My Ongoing Journey Out Of Introversion
PechaKucha Night Winnipeg Vol. 45
What is a 20x20 PechaKucha?
PechaKucha is a free online and offline global storytelling platform that celebrates people, passion, and creative thought. Our users share ideas and connect with others visually, concisely and memorably. We are redefining authentic human connectivity through inclusive social engagement and technology.
The PechaKucha 20x20 presentation format is a slide show of 20 images, each auto-advancing after 20 seconds. It’s non-stop and you’ve got 400 seconds to tell your story, with visuals guiding the way. PechaKucha was created in Japan in 2003 by renowned architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. The word “PechaKucha” is Japanese for “chit chat.”
The following is a transcription of my first PechaKucha presentation. Parts of my presentation are excerpts from my previously published story, “How a Newfound Confidence Was Born From One Stage in My Career”. Lastly, I’ve rewritten some of it to exclude parts where it might have included some audience participation or parts where I spoke directly to the audience.
Do you consider yourself an introvert? I do, but not nearly as much as before. What changed? Did I just grow up? Did I do anything differently? The following is about my journey out of introversion, and some milestones that’s played a part so far.
I had a good childhood. I was a happy child. I was also an only child (go figure). I was literally like Andy in the movie, ‘Toy Story’, where I would gather all my toys, creating a scene; a ‘toy story’. I was really good at entertaining myself.
High school for me at times was terrifying. I considered myself an ‘art class’ kid because I took art every year. Looking back, all the top-tier introverts took this class; quiet kids, weird kids. I didn’t know how to make friends. I didn’t join sports teams. Talking to girls was nerve-wracking. Most of all, I really hated presentations.
Schools don’t teach you how to communicate properly. They don’t teach you how to communicate ‘naturally’ for lack of better words. Soft skills aren’t taught. They don’t really teach you how to socialize, how to be truly open to things, or really be open with yourself. Maybe there was an exercise or two at some point from a special teacher, but that’s it. At least, for me it was.
My social life on the other hand was perfectly fine. Like most kids, I hung around the same group all the time. I was comfortable. I was able to be myself. I wasn’t the one who introduced myself at a party. If someone introduced me, I was ok, but I still considered myself super awkward.
Once I was old enough to work, I applied for labor jobs because they didn’t require me to interact with the public. I usually kept to myself. I ate lunch by myself half the time. The thought of being face-to-face with customers didn’t sit well with me.
Years later, I applied at a call center (I know, right? 😅). I applied with friends which helped, but I was attracted to the hourly wage which was a few bucks more than the minimum at the time. Our first day on the phone was intimidating. They threw us on the phones without any job shadowing because they apparently had a lot of catching up to do. I was stuttering, I had a ton of nerves, I was always embarrassed, and many times, I felt like an idiot.
Fast forward in time and little did I know that I would last four years; that I would become a top ‘sales-person’; that I would often be chosen to train new employees. This was very unexpected. I actually enjoyed myself there not because I made some friends, but because I was actually good at my job. Little did I know this was only the beginning.
I eventually realized what I wanted to do with my life and decided to attend college. This was actually my second time in college. I ‘messed up’ the first time around, but this time, I was determined. I busted my ass in school. This determination forced me to put myself out there after graduating; out of my comfort zone. I was on a mission!
A couple of months after graduating, I did it. I got hired at a local marketing agency. I was super excited. I was doing what I loved, and I was getting paid for doing it; I’ll never forget that feeling. I had gotten exposure to meetings and presentations. I participated in those meetings because I wanted to do well at my job. I cared about the work.
A couple of years later, the recession hit. I was laid off.
(So no, I wasn’t fired like the slide says, but it rhymed with the previous slide 😄)
I was laid off two weeks before my wedding day out of all days. I then applied everywhere in the city, and in person. My determination was higher than ever. Job interviews became very comfortable for me.
I eventually found a job; a few of them in fact. My longest stint was for eight years at CBC. Two years into that role, I was offered the team lead role for a 1-year term. I wanted to give it a shot because I had the option of stepping back if it didn’t work out. Although, I had zero experience. Just when I thought things were getting better, I was scared all over again.
I spoke as if I was on a first date, slurring my words; like I was in the ‘hot seat’ all the time; like I should have all the answers. I tip-toed about what I said and how I said things. I just hoped everyone understood me. I realized this role required certain characteristics in order to survive.
At the end of the one-year term, another candidate was chosen. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I was relieved because I realized a lead role wasn’t for me; not yet. That following year, I regained my self-confidence. No more slurring. No more nerves. I felt like myself again. I felt free.
With this newfound confidence, I was engaged and spoke up in meetings more than ever. I was opinionated, I challenged impractical ideas, and I praised the good ones. I made sure I was heard not because I thought it made me look good, but because again, I genuinely cared about the work. Meetings later felt productive all the time.
Honest conversations became so easy for me because again, I focused on the work itself. Nowadays, I’m almost never hesitant to speak up. As long as I was respectful and had good intentions, everyone was gonna hear what I was gonna say. It felt good to voice my opinion. It felt like I was finding my personal style in the workplace.
Confidence and transparency are huge assets especially if intentions are in the right place. I see these people all the time. People who hold meetings that control the tone and the pace. ‘Keeners’ who constantly raise their hands or speak up with their endless ideas, answers, and opinions, beating others to the punch. ‘Natural’ speakers. A ‘people-person’. An extrovert perhaps. What’s their secret?
For myself, certain things happened throughout these events that helped me:
- I was forced to talk at the call center.
- I was determined to pursue my career.
- That leadership role allowed me to explore my aspirations, but also embrace failure.
- Caring about the work forced me to be vocal about it.
At the end of the day, pushing through the nerves might be determined by certain life events and how badly you really want something. When I speak of courage, it can apply to the career you want, the relationships you seek, or the life goals you dream of. That fear — that risk will be worth the reward whether it comes to fruition or whether it’s received as life experiences. You’ll thank yourself in the future.
For the past couple of years, I can proudly say that I’m happy with how I present myself. I’m not as uptight about presentations as I used to be. Nowadays, I’m the guy in the elevator who asks, “How’s it going?”. I’m the guy at the grocery store reassuring the person questioning if the chocolate hummus is delicious; it’s awesome by the way. I’m the guy who loves job interviews. Maybe I just grew up, but nowadays, I’m that guy.
Thank you to the PechaKucha Night Winnipeg crew for having me. All the speakers were amazing. Until next time ✌🏾.
