Fear and loathing on the podium.
Believe it or not, your chances of dying of stage fright are extremely slim. You might feel as if you are dying on the stage, but chances are good your audience won’t even notice your wobbly knees and sweating armpits. Even the best speakers were once terrified novices, feeling the same symptoms as you when facing an audience. Fear no more! Toastmasters is the best place to learn, to build your confidence, and to push yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s a safe place where there is no penalty for failure!
P.S. Most, if not all of us have the same nervous feeling when we are called to speak in public. But in all honesty, joining Toastmasters is the best thing that happened because you'll be trained to conquer your fear. I invite you and once you are ready, visit a Toastmasters meeting.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Motivational Speech Techniques
Five simple strategies to motivate your listeners.
One of the most important elements of leadership is the ability to motivate people. Without motivation, even the most skilled team of seasoned professionals is unlikely to achieve great things. A highly motivated group of talented people, on the other hand, can move mountains.
While it’s true that motivating people involves more than just changing the way you speak, there are some simple guidelines you can follow to help build team motivation with only your words and your voice:
* Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is contagious! Before you present your ideas, think about the aspects of the subject that you find most interesting, and don’t be afraid to let that interest come through in your voice.
* Use quotes, stories and anecdotes. Along with their obvious entertainment value, quotes and stories can lend authority to your topic and provide concrete examples that people can relate to.
* Speak with confidence. Deliver your message loud and clear. Maintain eye contact with your listeners. Don’t mumble or slouch.
* Say you and we, not I and me. Instead of telling people what you want them to do, present ways for them to work together to achieve their goals. Involve listeners in the success of the group.
* Keep it simple. People aren’t motivated by what you say; they’re motivated by what they understand. The best way to ensure audience understanding is to break down complex ideas into simple components.
P.S. I got these all from Toastmasters resources - from the website to the magazines which would be helpful as we continue to improve our communication and leadership skills. Here's the TI website for your cross reference: www.toastmasters.org
One of the most important elements of leadership is the ability to motivate people. Without motivation, even the most skilled team of seasoned professionals is unlikely to achieve great things. A highly motivated group of talented people, on the other hand, can move mountains.
While it’s true that motivating people involves more than just changing the way you speak, there are some simple guidelines you can follow to help build team motivation with only your words and your voice:
* Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is contagious! Before you present your ideas, think about the aspects of the subject that you find most interesting, and don’t be afraid to let that interest come through in your voice.
* Use quotes, stories and anecdotes. Along with their obvious entertainment value, quotes and stories can lend authority to your topic and provide concrete examples that people can relate to.
* Speak with confidence. Deliver your message loud and clear. Maintain eye contact with your listeners. Don’t mumble or slouch.
* Say you and we, not I and me. Instead of telling people what you want them to do, present ways for them to work together to achieve their goals. Involve listeners in the success of the group.
* Keep it simple. People aren’t motivated by what you say; they’re motivated by what they understand. The best way to ensure audience understanding is to break down complex ideas into simple components.
P.S. I got these all from Toastmasters resources - from the website to the magazines which would be helpful as we continue to improve our communication and leadership skills. Here's the TI website for your cross reference: www.toastmasters.org
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Speak Like a Leader
Communication and leadership skills go hand in hand.
There are many good reasons why Toastmasters teaches both communication and leadership skills. People with good communication skills are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions, and good leaders need communication skills to be effective.
In other words, if you want to be a leader, you have to learn to speak like a leader. And Toastmasters is here to help.
P.S.There's always a Toastmasters Club in your country or in your locality. When you are in Cagayan de Oro City, you can drop by and visit the club meetings of Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters Club and Macajalar Bay Toastmasters Club. These clubs meet at VIP Hotel along Capt. A. Velez Sts.
There are many good reasons why Toastmasters teaches both communication and leadership skills. People with good communication skills are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions, and good leaders need communication skills to be effective.
In other words, if you want to be a leader, you have to learn to speak like a leader. And Toastmasters is here to help.
P.S.There's always a Toastmasters Club in your country or in your locality. When you are in Cagayan de Oro City, you can drop by and visit the club meetings of Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters Club and Macajalar Bay Toastmasters Club. These clubs meet at VIP Hotel along Capt. A. Velez Sts.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Laws of Positive Leadership
This is the other part of my previous post, also taken from TI website.
How to be a leader others want to follow.
Examples abound of poor leadership. Who hasn’t had a teacher or boss who invoked feelings of disrespect? A positive leader is someone who inspires, motivates, energizes and unites, while generating loyalty and producing results. In his article for the Toastmaster magazine, Victor Parachin offers 10 rules on how to be that kind of leader:
* Give more than you expect others to give.
* Combine optimism and perseverance.
* See everyone as a diamond in the rough.
* Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
* Keep your ego in check.
* Show respect for the people around you.
* Treat team members as family.
* Be a source of inspiration.
* Stress cooperation, not competition.
* Maintain a sense of humor.
P.S. If you want the complete PDF file, please make a comment andleave your email address.
How to be a leader others want to follow.
Examples abound of poor leadership. Who hasn’t had a teacher or boss who invoked feelings of disrespect? A positive leader is someone who inspires, motivates, energizes and unites, while generating loyalty and producing results. In his article for the Toastmaster magazine, Victor Parachin offers 10 rules on how to be that kind of leader:
* Give more than you expect others to give.
* Combine optimism and perseverance.
* See everyone as a diamond in the rough.
* Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
* Keep your ego in check.
* Show respect for the people around you.
* Treat team members as family.
* Be a source of inspiration.
* Stress cooperation, not competition.
* Maintain a sense of humor.
P.S. If you want the complete PDF file, please make a comment andleave your email address.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Positive Leadership
Here's what i read from the TI website which is worth sharing.
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubts.”
- Benedict J. Goltra
On Positive Leadership.
Healthy leadership always moves along a positive path.
Forget about those age-old images of the stern, dour-faced manager, cracking the whip and doling out punishments and hard work to embittered employees. In today’s world, great leaders are recognized by the positive effects they have on people. They promote teamwork, encourage excellence, foster growth and even offer criticism in a productive way.
Toastmasters provides many opportunities for members to practice positive leadership skills. Many corporations around the world encourage their current and future managers to join. If you’re looking for a good place to work on your leadership skills, why not give Toastmasters a try?
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubts.”
- Benedict J. Goltra
On Positive Leadership.
Healthy leadership always moves along a positive path.
Forget about those age-old images of the stern, dour-faced manager, cracking the whip and doling out punishments and hard work to embittered employees. In today’s world, great leaders are recognized by the positive effects they have on people. They promote teamwork, encourage excellence, foster growth and even offer criticism in a productive way.
Toastmasters provides many opportunities for members to practice positive leadership skills. Many corporations around the world encourage their current and future managers to join. If you’re looking for a good place to work on your leadership skills, why not give Toastmasters a try?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Leaders
Here's the last part of the article i've mentioned in my last post.
5. Invite participation
- Inspiring leaders bring employees, customers and colleagues into the process of building the company or service. This is especially important when trying to motivate young people. The command and control way of managing is over. Instead, today’s managers solicit input, listen for feedback and actively incorporate what they hear. Employees want more than paycheck. They want to know that their work is adding up to something meaningful.
6. Reinforce an optimistic outlook.
- Inspiring leaders speak of a better future. Extraordinary leaders throughout history have been more optimistic than the average person like when Winston Churchill exuded hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II. So speak in positive, optimistic language and be a beacon of hope.
7. Encourage Potential.
- Inspiring leaders praise people and invest in them emotionally. Richard Branson has said that when you praise people, they flourish; criticize them and they shrivel up. Praise is the easiest way to connect with people because when people receive genuine praise, their doubt diminishes and their spirits soar. Encourage people, and they’ll walk through walls for you.
By inspiring your listeners, you become the kind of person people want to be around. Customers will want to do business with you, employees will want to work with you, and investors will want to back you.
All in all, it all starts with mastering these seven secrets.
5. Invite participation
- Inspiring leaders bring employees, customers and colleagues into the process of building the company or service. This is especially important when trying to motivate young people. The command and control way of managing is over. Instead, today’s managers solicit input, listen for feedback and actively incorporate what they hear. Employees want more than paycheck. They want to know that their work is adding up to something meaningful.
6. Reinforce an optimistic outlook.
- Inspiring leaders speak of a better future. Extraordinary leaders throughout history have been more optimistic than the average person like when Winston Churchill exuded hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II. So speak in positive, optimistic language and be a beacon of hope.
7. Encourage Potential.
- Inspiring leaders praise people and invest in them emotionally. Richard Branson has said that when you praise people, they flourish; criticize them and they shrivel up. Praise is the easiest way to connect with people because when people receive genuine praise, their doubt diminishes and their spirits soar. Encourage people, and they’ll walk through walls for you.
By inspiring your listeners, you become the kind of person people want to be around. Customers will want to do business with you, employees will want to work with you, and investors will want to back you.
All in all, it all starts with mastering these seven secrets.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Leaders
Here's an article from the Toastmasters Magazine which i find relevant to share to those who are leaders in their own way. Below is Leadership secrets 1 to 4.
1. Demonstrate enthusiasm constantly
- Inspiring leaders have an abundance of passion of what they do. You cannot inspire unless you’re inspired yourself. Passion can’t be taught. You either have passion in your message or you don’t.
2. Articulate a compelling reason to take action.
- Inspiring leaders craft and deliver a specific, consistent and memorable vision. Just like the vision of Bill Gates – putting a computer in every desk in every home.
3. Sell the benefit
- Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them. The first thing to answer or satisfy when listeners are asking themselves “What’s in it for me?”
4. Tell More stories
- Inspiring leaders tell memorable stories. Stories connect with people on the emotional level. You cannot underestimate the power of stories.
1. Demonstrate enthusiasm constantly
- Inspiring leaders have an abundance of passion of what they do. You cannot inspire unless you’re inspired yourself. Passion can’t be taught. You either have passion in your message or you don’t.
2. Articulate a compelling reason to take action.
- Inspiring leaders craft and deliver a specific, consistent and memorable vision. Just like the vision of Bill Gates – putting a computer in every desk in every home.
3. Sell the benefit
- Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them. The first thing to answer or satisfy when listeners are asking themselves “What’s in it for me?”
4. Tell More stories
- Inspiring leaders tell memorable stories. Stories connect with people on the emotional level. You cannot underestimate the power of stories.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Upcoming Division F Toastmasters events
We all knew that the month of October is the Toastmasters month. Based on our meeting last Saturday, we will have the following activities to celebrate this Toastmasters Month. So all TM clubs here in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and hopefully Butuan and CARAGA ragion can join.
1. October 18, 2009 (8:00 am)- Motorcade around the city then proceed to Marvilla Beach for bonding time.
2. November 15 (2:00 - 5:00 PM) - Division F Speech Contest to be held at SM. My first comment was, whew it's gonna be challenging for the contestants. But this is a good advertisement for the organization as a whole.
Others: Designing and ordering of our T-shirt is currently handled by Jet. We made sure that our shirt can be worn all the way to the 2010 Bohol Convention.
1. October 18, 2009 (8:00 am)- Motorcade around the city then proceed to Marvilla Beach for bonding time.
2. November 15 (2:00 - 5:00 PM) - Division F Speech Contest to be held at SM. My first comment was, whew it's gonna be challenging for the contestants. But this is a good advertisement for the organization as a whole.
Others: Designing and ordering of our T-shirt is currently handled by Jet. We made sure that our shirt can be worn all the way to the 2010 Bohol Convention.
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