Dale Carnegie class

There I was tongue tied.  I could not believe it. I was standing in front of a Dale Carnegie class. I have always been able to come up with a comment. Actually it is my after comment add-ons that land me in hot water or in the center of a controversy. My throat was dry, I could feel a scratch in my vocal cords and worst of all my tongue felt the size of a king sized mattress. I was trying to multitask, a skill I am presently not efficient at. I some times feel like a single neuron individual. I am unable to process the current thought from the brain synapse to the chemical driven nerve impulses carrying a thought from transmission to tongue.

What was I thinking? Our first class assignment was to give a two minute talk on something from our youth. I chose to speak on a time in my life. It turned out more emotional than I thought.  When I was five our barn and out buildings caught fire and burnt down.  Before class I was sure I would be able to deliver this. I had written an article for the Discover Milan News entitled "When I was five". Every thing was looking good.  I condensed the main facts to bullet points. I reviewed and went over my presentation countless times. I read assigned parts of the three books plus the course notebook "Effective Communications and Human Relations". 

There was one section referencing Samuel Clemens, author of "Tom Sawyer" and other great American stories. He was an outstanding speaker and orator. He stated that there are different skills used in being a speaker and writing. Writing is essentially a two dimensional process. It engages a different part and depth in your cranium. We react to a humorous phrase or description of some one else's predicament. I love to read books as it develops images and allows my imagination to be activated. This makes a book or story real life in as far as my personal experiences go. Your mileage may vary as you have been down a different road.  If you follow the map we both will get to the finish line and complete the literary trip. Some finish faster and some thoroughly enjoy meandering and savoring the story.  Neither way is right or wrong.

Speaking and focusing a story in Dale Carnegie's class forces you to logically present continuity, clarity and conciseness about your subject. Samuel Clemens and Dale Carnegie understood this principle. You can deliver a written message but it lacks enthusiasm, facial emotions, and body language the audience reads and immediately identifies with.  Enthusiasm, emotions, voice inflections and arm movements are dimensions that will not fit on paper. There are variations in presentations any one that has seen a good stage production can tell.  The actors that are mailing it in are much different than those that have become their character and live the part.

The ability to animate a presentation allows it to become alive. When you have earned the right to talk about a subject everyone listening knows it and becomes part of the drama or comedy. It is amazing how the comfort level in class members expanded each week. I started to wonder if I was the only one with a fast clock. I got to the action statement point with twenty seconds left quicker than others. I had to chop off some of the good stuff. It forces you to prune your presentation for the next class.

The Graduate Assistants would give an example of the next week's assignment before so you had an idea of content, length and intensity of presentation. These good people gave examples of their lives and experiences. They are an outstanding asset for the class and leader.  Linda Meloche was our wonderful warm exceptional leader. She would cajole a speaker or make them start over. Linda just wanted you to understand and "get" the assignment. She appropriately kept the class almost exclusively "G" rated. She several times went over the importance of presenting a polite speech your grandmother or in my case grandchildren could listen to. 

In my case she came to my aid in the "when I was five" assignment.  My story about our barns burning was more personal than I thought. I thought I had compartmentalized those emotions and suppressed those fears of long ago. I had not imagined how when during my presentation I would also be reliving the sounds and images of fifty seven years ago. The smoke, fire fighter voices, and the smell of burning wood and hay were there with me.  I was terrified of both my memory and at that moment being in front of the class. 

This is when a great leader steps in. Leaders offer moral support, positive comments and an example of how to get you focused on your story. She leads you down and through the canyon of your fear. Refocusing on the conversation with Linda broke my spell of stage fright.  She got me back on track and helped in the classes that followed. When ever she sensed a moment of hesitation, insecurity, or an ending that needed freshening up she would perform her magic. The class members learned the importance of a good finish. We learned more than just speaking skills. Linda and the GA'S would give stories from their lives that reinforced the importance of good living and good manners with life issues.  Class members develop closeness by sharing stories of our lives. I felt my heart strings being tugged at almost every session. I did not realize how God has been looking out for me. I guess I am just naturally boring. Thank God.

Asking questions that are pertinent to your presentation is a talent and gift Linda has. She is such a warm and giving soul. She is ideally suited to conduct Dale Carnegie courses.
Take a class and you will find it different and better than imagined.

There are angry people in a rut of their own making on their way to a box factory. But that's another story. Take a class and it will be crystal clear.

Here is Linda's website. http://www.dalecarnegie-mich.com

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