Speaking Matters, Even When Feedback is Lacking

I write a lot on Facebook every day to help others, but often don’t think to post what I wrote here on my own Blog. I hope to change this starting now. Here’s something I wrote on Phoenix 490:

When I first started speaking for MADD in Jan. 91, many of but certainly not all of the ways I measured success as a speaker was unrealistic. I learned over time that sometimes the most 'impact' was felt by the person in the audience who seemed to be giving me stern or ugly looks. After the speech, those very people were the ones who came up and said THANK YOU and that they had been moved to their core.

At other times I thought maybe I didn't get heard because few or no one came up after the speech, I would get emails saying they didn't come up afterward, because they didn't want to cry in public, or were otherwise embarrassed to open up in front of others.

I hope this observation helps someone. Always trust the best outcome is happening, even if the feedback is sometimes sparse.