Toastmasters Training

Have you wondered how you could improve your staff’s communication and leadership skills on an ongoing basis? The new Toastmasters training program, Pathways, is a great place to start. Pathways is an online program that starts with an assessment to meet each member’s individual needs and to enable them to become better and more confident communicators and leaders. The various projects focus on practical skills like Team Collaboration which covers subjects like “Understanding Your Leadership Style” and “Motivate Others”.  

There are 11 different paths with more being added every year. When you join Toastmasters you receive a login to the Toastmasters International website, which is where the Pathways program resides. After completing the assessment you will be presented with the the best matched path and an additional 2 paths as alternative choices, if you are not keen on the best match. Although you are free to select one of the remaining 8 paths if these alternatives don’t suit you.  

The Pathways program has 5 levels, each capitalising on the previous. Subsequent levels are progressively harder than its predecessor and the online lessons give the member a comprehensive explanation for each project. There are common core subjects, commencing with the “Icebreaker” (the first project in level 1) and “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring” (a project in level 2) and specialised subjects like “Develop a Communication Plan”.  

For those members who are keen to pursue mentoring, there is a separate path, “Pathways Mentor Program”, which is made available once you complete level 2. The program is comprised of three projects that must be completed sequentially. The projects cover a range of topics from understanding your role as a mentor through to a comprehensive assignment that includes a mentoring commitment lasting six months. All projects are evaluated with personalised specific feedback.

A range of tutorials and resources are available for downloading, including 360^o Evaluations as well as supportive documentation, like the Navigator – which gives the new member an overview of Toastmasters and the Pathways program. Members receive an award for completing each level as well as completing each path (all 5 levels). The highest educational designation you can earn as a member is the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, given to those who complete two paths, serve in specific volunteer leadership roles and complete the “Distinguished Toastmaster” project.

Pathways is Toastmasters comprehensive training program designed to improve communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. During the meetings you are learning each skill set by following the curriculum and practising different types of speaking, listening and facilitation skills. In addition, leadership activities like motivating others, planning meetings and marketing as well as interpersonal skills are practised in a safe and supportive environment.  

Interested to learn more about Toastmasters and the Pathways training program? Join us at Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.  

Choosing A Mentor

How do you choose a mentor? The first step is being clear about why you want a mentor and write it down. What do you want to learn? Are you looking to learn specific skills? What motivates you? Having a clear objective will help you find the most suitable mentor and will keep you focused on your goal. Remember, mentoring is a relationship, you get out of it what you put into it. Once you have decided to look for a mentor you must put time aside to dedicate yourself to the mentoring process.

Where do you start? Look for someone who can give you advice and inspire you to achieve your goals. This person may be working in the same organisation, in your network, even in online forums. Focus on people who you respect and have built rapport with. This person could be from a different generation or industry. When you have found the right person the next step is to approach them with clear and open communication. Explain why you would be a suitable mentee and why you believe you could work well together. Remember to respect their time. People who have the skill set to be great mentors are often very busy doing the very things that make them great mentors.

You need to meet on a regular basis and make sure it’s a convenient time and location. Be organised by having a list of questions ready, keep it short and remember to send a thank you note. Inform them of how their advice is making an impact on your goal. Your meetings could be online, on the phone or in person, either way, make the most of each meeting by being transparent. Transparency will help your mentor to understand what you need and how they can assist you in attaining your goals.

Mentoring is a two-way street, the mentor also has goals which they can fulfil through mentoring. Keep this in mind when you receive any feedback. The mentor can only go by what you tell them, so be sure to be clear about what you have found useful and what’s not working for you. It may be your approach that’s holding you back, rather than the advice you received. Flexibility is key. Some of the outcomes achieved may be different to your expectations, however, this is often an opportunity to move your goals into a different and better direction.

Take note of how the relationship is progressing. Do you feel comfortable with your mentor? Is there rapport between you? If not, you could have picked the wrong mentor. Or you could be misrepresenting your goals and needs. Or perhaps you have unrealistic expectations. Mentoring is an ongoing process, be patient, this is not a formal relationship – there is a degree of flexibility required. When seeking a mentor avoid using the term ‘mentor’. Instead, consider whether you can be completely open and honest. Has the mentor shown a real interest in you and what you are striving for? Does the mentor remember important facts and details you have previously mentioned? Do they understand your role and industry? Has their feedback contained actionable advice that is easily applied? Is their feedback specific enough for your needs? Look at the experience gap. If there is more than ten years of experience between you they may be too senior. Do they give you their undivided attention when you meet or do they seem distracted?

A mentor will be considering if they can be helpful based on your approach. They need to weigh up whether they can address your specific needs. The mentor will be looking at your level and depth of openness and honesty. Are you willing to share your vulnerabilities? Will you be proactive? Will you have prepared specific questions? Is meeting with you giving them a chance to learn more about themselves and their career? Do they feel that meeting with you is a good use of their time?

Consider asking your set of questions, outlined above, to the potential mentor. How do they respond? For example, what do you they know about your role or industry? These questions will show that you are prepared and serious about the potential relationship. Their response will help you to decide on the best possible candidate. Once you have found a few possible candidates, send them the mentor questions listed above so they can use it as gauge for them to consider the potential mentoring relationship. This shows you have certain expectations of the mentor and will weed out the ones that can’t invest in you. If you both answer all questions positively, then you have a a very strong indication of a potentially good and productive relationship.

At Picnic Point Toastmasters we use a similar process in our mentoring program. We match your needs with an experienced Toastmaster who will serve as a role model and support you through the stages of your Toastmasters journey. Picnic Point Toastmasters meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction” (John Crawford Crosby, American politician).

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.

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.

Why Mentoring Matters

Who can benefit from your experience?  What advice and guidance can you give to someone in your circle?  Mentoring is often an “individualised approach” and plays an important role in personal and professional development. It starts with a mentor who sets a good example. Being a mentor is more than knowledge, experience and connections, it’s about helping your mentee and what you can both learn from the experience.

Or perhaps you are looking for someone to mentor you. The responsibilities and opportunities proposed by the mentor will stretch you and implementing feedback will empower you. However, mentoring is a two-way street which means you need to put in the effort to gain the best results.  Often, the initial excitement of being mentored can fizzle, the way to overcome that is to set expectations from the start and have a genuine interest in what you plan to accomplish as well as a genuine appreciation and respect for the mentor.

A great mentor brings a greater vision than even you have for yourself, they are not concerned with impressing you, they are genuinely passionate about helping you grow and achieve. As a mentee you must decide what you need and be willing to do what the mentor suggests in order to succeed in your personal and professional growth. Your mentor will inspire you through their actions and belief in you.

Structured and naturally occurring mentoring relationships have powerful effects on both the mentee and the mentor.  Mentoring is linked with leadership and who you are as an individual. If you are looking to advance in your career then a formal mentoring program can be instrumental in helping you to attain your career aspirations.  However, if you experience any of the following then you have stumbled upon a poorly designed mentoring program: no purpose or clear objective, no success metrics, incorrectly matched pairings, very little or poor training available, poor participation within the company, no program tracking.

What does good mentoring look like? If you are being mentored or are looking for a mentor the following list is a good place to start:

• Mentee-centred with a warm and approachable style
• available to mentees when help is needed
• help offered with a smile
• communicating what they know
• preparing for each mentoring sessionon topics or subjects the mentee wants to talk about
• good listening skills
• being honest and diplomatic with constructive feedback
• inquisitiveness and interest in continual learning
• objectivity and fairness
• compassion and genuineness.

Why does mentoring matter? It helps the mentee perform better, develops new skills in both the mentee and mentor, fosters respect and camaraderie, is rewarding and a proven method to derive satisfaction through valued contributions. Are you ready to take on a mentoring role? Or looking for a mentor to help you achieve your goals in communication and leadership? Then look no further…… Picnic Point Toastmasters has a mentoring program that offers you both opportunities!

When you join Picnic Point Toastmasters you are appointed a mentor who will guide and support you through the program. Toastmasters offers a self-paced mentoring program that will take you from mentee to mentor.  We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

Leadership Programs

How old were you when you first learnt about leadership? When we think of leadership programs, we often think of work related activities, like graduate programs. Yet, leadership programs are available at a much earlier stage in life. Consider the girl guides and boys scouts. Through cookie sales they master everything from business ethics and public speaking to financial responsibility and time management, essentially becoming the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. This is an extraordinary opportunity and one we may not readily consider as a leadership program.

Leadership programs come in many shapes and sizes. How do you decide which one is right for you? In today’s rapidly changing society, keeping up with the concept of what makes a great leader is an ever-evolving process. Leaders  need to grow, as people, as support for others and as high-performing team members that keep your business ahead of the game.

What are some of the key learnings you can attain through a leadership program? Self-mastery, improved performance, a focused mindset, team collaboration, time management and coaching…. just to name a few. Are you looking for a short course that focuses on one aspect of leadership, such as “Strategic Leadership”? Or perhaps you are looking at a longer commitment, one where you can continue to evolve with regular feedback? There are so many choices in today’s market that we are often unsure where to start.

A combination of practical and theory is often the best approach. How many leadership courses have you paid for in the past, only to find that you lack the opportunity to put your learning into practice? If you are interested in learning new practices and new ways of thinking that will help you throughout your leadership career then it’s time you considered joining Picnic Point Toastmasters.

During the meetings you will take on leadership roles that teach you how to give effective feedback. Other opportunities, like taking on a club executive role, will expand your leadership skills through team collaboration, goal setting and mentoring. Our self-paced training program includes subjects like communication styles, leaderships styles, mentoring, speaking persuasively, developing communication plans, public relations strategies, and much more.

John F. Kennedy stated that “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”. Isn’t it time that you considered investing in your leadership future?

If you are looking for a leadership program that offers ongoing practical application, constructive feedback and continuous learning, consider joining Picnic Point Toastmasters at Club Picnic Point, 124 Lambeth St, Panania, 2213. We meet on the 1^st  and  3^rd  Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

Mentoring your way to success

We often think of mentoring as something work related. Some companies have launched mentoring programmes where they announce the mentor and mentee pairings for the year’s course of the programme. The mentors are often from various senior leadership roles while the mentees are often at a managerial level and have shown high potential and a strong interest in developing their leadership skills.

How many of us have been lucky enough in our lives that we can identify someone we’d call a mentor? Someone who taught us how things work and helped us navigate through the difficulties we face trying to establish ourselves either within the work environment or outside of it. Often the mentor is our manager, but what opportunities can be found outside of the workforce?

And what should we look for in a mentor or mentee? A good mentor is someone who is knowledgeable, understanding, patient and possesses the attributes of a good trainer with excellent communication skills. A good mentee is someone who is eager to learn, a team player, patient with a positive attitude. Mentoring is a powerful way for us to improve our performance. It’s often as rewarding for the mentors as it is for the mentees they are supporting, and the results are extremely encouraging when they have been well matched.

When you join Picnic Point Toastmasters you are assigned a mentor who will guide and support you through the Toastmasters program. Mentoring is a mutually beneficial experience, our mentors greatly value the relationships they have with their mentees.

Here are a few things to consider when you are assigned a mentor:

• Being a mentee is not a passive role, you get what you put in. Define your goals and objectives, consider what you want to get out of the relationship. Let your mentor know how they can help you achieve your communication and leadership goals.
• You will benefit from the insights gained through years of experience – without having to spend years of trial and error. Listen to feedback, ask questions, practice and demonstrate what you have learned. You decide on the amount of help and guidance you need and you should take the initiative to ask for help or advice and to tackle more challenging assignments.
• Use active listening skills during discussions with your mentor. Be careful not to interrupt, unless you need to clarify a point and you see no other opportunity or pause. Take notes when appropriate, ask good questions and have a purpose for your questions.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin:  “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

We can provide you with the relevant experience, help you think through your communication and leadership goals by asking smart questions and give objective feedback and insight. Through patience and perseverance we will help you accomplish your specific goals.

If you are looking to improve your communication and leadership skills with the help of a mentor, then it’s time you contacted Picnic Point Toastmasters at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7pm.  Our mentors look forward to helping you achieve your communication and leadership goals.