Look who’s talking

I recently presented a seminar on the structural design of loft conversions on behalf of the Associate of Building Engineers. This is an intermittent appointment that has been going on for a couple of years now. I have learned two things from this.

It is very easy to assume that the audience has the same knowledge you do. I edit the presentation as I go along, but it surprises me when the seminar stumbles at a particular point. I can see quite clearly what the issue is, but when I probe a bit I realise that I have glossed over a salient point that is not immediately obvious to the uninformed. Because I am familiar with the subject it is second nature to me. For this reason, when questions come from the audience, I deal with it as a gap in my presentation, not a gap in their understanding – “What have I not told you”.

The second thing is, as I am sure teachers and lecturers will tell you in a heartbeat, it’s so tiring!!!! It’s not so much the physical effort of standing all day. It’s more to do with being on your game 100 per cent of the time, ready to deal with any question that might be thrown at you. And you don’t realise it until you finish and you’re totally wiped.

Still. That’s why god invented beer.