When I was returning from Singapore a couple of weeks ago, after attending one of the leading apparel and footwear industry forums in the world as an invited speaker, I started reflecting on the overwhelming journey of public speaking for the last seven years. I had no choice but to find a way to come out of embarrassment faced with the failure in a business presentation in front of a large audience at my workplace in 2015 having realized it’s difficult to get a foot in the door as a professional. That’s how I came across this amazing fraternity of toastmasters where leaders are made whilst unleashing the speaker within you.
I noticed four levers and one critical enabler which governed the transformation within me.
- Unlearn and relearn
Educational programs (pathways) offered by toastmasters international have been defined in the way that you could start from where you are comfortable with and grow as you move on. However, as a member it is vital for me to
ensure to unlearn what you know and re-learn while doing the projects at each level. Open mindset to accept and apply the adjusting feedback of the evaluators and other members, is paramount.
- Due diligence
Either you play a role or deliver a speech, it’s important for you to make sure that you will prepare yourselves and deliver at your best whenever you take up a role or speech.
- Grab the opportunities
Toastmasters provide you enormous opportunities to learn and grow through required practical exposure and however, grabbing those opportunities depending on how bold you are. Fortune always favours the bold and therefore, I recommend you not to compromise any of these opportunities you may receive in the form of a leadership role, contest, speaking etc.
4. Apply beyond the fraternity
The most of us became toastmasters to find better versions of ourselves to perform our day-to-day work and grow ourselves beyond the toastmasters fraternity. Hence, no point of learning and practicing within the fraternity as long as you don’t apply it for your day-to-day work.
Critical enabler:
Discipline
In order to make your levers move in the right direction, a strong foundation is paramount.
That’s why toastmasters have set the foundation through core values namely integrity, respect. Service and excellence with toastmasters’ promise. Hence, discipline with core values and an extended ecosystem will keep your focus towards success.
Since you have made the right decision of becoming a toastmaster already, let’s reflect on how well we have been aligning ourselves in the winning formula prescribed above to witness the transformation within you.
