Sandesh Banger, DTM

Having worked in corporates for nearly 10 years, I understand that a corporate setting is quite competitive.Togrowinsuchanenvironment,one needs to have an edge over others. Toastmasters helpyoubuildthatedgebybeing:

1)Enterprising–beingenterprising(venturingout and participating in organization-wide activities, taking lead even when it’s not your turn, being proactiveanddriven)helpsyoustandout.Itgives you immense visibility in the organization, help build connections, and foster a confidence in othersthattheycandependonyou.

Toastmasters help you do that by providing opportunities to lead, host and participate in events of different magnitudes. It helps you go beyond your comfort zone, and still feel safe. It makes you confident to grab bigger opportunities atyourworkplace

2) Effective leader– most young professionals work as a team member and don’t relate with the challengesofleadingateamuntilafewyearsinto their career. Toastmasters give them an early advantage of leading teams, collaborating, planning and executing. It gives them positions of responsibility and help them mature much early intoaleadershiprole.

3) Eloquent - the ability to put across your ideas clearly, converse with stakeholders confidently, and communicate with your team succinctly is an asset that sets you apart. While Toastmasters’ pathways program focuses on 300 such competencies,theweeklyorbiweeklyToastmaster meetings provide ample opportunities to speak and refine one’s communication skills, in an environmentthatissupportiveandencouraging.

Overall, Toastmasters is a winning formula in a corporate setting. It helps employees create their unique identity and help them build an edge over others. It also helps employers provide an environment to their employees where they can feelsafeandhonetheirskills.