Why I Promote Toastmasters Everywhere I Go?

Because I’ve seen their magic at work.

“Toastmasters changes Lives” ~ John Moffitt, DTM

That’s how he opened the training session, and I thought to myself, “What a salesman.” It was my first TLI — Toastmasters Leadership Institute training. If anything, he was underselling, as I found out later.

I had joined Toastmasters after reading about it in a book on public speaking. Less than a year after joining, I was elected as the president of my club, Frankly Speaking Toastmasters, and this was my first exposure to the leadership training within the organization.

What is Toastmasters?

I think it is the most well-kept secret in the world, considering that the organization has been around for 95 years. The tagline on their website reads, Where leaders are made.

Here is what the All about Toastmasters page on their website says:

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization’s membership exceeds 358,000 in more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

In a nutshell, it is a Personal Development University. However, it is not an accredited university, but the education available certainly is of that caliber.

What makes Toastmasters different?

I have been a Toastmaster for almost 18 years. What makes Toastmasters different, and better than all other such groups, is the immediate feedback you receive.

When a member delivers a speech from the educational syllabus, another member of the club will provide them with immediate evaluation, verbal and written, based on the objectives of the project, as well as anything particular that was requested.

They also receive, what most Toastmasters affectionately refer to as love notes. These are uplifting comments and feedback from other members of the club. The love notes provide you with a critique from a diverse perspective. I value them immensely and keep them for when I am not feeling my best. I’ll read them and get my mojo back.

I always knew that Toastmasters’ evaluations were invaluable, but I didn’t realize how much until I started writing for Medium. I have written about 40 stories in the last seven weeks. When I look at my stats, they tell a tale, which probably isn’t much different than those of other writers.

Some stories have a lot of views, while others don’t. Some have upward of 75% read ratio, while others barely manage 30%. The number of people highlighting or clapping for these stories varies just as much. I can look at the stats and try to infer as to why it is so, but it will be mostly guesswork, because there is no actual feedback from the readers, with an occasional exception.

When I say that Toastmasters has spoiled me with the evaluations, I am not lying. Feedback is a necessary element of growth, whether you’re speaking in public, or spilling your guts by writing online.

Gosh, how I miss and long for some feedback here.

Anyone?

Before you go…

“You can let others tell you what it means to be successful, or you can decide it for yourself.”

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