Toastmasters skills in your daily life

While most of public speaking/toastmaster training is centred on a person giving a presentation and the audience listening, i.e. you talk, they listen. This type of communication is training is extremely important when one’s job or community activities require such presentations.

Think about your daily life, however, and another kind of communication becomes equally important.

Each day we interact with many people in a variety of situations. We may deal with clients and co-workers at work, our family and friends. We may be called upon to calm an upset customer/friend/relation or convince a sales assistant to refund your money. Persuade your son or daughter to clean their room or negotiate a raise with your employer.

Special skills are needed to successfully handle these types of situations and Toastmasters International; “Interpersonal Communications Program” will help you to develop them.

The program consists of five projects that require different interpersonal communication skills.

In the first project we learn how to start a conversation with a stranger.

Project two requires one to negotiate using win/win strategies to achieve a goal.

In the third project, we learn how techniques on how to diffuse verbal criticism.

In the next project we practice coaching someone who is not performing on your satisfaction and finally, you’ll learn to assert yourself effectively.

The projects in this program are challenging but they will provide you with valuable experience in communication with others.

As with all Toastmasters programs, toastmasters are required to complete the basic program, called “The Competent Communicator” program in which all the basic skills of speaking are learned and practiced.

So why not come along to any of our meetings and see for yourself? Speak Easy Toastmasters meet in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on alternate Thursdays from September to May.

Toastmaster meetings are not a classroom but a workshop in which members learn at their own pace in a mutually supportive atmosphere where the emphasis is on fun and friendship.

You are welcome to come along as our guest for as often as you want and rest assured, you, as a guest, will never be asked to speak.

Congratulations to Pat Sexton who won the Area Final of the Evaluation Contest which was held in the Charleville Park Hotel, last Saturday night. Pat will now compete in the next stage of the contest which will take place in the Raddisson Hotel, Cork Airport on Saturday, April 19^th.

Well done, Pat.

The next 2 meetings of Speak Easy Toastmasters are on April 3^rd and April 17^th (Club Tall Tales Contest).

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by logging on to our website www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact club PRO, Sean on 086 6054784