Page 8 - January 2020
P. 8
COVER STORY
My first impression was that Toastmasters faster their growth. I realized that as a club
was a group of highly polished speakers and officer, I needed to set the same example.
leaders. I was intimidated. I didn’t feel like It took a lot of trial and error, frustration,
I would ever fit in. Much to my surprise, I struggle. Looking back it was during times
saw people putting in time and effort to get of struggle where I learned the most. As a
better. So I quit Toastmasters. Yes. I quit! I leader I learned so much more than as a
had every excuse in the book, “too busy”, “too meeting participant.
much going on in my personal life”. I didn’t As a Division Director looking back on
prioritize Toastmasters as an investment my time as an area director and a club
of time for myself to become the person I officer, there are new levels of growth at
wanted to be. I avoided the growth process each level. There are layers and layers of
and I thought my speaking fears would go communication, leadership skills to learn
away on their own. at each level.
Not all change is growth, but What has been your greatest Aha! Moment
in your Toastmasters journey so far? Why?
all growth requires change. Communication and leadership go hand in
Two years later, no surprise, my speaking hand. The more effectively you communicate,
fears were still there. I realized that I was the more effectively you lead. The more you
going to have to control my fears or my fears lead, the more you need to communicate. There
would end up controling me the rest of my are overlapping layers of skills and growth at
life. So, I rejoined toastmasters in 2006. I every level of leadership if you apply yourself.
decided to start applying myself to the skills When I first joined Toastmasters I did not fully
not only as a speaker but as a club officer. understand how much I would grow as a leader
As an officer I saw other people doing the and a communicator until I moved into area and
same thing. The more effort they put in the division leadership.
8 ONE COMMUNITY
