Something I learnt at Toastmasters

[Fusebox]

I just recently attented my second toastmasters meet and I learnt something quite unique.

When people are giving evaluations to other peoples' talks, they use the 'commend, recommend and then commend' again rule.

Thus always giving feedback in a positive manner, and never critisicing in a negative way.

I thought it was quite it was interesting, and its probably something worth practising on a personal and social level at home and at work.


Anyways, just wanted to share.

[Angela]

That sounds like an effective approach. How are you liking Toastmasters? I'm considering going to a meeting to hone my communication focus skills.

[annie]

Originally Posted by Angela

That sounds like an effective approach. How are you liking Toastmasters? I'm considering going to a meeting to hone my communication focus skills.

Me too.

What can we expect from toastmasters? What is a typical format?

I've heard of it....it's been recommended, but I'm not sure how it works.

[Fusebox]

I definitely see Toastmasters as a key pillar in PD for myself. As I continue through the courses and levels I believe I will develop important skills that will aid me in my PD as well as career development.

I plan on doing my first (ice-breaker) speech in JAN 07. This is where we start off by talking about ourselves for 4-6 minutes

I definitely recommend you go and attend as a guest at your local toastmasters group. Goto Welcome to Toastmasters International where we are"Making Effective Communication a Worldwide Reality" to find locations

[Erin Pavlina]

Here we call that technique the sandwich approach. Start with what they did right, then what they could do to improve, then sum up again their best points.

Typical toastmaster meeting... (many do things a little differently)

President brings up any announcements or new business
Toastmaster takes over and calls up the grammarian to give the word of the day. Then Toastmaster calls up person to give the educational minute (1 minute quickie bit of info that is useful). Then TM calls up the first speaker, then the second speaker. Then we do table topics (impromptu speaking where someone calls you up with a question and you don't get more than a few seconds to think of your answer. fun times!) Then the General Evaluator is called up to take over. GE will call up the speech evaluators and the timer and get a report from the "ah" counter (person who counts um's and other bridge words)

We vote on best speaker, table topics, and evaluator (mostly just for fun). Meeting ends with discussion of next meeting's roles. announcements. Done.

Our meetings take 1 hour exactly. We've got it down to a science.

[officelurker]

How does one join Toastmasters? On their site I search for clubs in Toronto but mostly they are all corporate clubs.

Also, is there any pressure on people like me who are shy and very scared of public speaking? I am just wondering.

[Fusebox]

Heck no! no pressure at all.... If they're all corporate clubs in your area, contact them. The one I goto is in a corporate park, hosted by IBM. But its open to the public .

Contact a few if need be, they'll want you to come!

[Erin Pavlina]

The one I attend was initially started by Sprint employees, but only 2 out of 20 of our members even work there. So don't be discouraged or put off by the corporate thing.

Go as a guest to see how the meetings are. You don't have to participate as a guest and you can see if you will gel with the other people there.

[Fusebox]

Just one other thing I want to add in terms of learning from Toastmasters, its not just your speaking skills that you aim to improve, but also your listening skills.

I have been suprised at both previous meets, where I couldnt remember some key points given in peoples' speeches. At meet they do this thing called "did you listen", and ask randomly from the audience questions about the talks given earlier in the session.

[Scipio]

Experienced Toastmasters, how long before you found you were a confident and effective communicator?

I'm going to my second meeting next week. They are two hours every Tuesday night. I've also signed up for a public speaking course as one of my electives at university, which is twice a week.

[The Probabilist]

Originally Posted by Fusebox

Just one other thing I want to add in terms of learning from Toastmasters, its not just your speaking skills that you aim to improve, but also your listening skills.

I have been suprised at both previous meets, where I couldnt remember some key points given in peoples' speeches. At meet they do this thing called "did you listen", and ask randomly from the audience questions about the talks given earlier in the session.

That's a very good point. How many people have become famous for being exceptionally good listeners? The only one I can recall from the top of my head is Charles W. Eliot as described in How to win friends and influence people.

[valpal215]

I definitely recommend you visit a Toastmasters meeting! As others have said, the corporate clubs may well be open clubs. I'm a member of SunTrust Toastmasters in Atlanta. Most of us joined the club because we were afraid of public speaking, so you won't be alone in that respect. We have a lot of fun at our meetings.

Regards

Val

[Alex Wu]

I'm not sure I like the sandwich technique. Usually I'm just listening for the improvement points (i.e. the "negative" points), so anything I hear before it sort of falls to the wayside. I prefer all the growth points first, then all the positive points. That way, I've taken all my hits first, followed by plenty of encouragement.

I do, however, like the idea of 1 hour meetings. I've been to a couple clubs where meetings run 2 hours 40 minutes+, which is WAY too long, especially since they tempt you with so much water, and of course when you're drinking that much water, it's not long before everyone starts running out the door for the bathroom.

Find a club that welcomes you, gives you a good reason to join, and respects you enough to keep the meeting short and to the point.

[Healthyfit]

People should be careful with this sandwich approach. If you want someone to improve performance for instance. Sandwiching feedback may not be effective because people may not understand what it is that they need to improve upon.

[Erin Pavlina]

During an evaluation people tend to make it pretty clear. They'll say, for example, "The one area you might improve upon would be to watch those hand gestures." or "An area you might want to work on is your eye contact..."

I personally like the sandwich approach a lot. I like hearing the good, the improvements, and then a summary of what I did right.

[Fusebox]

Hi Everyone.

Apologies for digging up an old thread, but I wanted to know, all toastmasters participants on this forum, if you guys actually put up your speeches on your blogs??
Im am really interested in what topics you guys talk about. And the way you structure your speeches.

I just completed my second speech tonight, titled "Personal Development, what is it good for?" And I must tell you that I struggled with a topic. I mean really struggled!!

Ive put this speech up on my blog, I was wondering if others do the same? I would love to get links. Thanks in advance.

Click here

[Liara Covert]

Hi Fusebox.

I don't typically post many of my Toastmaster's speeches on my blog, but I discuss some of the issues I have spoken about. My own experience is that you'll enjoy yourself and learn more if you choose topics of interest to you. At the same time, I understand why it can be intriguing to learn about the choices of other people. I encourage you to talk with other Toastmasters and also be a guest at other meetings and competitions to learn more.

Last night, I heard a new member of my club do an "ice breaker" speech. This man took a very different approach than anyone else has taken in my club, although, we're all unique so that is to a degree,to be expected. This man spoke about how travel led him to 'fall into' many of his most meaningful life experiences, from cleaning British hospital floors to working in a Chem Lab in Libya, to working for a forensic coroner in Australia, to taking a bus trip from London to Egypt (he admitted this inexpensive venture turned out to be the most expenvie trip because he met his wife). He deduced that everything happens for reasons and he's content to redefine life and stability all the time.

Readers would look forward to hearing more about your Toatmaster's Experiences.

All the best,
Liara