Corporate contemplation #5: say it with confidence, even if you don't feel it

I occasionally lector (proclaim the day’s Bible readings) at Mass. I used to lector all the time but now just make guest appearances at weddings and funerals.

Believe it or not, you have to be TRAINED to be a lector – you don’t just get up and start reading out loud. You are coached in the volume and projection of your voice. You learn not to speak too fast and when to pause appropriately.

Every now and again, you run across a proper noun (an ancient name or place) in the readings that you are not sure how to pronounce.

I have learned to just plow ahead and say the word, with complete (faked) confidence, however I think it might be said. Chances are that most folks listening to me have no idea how to say the word either. Even if I say it incorrectly, the audience focuses on the intent of the reading rather than my stumbling.

I find that when I am feeling a bit shy in a business meeting, if I can just muster up the same (fake) confidence and plow through what I have to say, the audience reacts positively to my confidence, which in turn makes my confidence not so fake.

Agree or no?

Here's the entire list of lessons that ring true for me:

https://www.eight2eightpursuits.com/post/lessons-to-share-from-a-career-of-corporate-contemplations