Let's Talk: Public Speaking

Picture this: a young woman, trembling lips holding on to a suitcase, eyes filled with tears. Not exactly the picture of confident career progression, wouldn't you say? Yet, that was me, five years ago, standing at the pickup point of a writing retreat – an opportunity I knew would be career-defining. Public speaking, then, was my phobia (next to spiders, of course), capable of reducing me to a crying wreck. So why the tears? Shame. Shame that my fear, this irrational monster, was winning.

But wait, there's more. As I beat myself up, my wise then-mentor stepped in. After a comforting chat, I got in the car and chose the front seat as my safe haven. I decided to stay quiet, thinking of it as my protection. But the retreat itself proved to be the perfect place for me. The encouraging vibes, the eye-opening workshops, and the shared vulnerability among fellow writers – they all worked together, slowly breaking down my fear.

By the end, I didn't conquer my anxiety entirely. But I wrote. I shared my work. I even, hesitantly, spoke up during a discussion. And in that quiet act of courage, I had a realization.

It was the realization that growth often begins with facing my fears, and if I wanted a successful career, it was a step I could no longer avoid. Fast forward to today, and I proudly hosted the launch of Smart Pathways, an incredible maternal health program in Ethiopia. This expansion, a result of a powerful partnership between PSI/Ethiopia, the Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia , the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) , and the Gates Foundation , enables thousands of rural girls to make informed choices about their health.

You see, as a communications professional now, one might assume public speaking is second nature and why this would be a big deal. But that was a far cry from reality for me back then. Writing was my world, my sanctuary. Public speaking felt like going into a scary foreign land, filled with mistakes and uncertainty. Little did I know, that leaving my comfort zone to go into this "uncomfortable zone" would become the key to taking my career to a new height.

Of course, the process stage wasn't a straight path. Roles in various organizations that were beyond writing, exposed me to the wide communications sector.

And, I'm still very much a writer at heart, but I've come to embrace the different aspects of communications. It's a constant learning process and a whole LOT of going out of my comfort zone, which I have been doing more lately, thanks to Fana A. Abay Abay at Population Services International/Ethiopia (PSI/E) , who nudges me toward speaking opportunities. Your words, "It's okay to make mistakes," have become my mantra.

Each instance of stepping out of my comfort zone, despite the initial discomfort, has contributed to my personal and professional growth. I am so grateful for the opportunities presented to me, and the supportive environment that encourages continuous learning.

In the end, standing as the MC for the project launch event not only proved to me that I have grown significantly since that retreat but also reminded me of the passion I have for my career. My voice is a little louder now, and my heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunities that lie ahead.

This is just the beginning of the story. There are more fears to face, and more voices waiting to be heard. And I, for one, can't wait to grab the microphone and tell them all.