Pooping like an Elephant with Dan Pink and Presentation Zen

Ok, I admit it, I just liked the way that header sounded.

Reading Gar's blog today was a nice break, since the book he recommends (Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind") is one that I found the night before last, under my desk, right next to "Core Strength" essentials. These books had been purchased a while back, then life had intervened to keep me from reading them. I'd originally purchased Dan Pink's book to emulate Heidi Miller's "What I'm Reading Now" professional reading list on her blog.

And here I am this morning, reading about presentation skills just before I go off to do some presenting/educating at a conference in Chicago, and I now have the perfect reading matter to go along with the trip! Nice bit of non-planning that ends up coming back at just the right moment.

To digress a little bit here, I have to say I'm beginning to suspect that there may be something hereditary - nature vs. nurture, that is - about presentation skills. I've often claimed that my own public speaking ability (in all modesty, not inconsequential) was developed over years of seeing my father, in church, speaking before the congregation. He was easygoing, funny, personable, had a great sense of timing, and I also began speaking in church as well, at age 8 addressing a stake conference of 800 people with a talk I'd written myself.

However, I'm no longer active in that church, and haven't been for years. So the same modeling opportunity has not been given to my daughters - they've seen me teach, and seen me perform, but public speaking? Not much at all.

How interesting, then, to see my middle daughter delivering her acceptance speech at the recent GSA for Safe Schools banquet (she was accepting the award for Community Activist of the Year). I saw the same mannerisms that I and my father use: engaging eye contact, a centered but easy stance, minimal but well-timed hand motions, a clear sense of timing and humor and warm, clear tones in the voice...she was good.

So. Maybe they'll identify the presenter gene eventually.

I was digressing, wasn't I? what I wanted to really mention was another of Garr's posts, about "pooping like an elephant" (aka giving it away). I've been asked by many people if I've really "made any money" from podcasting. Honestly? No. I've spent far more, in hours and equipment and travel, than I've ever gained.

But the people, experiences, the connections and lives I've touched...there is no way to put a value on that. And as I try to figure out, now that my kids are grown, what to do next...I'm beginning to think that pooping like an elephant might actually be a valid career path.

Comments

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