Nearly ten years ago, I took to the podium for the first time.
It was not a toastmasters meeting, of course (I am not that old). I had just joined the school’s debating society as a new member, and the seniors wanted us to present an argumentative speech lasting no less than seven minutes. Parliamentary debating rules, they called it. I had no inkling what that even meant then.
There I stood, facing a small but daunting crowd of seniors with grim faces, waiting expectantly. The next few minutes were a complete blur. I had absolutely no idea what I was saying and I suspect, neither did my seniors. The verdict was unsurprisingly depressing, and I thought I heard the words “train wreck” somewhere in the coach’s judgment.
As I went through the Competent Communicator manual, I sailed through some projects and floundered at others. However, each step along the way, mentors and peers were available to guide me. The manual itself was very well-structured. As I progressed, I could not help but think, “if only I had such a well thought out plan, I would have saved myself years of frustration as a debater!” The structure of the manual is designed such that every project builds upon the last, and you acquire a basic repertoire of skills that a public speaker should possess by the end of the 10th project, if all objectives are met.
This is not to say that the manual is the be-all, end-all. Longstanding members of the club commit themselves to helping new members grow, and that is where I feel we can make the most out of the club. We have had a surge in membership recently, and even those who have been with us for quite a while may stand to ask themselves:
· Have you actively engaged your mentor(s)?
· Have you discussed your communications goals?
The latter point is especially pertinent. While we will definitely benefit from the established pedagogy of the manual, many of us join toastmasters in the hopes of becoming “better communicators”, but in what sense? There are so many ways and variations on communication, that if I were to master interpretive dance, that could arguably be construed as becoming a masterful communicator too!
Within spoken communications alone, there are persuasive and inspirational speeches, technical presentations and storytelling, just to name a few. It would be helpful if we could all spare a moment and think about which area(s) we would like to develop.
Following that, find your mentor, or have your Vice President Membership assign you one and discuss these plans with him or her. A financial planner cannot help you manage your wealth if she does not know your goals. Likewise, an appointed mentor cannot help you become a better speaker if he does not know your expectations.
We are the oldest club and one of the largest in Singapore, if not the world. The dynamism and vitality of the club is evident, but few realise the untapped reservoir of guidance and growth. Find your mentor today, and make full use of all the available resources we have in our club.
Kim Heng is the Immediate Past President of the club, and current Area U2 Governor. He currently works as a Research Writer and Teacher at a premier enrichment centre. If you work for the IRAS, no, he did not lie on his tax return last year.