A fatal flaw? The importance of the first impression.

I came across this blog entry today via Technorati. The author identifies what he calls a "major flaw" in the Toastmasters program: "You can't teach something if you are incompetent!" He goes on to describe his first visit to a Toastmasters club during which the club President gave a speech. His expectations were that an effective leader would be among the best speakers in the club, not a novice. What he observed indicates the opposite.

We as members should expect excellence from our leaders. We should expect that they perform at a higher level - after all, that's why we elected them! But we also realize that, like any of us members, they are also learning how to communicate effectively (as they simultaneously learn to lead effectively). Thus, there may be a wide gap between expectations and observations, between where a leader is and where we think he or she should be. Most of the time we can accept this as part of learning in a "living lab," where we have the luxury of making mistakes before we go out into the "real world" where it really counts.

Where it can be a fatal flaw is when the observer is a guest or new member. They can quickly become disillusioned and believe, as this blogger did, that Toastmasters has nothing to offer them. What our guests and new members expect is a system in which they can learn, safely "crash and burn" and recover to grow from positive, supportive feedback.




So what is this positive, supportive feedback? It is not the "social promotion" pat on the back, the "you're doing great; I can't find anything to comment on" whitewash. Positive, supportive feedback correctly recognizes the achievement the member made in preparing (assuming there is evidence of preparation) and delivering the speech. It also honestly outlines what went wrong and what needs focus for improvement. And one can only come up with such a list by focused, critical listening during the speech! Without this genuine honesty, the speaker will never grow or improve.

Take the first step in making your club an effective club. Make it a club that serves the best interests of the member by giving honest feedback during every evaluation. Make it a club that trains every member on effective evaluation techniques - approaches that are assertive, not aggressive. Make it a club where guests and members immediately see and understand the real benefit of practicing public speaking in a Toastmasters club: the opportunity for immediate, honest feedback delivered in a supportive manner. The opportunity for improved self-confidence and personal growth. After all, that's why every one of us joined - and stuck with - Toastmasters.