Being honest, I don’t care what you´re saying

One of the activities we do every day is an exercise in communicating with others. Sometimes communication becomes a two-way street and it is a valuable and productive one, but sometimes, there is no communication at all, is an only one-way street. At this moment is just a lecture, conference or a one-man show.

I was recently asked to be an evaluator of a speech and I was overwhelmed by the speaker's presentation, at the end I congratulated her for the interesting and well-delivered topic, to the point that at that moment I had many ideas to search and apply in my life.

My friend was pleased with the reaction I had in the speech. Moments later, containing all sorts of regrets and trying to be very cautious, I approached her and said; "The truth is that in this case, I do not care what you said”, her reaction was of astonishment and annoyance, since minutes before she had heard comments in another sense.

I know that when you are invited to evaluate a Toastmasters project, you must be careful not to pay much attention on; “what is said”, instead, you should focus on; “How it is said”. We are using a successful Toastmasters methodology that leads us to improve the way our arguments are presented and not to question what is said, that might be subject for another moment.

When someone asks us to make an evaluation of the given speech, it leaves us in a position where the confidence he has in our judgment is very high and you must be very careful to give your best to help.

If you consider my opinion, it is an honor and, so I must apply all my senses to give the best evaluation of how the message was delivered.

I believe that the two elements- the speaker and the evaluator- need to have a relationship of confidence that can benefit in two areas, the first, and the technique used on how to give the message and the other the honest analysis to be able to point out areas of opportunity, highlighting the strengths you already have.

Please don't let me be misunderstood if I say, "The truth is that in this case, I don´t care what you´re saying."