Yesterday’s Perfect Moment is a subtle one for me and required a bit of thinking.
I was in an ESL seminar yesterday. It was a small group owing to various shifts are school works on. I knew all the people, but most of are interactions are social and lack any depth. This was the first time that I had to put my ESL knowledge on display for them.
My work used to be more like that, but lately, it seems less so. Maybe it has been more of a been there, done that kind of mood. Most of the people I talk to on a daily basis do not need any pointers (though in truth, everyone could do a refresher–thankfully, these monthly seminars are designed to do just that).
I have been doing this a long time, and I have done almost as many further qualifications as one can do. I was among the most experienced people in the room, and definitely the most experienced at my table. So, there I was, taking charge. I opened my mouth and it was clear that I knew what I was talking about. More interesting, I could command an audience. I wouldn’t say people were hanging on every word I said. It is ESL after all.
It was good to feel empowered. It was good to feel recognized. It was good to show what I could do. Too often I am leery of being a braggart or looking too cocky. I hate to see it in others, and I worry that I am displaying that.
Now, some of my newer colleagues probably see me in a different light. I only hope now they won’t have a lot of questions for me.
I can’t imagine your coming across as cocky or a braggart, Anthony. You earned those qualifications and your knowledge, so why not share them? 🙂
Being a braggart and displaying your intelligence in a professional setting are two entirely different things. Go for it.