Page 14 - aprl 2017 Voices

Succession Planning, or How to Get

the Horse to Drink

by Charley Patton, DTM - Region 2 Advisor

This time of year is Leadership is Communication

difficult for our leaders. “I just want to be a better speaker.” Granted
Not only are you trying most people join Toastmasters to improve their
to achieve personal and speaking skills. But have you considered how
organizational goals as the often you get to speak when you’re in the leader-
Toastmasters year winds to a close, you are also ship ranks? I’ve filled numerous speech manuals
trying to secure success for the upcoming year by with speeches delivered across many districts, and
identifying who will succeed you. Some people each speech forced me to deliver with passion
are eager to climb the Toastmasters leadership and purpose. Consider this: You can communi-
ladder, but others remain unconvinced that they cate without leading, but you cannot lead with
are ready. How can we encourage those who communicating. Leadership is communication.
don’t see their leadership potential, think that Leadership is Learnable
Toastmasters is only about public speaking, or
that leaders are born, not made? “I don’t have what it takes to be a leader.” I
understand this sentiment because it took me a
Leadership is Action long time to own my leadership potential. My
“Who, me? A leader?” Every year at work, I reluctance came from feeling like I shouldn’t
am approached by coworkers who express their have the associated responsibility—I lacked
discomfort addressing one of the characteristics confidence. But over time, as I tried and failed
included in our annual performance rating and succeeded, leadership confidence came, just
process: People Leadership. “I’m not in a like speaking confidence came with practice.
leadership position,” they say. They typically We are not born great speakers or great leaders,
suffer from the same misconception—that but we get better with practice. Leadership is
leadership is conferred only by appointment learnable.
to an organizational position of power. But just Succession planning is inspirational
because you aren’t “official” doesn’t mean you leadership. Who will you inspire today?
aren’t a leader. Toastmasters. Where Leaders Are Made.
Leadership means being out front, whether
it’s physically ahead or ahead in thought or Charley Patton joined Toastmasters in 2006. He served as
action. Were you the first person to earn an District 5 Governor in 2009-10 where he lead his District to
education award in your club this year, the one Distinguished District distinction. He has earned recognition
who organized your club’s open house event, or for Excellence in Education and Training, 2008-2009 and
the first to reach out to a new member? Surprise! Distinguished District Governor, Excellence in Leadership,
You’re leading already. Leadership is action.
2009-2010. He is an Eagle Scout.

14 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 10 APRIL, 2017