Public speaking takes courage

Yeonmi Park presenting

Public speaking takes courage.

It is not a skill that most of us are taught.

It’s certainly not something most people enjoy doing; for many the very idea of it fills them with dread.

Public speaking takes courage in business too.

You may have to:

– Update the board or management team,

– Give a quarterly update

– Impress a client or inspire your team.

As simple as that may sound ,a vast number of people all over the world will tell you that it’s not easy. If you haven’t been trained public speaking takes courage.

In October 2014 a young lady called Yeonmi Park found the courage, grace and spirit to tell the world of the atrocities she had faced living in North Korea.

She didn’t have a product to sell, an update to give or a team to reassure

She had a poignant message to share with the entire world.

Every time I listen to her speak she connects with me in a way that challenges every fibre of my intellect, heart and comprehension of what human beings are capable of doing to each other.

I’m connected through empathy, anger, heartbreak, disbelief and above all astonishment and pride. A young woman could find the courage and composure to tell us all about ‘the darkest place in the world‘.

At Mindful Presenter we believe that ‘connecting is everything’

Every element of our training  revolves around helping people to make that connection.

Most people reading this article will thankfully, never have to summon the courage to make such a speech, which of course is a blessing.

Yeonmi Park did and she is an example and inspiration to the world. An example of how important it is to not only have and value our voice but to find the courage to use it to make a difference.

Most of us will never have to tell the world:

“We aren’t free to sing, say, wear or think what we want”

“I was abducted at birth”

“I saw my friend’s mother publicly executed. Her crime? Watching a Hollywood movie.”

“I saw my mother raped”

“70 percent of North Korean women and teenage girls are being victimized and sometimes sold for as a little as 200 dollars.”

“We were prepared to kill ourselves.”

“I thought nobody in this world cared.”

Can you imagine the courage it took to relive those experiences and to retell them.

Yeonmi Park did exactly. She went much further though.

She didn’t just bring a harrowing tale to the attention of the world.

Yeonmi also brought a call to action and told us exactly what we need to do

“One, as you care yourself, you can raise awareness about human crisis in North Korea.

Two, help and support North Korean refugees who are trying to escape for freedom.

Three, petition China to stop repatriation.”

For me she is the epitome of courage not just for young people all over the world but for all of us

The next time you’re feeling a little anxious about making that sales pitch, updating your management team or presenting to clients, remember, public speaking takes courage.

Draw on the indomitable strength Yeonmi Park gave to the world in just 8 minutes.

Watch the video here:

Public speaking takes courage. If you need help:

– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.

– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.

– Get yourself some excellent presentation training

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