Page 18 - voices-2023-06
P. 18
FROM THE DESK
Beacon of Light in Toastmasters Leadership
Dave Bones, DTM - Club Growth Director
The end of the Toastmaster year is often a time One thing that a mentor helped me with
for reflection. This is true for me as I am in years ago was to hold me accountable. If
the final month of my role as the 2022-2023 something comes up that interferes with
D7 Club Growth Director. As I reflected, I commitment and follow through, I need to
noticed one aspect that struck me as perhaps communicate. I was scheduled to attend an
most important in Toastmasters leadership. important group event that he invited me to.
I am thrilled to share it with you for your I did not show or call to let anyone know that
consideration. I wouldn’t make it. He candidly told me of the
It is this – love. As a leader, love for those chaos and uncertainty I caused that could have
you are leading is the factor that transcends all been prevented if I had just communicated.
boundaries of a particular role and integrates Back then, I had no idea that my actions could
each leadership position with members into have that much impact on the group. What I
the unified Toastmasters community. Love learned is that he was helping me to become a
may not be the only aspect needed. That better leader. The lesson was that trust is built
said, I do believe that this must be included by caring enough to be consistent.
for fundamental success. Are you already
nodding in agreement, or at least intrigued to 2. Demonstrate that you care
hear more? I hope so! In the short amount of What is the one way that you know
time that we have together in this article, I will that your leader in Toastmasters cares? Is
share three elements to consider putting into it when everything is going smoothly and
practice. convenient to contribute? Maybe, but I would
say the opposite is certainly true. I have been
1. Be consistent astounded by leaders that no matter their stress
As a leader, your team needs to know that load, including outside of Toastmasters, have
you are someone they can depend on. This taken the time to ask how I am doing, or to
does not mean that a leader must be perfect. answer my questions. As Toastmasters leaders,
Far from it! But it does mean that you do not we can treat adversity not as an excuse, but as
just let things slide. an opportunity to become better listeners and
18 ONE COMMUNITY
