Leadership was just any term or an abstract concept until last year, when it came a step closer to me. I remember all too well, sharing my first LinkedIn post about a promotion at work and a start in a voluntary position as a Secretary at HSR Toastmasters, not that long ago! Well, what has followed since then, has been a constant feeling of, ‘So, I’m responsible for this now.’
Let’s admit the second feeling of — ‘If I’m going to be responsible for something, I’m gonna do the right job’. This is exactly what has happened to me. Amazon Bangalore Toastmasters was just an idea, an year ago written on a paper and discussed with a few. Now, we run a club of more than 40 people. Every meeting feels like a turning point, along the lines I wish we could still do better and we do try the next time. I’m grateful to Toastmasters International to have enabled me with a cause that feels right to me. After all, the organisation goes by the tagline ‘Where leaders are made.’
How do you serve this cause? By creating safe, collaborative, empathetic spaces where folks get to share their authentic stories and improve on their communication, and public speaking skills in a constructive manner, bit by bit, with each meeting so that they gain the confidence to practice these skills both within the club and in their daily jobs.
When a club is run solely on a voluntary/membership basis, you have got to have a vision holding the club together and that’s what I’ve been trying for the past few months with my supportive team.
Late post, but I’m honoured to have been conferred with the Leader Award for 2023–24 by Toastmasters International. What do I plan next? Well, to live upto this expectation and do the right thing.
