Sometimes a client comes along in your field of work that reminds you of what you do and WHY you do what you do.
I hope this happens to you. That client knocked on my door several weeks ago.
“I’m comfortable making presentations and working with a jury. That’s not why I’m reaching out to you,” he began.
“Ok – then what would you like to work on regarding your communication skills?”, I asked.
“I’m giving a speech in three weeks that I don’t want to give and just can’t get my arms wrapped around. It’s not for work. I’m talking to 1500 high school students in Chicago.”
He continued, “Let me back up… two years ago my mother committed suicide and I’ve been asked to talk to these 1500 high school kids because they’ve had an unusual number of suicides in their community. I’m supposed to share my experience and how they can deal with the stigma around depression and share coping tools to avoid suicide.”
I got chills just listening to him. He went on.
“I’m not a procrastinator but I just am having a difficult time here. In fact, I would not have said ‘yes’ but the speech will be on my 30th birthday (that’s tomorrow) and it felt like a way to stay connected to my mom.”
How often do you get a fire in your veins and a voice in your head that shouts, “This is what I’m meant to do?”
I said yes. I wanted to work with this young man. This is where my skill set meets the professional needs of my client along with knowing that my work will be meaningful to him and his audience.
He will give his amazing speech tomorrow in Chicago. He took a gut-wrenching story and together we crafted an 18-minute presentation that will help 1500 high school kids on how to deal with friends and/or family that face depression’s ugly veil.
Thank you to my client for allowing me to help craft a message that will not only benefit this audience but also has been helpful for him and his own family who will all be flying to Chicago to hear him present this information tomorrow.
Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.
Read more at www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog
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