When I talk with my customers about my voluntary work at Toastmasters International then I sometimes see confused faces and they ask: “You are a professional speech coach – isn´t Toastmasters a competitor to you?”
My answer is always: “Quite contrary! They are an ideal supplement to my coaching.” – As speech coach I bring my clients forward to excellence in a fast way. I focus on what they need specifically and of course every coaching session is unique. Toastmasters cannot provide this – whereas I can´t provide a platform to regularly practise what they learned. In that environment you can safely experiment and practise. Of course you develop our skills slower as the Toastmasters program is rather general. Also no instructors lead Toastmasters clubs – the members of a club help each other to develop their skills.
Even in my long-term program where I coach trainers and public speakers on a regular basis I don´t provide a platform to practise. Most of my clients practise in their job. My recommendation is – if you have the time – to take the advantage to practise in a mutual environment where you get proper feedback.
Toastmasters is a non-profit organization with the mission: is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
I am an active Toastmasters since 2003 and since 2005 in the executive committee of the Continental European district. I constantly refine my speaking skills and develop my leadership skills. I know many professional speakers who also are members of Toastmasters.
Take a look for yourself: www.toastmasters.org and find a club near you.
Or meet me at Toastmasters: I am member of three clubs:
