Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Anybody here try Toastmasters?
(OP)
I just recently switched to working for a subsidiary of a "mega-corporation" which I'll keep un-named. Anyway, I'm really struggling to find my niche here. There just seems to be so much bureocracy, politics, and general "catty-ness" that it's difficult to actually get anything done. It appears that, even more so than actual knowledge, communication skills are paramount.
To that end, I've tried joining a local chapter of Toastmaster's. Does anyone here have experience with that? Does it help?
Thanks,
To that end, I've tried joining a local chapter of Toastmaster's. Does anyone here have experience with that? Does it help?
Thanks,
--
Joseph K. Mooney
FAA DER Structures





RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
BTW, sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hate that attitudes and culture can play such a role in making one's life miserable at a job.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Best Regards,
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)
Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
being a Toastmaster member can only benefit you/others you work with. i would not think twice about it!
btw, the answer is communication (the lack thereof or otherwise).
i can share an experience: each year, a previous employer held annual meetings with engr's and other professionals in company. one vp gave a presentation that was absolutely pathetic (poorly communicated). the following year, most folks remembered the previous year's presentation. thus were not looking forward to hearing from this vp again. well, turns out, he had a little training. without a doubt, he gave the best presentation of the bunch! thanks to toastmasters + other encouragement.
get after it and enjoy the ride!
good luck!
-pmover
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
got to www.toastmasters.org
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I couldn't keep up. Projects and support issues seem to take control of my work schedule for 2-3 week periods then let up.
I thought it was very useful.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself surrounded with a lot of people with soft skills that function at varying educational levels with very diverse interests.
They all matter though. Most of us aren't successful without enlisting help and support from may different types of folks.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Have not started on the speeches yet, but even the impromptu "table topics" speeches and the chance to take on various roles (speech evaluator, timer, etc) gives one a very good experience in speaking in public speaking and running a meeting.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
As a young engineer, it gave me a lot of confidence to attain competence in speaking to a diverse audience. Before Toastmasters, when speaking before groups of people, I was one of the speakers whose arms, neck and torso could be observed to tremor, apparently out of shear fright. Through Toastmasters, practicing the craft of speaking before significant numbers of people gave me plenty of self-confidence as well as the accompanying presentation skills. Although few senior leaders at the "mega-corporation" where I used to work gave me more than a pat on the back for participating or even knew I was involved with Toastmasters, my experience with the group eventually worked to my favor.
In the same month that I completed my 10th Toastmaster speech, I gave a short speech at the local Council of Engineers and Scientists annual gathering. My boss' boss, the big cheese of our company's local branch, happened to be there along with an asphyxiating array of highly elevated, technical personalities. Aerospace project leaders, direct competitors, public works division heads, and potential clients were seated upright at twenty round tables, 10 to a table. My 3-minute speech, which introduced a new local chapter of a new national engineering non-profit, was OK--not perfect, but no uncertain uh's, stuttering or self-conscious repetition. After the event, my boss' boss jumped out of his chair and flew over to congratulate me and congratulate me again and again for stepping up to the mic and promoting the company to the community. The next day all the senior managers knew of this feat, and I gave another presentation to our company's local office that merited the non-profit a $10k donation.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I have never come across Toastmasters and from their website I was quite surprised to see they have a Chapter in my city. I dont think any of my colleagues have heard of them either so I think I will make some enquiries.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
TTFN
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Anyhow, you don't have anything to lose by trying it out for yourself. No?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Some are closet TM's; others are public types, like me:
- Gave a candidate forum for my town, and it was a success. My wife did the timing. At the end a young lady came to ask "How did you do it? I am from the League of Women Voters, and my meeting was a shambles." I replied that it was because of TM.
- Did eulogies for several close relatives; impossible without TM training. I wrote an article in The Toastmaster magazine on eulogies, and they formed a new eulogy section in the advanced manual.
- Did Amer Cancer Soc smoker clinics to help stop smoking.
- Presented detention classes for smoking teens in HS. I brought in a section of cancerous lung tissue for them to ponder over.
- More important, TM has given me the experience with communications to work for two yrs on a tech magazine, Plant Engineering.
- Further, I am working on my first NF book on aviation safety: The National Airline Academy - long overdue." Now seeking funding thru charitable trusts.
Do I believe in Toastmasters? Of course! Join Now!
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Thanks Joseph and to all whom have participated here.
Sincerely
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Is there something more specific I have to do? Maybe pick up the phone and call?
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Either phone or just show up at the next meeting!
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Good one! Made me laugh!
I guess I'll have to come out of my shell and phone them. I dang sure ain't just gonna show up unbeknownst.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
That’s just what I did and they where all so friendly and helpful.
Sincerely
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
The group was friendly, and asked us to participate in whatever we were comfortable with. I think this is a very inexpensive way to improve yourself. As professionals, we should all be able to communicate effectively. Toastmasters seems to be an effective tool that allows us to do so.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
It was pretty good. I think I'll join. It went well except for when I had to give an impromptu answer to a question in a exercise they call "table topics"
Thanks again. I am looking forward to the next meeting.
Ed
www.engineerboards.com
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
For me, one benefit to Toastmasters was not just practicing my speeches, but especially listening to other speakers, while learning something special about our community. Each of us brought our ideas to the gathering and hammered out our strengths and weaknesses together. I cannot say enough how helpful the organization was to my life.
If you are at all hesitant to finding a local group based on someone else's experience there, be encouraged to reserve some energy to explore the group on your own.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
There are company based TM groups restricted to company employees. They usually meet at lunch time. I helped organize the Sears HQ TM group. Also was involved in starting a German TM group in the Chicago area.
Plasgears, ATM
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
One good thing that I noticed was that when I made notes about the speakers I made the same observations as the experienced Toastmasters.
The Table Topic was a big challenge for me. Somehow I managed to eke out over a minute of impromptu speaking.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I've actually joined two different chapters of Toastmaster's that meet on alternate Thursdays. So, essentially, I go every Thursday. One of these is at a Chinese Buffet resturant. So, I suggested that we just grab a tray of fortune cookies and use them for table topics. In other words, go up to the podium, open up a fortune cookie, and do two minutes on whatever the fortune is.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
How long does it take you to compose and rehearse a 4 to 6 minute speech?
Using a fortune cookie for the table topic is a great idea!
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I've been practicing in the car on the way to work. I find that other motorist give you a wide berth if they see you talking to nobody in particular in a very animated fashion :)
As far as how to gage the time...I'm really not sure...everyone has thier estimate on how many minutes per page, etc.
Try the "rule of threes" or whatever they call it. Think of three things about yourself that give a snapshot of "you" and try to segway from one to the other. If they are too different to link together, think of some larger topic that they all describe and make that the underlying theme. For example, 1) Affinity for "Gadgets", 2) good at math, 3) Likes to build and Tinker could possibly all describe typical "engineer" traits.
I think if you pick three things and write the necessary words to either link or encompass them, you'll have your 4-6 minutes.
But practice it and see.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
The rule of 3 will be a big help in getting started and avoiding writers block.
I did a Google search and found suggestions from radio copywriters for radio spots.
75 to 100 words = 30 seconds, 150 to 190 words for 60 seconds.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I will use the copywriters suggestions as a guide and see how it works out.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Although, if you shoot for 5 minutes, you've got a lot of leeway.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
My bosses at work are supportive of me being in Toastmasters, so I think it will open some doors in the future. I may get started on my Icebreaker now, so I have time to refine it and practice before I have to do it.
Being prepared will help me a lot with being comfortable.
The Table topic was rough for me. I can easily converse on things that I am interested in, but getting a topic out of left field and speaking on it is tough.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Boy, talk about a one-sentance brain fart...but I managed.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Not well appreciated is the fact that TM is a part of the world of communications, and it may lead to publishing opportunities, as it did in my case.
It also may propel you into writing a book. My book in prep is "the National Airline Academy - long overdue." I have incorporated and gotten non-profit status for the purpose of seeking funding from charitiable trusts. I have a flight instructor background with an inside view of the airline industry.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Hg
easily amused
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Avenagutime Vishnue-verhere
:)
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
Once I demonstrated public speaking skills outside the branch office of the "mega-corporation", by presenting to area organizational meetings, a new supervisor stepped in, heard of my presentations, and then made it one of his goals to prove how "little" I actually knew about making a presentation. Needless to say, this was very uncomfortable for me, but I suppose it helped.
It's funny how great success brings even greater challenges.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
- Club speech contests;
- Area speech contests among several clubs;
- Division speech contests representing a large metro area;
- Get a copy of the National Speech Contest tape, CD or video, if you can't attend. It will be memorable.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
I once teamed with a lawyer in a debate contest with another club. We lost, but the experience was well worth the effort. The winner taught me how to win a debate.
You unattached types may find it a good place to meet interesting people.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
...real estate agents, salespersons, lawyers
Pass
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Anybody here try Toastmasters?
The main, great benefit to attending meetings is the opportunity to practice speaking while on the spot. If you take the risk of speaking like a fool, acting like an idiot and performing outside your comfort zone, your public speaking skills will improve, because this organization was designed for that purpose.