World History is replete with examples of
leadership in different walks of life. There have been all shades too - from the evil (Hitler), Spiritual (Pope, Prophets),
messianic (Cult figures), political (Churchill, Clinton, Obama) to Crusaders
(our own Kejriwal, Anna Hazare (in his own earthy personal way)), yet they all
have one thing in common – effective
communication. This is besides exhibiting the other leadership
competencies in varying degrees. Ultimately, their effective oratorical ability
made them stand out, helped them alter perceptions and perspectives, and
generally alter the world order – for better or worse. History therefore teaches us one important
lesson – While walking the talk is important, talking the walk is higher up the
pecking order.
Leadership has many definitions. In the final tally however, it is an
attitude. An attitude that is based on a
competency to generate a following - either
intellectually or emotionally. Leaders
cultivate this attitude on the basis of inherent, honed competencies or acquire
them in the course of their lives, either through life experiences or through
formal and informal training - That
is why most writers on the subject agree
that leaders are made,not born.
An attitude bereft of competency, can at best be labeled as ego, and can
provide but a lonely perch, while an
attitude that is augmented by the five competencies (Zeldin and Camino 1999 )
listed below, results in a following
that instigates, initiates, breeds and promotes change - for better or worse.
a.
Communication - persuasive argumentation, public
speaking/writing, and engaging the participation of others;
b.
Teamwork-respecting others, performing roles of
both leader and follower, building on strengths, and commitment to free group
input and expression;
c.
Personal Identity-understanding the relationship
between oneself and the community, pride in being a member of a larger group,
awareness of areas for self-improvement, taking responsibility for one's
actions and the resulting consequences;
d.
Professionalism - demonstrating tactfulness,
understanding protocols, appropriate dress and action given appraisal of
context, delivering quality work, positively presenting oneself to others; and
e.
Project Management - setting goals/developing
action steps, meeting facilitation, reflection, distinguishing between one's
interests and community needs (Boyd, 2001).
"…[B]ecoming a leader is a
developmental process," and this process may not be the same for young
people , as it is for adults (Fertman, & van Linden, 1999). People develop
their leadership skills in "real situations" that they deem
important. People need opportunities to
both learn about and practice leadership, in meaningful and authentic ways.
The development of leadership contributes
greatly to the positive development of people and their communities. Leadership
skills, such as Communication, Team work, professionalism and project Management,
are not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in
today's world. Furthermore, helping people develop leadership competencies
makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic
participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003) something that is not really
lacking in our country, but the quality could certainly do with some
improvement.
How does the Toastmasters, as an
organization, help?
Toastmasters is an organization comprising
of member clubs, themselves formed by members, that focus on enhancing the
Leadership competencies listed by Zeldin and Camino in its members – grouping them for
learning into two tracks – Competent Communication and Competent
Leadership.
The Communication track provides a self learning experience
that involves a series of public speaking exercises that give members an opportunity to deliver a
prepared or unprepared speech to a distinguished audience and not merely to a
mirror. These public speaking exercises,
impart and hone the skills of persuasive argumentation, communicating with,
rather than talking to, an audience that is bigger than a discussion group,
and focusing outwards, rather than
inwards while speaking in public – which means, being true , rather than
wearing a mask. It also teaches us the three rules of public speaking:
1.
Ideation and its development
2.
Clarity, congruence and continuity in thought and speech
3.
Honesty with an audience – being who we are,
rather than what the audience wants to see.
The Leadership Track on the other hand
provides us with opportunities to develop our skills in Project Management,
teamwork and professionalism by assigning to members a series of management
activities from managing the clock to managing the session and finally managing
a club itself. Along the way we develop
a personal identity - we understand the relationship between ourselves
and the community, take pride in being a member of a larger group,
become aware of areas for self-improvement, and take responsibility for our actions and the
resulting consequences;
Looking at the linkages between public
leadership and effective communication,
one must commend the Toastmasters organization for drawing those
linkages early on, and creating two separate but linked modules with one complementing the other.
And it all begins with an ice breaker,
often a ball breaker! All in all, its a wholesome journey of self development
from a rabbit to a lion!
My Journey into the world of toastmasters:
I heard about the toastmasters organization
and its credo from a friend, who was persuaded to become a member by his friend
and so on. It was more by accident than
by choice. But then accidents themselves
are choices – only, they are somebody
else's choices!. Inclination and time
drove my curiosity. I scouted around and
found out more....
The more I delved into the realm of the toastmaster’s
organization, the more I was drawn into its web. I looked around for one to join – its an
exclusive club and requires the approval of
the club membership and a few urbanized initiation rites - and
was fascinated by the name of the club that I finally sought to join – Winners.
Yes, that’s what I wanted to be – at the end of it all – a winner. I soon realized that the name was just
the tip of the iceberg that brought down
the titanic... The Club's membership was varied in age, gender and profession,
huge, dynamic and had, in its midst,
quite a few winners – at various toast masters competitions across the
country...It gave me the jitters, even as I sought an entry to this exclusive
band of distinguished people. My
subsequent experience though was anything but, especially after I broke ice
with them at my second meeting....described below poetically...
A DTM a DTM
thats what I want to be
and the only way up
is from the bottom of the heap
I’ve got to break ice
speak from my heart
what I am, what I want to be
not what I want them to see....
Up the aisle, a weak knee
a faltering voice
a humbled me...
And then
an encouraging eye,
a hint of a smile,
found a winner
in
me...
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