As related elsewhere, my current job has all employees go through the training program originated by Dale Carnegie. Last night, Thursday the 17th of November, was the last session of that class.
At work, ever since my hire, people have been treating me as if I'm some sort of code wizard. I don't understand it, but I'm used to it at this point. But, overall, I'm a fairly introverted shy guy.
I threw myself into the class, figuring I would give it my best shot. The result was that my classmates (ranging from a few of my coworkers to people from other area corporations) thought I was a naturally outgoing, enthusiastic person, talented beyond their ability to equal. My coworkers think this too.
For the last class, we had to give a talk about the major breakthrough we received due to the course. I planned a different incident, but I changed my mind and said something like what you read below, because I felt they deserved to know the truth... (linebreaks are intentional, because this involved a lot of pausing due to the emotion involved).
I'd like to take a leap and do something I didn't plan.
How many of you would describe me as "enthusiastic"? (Everyone's hands go up.)
Okay, how many of you would describe me as "outgoing"? (Just about everyone's hands go up.)
(I pause and give a weak smile.) That's wonderful, because I'm going to take you back to my high school days. I was a shy person who didn't think much of myself. (Emotions spring up, and the waterworks go for a while. Eventually, I collect myself.)
I was so shy that my wife had to ask me out.
I went to college, joined a fraternity, but I was still shy and didn't consider myself worthwhile.
They made me Commander, and I still doubted myself.
I was at my bachelor party, and it began to sink in that they did care, and I began to feel better about myself. But I thought I would always be that person, that I would be introverted all my life
And now, I bring you to the session a few weeks ago where we gave and received compliments, and I realized I wasn't that person any longer.
So what I ask you to do is, give people a compliment -- but also take those compliments you get, and you'll learn you're capable of much more than you think.
An
emotional wreck, I return to my seat. Later on, I am voted the
Breakthrough award for the night, receive a nice
pen, and get to be
congratulated by everyone on their way out. I am unprepared for what people say to me.
"Wow! I thought you were always like that!"
"I never would have had the courage to do that, Art."
"Your talk tonight was really great! It inspired me to try harder!"
"I thought you were always so self-confident and prepared!"
As many of the class celebrated the ending at a local
sports bar, I got to hear more. I found that despite the fact I hadn't been who they thought I was, that I had gaping
flaws, they still thought I was a wonderful person.
In fact, it seemed they thought I was even better and more worthy of adulation.
All this from making myself a heap of emotions because the masks I wear couldn't hold the emotional waves back when I shared this experience of mine?