I love trying new things, and last week, I had the honor of working with Hillside Communications in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aside from it being a wonderful meeting and workshop, I got to eat a few things that I hadn’t tried before:
Traditional hot pot
A fruit called Salak, A.K.A the Snake Fruit
And a tea egg
Okay, so how does bravely ordering or taking a bite of something you have never had before relate to public speaking?
Everything.
I believe that if you want to be really good at something, and if you want your audience to feel enlivened, inspired, and educated by your message, then one thing you can do is to continue being curious—to try new things and to expand your awareness. To grow.
Admittedly, I didn’t care for the tea egg, but I loved the hot pot and the fruit I tried. I have now expanded my palate and learned how to order a hot pot and how to peel the fruit. Initially, I tried to take an unsuccessful bite out of the Salak until my lovely breakfast companion, observing my struggle, politely said, ''You need to peel it first.' Slightly embarrassed, I took the feedback and all was in alignment again. 😂
This little incident reminded me that there's always room for adjustment. Also, this doesn’t mean that I won’t try the tea egg again because I know that not all tea eggs are the same. A tea egg from a morning breakfast buffet in a hotel is probably not going to be the best, so having context and not dismissing something too quickly is also important. When you try new things as a speaker or in your next presentation, you will always expand and grow. Not everything will work, but you won’t know unless you try. Am I right?
This spirit of exploration and resilience can make all the difference. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it's tasting new foods or pitching an unconventional idea to your audience. Every new experience, good or bad, enriches us, providing fresh perspectives that can enhance our connections with others and boost our delivery on stage.
Keep exploring, my friends, and let every new taste and every new challenge add richness to the person you are and the meaningful stories you get to share. ✨
PS: if you are looking for a new way to grow and expand as a speaker, please consider my group coaching program, Confidently Speaking. You can learn more about it here.
I joined Confidently Speaking to make public speaking exercises my weekly routine with fun. Meridith brings such energy and kindness in the sessions that I feel I can comfortably do something uncomfortable! —Shoko M. Executive and Leadership Coach and Co- Founder of SHIFT Women's Leadership Training Program