"So, there's communication talent among Engineers, but the fact remains that most Engineers are boxed in their technical world. This needs to change. For this reason, two of the three universities in Toronto have recently established Toastmasters clubs at Engineering schools. I'm working on helping the third one do the same.It's better to light a candle than to condemn the dark."
Thanks, and appreciation to our colleague Neil Kazen, M.Eng., M.Sc., P.Eng.
FASCE, FCPCI, FEC.
It turns out that, despite an 'alphabet-long' list of letters and acronyms after our names, it does not inoculate the group called
"Humans" from the most dreaded 'fear' of all. When ranked against death, divorce, firing, and the like, the #1 fear we fear most is
"Speaking in Public." Now, on the outside chance, some 'gentlemen' are thinking,
"Well, hey, after our golf game or at half-time, the guys always seem quite outgoing and free to speak out about whatever…", that is NOT the
"Speaking in Public" to which I refer!
I am addressing the moment right after the moderator has introduced you to the audience, turns to you and states, "
OK Harry,". . . for some reason, I always seem to say either Harry or Sally. . . maybe it's from the movie (?)….and you smile, turn to face the audience, and spontaneously realize that deep within yourself, you want the entire audience to immediately just applaud and leave the room, or, you are levitated up to heaven, supported by thunderous applause. Or better yet, are thrown to the floor by a severe heart attack and simply die!
Welcome to what was my world back in 1987!
As an emerging, alleged expert in the management of quality within design and construction firms, I was engaged by a professional society in the Washington, DC, area to do a 2-hour presentation on the subject,
"The A/E/C Quality Management System: How to Do It!" This was literally, my very first public speaking event as an alleged expert, whom attendees paid to hear. Within 30 minutes of the start, to my delight, some 60 or more engineers, architects, and construction senior and executive managers had arrived, and more were coming in. Remember, some months before, Dr. W. Edwards Deming has done the CBS show
"If Japan Can, Why Can't We?"As I knew a few of these folks, I was glad-handing them, smiling broadly, and feeling just great, as I turned, and walked up to the six platform steps to the podium. I then turned, put on my glasses, and faced out into the crowd of then, some 75 or more attendees.
Right!
Go back up now, and re-read what I wrote right after the notes after
"Harry and Sally" above.
As I stood there, contemplating who my lovely wife might marry after my funeral, I fumbled and dropped my notes. When I bent to retrieve them, my eyeglasses feel off, and over the platform, down, onto the floor, some 5 feet or more below the platform on which I stood.
As I straightened myself up and looked out to the audience, a miracle happened!
Without my eyeglasses, I could not see clearly beyond some 15 feet or so out from the platform. The first row of seats <g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="88" data-gr-id="88"><g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="86" data-gr-id="86">were</g></g> at least some 25 feet out. Then I noted that when I looked out beyond to the others in the audience, I realized something . . . I really could not see them, i.e., not in any detail, it was all a general blur.
So, after my introduction, I started with a great smile and made an enthusiastic presentation. I made a point to look around as I spoke, from left to right, from the front to the back of the room. After, more than a few engineers approached me and complimented me on my ability to speak, and make such intimate eye contact at the same time!
Today's Plan in Deux Parties
- On <g class="gr_ gr_534 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" id="534" data-gr-id="534">the </g><g class="gr_ gr_534 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" id="534" data-gr-id="534"><g class="gr_ gr_533 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="533" data-gr-id="533">chance</g></g> you do not have my "Eyesight Benefit," take Neil's example and get to the Toastmasters nearest you. If that one isn't as comfortable as you like, then go to the next closest one. Get over yourself. Stop rationalizing "It's just the way I am." You have a rich depth of knowledge and experience to share. Start getting comfortable sharing it. Part of that sharing will include learning how to say, simply, "Whoops, I was/am wrong, sorry, I will look back into that, and when I have the right information, get right back to you."
BTW, real experts can make the statement right above in less than 3 minutes.
Others will speak for some 19 minutes, and leave you more confused than when you first asked the question.
- Get with your local civil engineering university department chair today! Ask how you might team to engage their students into a school-based Toastmasters experience. Some universities already have them, and simply may not yet have been invited in by the CE Department.
P.S. Women professionals, it's no secret that you are experts in effective and efficient listening.
Perhaps you might either continue and/or lead the way in this
ASCE CE student Toastmasters formation initiative. To all….
Thank you for reading and considering my perspectives.
Hayden.
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William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
Buffalo, N.Y.
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2019 23:07
From: Neil Kazen
Subject: The public perception of engineering communication skills
Thank you Dilip.
Here's another quip:
"A man in a suite was riding in the basket of a hot-air balloon drifting with the wind in the middle of nowhere. To his delight he saw a man standing in a field, so he yelled: "Can you tell me where I am? I'm going to an important meeting & I'm lost". The man answered him: "You are at 5.326 m high; 43.2561 degrees latitude and 87.1376 degrees longitude". The balloonist said: "You must be an Engineer!" "Yes, indeed. How did you know? Is it because I look smart?". "No, it's because you gave me all kinds of accurate information which I can't use. And because of you I'll miss my meeting". "You must be a manager". "How did you know? Is it because I look like a leader?". "No. It's because you went up riding on hot air. You don't have a clue of where you are going and you are blaming others for your mistakes".
It was the introduction of my speech "Communicate" used to encourage my colleagues to join the Toastmasters (speech) club at our Engineering firm.
The speech goes on:
"Ok, folks, let managers worry about their hot air, but I think engineers can use some communications skills. Such as how to present advice in a usable way, and how to express it with more life in it so that they can have life and may be money as well. In fact, it was found at Purdue University, in the 60's, that Engineering graduates with good communications skills earned $200,000 during their life time more than those with poor communication skills. That's like $2 million today!" The speech goes on to list a great speech story from history that changed the world. and ends with the conclusion: "So folks, whether you are interested in conquering the world or just earning cool extra 2 million dollars, is up to you. But I know one thing for sure: When you express yourself well you become less likely to be wronged by others; So, you become less likely to carry grudges towards them; You become more likely to have goodwill towards other people.... and that alone can make you great indeed."
Aside from that speech winning awards, it motivated many to join our club which went on to win first place among a District of 184 clubs in two categories. Further, three of its members won trophies as Division level (over 30 clubs). Other engineers achieved even more: Around 15 or 16 years ago, the Toastmasters speech champion over a District covering half of Ontario, was an Engineer, and the worldwide champion was an Engineer too. So, there's communication talent among Engineers, but the fact remains that most Engineers are boxed in their technical world. This needs to change. For this reason, two of the three universities in Toronto have recently established Toastmasters clubs at Engineering schools. I'm working on helping the third one do the same.
It's better to light a candle than to condemn the dark.
------------------------------
Neil Kazen, M.Eng., M.Sc., P.Eng.
FASCE, FCPCI, FEC,
Retired Structural Engineering Manager, Transportation Division, SNC-Lavalin
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2019 13:27
From: Dilip Barua
Subject: The public perception of engineering communication skills
Many great discussions. Thanks Stephanie for initiating an important topic.
Here is a quip I have heard. Try enjoying it.
Once there was a high level Ministerial meeting for approval of a civil engineering project. Frank was there representing a client. At one time, the Minister asked, "What do our engineers say?"
All turned their attention to an engineer sitting in a remote corner of the table. The engineer started by saying, "Sir, if . . ."
Before he could move further, the Secretary to the Ministry said with an authoritative voice, "Sir, our engineers are very capable people. They are problem solvers. Only, they do not speak much of our language." He looked at the engineer and continued, "Right, Mr. Engineer?"
A lady assistant to the Minister remarked, "Very impressive."
The Minister looked at her and inquired, "What is . . .?"
Before she could answer, Frank joined in, "Sir, it is very impressive that our engineers are fluent in speaking the languages of concrete and steel. They are our high level technicians."
The Minister looked at the engineer for a comment, hearing nothing sulked, "I see!"
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Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Website: https://widecanvas.weebly.com
Original Message:
Sent: 05-23-2019 21:46
From: Sayed Maqsood
Subject: The public perception of engineering communication skills
Engineering communication relates to technical concepts academically. However, the non-engineering majors are more active and pro-active in just talking. Some of your friends might have majored in communication and that's the reason they are even more vigilant. Technical majors could simply agree on non-engineering thoughts and talks to stay in-touch with the public. For example, next time when you see your friends, do not talk about your projects, just talk about the episodes.
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Sayed Maqsood
Alameda, CA
(510)830-6285
Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2019 14:11
From: Stephanie Slocum
Subject: The public perception of engineering communication skills
In a discussion with my non-engineering friends, there seems to be a public perception that engineers don't know how to properly communicate.
When I contrast that with many of the engineers I know, and the latest Plot Points podcast episode which was all about <g class="gr_ gr_787 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="787" data-gr-id="787">communication</g><g class="gr_ gr_787 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" id="787" data-gr-id="787"> ,</g> there seems to be a disconnect.
How do you think we begin to change this public perception?
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Stephanie Slocum P.E., M.ASCE
Founder
Engineers Rising LLC
www.engineersrising.com
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