Stand Up, Speak Up, and Stand Out

Toastmasters? What’s a "toastmaster"?

If you’ve ever wondered that, you’re not alone. So did I, at one time. But before your mind wanders off to an image of a cook buttering toast at the local diner, let me explain.

Toastmasters International has been around since 1924. It’s a non-profit organization that operates clubs worldwide that are designed to help members improve their public speaking and leadership skills.

It’s that last part – “improve their public speaking and leadership skills” – that drew me to a local Toastmasters chapter a few years ago.

Mike Boyd (L) and Dave Hess of Creative Source.*

Our business was growing at Creative Source, and, as president, I had to grow, too. We wanted to be known for more than just signs, displays and banners. We wanted to be known as a business resource for creative branding solutions of all kinds.

That required changing our message, and communicating it to our target market. In addition to joining Toastmasters, I participated in sales training sessions and began networking anywhere and with everyone I could.

Here’s the kicker: At the time, I thought I was doing all of that for me. And, to some extent, I was. Over time, however, I realized that the training I was going through was also putting me in a position help others.

Ultimately, that’s the most important part. Because it’s when we help others, and mentor others, that we truly stand out.

That really hit home for me when my daughter went off to college at Ohio State. She’s graduated now, but back then—due in large part to the new perspective I was gaining—I was able to describe college to her from a different viewpoint.

“This is the biggest networking event of your life,” I told her. “Every day you’ll be in the middle of 50,000 students, plus countless professionals who can help you get the most out of your college experience. Make the most of it.”

Instead of just thinking of college as a place where she could take some classes and party with friends, she followed my advice and built relationships throughout her four years there. Now, she works in communications for the university and is applying to graduate school.

We can have the same effect on everyone we come in contact with. Call it giving back. Or paying it forward. Whatever terminology we want to use, the key is sharing our knowledge and experience to benefit others.

That’s the kind of thing I’ve learned through organizations like Toastmasters. Stand up. Speak up. Turn your focus outward instead of inward. Not only will you be better for it, but the benefit you provide to others will make you truly stand out in the marketplace.

*Photo courtesy The Repository, Canton Ohio

MIKE BOYD is president of Creative Source,

a marketing solutions company in Canton, Ohio. Click here to visit them online.