WHY YOU?

In the early (some say developmental) stages of my professional life, I often was designated to do presentations. Each time I had to, and I emphasize had to because I certainly did not step forward to volunteer, I used to ask myself, “why me?” Presentations were really time-consuming. Here I was, struggling along under the burden of an already heavy workload, and now I was being pulled out of line to pile on still more. And what was the point, anyway? My audience didn’t want to be out there any more than I wanted to be standing in front of them. Enough, already! Of course, I could say this only to myself, and not out loud.

I finally discovered that a big part of the answer to “why me?” was in my hands. I could decide that giving a presentation was an opportunity for me, even if it was being forced on me or I received it by default. You can make the same decision, and suddenly “why me?” becomes a matter of fortuitous serendipity. You, amongst all your coworkers and colleagues, have received an opportunity to better define who you are and how you think, both an image builder and an intellectual challenge. You have an opportunity to promote yourself, within your organization as well as among your customers. And you have an opportunity to develop and exhibit your leadership skills. Of course, there also are tangible and practical reasons that you’ve been selecte....