Public Speaking, Lectures & Convocations

Speaking at the Snow College Convocation. September 15, 2005 Photo by Bruce Van Der Riet/Sanpete Messenger

They say that the greatest fear that the majority of people have is getting up in front of an audience. While I personally don't care for crowds, I live for being in front of an audience. I've been invited to speak to classes and give lectures to high school and college students many times. I'm grateful for the few nuggets of wisdom I've managed to collect over the years and for the opportunities I'm afforded to share them with others. I can speak on a variety of topics, my favorites being, the importance of individualism, writing and filmmaking.

When I was living in Central America, every week we had the Commanding Officer's briefing. Every week a representative from each division (usually a junior enlisted sailor) was selected to tell the CO about the weeks events. The first time I was taken in was to observe how it was done.

"Alright," said my prospective mentor. "You'll just watch today, but next week, you'll be the one doing it."

No problem, I thought. I sat down and I watched as one frightened sailor after another got up and in weak, trembling voices discussed the weeks events to our audience of Officers and Chiefs. I smiled. But I wasn't about to make myself any promises until I saw my fellow operator walk up and deliver his portion of the briefing. He did. I smiled and I thought, "They're gonna love me!"

The following week, I went in with my portion of the briefing in hand. I sat and waited as the first briefers got up and delivered their portions as quickly as they could while still being understood. "Good morning, Ma'am," they all said, some very quietly. Then it was my turn. ;-]

I approached the podium, took a glance at everyone in the room, made direct eye contact with my CO and said, with the most controlled stage voice I could muster, "Good Morning, Commander. I'm Seaman Puente and I'll be delivering 51 Division's portion of this morning's briefing..." I went on, I completed the briefing, I asked if there were any questions and answered what I could, directed those I could not to my Division Chief, seated at the conference table. Then I concluded and sat down to watch the remaining speakers fumble their way through their presentations. I had once again stolen the show. Damn, that felt good!

Oh, I had my off days every now and then. But it wasn't until I was checking out of the command that I came to understand what effect my speaking had on my managers. The Executive Officer of the command asked me when I first sat down in his office, "Seaman Puente, were you in broadcasting before you joined the Navy?"

"No, sir," I said with a smile. "But thank you." That was the best complement I had ever received.

Spending some time with my muse before the winners are announced. (circa 1990)

My high school English instructor, who would become a very dear friend and mentor, Suzan Rasmussen, was also the speech and drama coach. So, of course, she scouted for new talent in her English classes.

I believe that my experiences with competative speech gave me some very useful tools. I was able to use my training in the military and found that I had much more confidence when dealing with supervisors and management in general.

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