Chioma? You’re speaking next, right?
”Me! Speaking, are you sure?
Surely there was a mix-up, I thought, but after he showed me my name on his schedule, I knew that the people in the Communications Unit had given him my name without informing me. He saw that I was totally unprepared and told me he could shuffle the order and call someone else before me, but I told him it was OK and I went ahead.
I am sure at this point you’re thinking that I’m a confident speaker who was used to speaking before crowds, right? Well, you couldn’t be more wrong. I was petrified....
First of all, I had never spoken to people in such a setting. Apart from sharing a testimony in church years ago, this was a first. Secondly, I stammer. I have stammered all my life, and anyone familiar with stammering will know that it gets worse under pressure or anxiety. Finally, the people in the room were big shots…not just from my office but from other organisations as well.
I was scared of messing up, but at the same time I knew it as an opportunity to test and practice my public speaking skills. In the few seconds before being called up to the podium, I psyched myself by thinking how privileged I was to be chosen to address such a distinguished gathering. I also told myself that if they had put my name on that list with such accomplished people, then I might as well make the best of it. Then my name was called. Thankfully, I was dressed in a killer suit that day (one reason you should always make sure you look “on point”), and I “girded my loins” and mounted the podium with my head raised high.
I tried to remember how the lady who spoke before me had addressed the dignitaries. “Our MD, distinguished Board, and all protocols observed (magic phrase when you don’t want to leave anyone out), my dear colleagues, I am here to speak once again on the brand…”
Thankfully, the fear vanished as I spoke. I tried to focus on the crowd and kept it short and sweet. When I left the podium, sank into my seat and gulped down a glass of water, a senior colleague patted me on the back and said, “Nne ñuo mmili, i gbaliana!”(“Drink water, you did well!”). Another of my colleagues said, “Chioma, you are bold! If it was me I would have run!” I smiled at her, if only she knew….
*Article first published on www.chiomah.net