Page 14 - August 2020 Voices

FROM THE DESK

Leaders Don’t Quit

Lorri Andersen, DTM
Club Growth Director

Have you noticed that the way you have done
things in the past doesn’t seem to work today?

Do you work on a project or assignment at the and not finish? Did you get almost to that point
office, home, or in your Toastmaster Club and and then catch yourself? The reason why you
it feels like the rules have changed and you’re didn’t quit is because you’re a leader. I’ve heard it
playing with a different deck of cards? Do you said that leaders have three core traits: stamina,

feel like you want to take an extended vacation steadiness, and stubbornness. Stamina is needed
or a long nap and hope when you get home or for fuel to keep us going. It’s like running a race
wake up everything will be different? You’re not and finding the needed strength to go the extra
alone. Let me share some insight with you. mile, finishing what you started, and completing

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to the work when you least feel like it. Steadiness
listen to a live stream presentation on leadership is being balanced and clear headed. In trying
by Dr. John Maxwell. I was impressed. I reflected times it’s easy to get distracted. Stay focused
and reread the notes I had taken almost daily. and steady. Lastly, be stubborn. Stubbornness

Dr. Maxwell asked the audience a number of isn’t always a bad thing; it can be used to benefit
questions: Have you ever had a difficult time your situation.
in your life? What did you do? How did you get I believe we’re all leaders in Toastmasters.
through it, and what did you learn? Did you We’re a team that works together to help others

improve and grow? Some of our best lessons become more effective communicators and
come from the most difficult situations. Be open leaders. This results in their increased self-
and let those experiences be your teacher. At the confidence and personal growth. When we help
end of this year reflect back on this period of others with their personal goals, our own goals

time and ask yourself what did I learn this year, are met, to quote the famous words of Zig Ziglar.
what did I achieve? Don’t let this opportunity Let’s continue to work together and help others.
pass you by. Learn all you can. Next June we will be able to look back and say
Did you ever want to stop what you were doing this has been a great Toastmasters year!

14 ONE COMMUNITY