Page 15 - Voices! - September 2015

Loving & Learning Leadership –
the Toastmasters Way

Leaders do not make followers. Leaders by Bill Maher
make more leaders. - Tom Peters

We know that being a Toastmaster involves more than just getting up and talking, even if you participate
in Table Topics. That choosing to share our experiences or background knowledge before a room of
people is just the beginning. Working these bits of information together is another aspect of speaking.
Reaching your audience in a meaningful way is one goal. Being able to remember what you said and feel good
about your speaking helps provides intrinsic encouragement.

When you are an effective speaker, you are a leader. You find yourself in front of a group of people because
someone thinks you have something to say. Maybe someone else believes you have a worthy perspective to
share. Maybe you feel enough passion about a topic to share your thoughts. The bottom line? You want the
people who are listening to you to take away new knowledge. That is one essence of leadership.

Speaking in front of groups of people was not a new experience for me when I joined Toastmasters in October
of 2012. Serving as a youth pastor and solo pastor for almost eight years gave me a lot of experience. Fifteen
years of teaching in a classroom also added to my speaking vita. Helping to start charter schools in Oregon and
promoting new schools provided another dimension of public speaking experience.

Why Toastmasters?

As I began experiencing Toastmasters, I was glad to participate in many different activities beyond speaking.
I knew various roles needing to be filled at a meeting were important. Learning the components of meetings
and seeing how all of them worked together added a deeper understanding and appreciation for this volunteer
organization. Over the course of a few months, I was able to fulfill each of the roles.

What I didn’t realize was that I was growing in leadership ability. Participating in roles at meetings helps everyone
to enjoy the meeting and have a positive experience that provides new information. We’ve all heard that time is
money. Being a timer may not seem like a leadership experience, but helping the meeting stay on time and be a
quality experience, demonstrates leadership by helping others be better.

One day I had an opportunity that came with the leadership title, Vice President of Education. Our current VPE was
moving to Hawaii and would not be able to fulfill his duties for the remainder of the year. Although taking on this
position was like diving into the deep end of the leadership pool, this was a great experience which deepened
my appreciation and understanding of Toastmasters. As I monitored how each of the members worked toward
different levels of speaking and leading within Toastmasters, I found it inspiring.

The next time leadership roles for the club were to be voted on, I decided to continue my leadership involvement.
This time in a new capacity, as club president in New Horizons for a year. As President, my main focus was to
develop the leadership talents of the leadership team.

Through all of the meetings, competitions, trainings and events I experienced, I learned an underlying truth:
Whether or not you have the title of a leader in your club, you are a leader. People listen to what you have to
say. How you interact with those who attend meetings, how you describe your experience in Toastmasters, and
how you engage in your Toastmasters events all communicate truths about Toastmasters. Perhaps you’re an
“accidental leader” in Toastmasters, trying to stay below the radar. I encourage you to embrace your leadership
capacity as much as you can and appreciate the voice you share with those around you as you grow in speaking
and leadership abilities.

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