Page 13 - November 2020 Voices
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would never admit
that he was wrong
or didn’t know
something. As
I got to know
him better, it Over time, you developed
became very apparent just a more complete picture of
how insecure he really was, but he kept up the yourself, including both your
façade around others. Over time, it took a toll strengths and weaknesses as a communicator.
on his mental well-being. You also gained the ability to give others a
I gave up pretending to be someone I’m specific assessment of how you perceived their
not a long time ago, because it takes too much communication skills. All of this helps reduce
work! I guess that means I’m fairly well mentally that middle version of ourselves – the one where
balanced, or maybe, just lazy. The question we are pretending to be someone we’re not.
then, is how does my self-image compare to how Coincidentally, a member of my Babble-On
others see me. I like to think that I am reasonably Club gave a speech today about being authentic,
competent, even though I may not think about which brought tears to the eyes of his evaluator.
being the District Director all of the time, and Authenticity is a superpower!
others have to remind me occasionally. Actually, Finally, I think I can answer the question –
the feedback we get from others in Toastmasters “Who am I?” – “I am a Toastmaster.”
is what makes it work. It’s like a mirror that shows In closing, I wish all of you the very best as
us who we really are. we get into the thick of the holiday season. Please
Do you remember your first Toastmasters be safe out there.
meeting, or your first ice breaker speech? You
were probably at least a little bit nervous, and
focused on all the things you did wrong. Then
your evaluator told you about all of your strong
points, and what you could do to be even better.
VOICES! | NOVEMBER 2020 13
