A Step Forward --- My Reflection

I started my community service at a very young age and served as a guide, teacher and management person in different institutions. Particularly my experience while working with ITREB gave me a sense of direction and skills to serve the community as an Al-wa’za and speaker in a voluntary capacity. I have been associated with this service for more than 20 years, and achieved a good name in the field (Alhamdullilah). I conducted many motivational and awareness raising sessions for diversified group of people on various topics. However, recently I realized that there is a shift in the attitude of audience who are now more inclined towards participatory session rather than listening to emotional speeches. Particularly youth like to have sessions where they can speak, have fun and get involve in activities. This motivated me to reflect on my current practices as a speaker and to take initiatives for the changed approach as per the demand of time. I observed some of the famous corporate trainers and tried to learn the approach they exercise in their sessions. Whatever was learned through observation of these trainers, I piloted in the yesterday’s session which I conducted with the volunteers of Gulshan-e-Noor with lots of apprehensions and question marks. Following is my reflection on that session that helped me to decide the next line of action for me.

Yesterday’s session was neither a complete success nor a complete failure for me. I tried to adapt new style and method, however, reflected on few areas that need to be improved further. I used to follow 3C policy until now that is confidence, content and connections. I found this 3C policy workable in many situations where I exercise confidence, present a good content and build connections among and between the contents and audience. My yesterday’s session reflected the need of change in the definition and scope of this 3C policy.

1. Confidence: This means an open and flexible attitude of presenter during presentation in order to invite jokes, sharing, comments and all type of fun. Confidence is shown through the presenters' movement, energy level, selection of words, sharing of support material in a right manner at the right time.
2. Content: The content should be as little as possible but predominantly based on examples, observations and situations related to current issues of the topic. Material should be simple but attractive like using acronyms, videos etc.
3. Connections: Connection should mainly be developed with the audience through their active participation. For this, creative tasks need to be developed where they do fun explicitly and learn implicitly.

I believe several personal traits lead to this approach; for example, creativity, knowledge, boldness, social nature, and energy level of presenter. How to start about it, I don’t know but what to do for these traits I know. I am working on it right now and have a firm belief to develop my skills in this area with the motive to serve community as per the demand of time. Best thing is that we have models around us who can guide us through their actions and advices.