Page 17 - January 2019 Voices

PERSPECTIVES

Looking Back at TLI

Donna Stark, DTM

Immediate Past District Director

I enjoyed TLI and this winter’s session at with a friendly smile. Focus on the strengths

Wilsonville High School was no exception. The you have rather than on what you perceive as
opportunity to connect with fellow Toasties shortcomings. Your own unique gifts are a solid
from all parts of the District helped fuel my foundation to build on.
Toastmaster tank with the energy and motivation • You may want to work on: An effective
to finish this Toastmaster year with enthusiasm evaluation, of yourself or others, includes
and success. identifying attributes that are getting in the
A high point of the day was former way of you being a more effective leader or

International President Pat Johnson’s keynote, speaker. This is the “stuff” in the middle of an
“Lead With Your Heart.” I appreciated her Oreo cookie. (Personally, I prefer Double-Stuff
thoughts about authenticity. Leaders, and Oreos—the “stuff” is the best part!) Be grateful
speakers, who excel at their craft aren’t imitating for this feedback. Identifying ways to improve
someone else. There are leaders we admire, that does not diminish the value of the things you do
we aspire to be like, but leading with your heart well.
is about finding your own leadership style. • To challenge yourself: What’s your next
Do you recall the, “Be Like Mike” Gatorade step? What will push you just a little bit outside
commercial? There were lots of little basketball of your comfort zone? I was willing to take on

players that wanted to grow up to be like Michael just about any meeting role as a new Toastmaster,
Jordan. At some point they had to quit watching except speech evaluation. My knees literally
Jordan and get out on the court to practice and shook when I participated in my first club
play and find their own style. To be a better speech contest. Identify something you’re not
leader or speaker (or both), you need to leave the comfortable doing, do it anyway, grow from the
sidelines and play! Fortunately, Toastmasters is experience, and identify the next challenge to
a learn-by-doing organization. tackle.

One of the things I appreciate about Pathways Another great resource is the Pathways Level
is how the evaluation forms are structured. Each 2 projects that are focused on understanding
form has a section to identify strengths (you your communication and leadership style. That
excelled at), areas of potential improvement can be a great place to start. Every leadership
(you may want to work on), and opportunities
role you take, every presentation you make, is
for growth (to challenge yourself).
another step on your journey to becoming the
• You excelled at: What are your strengths?
leader and speaker you want to be—and that
Yes, you have them. Perhaps you are patient, or
others will want to emulate.
have natural vocal variety, or put people at ease

VOICES! | JANUARY 2019 17