I’ll admit it, I was nervous. Not about getting in front of an audience, I’ve done that hundreds of times and I get more of an excited feeling than a nervous one before I step out on stage. I was nervous about trying something new and risky. Even though much of my keynote talk this year at the NSC’s Annual Congress and Expo. in Orlando included new material, there was one thing in particular that was keeping me up at nights.
I had to try it though. I’m always encouraging safety leaders to quell their fears and try new, fun things at their safety meetings and promotions. So, I didn’t want to be a hypocrite and chicken out.
As part of the section on working with a spirit of service and gratitude I included a romantic poem between a man and his respirator entitled “Ode to a Face Pump” that I had written years ago.
If I was only going to recite the poem myself it wouldn’t have been as risky. But it also wouldn’t have the same potential for a grand impact as having audience members come up and recite parts of the Ode in a competition. Since it was “over the top” it could have been a complete flop—stupid even. (I’ve included a copy of the Ode below my closing.)
Well, as people starting arriving I chose my three victims: Lloyd, Jackie and Mike. They were good sports about volunteering. I told them that all they would have to do is come up on stage when I called them and then recite their stanzas to a full-face respirator that was perched on a table.
To add some Shakespearean ambiance I had original harpsichord music playing in the background when the competition began.
Lloyd did a good job. Got a few laughs.
Jackie put her heart into it and was hilarious.
Then Mike approached the respirator and gave an academy-award-worthy conclusion.
I asked the audience to vote by applause and though all three performances got a hearty rooting, Mike was the obvious winner. (His prize– a Benjamin Franklin Action Figure!)
I was relived and thrilled at how well the Ode went. The result didn’t teach me a new lesson, but it did reinforce two I learned years ago.
One: get your audience involved whether directly, like I did with the Ode, or indirectly through stories, demonstrations and topics unique to the area or company.
Two: even if your knees are shaking, it’s worth it to take chances, at least when it comes to presentations. (What if the Ode had flopped? I’ll tell you about that in a future blog—when I describe what happed when I tried to be a puppeteer for the first and probably last time.)
Have you ever tried anything that was “scary” during a presentation? I’d love to hear about it.
‘till next time.
Richard
Ode to a Face Pump
When the day is fresh dawning And the sunlight shines full Whispers of your protection Start my morn with a thrill
Your smooth rubber rim And your straps black and strong Are there to protect me Unless I put thee on wrong
Your cartridges many Some thick and some thin Have smooth colored labels Which foretell what gets in
Whether painting or cleaning In a tank, well or mine If I remember your limits My lungs will be fine
When you are upon my face I can trust your protection So long as I make sure Thou art clean and inspected
Though I cherish thy protection My savior my friend It is clean air I work in Whenever I can
