Toastmasters’ club meetings emphasize the importance of speech
evaluations and designate certain individuals to listen for proper
grammar and filler words. Personally and professionally, I knew
I needed to be a better listener, because I had a reputation for periodically
speaking over people as they spoke. The habit was not to be
disrespectful, but was often an attempt to rush out my own words
while they were fresh in my head. However, I had never correlated the
importance of public speaking with listening. With a larger group of
people, especially during question-and-answer sessions, Toastmasters
training gave me more restraint in the business environment. I began
to actively listen to the questions and then thoughtfully try to answer
them.
In addition to Q&A sessions, I started listening not only with my
ears, but with my eyes. My observation skills were becoming honed
because I needed to adjust to audience reactions during my presentations,
whether it was by seeing sighs, yawns, closed eyes, or even no
reaction at all. Altering presentation and delivery to adapt to audience
needs, even in mid-stream, helps not only with the present speech,
but with future versions of that same speech. Additionally, becoming
a better listener has made me a better communicator all around. This
more holistic communication approach, including speaking and listening,
has increased my confidence and made me more adept in the
business setting.
Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):
- Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
- Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
- Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
- The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
- From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
- The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood
See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com. Book, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com