Published at: 12:08 am - Monday August 23 2010
Let’s not kid ourselves, being a Club Coach is no overnight assignment. It takes time, dedication, and a lot of elbow grease. Not to mention scary. You might be asking yourself if you can really do it. What if I’m not successful? Well, that depends on your definition of “success.”
If success means just getting that check box toward your Advanced Silver Leadership (ALS) designation, then your road to success could be long and hard. Ben Sweetland author of Get Rich While You Sleep said “Success is a journey, not a destination.”
The journey of a Club Coach is one of personal growth. It will have a positive impact on your life and in the lives of others. You will make a difference. Take the journey. Today. Not tomorrow; not next week. Today.
Contact Marsha Ware at ClubServiceMgr@d7toastmasters.org.
Published at: 02:08 pm - Sunday August 22 2010
Did you know that the District has a new program this year called Club Services?
The program consists of 2 parts: Club Support and Club Enhancement.
Club Support is about working with struggling clubs to revitalize and become strong healthy clubs again by working with an official Club Coach. These clubs have 12 or fewer members and need to rebuild their membership base.
Club Enhancement is about working with clubs to augment their meetings with short-term coaching, mentoring, tailored training, assistance with organizing Speechcraft or open house programs, etc. These clubs typically do not qualify for an official Club Coach.
Our very own PDG Marsha Ware has graciously agreed to manage this new program for the District. Please reach out Marsha at ClubServiceMgr@d7toastmasters.org to take advantage of this great program.
Published at: 01:08 pm - Friday August 20 2010
By Kathy Maixner
Every time we open our mouths to utter a single word, someone is influenced by what we say. It doesn’t matter if we’re officially in sales or not – we’re always in a position to make an impact on others by what we say and, most importantly, how we say it. This is good news! By continuously improving our communication skills, we’re able to positively impact the world around us and improve others’ conditions.
Whether we’re conducting a meeting or attending a meeting – whether we’re giving a speech or part of a performance appraisal – whether we’re interviewing for a job or actually the interviewer – each situation requires that we begin the communication process by first acknowledging our goals. Some conversations are for the purpose of sharing information; others are to educate; some to persuade another to our point of view; and still others to exert authority or status.
Whatever our motivations, the important thing to remember is HOW others are influenced. Each of us is influenced in a number of ways. Our job as good communicators is to acknowledge that people hear differently, take in information differently and process information differently. To make sure you’re getting your message across, be sure to:
• Learn ahead of time your listener’s communication style – or else you’re dead in the water
(see http://www.drbackman.com/communication-styles.htm)
• Articulate clearly what message you want them to get!
• Understand what others expect from YOU – whatever the speaking context
• Talk “facts” with those who appreciate facts; talk emotions with those who rely on their guts to sort out information
• Stay clear of manipulating or coercing others into agreeing with your point of view
• REMEMBER: The best way to win someone over or to be truly heard is to put your listener ahead of yourself by understanding where he or she is coming from. No amount of persuasion works if you’re perceived as brilliant, but self-serving!
Kathy Maixner, Selling Smart
Owner & Chief Business Strategist
www.sellingsmartonline.com
