My Toastmasters Blog

The Blog for Toastmasters, Public, and Professional Speakers

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The Toastmasters Trap

Nov 25, 2009 2:46am

Toastmasters International has been the most influential organization in my personal and professional development. Over the years I have been a member, I have become more confident, more action orientated, and better able to accomplish the goals I have established for myself. With that being said, there is one trap...

It’s Not the Right Time

Nov 8, 2009 3:13am

I have noticed a disturbing trend in the Toastmasters clubs that I am active. A new member will join, give a speech or two, and then send an e-mail that says, “I am sorry, but I just don’t have the time for Toastmasters anymore.” The irony of these e-mails is that...

Vote for Chris to Speak at SXSW

Aug 19, 2009 3:11pm

I Have a Dream I dream of traveling the world to speak to audiences about technology, leadership, and personal development. The past five years, I have worked hard at becoming an excellent speaker. However, being a great speaker is only part of the equation. What it Takes to be a Professional Speaker In...

Club Coaches: Life Support For Dying Toastmaster Clubs

Aug 18, 2009 2:45pm

Today’s guest post is from Bob Jensen, a fellow Champions’ EDGE Member. In his post, Bob discusses Club Coaches and how a coach can assist struggling Toastmasters clubs. Bob’s article is a great overview of the club coach program and I am grateful for his contribution. Toastmasters International recognizes that there...

An Engaging Opening is Necessary for Long Presentations

Jul 28, 2009 9:12am

Sitting in a training class, I found myself starting to wonder about the point of the class. We had an agenda, workbooks, and trainers but the point was slipping away. You could see the attention of the audience slip and the trainers begin to go on to autopilot. What was...

How Are You Filling Roles?

Jul 10, 2009 9:06am

If you are like most Toastmasters, you get a copy of the agenda for the next meeting and take whatever open role that you are comfortable. For many Toastmasters, that means you will be the timer, grammarian, or ah counter. Those roles are important on the agenda, but they don’t...

A Speaking Pet Peeve and How to Fix It: Many of You

Jun 19, 2009 9:16am

Do you want to know a sure fire way to alienate large portions of your audience? “You all know the next speaker…” Can I let you in on a little secret? Not everyone knows the person that you are neglecting to introduce, so you always need to properly introduce someone. This common...

10 Reasons No One Wants to Be an Officer in Your Club

Jun 17, 2009 9:16am

It is June, so that means it is time to elect a new slate of officers for the next Toastmaster year. If your club is like many I have worked with, this is crunch time. You have a few officers that want to stay, a few new candidates, but there...

Why Don’t You Practice?

Jun 10, 2009 4:38am

Why don’t you practice your speeches more? photo credit: S.Su I have observed hundreds of speakers in the past four years of my Toastmasters membership. It hasn’t mattered if those speakers are brand new or old-timers, you can always tell when they have not practiced. I see it in the reliance...

Evaluations – What Got You Here…

May 27, 2009 9:09am

I am reading Marshall Goldsmith’s, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, and it has been enlightening. As a leader, it has given me perspective on the habits that hold leaders back and keep them from attaining their true potential. What struck me about the cases presented in the...