Page 20 - 2018 August Voices

another, we empower one another. We are being ready for Toastmasters. We shared the benefits

validated by someone caring enough to be honest of improving the essential skills of public
and direct with us—all within the guardrails speaking. In our conversation, I shared with
of civility. The more that we are honest with him what I have learned from Warren Buffett,
ourselves first, the more we can be honest with “Public Speaking Hikes Your Value 50%.” Zach,

one another. responded, “Wow!”
“Straight talk” is a gift of the highest As Zach and I continued our conversation, I
magnitude. The contribution of “straight shared with him what I had learned, continue to
talk” becomes even more significant when learn, and the fantastic benefits from developing

we share the bountiful harvest with others. my public speaking skills. With his dancing eyes
People often tell me that they appreciate that I and broad smile, I had motivated and inspired
have given them “straight talk.” him to give a little more thought to joining
In reviewing a business plan or sharing an Toastmasters.

experience where I have so much experience, Over this last year, Zach and I have had a few
it saves others time from traveling down a more conversations to more fully develop our
wrong path, by providing a suggested course friendship and my “public speaking” mentorship.
correction. Often, I hear from people that is so My “straight talk” has not alienated Zach, to the

refreshing to receive direct and honest feedback. contrary. Our first few conversations drew him
in to learn more about what he needs to do to
Passing it on to others! develop the essential skill of public speaking.
Twelve months ago, I was visiting with a person Most recently, Zach and I were at an after-work

that I had recently met. Zach is a young, smart, gathering, when he described a most exciting
and confident young guy working in a Fortune work situation which emerged for him. He
100 company. Over the last 18 months, Zach has shared with me his latest big promotion.
received three significant job promotions. He Zach is the top engineer at the Fortune 100

and I were chatting one night after work, and I company, which has placed the responsibility
detected that he was well-educated but was not on him for all of the company’s online sales.
too excited about public speaking. Zach already Zach recognizes with his latest promotion that
recognized that public speaking was going to there are a lot of opportunities and a boatload

be a skill which was essential to his career. He of obligation. We talked about kaizen, public
acknowledged at some point that he would like speaking, and the list went on. Zach is 25 years
to join Toastmasters. of age, he fully appreciates his station in life,
With our vast difference in age, I soon and is grateful to those that have helped him

became his friendly uncle. I used “straight by allowing him to stand on the shoulders of
talk” and strongly suggested that he develop others.
the skill of public speaking. I suggested to The largest supplier to the company that he
him some recommended reading to get him works for is in New York City. This New York

VOICES! | AUGUST 2018 21