Have you ever let fear of being a learner in public hold you back from stepping into a transition you know is necessary to move into a new phase of your life, business, or career? If so, you aren’t alone. The fear of being seen while doing the sometimes messy, awkward work of being a learner as you step into a new chapter can be overwhelming. For many people, it’s easier to stay in the comfortable discomfort of being an expert in your current life and just keep daydreaming about change. I’ve worked with many people facing down the fear of learning and growing in front of an audience – family, friends, colleagues – and it requires a leap of faith, trusting that the rewards of leaving your ego at the door and inviting fear along for the ride are worth the discomfort.
A few months ago, after giving a speech on self-leadership at a local business networking meeting, one of the guests approached me. “You’re a great public speaker” he said. “I’m looking for an on-camera host for an online business series I’m producing with the local Chamber of Commerce; would you be interested?” Definitely not what I expected going into the speaking engagement, and although my brain immediately offered up several reasons to say no, I decided to follow my curiosity and agreed to meet up to learn more. After years of joking that my dream job is to talk for a living, here was an opportunity to step in front of a camera and explore just that.
As we’ve been working to firm up the studio location and guest line-up, I’ve been partnering with the show producer to interview guests and organizers at local events. Over the past few months, I’ve covered a derby-themed charity event, a car show, and most recently, a local jazz festival, where I did my first live on-camera interviews; a very last-minute and unexpected development that really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I’ve met some amazing people, built a great working relationship with the producer (who also acts as camera-man), and have had the chance to work alongside and with local radio talent.
All of this has been incredibly fulfilling, but also quite challenging, as it requires being very visible as I learn. I’ve recorded myself for Instagram for years, but it’s very different when someone else is behind the camera, and you don’t have the luxury of re-recording over and over until your angles and the light are just right. Now, every awkward moment, unfortunate wardrobe choice, weird facial expression, and unflattering posture is out there for the whole world to see. I am deep in that messy, awkward work of letting go of ego, and inviting fear along for the ride, and I can tell you personally, it’s worth it.
So, the next time you find yourself shying away from an opportunity or transition because you’re worried about how you’ll look as you navigate that awkward learner phase, I want you to remember that, yes, people are watching. And for every one person who might be judging you, there are many more who are being inspired by your journey and your willingness to be a learner in public. That awkward angle someone catches mid-sentence? The speech that didn’t land quite right? Those very human moments might be exactly what makes someone else believe they could try too.
If you’re standing at the edge of your own learner phase, wondering whether it’s worth the discomfort, I’d love to talk. Reach out and let’s figure out what stepping into that next chapter could look like for you and how I can help you navigate the transition.
