In the vast sea of resources available on becoming a stronger public speaker, one powerful influence rarely discussed is the support of a friend, colleague, or fellow Toastmaster. Taking a cue from your parents and simply showing up with a smile and a “go you!” face is a good start, but there are more specific ways—before, during, and after the speech—to elevate your support.

Toastmasters, some say, is the best-kept secret in town. And some people who join imagine they’re in a secret group, where everything that happens in the club stays in the club. Quite the contrary: Toastmasters is not a secret club to prepare and present pretty speeches, but is instead a training platform for going out into the “real world” and benefiting from your improved communication and leadership skills.  

Leadership cannot be learned in a day. It takes practice. In Toastmasters, members learn leadership skills by organizing and conducting meetings, and by completing education projects. The projects address skills such as listening, planning, team-building, and motivating others, and they give members the opportunity to practice such skills. Just as Toastmasters members learn to speak by speaking, they learn leadership by leading.