Noel Girgenti’s Final Group Mentoring Session of Fall Semester 2013 – Group 8, Session 2

Group mentoring leader, Noel Girgenti, Class of 2016
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.com

Before the completion of the 2013 Fall semester, group mentoring leader, Noel Girgenti, and her team had an exhilarating session that left quite a deep impression on each member present that day!  The conversation was passionate and focused on the real personality that drives the business professional’s actions and mannerisms. As the business world regularly takes on a misleading stereotype of rigidity and blandness, the executive mentors helped the student mentees break that conventional understanding and open their eyes wider to what really attracts someone to hire you or be interested in what you are saying.

One of the most widespread phobias in America today is the fear of public speaking which can certainly overwhelm a person with rattling anxiety. In the high-energy discussion had that night, public speaking was a huge topic complemented by great advice to learn how to own the room and have the feeling of confidence overcast that of the natural negativity that may consume you. Having executives present who have decades of experience in this field (and one being a professional motivational speaker himself), the students learned that emotional speeches from the heart not only sell you more as a person more but also hold a better connection with the audience.

Similar to public speaking, we are asked to find that same vigor in our every day lives  in order to feel passionately about our jobs. Students often question what matters most in life: doing what you love or doing what pays? The answer the executives gave was to incorporate your personal passion in what you do no matter how much or how little you like it. Passion comes with time, and looking for the perfect solution in a structured system may not lead you to the solution you want, causing unwanted and unnecessary stress. While some have already found their passion in other facets of life besides work, the most important part is to keep an attitude that is positive enough to work happily and ensure a rich, fruitful life. Bosses will hire or promote you more often because of your personality and outlook, and, of course, this is always coupled with a great sense of work ethic.

We congratulate Noel and her group mentoring team on a wonderful semester and look forward to hearing more about the insight shared among the  group!

Below are the meeting minutes taken during these session:

Group Mentoring Meeting Minutes ~ Session #2

Attendance: Noel Girgenti, Geoffrey Thomulka, Theo Filardi, Matthew Ullrich, Bob Franco, Scott Chesney, and Pat Haverland

Public speaking – channel energy differently

–          We remember experiences

–          Eulogy/wedding speeches are from the heart

–          Bob: Feel like you’re being judged, creates anxiety. If you’re setting up the issue, you’re the problem. Turn spotlight away from yourself – not your problem if someone doesn’t approve

–          Scott: Intimidation and unworthiness make you feel judged but sometimes others may think differently. Try and make connections with audience anyway

–          Bob: Start with a comfortable conversation – use stories that connect with presentations

–          Pat: Go to venue before speech to understand the feel of the room

–          Scott: Never rely on technology (plan worst case scenario)

• Just you! Sell yourself to yourself

–          Passion and business with public speaking

• Bob: Figure out what excites you about anything!
• Pat: Presentations and enthusiasm may change perspectives on how other people perceive you. Take advantage of opportunity to show presentation skills
• Scott: Some people may or may not see another side of someone such as personality, etc. –> be authentic and real –> connect on deeper levels
  • Place of trusting that speaking is his passion and purpose
  • Difficult to say “no” at first to work opportunities –> prioritize family, etc.
  • Anything tied to livelihood adds stress, leverage fear with energy

–          Is a prepared or impromptu speech more stressful?

• Scott: Depends on background and context –> how well you know your topic
  • Discomfort levels –> do research but also say NO (and possibly recommend others) if you’re unfamiliar
• Bob: “Nobody in this room is more knowledgeable than me on this topic” attitude
  • Prepare for audience more sometimes rather than the actual topic
• Pat: Response must be accurate and make sure that opinion (contention) does not escalate other people’s reactions. Keep tone level.
• Bob: Speak from other people’s point of view by knowing their perspective. “This is what you’re saying, right?”

–          Passion or work for money?

• Bob: Passion is suffering. Choose a small number of things to be passionate about. Everyone has the one thing important to them. Passion is the one thing that drives everything else you do.
• Scott: Wanting everything to align may or may not happen. Get itches by seeing what other people are doing. Broader definition such as “service” that makes him do what he wants to do (ex. Service, helping other people, etc.)
  • Money and promotions and locations will come if you step into passion –> happens to people at different times
  • “What are you passionate about” exercise.
  • If you can’t identify passion, identify what drives you crazy and work backwards to locate passion
• Pat: Think about books you really liked –> it’ll tell you something about yourself
• Bob: Not either/or –> ties to everything if you identify one
• Scott: Everything has led up to where you are now

–          Overcoming the challenges

• Pat: You can make a differences anywhere that aligns with passion
• Bob: Preach to the ones who can make your life better not those who hate it
• Scott: Sprinkle life with passion

–          Scott: Passions change

–          Bob: How can I make my life incredible? Not “job satisfaction.” Apply passions to work.

–          Pat: Pay dues. First job is not going to be what expected, learning to show up on time, work hard, etc. –> do everything with a great attitude –> walk before you run

• ← Sophia Joseph’s Remaining Group Mentoring Sessions of Fall Semester 2013 – Group 3, Sessions 2 & 3
• Sophia Joseph’s Women in the Making Interview →