I was honored to be elected President of Bardwell Speakers, a Toastmasters International affiliated club in North Oxford for 2009-2010 season.

For those serious about improving confidence and communications skills, active involvement in a good Toastmasters club is a great way to start.

On the 22nd October 1924, in the basement of the Santa Ana YMCA, Ralph C Smedley ran the first meeting of a group that would go on to become Toastmasters International.  Among non-profits focussed on communication skills, Toastmasters is arguably the world’s most successful.

Smedley’s writings are a rich source of powerful quotes.  This one in particular resonates with us:

“Many organizations ask the individual to subordinate himself to the group.  Ours is the only organization I know that is dedicated to the individual”

I share Smedley’s belief that High-Value Communication starts with the individual.  Whether you communicate as:

  • a speaker on stage in front of thousands,
  • a salesperson pitching to a single customer,
  • an educator at the front of a class,
  • a military leader delivering orders to your troops,
  • a parent talking with a child

…your leverage starts with you.

To find out more about Toastmasters, and the huge impact it can have on your personal communication power, visit http://www.toastmasters.org/.

If you are serious about increasing your influence think why not:

  • Join your local Toastmasters speaking club
  • Set up a club if one does not exist
  • Talk to me ;-)
Be an Awesome Communicator.

It is all about You

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