I encourage you to improve your communication and leadership skills.

Most people join Toastmasters to improve their public speaking skills. They might need to give better presentations at work, or they may be doing a lot of speaking to help market their business. Perhaps they need to build their confidence, both professionally and personally.

Research has shown that public speaking is most people’s greatest fear. Therefore, they join Toastmasters to conquer that fear and be more successful in life.

If you want to visit a Toastmasters club, go to https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club  to find a club near you. I recommend that you visit at least a couple of clubs to see which one feels like the best fit for you.

I believe that anyone can improve their communication and leadership skills by joining Toastmasters.

 

Why Communication and Leadership Skills Are Especially Relevant Now

Are you running meetings or giving presentations and know you need to improve?

That’s where Toastmasters also comes in.

Many Toastmasters clubs are meeting online these days. So, even by visiting one of these meetings, you may get some great ideas for a better way to run yours.

Further, you’ll get to see a wide range of online presentations. Some will be the informative type, often supported by PowerPoint presentations. Others will be inspirational or humorous in nature.

In a Toastmasters meeting, you will see all kinds of speeches, both planned and off the cuff. Each speaker receives evaluations from the other members.

I use the communication and leadership skills I learned in Toastmasters in online interactions, over the phone conversations, and face-to-face situations.

Here are some examples of what you could improve upon through getting involved in Toastmasters.

 

Giving Presentations

  • Develop a presentation that is well-organized, informative, impactful, and shorter than you probably initially planned
  • Deliver that presentation in an engaging and enthusiastic manner
  • Anticipate equipment needs and other logistical arrangements in advance and how to carry on when things go wrong
  • Adapt to ever-changing dynamics of a meeting or an event

 

 Accepting and Offering Feedback

  • Really listen to others
  • Offer constructive criticism
  • Diplomatically give suggestions to fellow leaders in your business organizations and other groups

Off the Cuff Speaking

  • Answer questions directly and clearly during and after a professional presentation
  • Quickly developing a positive rapport with a potential client – over the phone, via Zoom or in person
  • Sharing information about yourself and your services succinctly when meeting one-to-one with a business colleague

 

How About You?

Have you ever considered checking out a Toastmasters club? If you have visited one, what did you learn from attending the meeting? What would prompt you to join a Toastmasters club?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 45 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

She works with business owners, business development professionals, business consultants, job seekers, and more – ranging from entrepreneurs to people in large corporations. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.