As you read this, take a moment to reflect on the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. Next year, I plan to do just that by representing my company at events and shows. It’s a big step for me, as I’ve always been a behind-the-scenes kind of person, but our CEO urged me to take on a more active role.
For someone who’s camera-shy like me, that’s a big deal.
I’ve attended several events and moderated sessions involving some of Nigeria’s top entrepreneurs and business leaders. Despite being shy and timid, I immediately become an Oscar-winning actor once I get behind a camera. I’ve moderated many sessions, and the feedback I get is always positive, especially on how I carry myself, my voice, and my persona.
Now, why am I sharing this? Something weird happened this weekend. I was contacted for a speaking engagement at Landmark to speak at Google Dev Fest on a panel session on communications. As an introvert, I almost turned it down because the organisers weren’t fully prepared. I got the questions 7 hours before the event. The moderator sent them at 11:50 pm on a Friday. I decided not to stress about it and didn’t bother to prepare.
I was already disappointed with the planning and had a Data Analytics class the next day. Saturdays are usually hectic, so I thought about cancelling at the last minute. The session was to start at the end of the second class (11:50 am – 12:30 pm), and I didn’t want to miss any of it. But, for some reason, I didn’t want to cancel. I told myself, “I’ll do it.”
I woke up early, left my house at 7 am, and drove to Landmark to be well-prepared. I wanted to join my first class without rushing. Thankfully, I got there at 8:30 am, with enough time to find a parking space and join the first class. Just as the second class began, the moderator called, asking me to come to the backstage to be mic’d up. I was like, “What? No. The session doesn’t start until 11:50 am. It’s only 10:40 am.” Then they dropped the bomb. There was a miscommunication; the session was moved forward to start at 10:50 am.
Furious, I kept my cool – Emotional Intelligence class paying off. I explained that I’d planned my schedule around the original time and that I had an ongoing class. They apologised and offered a new time slot for our session, 11:30 am – 12 pm.
I had planned to skip the last 10 mins of the class, but now I would miss almost 45 mins because we had to be backstage 10 minutes before the session started. This wasn’t going well. I hadn’t even taken a second look at the questions. I was unprepared. But I did it anyway, and my session was the best.
I came out smiling, happy, and connected with listeners from the session. Many thanked me for my tips and shared knowledge. During the session, I mentioned that I’m usually on the moderating side, but I’m a speaker today, so it’s kinda new to me.
The best part was that the session was about communications – Media and Public Relations for Startups and Developers. The following class had questions about crisis management, building/managing an online reputation, public relations for Tech people, etc., all taught by Dr Silk Ogbu. He touched on some of the questions, so when I joined the next class, which was after my session had ended at 12:30 – the next class was at 2, I enjoyed it even more.
Afterwards, I felt proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and taking on this challenge. It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest rewards come from pushing ourselves beyond what we think we’re capable of. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
Below are pictures and tweets from the session.
My journey so far in LBS