How A Toastmasters Club Can Open The Right Doors For You

This is the story of a 13-year-old girl. A girl who was painfully shy. She wouldn't open her mouth in class even when she knew the answers. She would never start a conversation. One time, she let someone chop her hair way too short because she just couldn't speak to the lady in the salon.

No guesses. That was me. If you notice my profile or bio today, it will state, 'Public Speaker'. My worst nightmare became a source of strength and pride and I love being on the stage now. All because of Toastmasters International.

I first learnt about Toastmasters at the age of 31. I still consider it too late. Why? 'Coz the earlier you start, the more you benefit from these 6 crucial ways:

How can Toastmasters open the right doors for you? I have an acronym for it - CFL NML.

C - Confidence in Communication

Toastmasters is only about giving speeches. That's a very limited way of looking at it. In my experience, it builds confidence and presence in communication, albeit with speeches of different kinds and time frames. It can help you get better at nonverbal communication, interviews, group discussions, presentations, meetings, negotiation, persuasion and interpersonal communication. To communicate clearly, you automatically have to write better and think in a structured way. So those are just the add-ons that can make or break your career!

What we all really really really want to say in practice interviews.

F - Focused Feedback

I was a lecturer when I joined Toastmasters. I lectured - my students listened/ slept. The highlight of joining a Toastmasters club was the focused, targeted, specific feedback that I would get at every step - be it a two-minute impromptu speech or a 15-minute presentation. We can become experts in a field only if we get focused feedback on what we do great and where we can do better.

Well, the picture says it all - hope you get better by your next appraisal.

L - Leadership & Management

If you are an introvert like me, you run away from being in the spotlight, which leadership entails. I am thankful to my Toastmasters experience of leadership - I watched different forms of leadership in action and learnt how I could be one, despite being an introvert. Being a part of the leadership roles at the club, area, division or district level of Toastmasters enables you to understand your strengths and weaknesses; helps you empathise and collaborate; makes you resilient yet teaches you the art of diplomacy. It's like a mini MBA in strategic leadership and management.

So you can handle even the Gilfoyles in your team.

N - Networking & Referrals

80% of job roles are filled by referrals. This is a statistic we have all heard and even lived. I have met diverse people in Toastmasters clubs across India - students, managers, leaders, scientists, professors, entrepreneurs, home-makers, small business owners, artists, writers, bakers - you get the gist. None of them has ever refused to help out. Can you imagine the paths and careers that can open for you if you are connected to an international network?

So a recruiter actually calls you for that dream job.

M - Mentoring

Mentoring is one of the differences between an A-player and the others. I have been blessed by some terrific mentors in Toastmasters. Often, they have mentored and supported me beyond just a speech contest. They have taught me about life, business, networking, leadership, creativity and more.

Maybe we won't get the awesomeness of Mr. Miyagi but it will still be worth it!

L - Listening

"What were you saying? Sorry, I was looking at my phone." Active listening is underrated but it is an essential skill for success in your career. Taking up roles like evaluator, grammarian, ah-counter and the TMOD can help you excel at listening and becoming an excellent communicator. This is an easily transferable skill to boardroom meetings where it is important to simplify the jargon and get the gist.

We don't want to be like Joey right?

If you are still on the fence, here's a video -

For all those of you who will now ping me about how to join a Toastmasters club, this is the simple procedure -

1. Go to 'Find a Club' near me - https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
2. Enter your current location details
3. You will see the contact info and meeting times and dates for the club. To be sure, do a quick check for the club's Facebook page/ Instagram page and contact them.
4. Attend the meeting ( Free free free! ) - currently, meetings are being held online.
5. Talk to the VP membership of the club about how to join and the membership fees.
6. Start your stage time!

Best of luck!