Toastmasters International: The Cure for Your Professional Development Deficiencies - Part 8

I have spent time in previous posts sharing specific professional development deficiencies that Toastmasters International can help you to "cure."

I recognize that there are many organizations out there in which you can join as a working professional.

In my opinion, however, there is no organization like Toastmasters International.

Regardless of your profession or your job title...

Toastmasters International has a "prescription" for ensuring that you are a competent professional who develops the ability to...

1. Take initiative
2. Make decisions
3. Improve your communication skills
4. Enhance your listening skills, and
5. Remain motivated to succeed in the workplace.

Investing in membership with Toastmasters International is "immunization for the ailments" that attempt to weaken you as a professional.

Visit https://www.toastmasters.org to find a club to join.

I say if you are ready to remove all the professional development deficiencies that threaten to plague your career...

You should invest in membership with Toastmasters International.

As I have said in many posts before...

Toastmasters International is the cure for your professional development deficiencies.

Keep me posted on the club you join and be sure to...

"Stay on the rise by finding joy in every moment!™"



DISCLAIMER: Toastmasters International® and all other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International. This post is the opinion of the author and is independent of Toastmasters International. It is not authorized by, endorsed by, sponsored by, affiliated with, or otherwise approved by Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development, with a global network of meeting locations spanning 143 countries worldwide. Through a proven educational program, the 358,000 members of 16,800 clubs are empowered to develop their speaking and leadership skills, facilitating greater self-confidence and personal growth. To learn more about Toastmasters International, visit www.toastmasters.org.

Toastmasters International: The Cure for Your Professional Development Deficiencies - Part 7

Your professional development is something that you must focus on throughout the duration of your career.

Those with whom you work, may share those areas of strength they recommend you keep using...

Or those areas of weakness of which they would like for you to improve.

However, in some cases, you won't receive that insight from others which means you will have to provide it to yourself.

Are you motivated to do that?

Well, here's how Toastmasters International can help you with...

DEFICIENCY #5: Lacks Motivation

Self-motivation is a mandatory characteristic you must possess for advancement in your life. 

Since life has a way of knocking you down and tossing you around, you must learn how to find the energy within to stay on course. 

The energy from within is crucial for your progress because you will not always have people standing next to you telling you that you are “great,” “fantastic,” and “capable of anything.” 

You must learn to tell yourself these positive words of encouragement so that you can meet your deadlines, handle difficult people, or manage multiple projects without stressing out.

Toastmasters International teaches you how to find the motivation within by encouraging you to set personal goals, monitor your progress as you achieve your speaking and leadership goals, and share your achievements with others when you meet your goals. 

The "Pathways Certificates of Completion" at the end of each Level or the "Curriculum Transcript/Training Details" will give you a visual of your progress. 

This helps you to know exactly where you are and exactly where you are going next. 

Printing or viewing these resources generates an exciting and self-fulfilling energy within that provides you with a sense of accomplishment for your achievement.

The Toastmasters education program teaches you how to “toot your own horn” without being braggadocios. 

You can use the Toastmasters system of recognition for informing your supervisors of the speaking and leadership certificates you earn.

Toastmasters International will mail to the supervisor/manager you designate a letter informing them of your achievements. 

This letter, sent on official Toastmasters International letterhead, is a great addition to your personnel file because it details specifically what you accomplished and why. 

This makes it easier for you to share your accomplishments without walking into your boss’s office, jumping on top of their desk, and screaming at the top of your lungs “I’m da’ bomb diggity! Check out my Dynamic Leadership, Level 1 certificate from Toastmasters International!”

Although I do not suggest this bold display of declaration, I do encourage you to share your achievements in writing or verbally at staff meetings with your co-workers and boss. 

Sharing the good news of your achievements will show your boss that you are committed to your professional development.

Also, sharing your accomplishments will keep you motivated to achieve your next goal.

"Stay on the rise by finding joy in every moment!™"


DISCLAIMER: Toastmasters International® and all other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International. This post is the opinion of the author and is independent of Toastmasters International. It is not authorized by, endorsed by, sponsored by, affiliated with, or otherwise approved by Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development, with a global network of meeting locations spanning 143 countries worldwide. Through a proven educational program, the 358,000 members of 16,800 clubs are empowered to develop their speaking and leadership skills, facilitating greater self-confidence and personal growth. To learn more about Toastmasters International, visit www.toastmasters.org.

Toastmasters International: The Cure for Your Professional Development Deficiencies - Part 6

Most people think that communication is all about speaking.

What they miss is that communication must incorporate listening.

If you have ever had someone "suggest" that you improve the way you listen,

I say that Toastmasters International is your "cure."

Here's how it can help you with...

DEFICIENCY #4: Not an Extraordinary Listener

It has been said that it is one thing to hear and another to listen. 

Listening requires that you hear what the speaker is saying so that you can process the information correctly. 

Listening allows you to form an appropriate perception of what the speaker says because you are obligated to ask questions, paraphrase, or restate what you heard the speaker say before you give your response.

When a person only hears, they tend to miss the true meaning of what the speaker is saying.

Due to the nature of the Toastmasters’ educational program...

Members learn how to sharpen their active listening skills by giving evaluations to speakers regarding their prepared speeches. 

Written evaluations help members to understand the objectives for the speaker’s message; while the oral evaluations allow members to clarify or summarize the speaker’s message.

This is a valuable experience for the workplace because it helps professionals in situations where they must...

• Clarify assignments they must complete
• Summarize the progress on assigned projects, and fully 
• Understand conflict with co-workers by asking direct questions to diffuse anger and provide resolutions. 

You will be amazed at how your listening skills improve when you become a member of Toastmasters International. 

It will no longer be a deficiency for your life or career when you do.

"Stay on the rise by finding joy in every moment!™"


DISCLAIMER: Toastmasters International® and all other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International. This post is the opinion of the author and is independent of Toastmasters International. It is not authorized by, endorsed by, sponsored by, affiliated with, or otherwise approved by Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development, with a global network of meeting locations spanning 143 countries worldwide. Through a proven educational program, the 358,000 members of 16,800 clubs are empowered to develop their speaking and leadership skills, facilitating greater self-confidence and personal growth. To learn more about Toastmasters International, visit www.toastmasters.org.