“Dad,” he said, “I felt like a celebrity… and it wasn’t because you gave your speech.”

 I Broke the Rules of Public Speaking

They say that no matter how badly you want to, you should never change anything about your presentation within ten days of delivering it.

I gave in.

I just returned from a trip to San Antonio where I was asked to give a keynote to a group of summer camp and retreat professionals at their annual conference. Eli, our 11-year-old, came along. Not only did we get some quality time together, he also got to experience a little history: The Alamo, the River Walk, and more. Along the way he also encountered homelessness and some of the harder realities of life, things he rarely sees growing up in our small, fortunate community in Texas.

We believe experiences like that help a young person learn, grow, and hopefully serve others better as they get older.

Because of my years in the camp industry, I knew many of the camp owners and leaders attending the conference. Eli had the chance to meet several of them. I watched quietly as they struck up conversations with him.

I was proud as I witnessed him asking questions, listening carefully, responding thoughtfully, and making eye contact.

They complimented and encouraged him.

Being the only 11-year-old in a room of more than 300 professionals working in summer camp, he somehow felt right at home. His reaction to the attention made me laugh.

“Dad,” he said, “I felt like a celebrity… and it wasn’t because you gave your speech.”

That’s camp people for you. They thrive when given the opportunity to help young people grow.

When it was time for my keynote, my introduction changed the moment I stepped to the front of the room. I pointed out Eli sitting about halfway back on the left side of the room and shared something he had told me just before I walked up.

“Dad, these are the nicest people I’ve ever met.”  But I felt the need to clarify what he really meant.

Eli used his words to say, “You are the nicest people on the planet.”
But what he was really describing was something deeper.

“I feel safe.”

Toward the end of my presentation, I shared a short story about one of my early interactions with Dick Eastland, longtime director of Camp Mystic. I was at a similar conference in my early twenties, unsure of my value and still trying to figure out where I fit in the industry.

He approached me, introduced himself, and spent a few minutes talking with me. I can’t remember a single word he said. But I clearly remember how he made me feel.

Safe. Valued. Motivated. And inspired to serve others to the best of my ability.

My encouragement to the room was simple: Do hard things to the best of your ability, but let go of the pursuit of perfection.

Because in the end, it’s not about the exact words you say. It’s about how you them feel:  Safe. Motivated. Inspired. Valued.

I hope I leave people feeling that way more often than not. I know I don’t always get it right.

But I’m working hard to earn an “A for effort.”

Remain Encouraged,
Brian