Bon
Appetit!!
Ann
Philippon
October
2007
Many of us, especially here
at Toastmasters, understand that public speaking can be a very frightening task.
But have you ever thought about the origin
of that fear? Some researchers have a fascinating theory about how this fear may
be linked to our human evolution. In the book, The Francis Effect: The Real
Reason You Hate Public Speaking and How to Get Over It, Mary Fensholt talks
about this theory. Tonight I wanted to explore some of her ideas with all of
you: Mister Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and our welcomed guests.
To get us started, I’d
like you to imagine this: You’re hiking in the mountains. It’s a beautiful
California day – the sun is shining, a breeze is blowing, warm grass is
tickling your ankles, as you walk briskly down a narrow trail.
Out of the blue, you
suddenly hear twigs cracking and the undergrowth being trampled, somewhere deep
within the bushes behind you. Whatever moved sounds very large and seems to be
approaching quickly. You freeze. Was that a low growl you just heard? Or was it
just the gravel under your feet? The hair rises on the back of your neck as you
cautiously turn around to catch sight of the source of the noise, hidden
somewhere in the thick brush…
This scenario sounds scary,
I realize. But does it also feel
familiar to any of you? According to Ms. Fensholt, even if you’ve never hiked
a day in your life, you may have experienced the emotional and physical
reactions related to this scene before. And it may have even happened to you
right here in this room! Yes, that’s right – some scientists now think that
“the fear of public speaking or performing is more than anything a fear of
being eaten.”
Before you break out your
forks and knives at my expense though, let’s dig into this theory a little
deeper.
Essentially, it comes down
to the pack mentality. Our primitive biology as animals struggling to survive in
a dangerous world has always driven us to stay together. Like wolves that live
in packs or birds that nest in flocks, there’s true safety in numbers. Being
isolated from others of your own kind makes you feel exposed and vulnerable to
attack. Do you know what’s worse? When you become isolated and you become the
center of attention, your alarm bells go off, and your primitive instincts tell
you that you are being scrutinized for
consumption.
Considering this concept, I
realized that this author might definitely be on to something.
Think about it (some of you may even have experienced this a few short minutes
ago!).
It’s a pleasant California
evening – the moon is shining, the air conditioning is blowing, and you’re
sitting there, quietly nibbling at a few carrot slices, a piece of pineapple,
maybe an
egg-salad triangle or two… When all of a sudden, the Evil Tabletopics Master
hunts you down. You freeze. Was that a low growl you just heard? Or did they
simply repeat your name and summon you to the front of the room? The hair rises
on the back of your neck as you cautiously rise from your chair…
Like any animal isolated
from the pack (your pack of fellow Toastmasters, that is), you feel exposed and
very vulnerable when you step up to the lectern. Your stomach may be queasy (ugh
– I can vouch for that), you may start to shake (yes, I certainly am), sweat
(yup – phew!), and the blood may rush to your head and face (you can see I
have this healthy blush!).
The good news is that these
are very natural and ingrained reactions to your situation. Instead of it
meaning that you’re just an inexperienced speaker, you can interpret it to
mean that you’re in tune with your primitive self!
The other good news is that
these “wild” reactions can be tamed. You may experience a “fight or
flight” response, but if you stick to your goals and fight, by practicing and
repeating your exposure to this type of experience, you will condition yourself
to better manage these reactions. Some of these feelings may not go away
completely. But when they’re brought under control, these responses can even
become tools to improve your performance.
Although they may not feel
like they’re helping, most of your body’s reactions are focused on helping
you handle the stress. The stomach pains you may feel are related to your
digestive system shutting down, so that your body’s energy is focused on the
situation at hand. The blush that rises in your skin is due to a rush of oxygen
through your system. And the oxygen, combined with a certain low level of
adrenaline, will actually heighten your awareness and make you sharper. All of
these responses are directed at making you more alert and better equipped to
react quickly to any situation.
Needless to say, the final
piece of reassuring news is that there are no known reported cases of a speaker
being viciously devoured by a violent
crowd of dissatisfied audience members…at least not here, at a Warner Center
Toastmasters meeting anyway!
So as a note of
encouragement to all of us, the next time you step up to the lectern, I urge you
to pause, smile, take a deep breath, and relax! There’s no need to run for
your life! Those nerves you feel are very natural, and with a little practice,
it’ll be your speech that’s
deliciously enjoyed by your audience, not you!
Now I have a feeling that you’re all ready for your next course… Bon Appetit!!
copyright 2007 Ann Philippon