Toastmasters Club- How can it help you to be found and become a confident voice? My story…

It was the year 2001, my first job, and I was super excited. Around 24 graduate engineer trainees were selected for this company, Alstom. After joining, we had to go through 6 months of the Management Training program. As a part of this program, some weeks were allotted to communication skills. At the end of this program, we had to give 5 minutes presentation on our favorite chapter from Stephen Covey’s book. I selected the chapter “Win-Win”. I practiced every day for almost seven days.

You must be thinking, I was dedicated and committed. I was unaware that practicing should involve rehearsing and speaking the speech as I would on the final day. I was practicing in my mind. Every day, I used to think, I will say like this; I will use this phrase and nail it. I didn’t know that practicing in mind can’t win the game, especially the speaking one. As expected, I didn’t do well on my speech. In fact, It was horrible. I was so nervous that I couldn’t even talk. I forgot what I had to say. It was embarrassing. But certainly, it was eye-opening for me. I realized I needed to practice delivering speeches as we do on stage.

After that embarrassing experience, I continued to practice for some days, but then again, lethargy made its way, and I forgot about the whole thing. I didn’t have a platform like Toastmasters Club, where I could practice regularly, and I was also unaware of the program.

In 2014, I was working for Deloitte Consulting, and my speaking ability and confidence had grown significantly. However, I hadn’t reached the level of a professional speaker. While at Deloitte, I learned about the Toastmasters club, where anyone can join to improve their communication skills through practicing speeches and presentations. I attended one session but didn’t join the club due to fear of failure and being judged. I was nervous and scared to speak in front of my colleagues, as I didn’t want to show my weaknesses. I was uncomfortable and worried about being judged for what I would say. I let go of the opportunity, wearing a mask and pretending I didn’t need the club, but deep down, I knew I wanted to improve and needed the courage to accept my weaknesses and work on them.

In 2020, I finally joined the Toastmasters club, inspired by my son’s growth in the Gavel Club. Not wanting him to face the same public speaking challenges I’d encountered, I enrolled him in the Young Toastmasters Club early. I used to go with him and sit behind, on the benches. I watched the kids practice their speeches, including my son, and I witnessed remarkable growth in their speaking abilities and confidence levels. The positive impact of the Gavel program on the kids motivated me to join the Toastmasters club myself. There, I met Nandini, a seasoned professional speaker who was about to lead Speechcraft sessions. Intrigued, I signed up for the sessions. The small, supportive group environment was reassuring, and I felt encouraged to improve without fear of judgment. Through the Speechcraft sessions, I learned about the critical elements of effective speaking and how to craft a well-structured speech. The experience boosted my confidence and solidified my commitment to my Toastmasters journey. Reflecting on this journey, I realized it took me 19 years to embrace Toastmasters, remembering how I struggled with a simple speech back in 2001. Today, I can confidently speak on any topic and even participate in impromptu speech competitions. I am at ease hosting Town Hall meetings and serving as a facilitator for All-Hands meetings. Sometimes, it feels like a dream, but it’s not.

I am immensely grateful to the Toastmasters Club for their unwavering support and encouragement. They provided a platform where I could practice my speeches and enhance my public speaking skills. I thank the club and every member for attentiveness during my speeches and for providing valuable feedback. The insightful suggestions and feedback have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I never felt judged in the club. I recall one impromptu speech competition where I compared myself to a Bollywood actress who is an excellent speaker and her birthday is just one day before mine. It was a lighthearted speech, and no one poked fun at me or discouraged me. Everyone enjoyed the moment, and we moved on. You had to start speaking in less than 30 seconds in an impromptu speech competition. So, whatever came to mind, I had to express it confidently and in a presentable way.

"I always felt that I could truly be myself and speak from the heart at the Toastmasters club. My journey with Toastmasters helped me better understand myself and find my true identity. When I write speeches, I reflect on my past and the lessons I've learned, which ultimately helps me become a better version of myself. The constant encouragement and motivation to speak more have been instrumental in my personal growth. The Toastmasters club has provided me with a supportive community and invaluable learning opportunities, making it a cornerstone in my development.