Andrew McDonald
Nationality? Scots
What's your day job?
Oil and Gas
How long have you been in Toastmasters?
3 Years
Why did you join?
Improve public speaking skills and confidence
When you first joined, what was the hardest thing you had to overcome?
Butterflies speaking
Worst moment?
The beginning
Best moment?
Speaking in front of 1000 off the cuff
Tips for other members?
Be pro-active and grow into those roles you cannot yet see yourself in.
How has it helped you?
Self projection and confidence
Matthews Mtumbuka
Nationality?
Malawian.
What's your day job?
Real Time IT Portfolio Analyst (UK & Ireland) for Shell Oil
How long have you been in Toastmasters?
Five years.
Why did you join?
I had been in a number of leadership roles that required public speaking. I used to ‘wing’ it. I thought of perfecting the skill so that I could really speak effectively in public and to gain confidence.
When you first joined, what was the hardest thing you had to overcome?
The hardest thing to overcome for me was the fear of being asked to do Table Topics (Impromptu speech). It took me a couple of years to get comfortable with Table Topics. But I think it is that repeated experience of getting outside the comfort zone that enables me to learn a lot in Toastmasters. Toastmasters continuously challenges me to operate outside my comfort zone. I am no longer very fearful to be asked to do Table Topics. But with the experience I have, I set my targets higher and the expectation from Toastmaster friends for my performance is also high. The combined effect is a performance outside the comfort zone and so the learning experience cannot be better than what I get at Toastmasters.
Worst moment?
When I was President of Oxford Speakers Club in 2004, I addressed the then Division Governor as Division President. And he corrected me in public. I know I should have known that the Division leader is Governor and not President. It was quite an embarrassing experience. But that too gave me a couple of lessons. I learn a lot in many ways at Toastmasters, including being able to handle awkward situations in public. Confidence is key. And Toastmasters has helped me to gain a lot of confidence in public.
Best moment?
The best moment was when I went all the way to the Grand Finals of the Table Topics competition in 2007 and I emerged the 3rd best Table Topics (Impromptu) Speaker for UK & Ireland. The competition took place in Harrogate in November 07.
You are Area Governor for North of Scotland Toastmasters what is your view of Toastmasters in the Area?
We have one of the newest and smallest areas in the District (UK & Ireland). We have three clubs i.e. Aberdeen, Dundee and Findhorn. The challenge is that we need to trade-off between letting the new clubs grow and starting new clubs which may impact the growth of existing clubs. I believe at the moment, what we need is to consolidate what we have and build a solid base which will provide a platform for formation of more clubs in the area in 2-3 years time.
Tips for other members?
Identify your weak areas. Keep working on those areas and you will grow in knowledge and skill. Stay long in Toastmasters to gain the full benefits of Toastmasters. Come to many meetings, even if you are not delivering a speech. I learn a lot by simply listening to the diverse members we have. When you have the opportunity, also attend meetings at other clubs and go to competitions to watch the best and most refined of Toastmaster performances. You will not regret it. My five years in Toastmasters has completely transformed me. But I still have no immediate plans of leaving Toastmasters because the learning journey continues.
How has it helped you?
I am now a skilled effective public speaker. I have confidence in public. I have no problem to stand up and speak. I have no problem to tackle tough questions that require no time to prepare. I am effective in my communication at work. I stand out as an outstanding communicator at work and I am known for this. It helps with visibility at work.
Dave Thomson
Nationality?
British
What's your day job?
I am between jobs – Generally Continuous Improvement Consultancy.
How long have you been in Toastmasters?
Three years.
Why did you join?
Someone told me to improve my presentations!
What was your main fear about giving a presentation?
Lack of humour, therefore boring.
Worst moment?
Can’t think of one - all experience is good, some better!
Best moment?
When some of my planned humour has come off.
Tips for other members?
Go for it!
How has Toastmasters helped you?
I have moved from well paid consultancy to unemployment!
Erik Dalhuijsen
Nationality?
Dutch (that’s the Netherlands, not Germany).
What's your day job?
Production Technology Team Leader for a global oil & gas consultancy. A mix of technical work, dealing with (potential) clients, and helping team members do relevant and interesting work.
How long have you been in Toastmasters?
Four years… though as I travel a lot (pleasure) I’d class myself as a part-timer!
Why did you join?
I was taken along by a friend, who had been a TM abroad and learned a lot. I’d always been interested in getting my message across, but lacked the focus to work on it; this one nudge did it. I have to say, the TM evening is normally the most entertaining part of my week and especially if things are hectic at work I just come to enjoy myself, unwind and listen to some great stories.
When you first joined, what was the hardest thing you had to overcome?
The fact that I was actually very nervous when I got up there to speak for the first time, and I hadn’t felt like that for many years! Or maybe just not acknowledged it to myself? Few people noticed though, and the overall response was great!
Worst moment?
There have been no bad moments; there have been situations where learning went well beyond “speaking” and more into “diplomacy” which is all part of the “communication” arena. Realising everyone’s in it to learn and to have fun really helps to make even difficult situations enjoyable.
Tips for other members?
Just do it. Book (and give) your speeches. Get into a committee. Try running the meetings as TME (Toastmaster of the Evening). It’s the safest place to try new skills you’ll ever find, and you’ll learn more than you expect every time, guaranteed.
How has Toastmasters helped you?
It has shown me that a fantastic speech requires lots of preparation, and has improved my speaking skills to where I can give an acceptable speech with very little. And I use my new and improved communication skills at work daily.
Pat Shand
Nationality?
Scottish
What's your day job?
Community Nurse.
How long have you been in Toastmasters?
I have been attending Toastmasters for 3 years.
Why did you join?
I went along to keep my daughter company. She was in the process of applying to be an Art Teacher and thought Toastmasters would improve her confidence, both for her interview and her ability to speak in class. It certainly helped her because she got into teacher training. This meant she had to leave Aberdeen Toastmasters and move to Glasgow to complete her studies. Initially I thought I would just stop when my daughter was no longer attending, but I had become hooked on Toastmasters. I realised that my confidence had improved and that I was learning so much from this friendly, enthusiastic and professional group.
When you first joined, what was the hardest thing you had to overcome?
Confronting my fears to specify a date to do my first speech. I kept putting it off!
What was your main fear about giving a presentation?
My main fear was nerves. Every time I thought about standing up at the front of the group, my heart starting beating like a drum, my mouth was so dry and my legs went to jelly. Also, would I have anything interesting to say as part of a speech?
Worst moment?
My worst moment was waiting to do my first speech. I thought I may have to leave the room and be sick because my hands were shaking, my vision was blurring and I thought my legs would not hold me up.
Best moment?
My best moment was the best feeling after I had completed my first speech. I got a real BUZZ from that first speech. There was a feeling of encouragement to do well from my fellow toastmasters. On the way home in the car I felt quite euphoric that I had actually done the speech.
Tips for other members?
The best tip I would give other members is practise, practise and practise even more. It is only by saying your speech out loud, that you can understand how it will sound and how it could be improved. I would not be able to complete my speech without practising it.
How has Toastmasters helped you?
Being at Toastmasters has helped me so much. One example of this; it gave me the confidence to apply for a job that required a presentation. Before I attended Toastmasters I would not even have gone for the interview, because I thought I would not be able to give the presentation. I got the job and it has taken my career in a different direction. Toastmasters is made up of a fantastic, friendly and yet professional group that offer such amazing encouragement to people to make the most they can be, in relation to public speaking. Come along and join us, it will be the best thing you do this year.
