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Has anyone ever joined Toastmasters?
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:17 am
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:17 am
I recently received some feedback from my employer that they'd like to me to talk faster and louder in meetings. In addition, I apparently give off non-verbal cues in meetings that I'm uninterested in. I'm pretty comfortable speaking in public, but I'm wondering if Toastmasters would help me with what they're trying to get out of me.
Any advice is appreciated.
Any advice is appreciated.
7
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:39 am to southernelite
Being totally serious here, I've known three people who were members and they were all weirdos. Like difficult to have a conversation with.
Jokingly, sounds like it would be great for you.
Jokingly, sounds like it would be great for you.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:49 am to dirtsandwich
I'm a pretty affable guy. I don't think anyone would characterize me as weird. I just talked a little slow/country compared to everyone else here.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:55 am to southernelite
quote:
I just talked a little slow/country compared to everyone else here.
If these are your problems I would just make a conceise effort to be a little louder and faster when you speak. If you are comfortable speaking then you are fine. It honestly sounds to me like your managers are kind of being dicks. We can all improve, no doubt, but if the way you talk is a big deal to them then that's a little petty.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:03 am to Mingo Was His NameO
I don't think they're being dicks and I feel like if this was all they really nit-picked about in my review, then I'm doing a lot of things right.
They've made it no secret they expect to groom me into a prominent leadership position in the organization, so they just want me a bit more polished.
They've made it no secret they expect to groom me into a prominent leadership position in the organization, so they just want me a bit more polished.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 1:01 pm to southernelite
Sounds like Toastmasters would be good for you. I've done it before. The groups vary greatly, so go visit some in your area and find one you like. Some are a lot more laid back and supportive. Others are very strict and more critical. Either way, you get good feedback and can practice giving presentations before giving them at work. They also have table topics which helps you to think on your feet.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 4:05 pm to southernelite
Your profile says you are in New Orleans. YLC has a toastmasters group, if you are a young professional check it out.
I've never done it, but I know some people who have. Seems to help.
I've never done it, but I know some people who have. Seems to help.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 4:22 pm to LSUFanHouston
I'm in Dallas these days.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 4:49 pm to southernelite
Sounds like your employer is being a dickhead. It's often 10x better to speak more slowly. And in my opinion, if I talk too slowly for someone, I don't care
Posted on 6/30/17 at 7:03 pm to southernelite
Depends on whether your career goals involve public speaking in front of an audience of people who have never met you and need to be persuaded.
If you're conducting a meeting where everyone knows you are the expert on the topic at hand, you can hem and haw all you like.
If you're conducting a meeting where everyone knows you are the expert on the topic at hand, you can hem and haw all you like.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 8:13 pm to foshizzle
quote:
Depends on whether your career goals involve public speaking in front of an audience of people who have never met you and need to be persuaded
Don't really see this being the case.
quote:
If you're conducting a meeting where everyone knows you are the expert on the topic at hand, you can hem and haw all you like.
My job mainly entails presenting financial information to C-Suite execs. I also handle a lot of correspondence in meetings with bankers, insurance reps, and others.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:32 pm to southernelite
Toastmasters has helped me improve my publicly speaking immensely. Won't hurt you and it is inexpensive for all the benefits you receive.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:53 pm to southernelite
I've always wondered about this. One of my clients recommended it to me. I speak slow and have a deep tone. I'm doing many other things for YPs and I feel like the more I speak in front of ppl the better I get. I know I can always improve though
Posted on 7/1/17 at 7:38 am to southernelite
quote:
they just want me a bit more polished.
You should consider asking your employer what they think might help and/or if they have opinions on Toastmasters.
Their concerns maybe better addressed by a speech coach/pathologist. Alternatively, Toastmasters could be perfect. Or they could say that it's really nothing to focus on.
By asking, you're proving that you have taken the criticism, as mild as it is, seriously.
Posted on 7/1/17 at 8:55 am to southernelite
I had a business communication professor tell the class that the "Louisiana barnyard accent" was an obstacle to success in the business world, I thought, yep, that's me, and he is right.
A black chick in the class must have had a different reaction. I saw her corner him at the break and tear into him, but could not hear them. After the break, he gave an awkward apology of sorts to anyone who was offended.
I wish I knew what got her so upset. I don't think he was talking about her accent.
A black chick in the class must have had a different reaction. I saw her corner him at the break and tear into him, but could not hear them. After the break, he gave an awkward apology of sorts to anyone who was offended.
I wish I knew what got her so upset. I don't think he was talking about her accent.
Posted on 7/1/17 at 10:09 am to Twenty 49
Home Depot bought LCR's Customer Service Call Center and expanded it to serve the entirety of their stores nationwide along with continuing to service their existing stable of interior design professionals nationwide.
They did this specifically because of the accent and the naturally polite tendencies of employees which was in large part because they were based in South Louisiana.
Yet another case of, "He who can does. He who cannot, teaches."
They did this specifically because of the accent and the naturally polite tendencies of employees which was in large part because they were based in South Louisiana.
Yet another case of, "He who can does. He who cannot, teaches."
Posted on 7/2/17 at 2:53 pm to GFunk
to be fair there is a major difference between the board room and the call centerPosted on 7/2/17 at 3:12 pm to hiltacular
I'm sure it took this guy years to overcome the limitations brought about by the resultant accent from being born the son of a shipyard worker and pharmacy worker in Mobile, AL. I'm sure his career foundered until he mastered the nuance of the non regional dialect...
This post was edited on 7/2/17 at 3:14 pm
Posted on 7/2/17 at 3:34 pm to GFunk
No one is saying that a heavy regional dialect can't be overcome. You could bedazzle your fricking forehead and still be the most powerful CEO on the planet if you have enough innate ability, work hard enough, and have enough breaks go your way.
Doesn't change the fact that it would have been a hell of a lot easier if you wouldn't have bedazzled your fricking forehead.
Doesn't change the fact that it would have been a hell of a lot easier if you wouldn't have bedazzled your fricking forehead.
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