Have you ever walked into a situation where “pandemonium” and “disorganization” and “Who’s running this mess?” crosses your mind? (I hope it wasn’t a Toastmasters meeting.) You know there’s a leadership problem when you find yourself in this place. People aren’t doing the work, or it’s unclear what they’re supposed to do. Fortunately, in Toastmasters, we have some leadership roles that should prevent that chaos. Today on Toastmasters 101 podcast, we’re talking about how Toastmasters clubs work.

INTRO

How do you develop your leadership skills? Are you looking for simple steps that stretch you slowly but teach you in a safe place to find the leader inside you? Then you need Toastmasters. We will give you the training and opportunities to become a leader. This is Toastmasters 101 and I’m your host, Kim Krajci.

Toastmasters: Where Leaders Are Made

Leadership doesn’t come naturally for everyone. We all know those charismatic people who draw followers. It’s not just Instagram influencers. I’ve met a few young people in my life that became leaders in the schools or social groups without any specific training.

I never thought of myself as a leader. I’m just inviting my friends to come along and do things with me. But that threatened the leadership of an organization I was a part of and they wanted me out. I went to my friends and family and asked “Am I a leader?” and pretty much everyone laughed at me and said, “Of course you’re a leader.”

It took me quite a while to believe them.

Leadership is one of those success metrics that gurus talk about. Leaders get the money. Leaders get the power. Leaders define success.

Um… no? Yes?

If I was a leader in that organization, I didn’t have any of them. No power, no money, no success. But apparently, I did have some influence that threatened those who had the titles.

At that time – which was long before I joined Toastmasters – I didn’t understand leadership and power. I’m not sure I do yet. But what I do know is that I probably would have handled that situation differently now because I’ve gotten leadership experience in Toastmasters. What’s more, I didn’t even really think that I was getting it at the time.

Starting at the Bottom

I was willing to become a club officer. I just didn’t want one that I knew I could seriously harm the club. My choice was to be the Sergeant at Arms. It’s the lowest ranking officer in the club. How much damage could I do?

I personally also believe it’s the most important. Without the SAA, we didn’t have a meeting site OR the equipment to hold the meeting OR the materials we needed to make it a successful meeting.

I can manage stuff, I thought. At that time, the meetings were held in an office building every Thursday morning at 7:30 am. We did not store our materials on site. I had to haul everything in and out for ever...