Giving a speech is an art. That’s my firm belief. It’s art like singing or dancing – it’s the creation of a moment that has an impact on those who present and those who partake. When we’re faced with the most important speech we have to give – we need to have that same grace that only comes from lots of preparation and acute understanding of how to build on the basics.

Today on Toastmasters, we’re going to talk about the most important speech you have to give – and what I think it is in the Toastmasters Pathways education program.

INTRO

Do you need to give an important speech? Whether it’s a keynote, a commemoration, or a quick bridal toast, Toastmasters can help you. In an hour a week, we can teach you the skills you need to create a memorable presentation to achieve your goals. This is Toastmasters 101 and I’m your host, Kim Krajci

Your Important Speech

I don’t want to say it’s a stereotype. But we’ve learned to recognize that look. It’s a man, at a certain age, who comes to Toastmasters because… his daughter is getting married. He knows he needs to give a toast at the wedding reception and he knows he needs to do it well.

It may not be the most important speech of his career, but to him, this is the most important speech of his life.

His daughter certainly thinks so.

Here’s another – we don’t want to call it a stereotype, but we see this: a young professional who wants to move up in their career. They see the upcoming work presentation as a make or break critical point before their bosses and peers.

It may not be the most important speech of their lives, but right now, nothing comes close.

Here’s another – a successful mid-life person who has a lot to share but can’t seem to make the words work for them, or they’re afraid of that stage but the need to get their message out into the world is so compelling. The most important speech to them may look like the TED stage, or a keynote to their fellows in their field.

What’s your important speech?

Because speech is like singing or dance; it’s a performance and you want to do it right. Do it well. Do it perfectly.

Perfecting Your Important Speech?

If there’s one thing any speaker, Toastmaster or not, can tell you is:

There is no perfect speech. Every speech actually has three iterations:

The speech you prepared.
The speech you gave.
The speech you wished you’d given.

Regardless of how often you practice, something will happen and you’ll either stumble in some small way – or you’ll be in the middle of the speech and something will click – the audience’s chuckle or nodding agreement and you’ll f...