2008 Woodie Awards
Take the ultimate chance: speak up and lead others
Nicole Dellasanta
Issue date: 9/15/04 Section: Feature of the Week "Taking Chances"
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"Can anyone tell me how the moral-philosophical approach applies to the portion of the novel you read last night? Anyone? Anyone?"
Bueller...Bueller...hahaha...oh crap, he's looking my way!
"Let's see, let me just consult my attendance sheet here, and..."
"No, please don't call on me, PLEASE, I know the answer, but I don't want to-"
"Yes, Nicole, is it? Yes, why don't you stand in front of the classroom here, that's right, go ahead and face everyone directly. Now please, if you will, answer the question, while keeping in mind that all 30 pairs of your peers' eyes, as well as my own sharply critical eyes and ears are hanging on your every word. Your entire course grade also depends on what you say here. Please proceed."
Uh.
Freshmen, don't be alarmed; this situation never actually occurred. Administration, have no fear, no faculty member has actually given me such instructions. But what current or graduated student, regardless of age, can't say they've felt like they've been in such a situation before? And how many of us, young and old, can't say that they haven't, in such a situation, shuffled to the front of the classroom, mumbled some unintelligible answer, then booked it back to their seat before anyone could ask questions?
As much as we like to think that we adults are mature enough to feel comfortable speaking our minds at the risk of others' criticisms, the basic premise that you've been put in the spotlight to take the risk of opening your mouth and bearing your own opinions and reasoning remains one of the most feared situations to any human being.
So how does one quell such a fear and take such a risky chance that could possibly end up in the complete deflation of one's self-esteem, or worse, the destruction of one's image and reputation?
Easy-become a leader.
Yes, you read me right: the ability to speak on an entire group's behalf feels easier than speaking up for a single person. That old "strength in numbers" nonsense your parents used to tell you when you hung out at the mall in middle school really comes in handy in the adult world, or at least here at college.
Bueller...Bueller...hahaha...oh crap, he's looking my way!
"Let's see, let me just consult my attendance sheet here, and..."
"No, please don't call on me, PLEASE, I know the answer, but I don't want to-"
"Yes, Nicole, is it? Yes, why don't you stand in front of the classroom here, that's right, go ahead and face everyone directly. Now please, if you will, answer the question, while keeping in mind that all 30 pairs of your peers' eyes, as well as my own sharply critical eyes and ears are hanging on your every word. Your entire course grade also depends on what you say here. Please proceed."
Uh.
Freshmen, don't be alarmed; this situation never actually occurred. Administration, have no fear, no faculty member has actually given me such instructions. But what current or graduated student, regardless of age, can't say they've felt like they've been in such a situation before? And how many of us, young and old, can't say that they haven't, in such a situation, shuffled to the front of the classroom, mumbled some unintelligible answer, then booked it back to their seat before anyone could ask questions?
As much as we like to think that we adults are mature enough to feel comfortable speaking our minds at the risk of others' criticisms, the basic premise that you've been put in the spotlight to take the risk of opening your mouth and bearing your own opinions and reasoning remains one of the most feared situations to any human being.
So how does one quell such a fear and take such a risky chance that could possibly end up in the complete deflation of one's self-esteem, or worse, the destruction of one's image and reputation?
Easy-become a leader.
Yes, you read me right: the ability to speak on an entire group's behalf feels easier than speaking up for a single person. That old "strength in numbers" nonsense your parents used to tell you when you hung out at the mall in middle school really comes in handy in the adult world, or at least here at college.