Page 16 - October 2019

FROM THE DESK

The Toastmasters Work Ethic

Eldred Brown, DTM - Club Growth Director

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.”
~ Robert F. Kennedy

In the ten years that I’ve been in Toastmasters, Take responsibility for yourself and remind
I’ve identified a unique work ethic that has made yourself daily that “if it is to be, it is up to me”.
many Toastmasters successful in the program,
in their careers, and in life. I call this work ethic Seek challenges

the Toastmasters Work Ethic. Consistent with Don’t be afraid to take on challenges that
the triads we love to use in our speeches, I have appear too big for you at first. You will receive
organized my analysis of this work ethic into guidance from those who have taken on the

three main tasks. They do follow a sequence of challenges before you. Listen to their advice and
sorts, so it works best to apply these sequentially. follow their recommendations. You don’t have to
know already what to do as long as you surround
Take charge of your growth yourself with mentors who do. Don’t be afraid

You are responsible for your growth, to fail or to make mistakes, for in failures and
personally, in Toastmasters, and in your career. mistakes you will see opportunities to grow.
Do not expect other people to take charge of your
growth for you. You know best what you want to Acknowledge your mistakes and learn
achieve and what you need to do to achieve it. from them

Others can offer you valuable insight on what lies Let’s face it. If you seek challenges and
on the road ahead of you and on strengths you risk taking challenges that are too big for you,
have but don’t know yet, but only you have the you will make mistakes. You will embarrass

power to decide what to do with those insights. yourself at times. I’ve embarrassed myself a

“Every great cause is born from repeated failures and from imperfect achievements.”

~ Maria Montessori

16 ONE COMMUNITY