Originally published in Toastmasters Magazine, August 2012 By Judith Tingley Writing skills will help your speaking — and vice versa. Mentors give new Toastmasters this speaking advice: “Grab their attention right off the bat, then keep them listening.” Similarly, writing teacher Julie Larios advises students, “If you can’t write an opening sentence that motivates the reader to keep reading, it’s all over.” The importance of this cannot be overstated. The opening hook is one of the many similarities between writing and speaking. It is the impetus for my question: “What skills can speakers and writers share with each other to …
Dale Carnegie
Tell the audience what you're going to say, say it; then tell them what you've said.
Manner of Speaking
Originally published in Toastmasters Magazine, September 2012 By Allen Schoer Mastering Storytelling: Know the three I’s: invitation, imagination and impact. You’re on the road to becoming your company’s Chief Storyteller. Let’s begin with some good news: You’re already better than you might think. You tell stories every day. Here, we’ll explore three capabilities that will take you well on your way to becoming a professional storyteller. Remember the “three R’s” of your early education: reading, writing and ’rithmetic? Now consider the “three I’s” of storytelling: invitation, imagination and impact. Here’s how you can master them: 1) Invitation Remember Steve Jobs’ famous …
Dealing with a Distracted Audience
Originally published in Toastmasters Magazine, July 2012 By Tim Cigelske Don’t be put off by those who text or tweet when you speak. It’s not easy speaking to an audience of people who appear to be distracted by their cell phones, or are clattering away on their laptops or burying their heads in their iPads. We have all been to conferences where people seemed to pay more attention to their electronic devices than to the live person on the podium. As smartphones connect people to their busy lives, this phenomenon will only become more common. It is tempting to address …
Jim Beggs
What we say is important… for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Ready for Leadership
Originally published in Toastmasters Magazine, March 2012 By Michael Notaro One day when I was a young lawyer, my law partner, John, strolled into my office and asked if I was ready for leadership. He asked if I would take over the legal representation of a prominent doctor in our community who was embroiled in a complex partnership dispute. The case involved more than 10,000 documents. To help me make a decision, the doctor appeared in my office a few minutes later to add his blessing to the idea! How could I refuse? I accepted, then quickly felt overwhelmed with …
Succeeding as a CEO
Originally published in Toastmasters Magazine, May 2012 By Dave Zielinski Corporate leaders share how to empower, encourage and communicate. Milo Victoria, CC, always considered himself a good communicator, so as the CEO of Omnitrans, a public transit agency serving California’s San Bernardino Valley, he was surprised to find himself struggling at times when delivering presentations as he took the helm of the organization. When an Omnitrans board member suggested in an early job evaluation that he join Toastmasters, Victoria took him up on the advice. Victoria knew the ability to communicate in clear, confident and compelling ways –– both in …