Feeling safe in your speaking environment
This post on Facebook’s “The Official Toastmasters International Members Group” page today made me stop, and ponder the member’s question:
Susan Ellsworth:
As a Plain Ordinary Toastmaster, I have enjoyed a feeling of “safety” whenever I have presented in a Toastmasters environment. That includes club, area, division and district. In non-Toastmasters environments, I generally am able to transfer that feeling of safety from my Toastmasters environment. As a member who looks forward to my second Toastmasters experience outside of North America and as a reality check from this group, I’d like to see posts from members — including but limited to members outside of North America — reflecting thoughts about feeling safe in the Toastmasters environment. How do you decide what a safe environment is, and what does it look like to you? How do your fellow Toastmasters decide what a safe environment is, and what does it look like to them?
Sheryl Roush:
Thanks to Toastmasters, I felt safe and “grew” within the loving environment of the Club, then Area, then Division and the District levels. My confidence grew as I s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d with each presentation.
Today, as a professional speaker, and presenting around the globe, the confidence gained helps me to CREATE a safe environment, wherever I may speak, and I’ve spoken in the Middle East, in Malaysia, in Mexico City., etc.
What IS a safe environment?
- One where there is mutual respect.
- Connection. Authentic rapport.
- The freedom to BE who you already are.
My tips:
- Be yourself.
- Be confident in your skills.
- Believe in your message.
- Trust that your audiences want you to succeed.
- And have FUN!
May EACH presentation you give, be a heartfelt message, that touches lives, and allows you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h!
Sheryl Roush is the author of the newly released Heart of a Toastmaster book, approved by Toastmasters International. She is an international top-rated speaker and speaking coach, with expertise in helping others Speak And Market Like a Pro.
To download “Homer” by the First Lady of Toastmasters, Helen Blanchard, DTM, Past International President, the first story of the book for free, click here, http://heartofatoastmaster.com/