Communication Opportunities

The opportunity to communicate your value is a fundamental need for all human beings. We communicate to fulfill basic needs socially, emotionally and vocationally. It lies at the heart of who we are. No matter the activity, we are always engaging in some form of communication. Without communication our world would be a lonely and chaotic place. How would we improve if we couldn’t communicate with our teachers? Where would experiments and inventions take place if we couldn’t communicate our intentions? How would we share ideas or collaborate? Without communication progress would cease. And so would society.  

So it stands to reason that we are surrounded by opportunities to communicate. How do we chose the right communication style? Or the right time? It is normally dictated by the circumstances we find ourselves in and the target audience. Consider the different communities we come across in our lives.  Each has it’s own style of communication which is why we often find communication a challenge.  These communities give us the opportunities to understand our audience and adapt our communication style. Imagine you are trying to explain a new concept to someone who has no background in what you are about to explain to them. There has to be a shared context before there is shared understanding. How do you bridge that gap? Only by finding the same context can ensure mutual understanding. And therein lies the opportunity…

If we strive for effective communication we are striving for better relationships in our personal and professional life. We achieve a sense of belonging and collaboration by listening to build trust and understanding. You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. What constitutes effective communication? Firstly, being a a good listener. Focus on what is being said, clarify  through open and closed questions( eg: When you said …….. what did you mean?”). Reflect on what is being said by paraphrasing (using your own words to reflect what the speaker has said) and mirroring (repeat key words or the last few words spoken). In addition to paraphrasing and mirroring, you need to reflect the speaker’s feelings and emotions. Combining content with feelings and emotions will truly reflect the speaker’s intention.  

Consider these ten principles of effective listening the next time you communicate with another person:

1. Stop talking
2. Focus on the speaker
3. Put the speaker at ease
4. Focus on what is being said and avoid distractions
5. Empathise
6. Be patient
7. Avoid personal prejudice
8. Listen to the tone and volume
9. Listen for ideas – not just words
10. Wait and watch for non-verbal communication

Interested to learn more? Take the opportunity to improve your communication skills by visiting Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

Mentoring – The Role Model

The role model has always played a part in society.  From Plato to Leonardo Da Vinci, Elizabeth Blackwell to Amelia Earhart, role models have served as examples of inspiration. What can we learn from roles models?  Primarily, confidence. A positive outlook coupled with confidence and calmness is a great model. Being happy and comfortable with who you are, yet striving to improve is something many aspire to.  Being true to yourself, not sacrificing your identity to fit in serves to remind us that we all have something positive to contribute.

Good communication skills, a sense of direction and consistency are common traits of the role model. Being humble, grateful and respectful to others and the ability to admit when you are wrong demonstrates a quiet strength that is not initially recognised as being a part of role modelling or mentoring.  Role models are simultaneously teachers and learners. They have attained great knowledge and skills and continue to challenge themselves.

If you are seeking a role model, consider people you know and admire. They can mentor and advise you to help you achieve your personal goals. The role model is someone who displays the characteristics and achievements you would like to attain.  A role model helps you to see what is possible and can motivate you to take on challenges you may not have considered. A sense of purpose is the driver that will ultimately lead you to your goal.  Take notice of what motivates the role model and how that makes you feel.  Look for role models that inspire and encourage you.

Take notice of how they behave with different people, how they handle difficult situations, whether they are reliable. How different are they to you? What aspects of their personality do you wish you had? What skills have they attained that you would like to possess?  Knowing what you want to achieve is the first step to selecting a role model.  

When you first put into practice some of the skills and behaviours that are not part and parcel of the current you will feel unnatural and uncomfortable.  But stick with it.  Choosing a role model who challenges your status quo will help you to see where your opportunities lie.

Remember to look at their successes and failures. How do they handle disappointment? What did they do to move forward? What could you take away from their lessons? Consider their beliefs and values. Do they line up with your beliefs and values? Learn from your role model and take what resonates with you – but make sure that you   adapt it and mold it to suit your purpose.  Maintain your individuality, whilst you take on the characteristics you admire in the role model.

If you are seeking a role model to help you with communication and leadership skills, then consider joining Picnic Point Toastmasters. Our mentoring program includes matching you with an experienced Toastmaster who will serve as a role model. Picnic Point Toastmasters meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.  

The Courageous Leader

What does it take to be a courageous leader? What does it mean to be courageous in the workplace? How can you recognise it and even emulate courageous leadership? It’s the everyday activities of a leader that demonstrates their courage. Take notice and you will witness that they speak up when no-one else is willing to, even if it means being judged by others. They don’t shy from giving critical feedback to management, even if it means suffering the consequences of an unfavourable outcome.

Courageous leaders know when to keep quiet and allow others to have their say. Even when they think they are right. They are humble when receiving critical feedback and willing to listen to those who disagree. A courageous leader develops others, knowing one day that person may prove to be smarter than they are. They mentor and coach when it’s not part of their job description, knowing that it will develop the best leaders of tomorrow.

A courageous leader is not afraid to disagree with popular decisions – often saying “Yes” when others are saying “No  or “No” when the general consensus is “Yes”. They accept responsibility for their actions and are willing to do the right thing when it is not a popular decision.  A courageous leader knows when to stay and fight for a good cause – even when others are walking away. They will keep going when the going gets really tough.  And will walk away when the fight isn’t worth it.

Other traits include reflecting deeply before taking action, sticking it out when they would rather quit, using their heart when making decisions and using their head when their emotions could get the better of them.  They will ask “what’s right?” rather than be critical and are curious rather than judgemental. They will step out of their comfort zone, despite how it makes them feel.

Courageous leaders respect their followers, even when they have been disappointed by them. They forgive others, and in particular, those who have learned an important lesson and strive to do better next time. They give credit where credit is due, listen to others without giving advice and ask when they really want to tell.  And they see potential in others when no-one else does. They are not afraid to explore outside of the box – even if the general consensus is “we have always done it this way”. A courageous leader will admit their failings, control their impulses and support others to minimise suffering.

To quote Nelson Mandela: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”.

There is a courageous leader in all of us and it starts with the first step towards our leadership goals.

Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters to learn more.  We meet at 7pm every 1st  and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

The Inspirational Leader

Have you ever met an inspirational leader? What made them inspirational? Chances are it wasn’t being likeable or their level of experience. An inspirational leader is driven by their “why”. This sense of purpose is what inspires employees to achieve their best.  When staff believe in what their manager believes in it creates a sense of purpose. And purpose is a key factor in motivation. A leader’s “why” demonstrates clarity, vision and values. The inspirational leader is courageous, tolerant, authentic, humble and possesses a high level of of self-awareness.

The good news is that anyone can develop these attributes. To start with, future inspirational leaders must genuinely care for others, be inclusive and involve everyone in the group, show appreciation of others efforts, demonstrate trust, listen with an open mind and create a fun work environment.

Another consideration is to evaluate your peers and circle of friends. Do they inspire you? Do they encourage you to stretch outside your current boundaries? Are you an inspiration to others? Are you doing something with your life that deserves their admiration? Consider the clutter in your life that is holding you back. Are you reliving past resentments or regrets? Do you continue to engage with negative people? Time to let go and move on.

What’s your “why”? Are you living by default, rather than designing your vision?  Finding your purpose can be as simple as reading something that matters to you. Look to your past experiences, what have you learnt that can help others? What are you grateful for? Consider volunteering or donating money to a cause that you deeply care for. Appreciating others and finding substance in what others appreciate about you strengthens relationships, which are often a source of purpose. Finding or building a community can create a sense of belonging and help you discover or strengthen your purpose.

Take time out to reflect and be thankful for what you have. Mix up your daily routine, network to meet new people, relax, switch off from social media, your phone, laptop or ipod.  Reach out to people and be inspired by the real world. Exchange ideas, skills and cultures, volunteer or reconnect with nature. Be inspired so you can inspire others.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States.

Ready to become an inspirational leader?  Join us, Picnic Point Toastmasters.  We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.  Inspiration is but a meeting away….

What’s Your Truth?

Do you have a message you would like to share with like-minded thinkers? Does the fear of public speaking stop you in your tracks? This kind of thinking stems from how you feel when faced with public speaking. The fear is based on feeling threatened, so your body responds with a kind of anxiety. This anxiety can be mild; you may feel a little tense, your heart may be racing or maybe you are breathing rapidly.

Where does this anxiousness come from? Most likely, the fact that you are standing on your own in front of an audience who may reject you. Yet, this fear is often unfounded. How can you overcome this fear of public speaking? Know your truth. What are you passionate about? Are you committed to your truth? Does your truth reflect your preferences? Take the time to consider your position. As individuals, we often forget who we are whilst we are busy living up to others expectations.

When you accept who you are it shows up as confidence, and this confidence is carried across when you present to others. Who are you? Let this person shine through your presentation. Focusing on your truth and speaking with passion naturally leads to an energised delivery which will engage your  audience. Whilst you remain focused on your delivering your message, you will be more insightful and will automatically use inclusive language. Why is this important? Inclusive language means you are using collaborative words which helps the audience engage with you. Your community-minded approach ensures that people are listening to and absorbing your message.

The first steps to knowing your truth and expressing it starts with you. Before you present, take the time to prepare your presentation, learn what you can about the audience, relax before the presentation, and above all, practice with passion and enthusiasm. Focus on the message and delivery. Once you are in front of that audience use your passion, share your best insights and use collaborative language.

To speak your truth is to live your truth. Living your truth is all about balance, respect, self-validation, being honest and knowing that your value is not dependent on others. When you speak your truth you won’t be bothered by negative thoughts regarding your credibility as a speaker or your lack of experience. Your confidence will grow with preparation and practice. Use a relaxation technique to get you into a calm state, give yourself plenty of time to prepare your presentation, focus on communicating your message and seek out opportunities to speak more often.

Ready to speak your truth? Consider visiting Picnic Point Toastmasters to learn about our proven system that teaches you the basics of public speaking and communication.  We meet at Club Picnic Point, 124 Lambeth St, Panania on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

Toastmasters Open House

Toastmasters is all about helping people overcome their fears of public speaking. The program is designed to allow each member to progress through the individualised program at his or her own pace. If you have never experienced a Toastmasters meeting then consider coming along to an open house meeting. There will be laughter, surprises and entertainment of the speaking variety!

What does it entail? An experienced speaker with an irresistible topic, a good explanation of Toastmasters, and an invitation to visit or join. This event is more than a special occasion….. it’s an experience!

When you arrive at a Toastmasters Open House you will be greeted warmly. The event will last anywhere between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the length of the regular meeting. It’s a fun, casual and relaxed event where guests can ask questions, meet members and get a feel for the club’s culture. The meeting opens with a brief introduction from the club president and then the meeting is turned over to the Toastmaster (Master of Ceremonies).

The experienced speaker will then present, and the audience is allowed time to critique the speaker, this is followed by a fun segment called “Table Topics” – similar to Trivia nights at your local club. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in Table Topics. Finally, a few members give a short overview of their Toastmasters experience.

Then we get to party! Food and drink is provided as Toastmasters mingle with guests. Guests are presented with an information packet at the end of the event and invited to join up or visit the club if they need more information. Why not visit your local Toastmasters to find out more?

If you are keen to learn how Toastmasters can help you with you public speaking goals there’s no need to wait for an open house. And if you happen to be in our neck of the woods on a Tuesday evening we would be honoured to have you as our guest at Picnic Point Toastmasters.

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Picnic Point. Our house is always open…..

Public Engagement

Transparent and honest business practice is valued above everything else….open communication regarding any issues identified help reinforce our branding. Public relations goes beyond media relations. The public wants us to be engaged with them. What does this mean? It means selling our product in a way that benefits the public.

Let’s start with culture. Whenever a visitor joins our meeting our culture is on display. Our shared values, belief systems, attitudes and the set of assumptions that we share form our club culture. A positive culture improves teamwork, raises morale and enhances membership retention. It encourages collaboration and trust, motivates members to work on their goals and ensures that respect and integrity are at the forefront of everything we do.

Our club culture is a reflection of club leadership. Is the executive committee dedicated to finding new and better ways to support, serve and adapt to the needs of the members? Are members actively engaged in promoting Toastmasters as the expert in the fields of communication and leadership? Are the programs adaptable for different generations and cultures, and for emerging technologies? How can we create alliances with the public? Start by leveraging relationships with individuals outside of Toastmasters.

As members, we are the representatives of Toastmasters International. This gives us a tremendous opportunity to be a successful brand ambassador.

What do you need to do to be a successful brand ambassador? Firstly, be authentic. People will trust you if you are seen to be real and open. If you are open people will automatically feel relaxed and more accepting of you and what you have to say.

Secondly, take a look at your online presence. As a Toastmasters ambassador you have the opportunity to use your online presence to promote your club. Always maintain a high level of professionalism. We can take advantage of feedback and remain responsible when networking online. Social media can reflect the best and worst aspects of networking as our written communication can be easily misinterpreted, leading to a potential hazard which can affect the Toastmasters brand.

Using our leadership skills will reflect positivity and confidence which, in turn, demonstrates our passion for Toastmasters and helps us to establish and grow relationships. Focus on the feedback you receive, then use it to improve your communication when engaging the public. We can maximise the benefits to potential members by understanding public concerns and expectations and responding to these needs in a timely fashion. With a little planning, scoping and analysis, you will involve the right people through your networking, tweak your communication to engage the public and develop your communication and leadership skills.

Interested to learn more? Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters! We meet at 7pm on every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Picnic Point, NSW 2213. We look forward to meeting you!

Communication Strategy

Do you have a communication strategy? Do you need one? A communication strategy is usually associated with business, but have you considered a personal communication strategy? Taking the time to develop a personal communication strategy will help you to get your message across more effectively. No doubt you have witnessed some communication faux pas in your time, perhaps you have been guilty of committing them…. Yet, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your words convey what you really mean.

Firstly, how clear is your objective? What are you trying to achieve? Are you looking to inform or persuade your audience? Are you expecting them to take some kind of action as a result of your message? Secondly, have you clearly identified who your audience is? This is crucial, as you need to tailor your message to suit the audience whilst ensuring that your objective remains intact.  Next, consider how you will express your communication. Will you be presenting in person, creating a blog, emailing, or posting on social media? What about a podcast, forum or YouTube?

Once you have decided on the objective, identified the target audience and settled on the form of communication your next step is to tailor the message in a way that is short and simple. If you have done your homework you will have an idea of your audience’s perspective. Take note of their response, this feedback will either confirm that you are on the right track or that you need to change your delivery. This exchange between you and your audience will enhance your understanding and provide you with the next steps. What can you learn from this experience? What would you do differently to improve the connection between you and your audience?

Reflecting on the delivery and audience reaction will give you insight into what you are doing well and where the opportunities lie. Could you have chosen better words? If there is any ambiguity in your message? What about the tone of your voice or writing? If there is room for interpretation then you may need to adjust your delivery. Sincerity is key. If there is any doubt in your audience’s mind you will lose their trust in you. People will care about you when you show them that you care about them. Don’t forget that communication is more than the words that come tumbling out of your mouth or keyboard.

When speaking in front of an audience you need to keep a check on your non-verbal cues, such as body language, gesturing, facial expressions, eye contact, arm and leg posture. These unconscious cues will inform your audience whether you are engaged with the topic and the audience or whether you are just going through the motions. And if you are addressing an audience of mixed cultures or travelling overseas be sure to familiarise yourself with what is acceptable and what may be considered disrespectful.

Lastly, be a good listener. Often, we are so eager to express ourselves that we don’t take the time to tune out the distractions and truly connect with our audience. Yet, this skill helps you build relationships, ensures you understand one another and resolves conflicts. Maintaining appropriate eye contact is the first step to good listening skills and take note of non-verbal cues. Be attentive, keep an open mind and concentrate on what the other person is saying. Don’t interrupt, wait for the speaker to pause before responding or asking clarifying questions. Use empathy to connect with the other person, this means you are allowing yourself to feel what the other person is feeling, taking your listening skills to another level. And remember to give regular feedback to reflect your understanding. For example, you might comment with “You seem very pleased with the outcome” or “What a terrible experience”. This type of feedback demonstrates that you are listening and are following their line of thinking.

If you are still unsure about developing a personal communication strategy and are looking for some guidance and a chance to practice in a supportive environment then consider speaking to us at Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

How Mentoring Impacts Us

Have you ever thought that you could benefit from mentoring?  It’s probably not the first thing to pop into your mind until a particular situation arises, like “What do I need to do to progress my career?”.  We often look to our managers or friends for advice and guidance but have you thought to look to someone else in your circle?  Or perhaps you need to look elsewhere?  How can you decide? Start with a clear idea of what you want to focus on. Often we receive feedback at work through regular appraisals.  Consider the areas highlighted for improvement as a good place to start.

Once you have decided on what you want to focus on look for someone who has the same experience you are looking for. The mentor can provide you with information, stimulate ideas and provide you with opportunities to experience first hand what is required to move forward. A mentor will guide you in other areas you had not considered as they will see opportunities for improvement that you will not be aware of.

The mentor will help you to create a “better you” through probing questions, some which may require you to go away and think about how you could answer these questions in line with your goal.  A good mentor will set you various tasks or goals to stretch you and see how you go about tackling them. These opportunities to will teach you a lot about who you are and how you like to develop. It also helps the mentor to learn about what works for you and what doesn’t.  This helps the mentor decide on what the next project should entail to move you towards achieving your goal.

Other benefits include working on your values, leadership skills and character.  The mentor will encourage and guide you through the toughest assignments and help you to achieve more than you could imagine.  This often requires a kind of tough love to help instil the right habits and eventually create the self-discipline and self-motivation you need to prioritise your tasks and realise your goals. Your mentor is someone who you can discuss ideas with, receive honest feedback and make sounds decisions with.  They are your trusted advisor and often can connect you to other parties to help you progress.

Their knowledge and experience can teach you the mistakes to avoid, and often, the quickest route to achieving your desired outcome.  Although a mentor work for free, their guidance is priceless.  Show them the respect they deserve by checking in with your mentor from time to time.  Let them know how you are progressing, show them that you appreciate their time and support. It’s up to you to build a relationship with your mentor.

The lifespan of skills have shortened over the years, now more than ever we need mentors to help us move forward in our careers. How does mentoring impact us? It impacts us in positive ways by building a bridge between where you are now and where you want to be next. In the words of Lailah Gifty Akita: “Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor”.

Ready to move move forward with your career aspirations?  Become a  member of Picnic Point Toastmasters. Your appointed mentor will guide and support you through the Toastmasters program, improving your leadership and communication skills. The Toastmasters program offers a self-paced mentoring program that will take you from mentee to mentor.  So what are you waiting for? Picnic Point Toastmasters meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

Long Term Leadership Lessons

What does it take to ensure leadership longevity? In some businesses, like IBM, a culture of boldness has secured their spot at the top of the leadership rung. During the 1929 Great Depression Thomas J. Watson Sr was at the helm and  announced that he had  appointed an advisory board of executives to focus primarily on the future. “We are going into the future, and we are not going to wait until some other company gets ahead of us,” he said. “There are greater prospects for our machines in the future than any of you have dreamed of.”

He bet that IBM could beat the Depression by being aggressive. He kept his factories running, didn’t lay off people and increased spending on product development. Despite the company almost going bust, his bold strategy paid off. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Because IBM had been building, improving and warehousing its tabulating machines, it was far ahead of any competitor. And IBM won the government contract. His son, Thomas J. Watson Jr., inherited his father’s boldness and in the early 1960’s he decided to totally revamp the company’s technology and the way it was organised.  He made obsolete the company’s entire product line and fortunately for IBM and its shareholders, his bet paid off. IBM became a dominant force in the computer industry for decades to come.

What makes this company so successful? Leadership characteristics that support  longevity, including, modesty and a determination to constantly transform. Former CEO Sam Palmisano stated that : “You have to be willing to change your core, and you have to be ahead of the shift.” Like his predecessors he  has played a leading role in rebuilding IBM and taking bold steps to secure the company’s future. IBM is led by people who are hugely ambitious, willing to take risks and absolutely relentless in their pursuit of their business goals. From it’s humble beginnings IBM has pioneered the leadership model that’s required for an organisation to last 100 years.

How can we emulate IBM’s success?  Firstly, we need to have a strong belief in ourselves and we need to develop the following 5 skills:

1. Be approachable and show your human side
2. Be a team player
3. Inspire commitment and motivation
4. Be self-aware
5. Help others find meaning in their work

Are you ready to invest in your long term leadership goals? Then come and visit us at Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.