Episode 10: Conquering the terror of impromptu speaking with Toastmasters

You'll hear from my fellow Toastmasters and I how this global organisation has impacted our lives for the better and how it could impact yours . Now let's get talkative . Welcome , ladies and gentlemen , to Episode 10 . In this week's episode , we're talking about the thrill or terror of impromptu speaking and how Toastmasters can help you to hone this invaluable skill .

But firstly , a shout out I know that many clubs are starting their new year and I know that our club has had an influx of new members . So if you've started and joined at a Toastmasters club this year , well done . I'm really happy for you and you have made an amazing decision to further your professional and personal growth .

So congratulations to all the new members who have joined clubs over the break and I wish you an amazing time on your Toastmasters journey . Now let's get back to our topic for the day . In a world that thrives on effective communication , the ability to speak confidently and articulately on the spot is invaluable .

In promptu speaking , that is the art of delivering a coherent and compelling speech without any preparation is a skill that can significantly enhance your personal and professional life .

As I've talked about in previous episodes , toastmasters International , the global organisation dedicated to communication and leadership development , offers a structured and supportive environment for members to hone both their prepared speaking skills and impromptu speaking skills .

In this episode , we'll explore the importance of impromptu speaking , its real world applications and how Toastmasters can play a crucial role in nurturing and enhancing this skill for you . And so why is impromptu speaking such a valuable skill to develop ? Let's look at four key reasons . Number one the ability in communication .

Impromptu speaking is a manifestation of your adaptability in communication . In various professional and social situations , we're often required to express our thoughts spontaneously .

In fact , this is how we do most of the communication in our lives , whether it's responding to a question during a meeting , participating in a panel discussion or even just having casual conversations with friends . The ability to speak on the spot demonstrates flexibility and quick thinking . Number two enhanced problem solving skills .

The nature of impromptu speaking often involves addressing unexpected topics or questions . This challenges us to think critically and respond creatively . Developing this skill can enhance problem solving abilities as we learn to organize our thoughts quickly and deliver effective solutions or insights on the fly . Number three confidence building .

One of the most significant benefits of impromptu speaking is its contribution to building confidence . As we've talked about in many of the previous episodes , public speaking in any form can be highly intimidating for many people .

By regularly engaging in impromptu speaking exercises , we can gradually overcome the fear of the unknown and develop a sense of self-assurance that extends beyond just spontaneous speaking situations . Oh , try saying that fast three times in a row . Number four effective communication in leadership .

Leaders are often faced with unexpected challenges that require immediate communication , whether it's addressing a crisis , responding to inquiries or rallying a team . Impromptu speaking skills are invaluable for leaders at any level . A leader who can communicate confidently and coherently on the spot inspires trust and fosters a positive organisational culture .

So these are four reasons as to why it's worth developing your impromptu speaking skills . Now let's look at some real-world applications for using these skills . First business meetings . In the corporate world , business meetings can be unpredictable and we may need to provide input or respond to queries without any notice .

Impromptu speaking skills ensure that professionals can contribute meaningfully to discussions , share ideas and address concerns on the spot . Second job interviews . Job interviews are high-pressure situations where candidates must effectively communicate their qualifications and abilities .

The ability to articulate your thoughts spontaneously really sets candidates apart and showcases your adaptability and quick thinking , qualities that are highly valued by employers . Third networking events . Networking is a crucial aspect of career development and impromptu speaking is particularly useful in these settings .

Being able to strike up conversations , share insights and make a lasting impression on potential connections can open doors to new opportunities , and often people will hang back at networking opportunities for the very reason that they're terrified of approaching people and having to have these spontaneous conversations . Fourth , social gatherings .

Whether at weddings , parties or social events , we all often find ourselves in situations where we need to engage in spontaneous conversations . Impromptu speaking skills contribute to making these interactions more enjoyable and meaningful . And so how does Toastmasters foster impromptu speaking skills ?

Toastmasters provides a supportive environment where members can practice and enhance their impromptu speaking skills through a number of activities and exercises . Probably the most known and you may have heard about these is Table Topics .

A hallmark of Toastmasters meetings is the Table Topics session , and this is where members are invited to speak on a given topic for one to two minutes , without any prior warning or even knowledge of the subject . This exercise allows members to practice thinking on their feet , organizing their thoughts quickly and delivering coherent responses .

And the way that different members deliver their Table Topics session can be very varied . I know that in the episode with John Coorey I think it was about episode six or seven we talked a lot about how different people have brought creativity into the Table Topics role .

But it might even just be a question about tell us about an amazing road trip that you had Sarah over to you . Then Sarah comes to the stage and talks for one to two minutes on that topic , and some Table Topic sessions will have themes . Some will perhaps ask Toastmasters not to say a particular word .

There's so many ways that Table Topic sessions can be done , but they're all designed to really get you to focus your thinking in that one to two minute space . Speech evaluations , now this is another important area of Toastmasters and I'll go into more detail in this in a couple of episodes .

But after each speech or even each impromptu speaking exercise , members receive evaluations from their peers in Toastmasters . So this feedback helps individuals identify strengths , areas for improvement and provides actionable insights to refine their impromptu speaking skills .

And again , because you may not have heard that person speak , you certainly have no idea what they're going to say . When you then have to deliver feedback about all those things I just mentioned , you're also thinking on your feet .

Now there's many structures into which you can fill out an evaluation and again , that's one of the things we teach in Toastmasters , but it is an example of impromptu speaking and just another way you can practice giving on the spot feedback and encouragement and potentially some constructive feedback .

So if you think about how you might be able to use this skill in other areas of your life , the opportunities are fairly limitless . So , as well as table topics and speech evaluations , there's plenty of other impromptu speaking opportunities at every club meeting .

This can include roles such as a round robin or warm-up , where each member is given 20 or so seconds to speak just at the beginning of the meeting , to literally warm up everyone's voices , give everyone a chance at speaking and again practice getting a short , sharp point across in 20 seconds .

It can actually be harder to keep to that time limit , I find , than doing a five to seven minute speech .

There's also other roles , like the grammarian , where you'll be asked to firstly explain the role and then , throughout the meeting , count the number of ums and rs and filler words like so you know , like and look at interesting language and whatever else takes your fancy from a grammarian's perspective .

And then you have to deliver a report at the end of the meeting , again really not being able to prepare in advance for it . You have to listen pretty well to what's being said and then get up and deliver a brief report . Similarly , we have a general evaluator where they will evaluate the evaluators .

As I said , everything in Toastmasters is evaluated and every evaluation is pretty much an impromptu speaking opportunity , because at best you might get a couple of minutes to prepare and then you'll have to deliver that speech . And then there's educational modules as well .

So we've talked in depth in episode six about how Toastmasters offers a comprehensive educational program called Pathways , and in that educational program there are modules specifically designed to help members improve not only their communication and speaking skills but also their impromptu speaking .

So it just depends on which pathway you choose , but there is quite a structured approach to skills development . As well as the sessions I've talked about , there's plenty of other opportunities to practice impromptu speaking at Toastmasters .

Taking on club leadership roles , like President , for example , means that I get to address the club at the beginning and the end of each meeting , even if only for a few minutes .

But I do have to be aware of what's going in to the meeting , what's happening , if there's anything I need to announce on the spot or things that may have changed in the lead up to that meeting . Or I might have to think about what I want to say at the end of the meeting and respond to say guest feedback when I ask for it .

So each of those little mini speeches , I suppose when I'm at the stage , is just another way I can practice my impromptu speaking skills . Also , as a club president , I have to run a couple of business meetings each year , and this happens in All Toastmasters clubs .

It's part of the way we run our clubs and , again , while we have a specific meeting format , we do need to cover general business and questions and answer any questions or discussions that come up , and that's another opportunity to practice those skills .

Even outside of a standard Toastmasters club , there's almost an endless number of opportunities to practice this skill as well , and that might include being on event committees or getting involved in area , division or district committees .

Because Toastmasters is a community run organization , there's plenty of committees and groups overseeing different elements you know , just to make sure everything runs smoothly and that clubs are supported , and each of those requires speaking opportunities . Also , it could involve holding roles at club officer training , again through the Toastmasters program .

There's heaps and heaps of free training and certainly club officer training twice a year where , if you want to volunteer to run one of those sessions , you can , and even though , again , there might be some elements of prepared speeches there , you never know quite what questions are going to come up or how you'll need to respond .

So Toastmasters really provides almost endless opportunities if you really want to practice this skill . As we start to wrap up this episode , I really hope that I've been able to show you why Impromptu Speaking is a skill that transcends the boundaries of professional and personal life .

It equips individuals with the ability to navigate unforeseen circumstances with confidence and poise , and Toastmasters , with its ProvenTrack record in Communication and Leadership Development Skills , offers a wonderfully nurturing environment for people like you to cultivate and refine your Impromptu Speaking skills .

As the business landscape becomes increasingly competitive , the importance of being able to communicate effectively in real time cannot be overstated . Toastmasters not only recognizes this need , but actively addresses it through its structured programs , supportive community and opportunities for continuous improvement .

By embracing the power of Impromptu Speaking and engaging with organizations like Toastmasters , I believe everyone can unlock their full communication potential and thrive in this ever-evolving global landscape . If you are ready to unlock your potential , consider joining a Toastmasters Club near you .

Check out the Find A Club link on the Toastmasters International website at wwwtoastmastersorg . It's worth visiting a couple of different clubs as a guest to see which club best suits you . If you do take the leap and visit a meeting , I would absolutely love to hear your experience .

Feel free to message me at talkativetoastmastercom or tag me in the comments if you found this podcast on YouTube , facebook , instagram or Twitter . Thanks for listening to today's show . Head to talkativetoastmastercom , where you'll find the show notes for this and all other episodes , as well as links to some awesome Toastmasters resources .

If you found value in today's content , I'd really appreciate if you could share it with friends and colleagues who may be interested or leave a review on iTunes . This helps more people to find us Until next time . Remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson All the great speakers were bad speakers at first . Have a great week .