Public Speaking?

How do you feel about public speaking?  I would venture to guess that most people aren’t crazy about speaking in public. While I will admit that public speaking opportunities have never been something that I have sought out, I really don’t mind public speaking.

As I have advanced in my career, I have had to get more comfortable with public speaking.  As a Training Captain, I routinely teach classes and have to not only speak in front of audiences, I have to speak in front of firemen.  I have spoken in front of community leaders and business executives, but there is nothing as intimidating as teaching a room full of firemen. Firemen are naturally outspoken and honest.  By our very nature, we are inquisitive and not only want to know how to do something, but why we have to do it that way and want to know if there are alternate ways of doing it. It’s similar to being in front of a jury of your peers. Even though I have known most of them for many years, you can rest assured that they will not cut me any slack if I try to “wing it” or “pull the wool over their eyes”.

It might sound weird, but I really enjoy it.  I feel that it makes me better as I have to ensure that I am well prepared and know the information inside and out. I figure that if i can speak to a room full of firemen, I can speak in front of anyone.