Spread You Wings
Take advantage of the many opportunities for leadership training
___________Steve Broe, DTM

Under a desert sky, the fledgling eagle looks out over the vast expanse. It's his world to conquer, as soon as he masters flight. In his own time, she'll look out over the valley of jackrabbits, coyotes and desert rats and make a decision: Time to fly! His wings will spread far and he will leap out of the nest. His first flight surely won't be perfect, but it will be the first of many. Rejoice and tremble, little desert animals, a new leader is created!

Perhaps you've heard the saying that leaders are made, not born. Like many other advanced living skills, leadership is a choice made by a few. The first few steps of the fledgling leader are uncertain, often comical, and occasionally ridiculed. Many gifted and creative workers never make the transition to leadership for many reasons: no mentor, poor confidence, or lack of support from friends and colleagues.

The Toastmasters organization is the perfect place to spread your wings and practice the first steps of leadership. Because we have a positive evaluation system, leaders should hear words of support and encouragement along with occasional construction criticism. We have excellent training programs. Many of our friends and peers have taken the same leadership steps before, and we can learn from their earlier flights.

Leadership is one of the least appreciated parts of the TI educational program. This is a disappointing truth. Around the world we have created a system of leadership training that involves volunteer relationships. And amazing things happen when our colleagues work toward a common goal! In my home state of Arizona, thousands of Toastmasters hold memorable speech contests, training programs, lively and life-changing conferences. And not one person receives a salary for participating in these activities! The lesson here: If you can meet a leadership challenge with a team in which no one gets paid, consider what you can offer your employer when career wages are part of the reward!

Wherever we go, leaders make a difference in the world. Ironically, wherever I look, I see people who can't even manage their departments. I've met frustrated corporate leaders who assumed their positions because of their seniority or quest for greater pay. Leadership is much more than just ordering people around. When true leaders do their jobs, the team members are honored to do their part.

For many Toastmasters, the first challenge of leadership is to serve as a club officer. Almost every club position offers special lessons and benefits. New members usually hold club officers in high esteem - and they view the president as practically a demigod. That is, if the officers take their roles seriously.

When I visit a strong club, I can be sure to find strong and caring leaders. When I visit a weak club, its leadership is usually the opposite. Not in all cases, of course - declining club membership also can be caused by external factors. But strong clubs never just "happen." When a club officers has carried out his or her job proudly - has promoted the Distinguished Club Plan and planned for success - the result is usually a legacy.

We give ribbons and certificates to our speakers. Why aren't our club officers recognized in a like spirit for their contributions? I wish more clubs would reward their outgoing president with a permanent plaque to memorialize their true dedication and leadership example. If they did, I believe many new members would assume the club leadership challenge and get to share in the deeper Toastmasters benefits.

If you've been a club leader - not just served the term, but made a difference - then consider becoming an area governor. I can honestly say that my year as area governor was one of the best in my 10-year Toastmasters career. As area governor, you are held to a position of responsibility with many people who don't know you as well as your club members do. Just as the growing speaker should transition from presenting before his home club to a winder audience, so too should the aspiring leader learn to broaden his or her sphere of influence.

One of the benefits of becoming an area governor was to meet so many dynamic, interesting Toastmasters leaders outside my club. For the first few years as a club member, I thought it was just the people in my club who were special. As area governor, I gained a new perspective: People everywhere are special, but Toastmasters leaders are some of the greatest in the world! The more time I spent with our District 3 leadership force, the more motivated I became to eventually become a part of this top team.

Do you have organizational talents, or would you like to build new ones? Then explore the many opportunities inherent in holding district leadership positions. After I spent a year as the district newsletter editor, I was asked to service as the district public relations officer. Again, I felt elation as I learned new skill in a supportive environment. I was trained by an international director, and I met public relations officers throughout the Southwest United States. At the end of my year, I believed I had done more than apprentice in the field of public relations. I knew I had made a difference to my team.
Many Toastmasters have talents in the areas of computers, marketing or graphic design. All these skills have organizational value: serving as a Toastmasters leader enhances the prestige and opportunity for these volunteers.

I have one final recommendation: If you really want to build leadership skills, then complete the High Performance Leadership manual as a personal challenge. You will begin by selecting a meaningful personal project, and then you'll choose a team to help you make the best leadership choices. I asked three Toastmasters leaders I really respect to advise me during my service as district public relations officer. These leaders, including the district governor and a past international director, became part of my consulting team. As I completed a project for the district, I received valuable feedback. I recommend this project for every Toastmaster who wants to be a dynamic, proven leader.

Our Toastmasters membership offers so many life-changing benefits. 
Becoming a great public speaker is the most common. As we mature as Toastmasters, we find that leadership responsibilities are often thrust on us, by virtue of our skill in public speaking. Take advantage of the many changes for leadership training - attend conferences, plan contests and serve on your district Council The only want to get the full value of the Toastmasters program is by volunteering to do something that is worthy of your time and enthusiasm.