The first time I read Lee Glickstein's book Be Heard Now! I knew that this was the book that could provide me all the answers on how to become an authentic speaker. As confessed in class, I have a fear of public speaking and am even more afraid of exposing my inner self. The purpose of this paper is to reflect and assess my own individual presentation style. Through peer feedback and self reflection, I will discuss my strengths and weaknesses in terms of making public presentations. Finally, I will establish a future communication development of goals and how learning can be incorporated into all aspects of my life. .
Outer Speaker.
The first chapter of the Glickstein's book exposed me as an outer speaker (p. 9). An outer speaker is someone who hides their true selves and speaks to the audience as whole versus speaking individually to the members of the audience (p. 9). My first presentation clearly described the elements of someone who was an outer speaker. I was performing like an actor in a staged presentation. Even the props I used were consistent with stage acting. I have always been afraid of public speaking, however, I am more afraid of showing my true self. My performance was simply an external show to camouflage my true inner speaker. Glickstein describes an inner speaker as a transformational speaker that has a speaking relationship with the audience (p. 48). The presenter has a deeper level of rapport with the audience speak from the heart speak to one member at a time warm personal intimate real zone: feel connected with self and audience (p. 48).
The impact of this revelation was immediate. I thought about how I presented myself in class, in the workplace and with my family/friends. The only time I was my authentic self was with my family and friends. Was I an actor in my real life or just in presentations? Maybe there was more to the issue than I actually realized. I have always hidden behind my sarcastic persona because I thought people would like me better if I was funny, witty and charming.