Meeting Roles Boost Your Confidence

Often, new Toastmasters are reluctant to take on a meeting role or give a speech in their club. Maybe they don’t feel confident in their abilities or are uncomfortable performing in front of more advanced speakers. Luckily, there are many ways to overcome these challenges.

How do I get over my reluctance to take on meeting roles and give speeches?

If you feel reluctant to take on a new role or give a speech, don’t let that stop you. Instead, consider why you might be reluctant.

One reason might be the fear of making a mistake. But we all make mistakes. Take the Ah-Counter, for example. Many people in this role worry about missing some of the “ahs,” but nobody catches them all. And I have yet to hear a member complain about a missed one.

Perhaps you are afraid of saying something foolish. Remember, many politicians say something foolish all the time—and still get reelected. Maybe you have a future in politics.

Another reason might be that you struggle with thinking on your feet. But many people start out with a 10-second Table Topics response. You get better with time.

Finally, do you duck out on speeches because you lack confidence in your speaking ability? Think about why you joined the club in the first place. In Toastmasters, you get cheered just for making the effort.

Regardless of your reason, dedicate yourself to getting better. The only way you will do that is by jumping in and practicing.

Your club can also push you to take that next step. Don’t let the reluctant member off the hook. Encourage them to perform.

When all is said and done, repeat after me: Toastmasters have guts.

How can our club help new members feel comfortable around more advanced speakers?

Toastmasters is a place to learn. And one of the best ways to learn is to watch and talk with the more advanced members of your club. If that connection is weak, everyone suffers.

Newer members are often nervous or intimidated at the start, and advanced members sometimes convey a disinterest.

However, most advanced members enjoy helping newer members and are usually very open with information and coaching. Don’t be afraid to ask. And sometimes it just takes time for new members to break in, especially in a large club. If you are a newbie, say hi at every meeting. Over time you will get noticed. If you are an advanced member, be sure to reach out to the newer member.

I remember years ago when I was at an organizational meeting outside of Toastmasters. The guest speaker was Stephen Cannell, a bestselling author and television script writer. Prior to the meeting, he was talking to other people, so I walked up and stood to his left. He then turned to me, stuck out his hand, and said, “Hi, I’m Steve.” Not only did he bring me into the conversation, but he also introduced himself with just his first name to establish a personal connection. I still remember this 30 years later.

If you feel newer club members are having trouble breaking in and feeling comfortable, talk with the advanced members and encourage them to step in and introduce themselves. And once a newer member has a speech or two under their belt, assign an advanced speaker as their evaluator. That can jump-start the process.

As I said, advanced speakers are often willing to help in any way possible. Talk with them and see what they suggest. You just might find a creative solution.

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