Moments of Reflection

Transforming Together

Transforming Together

When I think about transformation in Toastmasters, I think about personal and organizational transformation. One is the change that happens in each of us when we engage in our clubs and leadership teams. The other is the transformation we are making to develop our...

From Toastmasters To Teaching

From Toastmasters To Teaching

I recently finished a supervision session with one of my Master’s dissertation students. She was delighted with the detailed feedback I provided on her last assignment, saying she had never received such comprehensive comments before. This kind of response is common...

To analyze or not to analyze…

To analyze or not to analyze…

I was chatting with some friends this week about being analytical in leadership work.  How much analysis is enough, how much is too much?  When to go fast, when to slow down.  Decide in haste and repent at leisure? Or let procrastination be your tragedy? Where we get...

Growth of the Individual

Growth of the Individual

There’s a famous quote from Dr. Smedley that reminds me of why I keep coming back to Toastmasters. "Ours is the only organization I know that is dedicated to the individual. We work together to bring out the best in each of us and then we apply these skills to help...

Board Leadership Learning

Board Leadership Learning

I've just visited a lovely club where I'd been invited to speak about my learnings from being an International Director. Here’s what I shared: Self-Acceptance I met with another Past International Director this week who knew me from before I had served on the...

Moments of Joy

Moments of Joy

At the Business Briefing in Anaheim at this August's 2024 Convention, I delivered my outgoing board member speech.    Many of my speeches center around stories, but not this one. This one is a poem. I felt that a few stories wouldn't capture the experience I had, and...