Colchester Speakers ClubAnthea Gillgrass
Occupation
– Independent Financial Adviser
Joined
1.Why did you join
Colchester Speakers Club?
I joined because I do a
lot of speaking and networking in my job. I am a fantastic talker
one to one and in small groups – but ask me to address a large group and
my brain freezes and I do everything I can to avoid it or get my slot
over as soon as possible. As a financial adviser, I need to talk
very confidently in groups and give presentations. Although I am an
expert in my field and very enthusiastic and passionate about my
profession, I need to learn how to express myself confidently when I
give presentations
2. Why did you feel
you needed to improve your public speaking?
If I have to speak, I don’t know what to say, my mind goes blank, I talk
very quickly and I laugh a lot to hide my nerves.
People
don’t realise what’s happening to me – they think because I talk so well
in 1:1s that talking in public will be easy for me but the reality is I
lack self confidence and my vocabulary is not colourful enough to hold
anyone for long.
3. What was your
first meeting like?
My first meeting was nerve-wracking! I saw a range of people with
different experiences – some were new like me and pretty nervous just
like me but there were others who seemed to speak very naturally.
I realised I had a lot to learn but there were people at all points on
the journey here to help me. I was brave and had a go at a topic –
I managed a minute!
4. What stage are
you up to in your Speakers Club manual?
I have just done my ice breaker – so I am right at the beginning. It
wasn’t as bad as I thought. I learnt that I need to learn how to
interact with my audience, when it’s all a one sided conversation, so
they enjoy the experience and learn from it.