Comments on: On Public Speaking http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=on-public-speaking The Thinks I Think Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:19:03 -0500 hourly 1 By: Ed Skinner http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4132 Ed Skinner Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:16:16 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4132 For me, it's partly an ego-thing. I've been writing SW since '70 and, for the last 15, I've also been teaching it -- in private industry. I've worked for most of the RTOS companies -- I'm at Wind River now -- and have wrestled with Linux since about '95 -- and worked for MontaVista and probably enjoyed that more than any of the others ... uhm, I'm starting to ramble. Anyway, I love the classroom, of being up front and speaking, and being "under fire" with questions and having to think on my feet and, yes, on occasion having to say, "I don't know." But I've learned that smart people respect that. So, yeah, my ego gets stroked being the center of attention. That is, as long as I don't get shot down in flames too often. For me, it’s partly an ego-thing. I’ve been writing SW since ’70 and, for the last 15, I’ve also been teaching it — in private industry. I’ve worked for most of the RTOS companies — I’m at Wind River now — and have wrestled with Linux since about ’95 — and worked for MontaVista and probably enjoyed that more than any of the others … uhm, I’m starting to ramble.
Anyway, I love the classroom, of being up front and speaking, and being “under fire” with questions and having to think on my feet and, yes, on occasion having to say, “I don’t know.” But I’ve learned that smart people respect that.
So, yeah, my ego gets stroked being the center of attention.
That is, as long as I don’t get shot down in flames too often.

]]> By: Bill Childers http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4131 Bill Childers Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:12:56 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4131 Yeah, I HATED public speaking when I was younger as well. Now, I'll just get up there and yammer until I'll consume all the oxygen in the room and everyone passes out. I think it has to do with being comfortable in your own skin. As a kid (or college student or whatever) there's still a lot of awkwardness and self-doubt. Now, as an "old fart" -- you're confident that you know you're stuff, and you don't care about the stuff you don't know. :) Yeah, I HATED public speaking when I was younger as well. Now, I’ll just get up there and yammer until I’ll consume all the oxygen in the room and everyone passes out.

I think it has to do with being comfortable in your own skin. As a kid (or college student or whatever) there’s still a lot of awkwardness and self-doubt. Now, as an “old fart” — you’re confident that you know you’re stuff, and you don’t care about the stuff you don’t know. :)

]]> By: gamerchick02 http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4130 gamerchick02 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:08:46 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4130 I hated public speaking as well (my required speech class was as a senior in high school; and I had the same feeling of running out into traffic). I had to do plenty of presentations at college, but I really never got *that* nervous about it. Where my most nerve-wracking presentations were, actually, were at my last job. I was presenting to the "head engineer" of my department (at least a 10th level exec). My biggest presentation was a design change that we had been working on for 3 months. The engineers who were supposed to back me up weren't there. I presented, got approval, and walked out like I was on top of the world. It was much easier to present after that one experience. Amy I hated public speaking as well (my required speech class was as a senior in high school; and I had the same feeling of running out into traffic). I had to do plenty of presentations at college, but I really never got *that* nervous about it.

Where my most nerve-wracking presentations were, actually, were at my last job. I was presenting to the “head engineer” of my department (at least a 10th level exec). My biggest presentation was a design change that we had been working on for 3 months. The engineers who were supposed to back me up weren’t there. I presented, got approval, and walked out like I was on top of the world. It was much easier to present after that one experience.

Amy

]]> By: MOM http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4129 MOM Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:38:51 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4129 I don't have much to say to a crowd of peole, If I did it might be different but on the dancing thing, if you put on some country music even I can't stop myself from dancing. You can ask your sisters, they have actually tried to hold me still. lol I don’t have much to say to a crowd of peole, If I did it might be different but on the dancing thing, if you put on some country music even I can’t stop myself from dancing. You can ask your sisters, they have actually tried to hold me still. lol

]]> By: Russ http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4128 Russ Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:10:02 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4128 That's funny. Me too. I could get up and talk about anything now where I used to prefer skipping a class to talking in a minute or two late. I'm not embarrassed of my dancing, but I'm told I should be. :) That’s funny. Me too. I could get up and talk about anything now where I used to prefer skipping a class to talking in a minute or two late.

I’m not embarrassed of my dancing, but I’m told I should be. :)

]]> By: octopusgrabbus http://www.brainofshawn.com/2009/08/04/on-public-speaking/#comment-4127 octopusgrabbus Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:17:17 +0000 http://www.brainofshawn.com/?p=1314#comment-4127 Never would have known you felt that way about public speaking, but do you ever take a break? :D Never would have known you felt that way about public speaking, but do you ever take a break? :D

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