Presentation fear

I used to do tutorial and lab demonstration when I was a postgraduate student to help supplement my scholarship. I have always been very nervous conducting these especially tutorial as I was always fearful that there will be someone in the class more knowledgeable in the subject mater than myself. Someone who will make me look like a fool in front of everyone! There were cases where final year students would gather at the end of a lab session, usually after they have had a discussion amongst themselves, to ask me very insightful questions. In some cases, the questions asked are so intricate that it could have easily turned me into a bowl of noodle! I am very fortunate, however, that those were on subjects I enjoyed and have a better than average understanding and was never caught with my pants down! Though fearful of being inadequate, I do find these discussions very rewarding as these young men and women, inexperienced just a few years ago, are now have a meaning professional discussion.

In my recent role as an Innovation Manager for a Fortune 500 company, I have been conducting innovation workshops and classes and the same fear remains. I believe that unless I am a world renown expert in the subject matter I am presenting, there is always a possibility of having someone in the class who is more knowledgeable than myself. Naturally, one will need to learn ways to handle unexpected situations. As an example, a trainer/instructor has control over the session and can always suggest to take a discussion offline! Most postgraduate students will also learn the trick that when they are asked a question they don't understand or do not know how to answer during a conference presentation, they will say something like "If I understand your question correctly you are asking ......" rephrasing the question and then go on to answer their own question! You will also learn more or less the kind of questions people will ask after having delivered a material several times and be prepared for them. Even with these and other techniques one can never be too sure as the following story depicts.

A sex therapist was having a discussion with the group and the therapist said, a person happiness is directly proportional to the frequency they have sex. And to prove this to the group he asked a person in the group who don't look all that happy how often he has sex and the person replied, "About once a month if I am lucky." The therapist then went on to ask the next person who does not look happy nor unhappy the same question and the reply was "Oh! About once a fortnight." The next person who look relatively happy was then asked and he replied "Once a week, some time more than just the one." The therapist than asked an even happier looking person and he replied "Every other day without fail and sometime more!" Well feeling confident that the response from the group thus far supported what he said earlier, the therapist then when on to ask this person who was beaming with a smile that stretched from ear to ear the question and he replied "Once a year!" And with enthusiasm and excitement he jumped up and said "It is tonight!"

Do not take side when couple quarrel

When couple quarrel, each may complain about the other to their close friends or relatives. In the event that you find yourself being selected as one of these close friends or relatives and irrespective of how much you agree with the person, you must stay neutral and not be tempted to join in. What you said may be used against you when they make up!