Die in a Fire or Speak in Public?
By Dan Boudreau
“Ninety-five percent of people would rather face death by fire than speak in public.”
I find this easy to believe, because I used to fit begrudgingly into that 95%. In 1989 I went through a curious inner turmoil – I was fascinated by the notion of being a trainer… but deathly afraid to speak to groups of more than two people.
I recall a terrifying incident in Vancouver in 1989, where I stood in front of about 60 people to deliver a very short thank you speech. Oh, I got through it all right – but my gut may never heal from the trashing the butterflies gave it. My knees wobbled, my hands shook and my voice quivered. My eyes each pointed in a different direction, never at my audience… I’m sure you get the picture. I finished that life-threatening chat without vomiting on myself and skittered back to my table, preparing to settle in to a bout of beating the tar out of myself. I didn’t know it then, but fate had gleefully prepared me to receive some critical information… and placed the messenger, Neil, right next to me at the dinner table.
In a compassionate life-changing maneuver, Neil leaned over and said to me, “Many people fear speaking in public and surprisingly, the most effective way to deal with it is one of the world’s best kept secrets. I have been involved in an organization called Toastmasters International for a few years – and I know there are Toastmaster clubs in your community. When you get back home, locate the local Toastmaster Clubs, visit a few of them, choose the one you like best and join… immediately. And don’t stop until you have achieved the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation.”
I followed Neil’s well-targeted advice and immediately joined a Toastmasters Club. Not only did I achieve the CTM designation, I served in most of the executive positions at the Club and Area levels, met a lot of wonderful people, learned an array of communication and leadership skills, and most of all – had a lot of fun! I participated fully for a period of more than five years.
The Toastmasters experience turned out to be one of the most positive personal and professional events of my life. I was attempting to change my career from Forest Worker to trainer. That career transition would never have come about without the hands-on practice I received in the safety of the Toastmasters Club.
There came a specific moment (about a year after joining) when I realized that I was enjoying delivering a speech, rather than having to ward off the heeby-jeebies. And now, roughly fifteen years later – almost unbelievably – some of my most rewarding days are those spent in front of groups.
And I haven’t mentioned one of the strongest selling points – it doesn’t cost a lot.
I could rant about Toastmasters long and loud, but why don’t you check them out yourself? You can learn all about Toastmasters at http://www.toastmasters.org/about.htm and easily locate the clubs in your community at http://www.toastmasters.org/find.htm.
If there is one move you can make that will enhance your chances of advancing or enhancing your career, it is this – do a stint in a toastmasters club!
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“Dan Boudreau is President and CEO of Macrolink Action Plans Inc and the RiskBuster Business Plan Oasis at http://www.riskbuster.com Writing your own business plan can be easy, fast and fun! Instantly download a free copy of Dan’s popular fast-track business plan template, The Shell, when you subscribe to the RiskBuster Oasis Insider at http://www.riskbuster.com”
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