P9 – Spread the Spark of a Toastmaster

Amid a crowd of 1500 people at Sanmukhanand hall in 2008, Shiv Khera shared one secret of his
success, “Gentlemen, I have conducted this program 200 times, covered over 200000 people yet if I
do not prepare for at least 2 hours on the previous day, believe me, you may not know the
difference, but I will know the difference in my performance.”
Dear toastmasters & guests,
The point which Shive Khera was driving home is that there is no shortcut to hard work i.e. practice.
This brings us to the system of toastmasters - a platform of practice, for practice, by practice to
bring transformation in us. We believe that the aim of toastmasters is to hone our communication
and leadership skills but really speaking there are many more benefits than what meet the eye?
Without beating around the bush, I wish to suggest that toastmaster platform unlocks a great
reservoir of opportunities for shaping our destinies in all walks of life - be it social, family or our
personal endeavors.
Let us walk through the process of toastmasters. Based on my personal experience I strongly
recommend that each one of you should plan your prepared speeches on fast track. It is not merely
for the attainment of CC goal but for underlying passion that the journey of prepared speeches
kindles in you as you go along. And believe me it is this passion that provides the necessary kick for
progress in life. Call it agility, fanatic discipline or commitment – it is the passion which brings out
Sachin Tendulkars, Aamir Khans or Narayan Murthys.
Table topics subject us to thinking on feet. We may mumble, fumble or stumble but still can get
away with it and can do much better next time. But in life when opportunity knocks at your door you
have to respond right then and there and there is no next time. Management experts call it FTR i.e.
first time right. It is this ability which can make you a formidable force to reckon with. Imagine the
quality of your interaction at job interviews, appraisal reviews, round table discussions or your
elevator speeches that FTR can provide.
Role plays imbibe in us active listening skills. In a typical business day, we spend 45% of our time
listening. 85% of what we know we have learned through listening. But Less than 2% of all
professionals have had formal education or learning to improve listening skills & techniques. US
Department of Labor statistics revealed in one survey that 46% of those who quit their jobs did so
because they felt they were not listened to and were therefore unappreciated. We talk at a rate of
125-175 words per minute, listen at a rate of 125-250 words per minute, but think at a rate of 1000-
3000 words per minute. The processing gaps create opportunities for distraction and inability to
listen attentively. Humans generally listen at a 25% comprehension rate. Therefore, great
opportunities exist and toastmaster offers a great remedy for multifold improvement in performance.
There are many more dimensions of Toastmaster. But the Taste of the Pudding is in Eating. The
power of toastmasters is in 3 Ps - Plan, Practice, Promote. Plan your journey in toastmasters.
Practice the virtues of passion, FTR and listening in your social and professional life. John Coleman,
author of “Passion and Purpose” says that practice leads to habituation and as Stephan covey tells
you in “7 habits how to manual”, habituation works. And habituation will work for you. It will make
you a star with sparks emanating from you in all directions. People will see change in you without
you telling them. Spread this spark. Promote this spark and make these habits so contagious that
the chain reaction kicks in people around you. Then and only then the real toastmaster is awakened
within you who is a successful entrepreneur, high profile CEO, great sportsperson, an
understanding spouse and so on and so forth.
Over to you, Mr. Toastmaster