Beyond the Podium: Navigating the Unpredictable Seas of Public Speaking

As the curtains draw on another year, I find myself reflecting on the experiences that unfolded on stages across 20+ different events in 2023. As a speaker on topics ranging from personal journeys to women, technology, and entrepreneurship. I was never a public speaker during my schooling. I never knew when this got into my head.??Now, I love addressing the crowd at the?same time? I feel very bored of speaking on the same topic, each time I feel overwhelmed before getting on to the stage and facing a new set of audience. Each session presented its own set of challenges and rewards.

Join me on this journey as I share insights gained from three notable events that pushed me beyond the boundaries of traditional public speaking.

Event Name: Lidera | Adi Shankara College

I often feel very confident in the way I take the session, I loved?Tedx but it was very uncomfortable to stand in one single circle and complete my talk, I love going around the audience.

One might assume that addressing an all-female audience would be a walk in the park for me. However, the session at ASIET proved to be an unexpected challenge. Despite my well-prepared slides and content, the audience seemed distant and unengaged.

I always made sure I made an impression before leaving the room, and this time was no different. I didn't want to end the session by simply running over the slides. I made several attempts, but I was unable to engage and comfortably seat my audience.

The turning point came when I decided to break away from the conventional and asked the ladies to sit around me informally. This impromptu shift transformed the session into a storytelling time, fostering a deeper connection.

What I took away from this experience was to try to execute last-minute strategies rather than just speaking to the crowd as usual. I initially felt?uncomfortable with the crowd's reaction, which wasn't normal of me at all, but this helped me learn how to deal with these circumstances.

Simultaneously, I discovered the reason behind the women's lack of interaction, which stems from the cultural problem of students being apprehensive of people outside visiting their campus to deliver talks. Because no one in the community knew what the organizing team was doing or why, they saw the session as just another dull lecture.

Takeaway: Embrace impromptu plans, be culturally sensitive, and communicate event objectives effectively.

2. Event Name : Devfest Kozhikode?

Devfest Kozhikode brought to light the importance of addressing gender equity in the tech and entrepreneurship space. A surprising majority initially walked out, highlighting the prevalent issue of people not giving enough importance to gender equity topics. I took it upon myself to bridge the comprehension gap. Through careful canvassing and engagement, we managed to draw back a substantial portion of the audience.

However, a new challenge emerged – a surge of anxiety as I realized the majority of my audience comprised men. While I had always been confident in using my voice to empower women, the dynamics had shifted. A paradigm change was essential. Thus, I pivoted from the planned podium presentation to an impromptu, conversation-based format, aiming to foster engagement and dialogue.

Voices of Men:

In this symphony of shared experiences, men raised their voices. They spoke of witnessing women leaving their teams due to unsupportive family dynamics, highlighting the broader societal impact of these challenges. Perspectives on the significance of financial independence for women reverberated through personal anecdotes, underlining the essential role it plays in shaping one's destiny.

Men also addressed the issue of denied promotions due to maternity leaves, shedding light on the systemic challenges women face in their career trajectories. These revelations painted a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted struggles intertwined with gender equity in professional spaces.

Voices of Women:

The narratives that unfolded were both heart-rending and empowering. Many women spoke about their career breaks prompted by early-age marriages and the responsibilities of raising children, some even younger than themselves. The struggles were not just confined to the workplace; unsupportive families and husbands became significant barriers to professional growth.

Denial of jobs due to career breaks emerged as a prevailing issue, leaving women grappling with the challenge of re-entering the workforce. The room echoed with the silent battles of those facing postpartum depression, feeling stuck and uncertain about the next steps in their professional lives.

With each shared story, a profound sense of empathy washed over me.

While disheartened by the harsh realities presented, there was a sense of accomplishment in raising awareness. The event became a platform for candid discussions, and I felt a profound gratitude for the opportunity to shed light on these challenges. It reinforced the belief that creating awareness is the first step towards fostering support and empowering individuals to overcome societal hurdles. It was not just an event; it was an eye-opening journey into the intricacies of gender equity. It propelled me to reflect on my purpose and consider the impactful role I can play in addressing societal issues.

3. Event Name: Reliance Nippon Insurance JFM Day

Invited on a personal connection basis, the Reliance Nippon Insurance event challenged my comfort zone. Addressing a room full of women aged 35+ on communicative English and personality development seemed a far cry from my usual topics.

The setting was distinct from my usual engagements, with a predominantly female audience, each navigating their professional lives as LTOs (Life Term Officers). These women, doing this job only to meet their life ends together.

To break the ice, I chose an unconventional approach, kickstarting the session with a famous comedy clip from the Malayalam movie Achuvinte Amma. The clip featured Urvashi attempting to speak in English, humorously sharing how she lost a policy due to language barriers. This seemingly related clip set a tone of warmth, making the audience more receptive to the session ahead.

I knew I could never teach them English or help them improve their personality in my 30-minute session, The session took an interactive turn as I encouraged the women to learn and speak out loud about 100 new adjectives. This exercise not only added a fun element but also subtly contributed to expanding their communicative English skills. The room resonated with laughter setting the stage for an atmosphere of learning without intimidation.

The event, though initially met with skepticism, turned out to be a lesson in adaptability and the diverse applications of my voice. It underscored the importance of addressing audiences beyond my typical comfort zone.

As I look forward to 2024 and beyond, these diverse experiences have fueled my passion, It's not just about delivering content; it's about creating an impact, fostering connections, and being open to the unexpected. The mic remains my ally, the audience my inspiration, and the challenges ahead my canvas for new learnings and perspectives. Here's to embracing the unpredictable seas of public speaking!