Jump in the Deep End!

(2026-05)

According to the website Worldmetrics, “public speaking fear is a widespread concern, ranking among people’s top three fears” (see https://worldmetrics.org/public-speaking-fear-statistics/).  I was particularly afraid of public speaking.  I could easily converse with 1-2 people but froze in front of a crowd.  I broke out in sweat, and it started as soon as I knew I would have to speak publicly.  I struggled with this for a few years until I decided to act.

Six years after being hired at Chevron, I became a supervisor.  The year was 1985 right after the Chevron-Gulf merger.  I was 27 years old and still resisted any public speaking.  As a new supervisor, I went through a “sheep dipping” with other first-time supervisors as well as new Gulf-heritage supervisors.  This was in a five-day training program called Supervisory Skills and Knowledge Program (SSKP).

The SSKP model was quite simple.  It was five full days that included modules of different subjects designed to increase a supervisor’s effectiveness.  A Human Resources Development Representative (HRDR) facilitated the session, with guest speakers leading the various modules.  At the end of my SSKP, our HRDR asked for volunteers to return as guest speakers.  I took the plunge into the deep end of my fear and volunteered.

As a guest speaker, I would get to “audit” my module once (watching the guest speaker lead the module).  After that, I would then lead the module through three separate SSKP sessions.

My first session was a bit awkward, but it accomplished what I desired (to be more comfortable with public speaking).  After my four-session commitment ended the HRDR asked me to come back and do a different topic.  He told me that the feedback from my sessions was very high.  I ended up being a guest speaker for every SSKP module except one – Human Resources.  The local HR manager insisted that his department should be the only ones leading that topic (I didn’t mind, it was my least favorite topic!).

As a module leader, I became so familiar with the content that it was easy implementing my learnings as a supervisor.  This enabled me to develop my supervisory skills quickly.  Another benefit was that I was able to build a large network of fellow supervisors, creating my own support network.

My SSKP experience is still a good memory.  It really helped me deal with my fear.  This was put to the test early.  The HRDR told me that I was ready to take on a special group of supervisors.  He referred to it as an “old fart program” (it was before political correctness was a thing).   I would be teaching a group of very experienced supervisors.  They were either new to the Chevron system (former Gulf supervisors) or for whatever reason had missed the SSKP in their career.  I survived that session as well.  Given that I was a young supervisor (both in age and time-in-job), there was a lot of discussion and push-back from the group.  I knew my material well and applied it in my role.  The interaction was also good for my self-esteem and didn’t hurt my career!

I later was sent to a presentations class at Chevron.  One of the things they did in this class was record a video of your presentation, play it for the entire class, and then have a joint discussion.  This taught me two things.  First, no matter how bad you think you did as a speaker, it’s not that bad on video!  Second, there is a great deal of empathy in the audience for struggling speakers.

I developed an ability to speak publicly with confidence from these early learning events.  I also learned a few key lessons:

• Jumping in the deep end sometimes works!  Until I committed to being a guest speaker at SSKP, I shrunk from speaking in public.  My fear of public speaking was dwarfed by my commitment.  I’ve also learned that the hardest part of overcoming fear is just starting.  That’s what jumping in does for you.
• Public speaking is an acquired skill.  I still get jitters when it comes to speaking in front of a large audience.  Sometimes, I choke.  I have a particularly hard time in emotionally charged events (emotional to me).  One of the worst recent occurrences happened when I gave a eulogy at my father’s funeral.  I have also learned to embrace my emotions publicly and am not so embarrassed as I grow older.
• Sometimes the best way to learn something fully is to teach it to others.  I find when I must speak on a subject, I really learn that subject.  Also I am transparent.  My value system prevents me from lecturing on subjects I don’t fully know or practice, at least without admitting my own deficiencies.  I find this also heightens my accountability.

Is there some fear that is preventing you from action?  Is there one simple step or commitment you can make to get started?   If you would like to discuss this with me, email me at mike@mrhensonllc.com and we’ll schedule an introductory 30-minute session to see if there is value I could add to you.