C O M M U N I T Y | VO I C E
Finding My Voice WORDS URSULA WILLIAMS ILLUSTRATION TANIA VICEDO
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ith sweaty palms and knocking knees, I step up to the microphone. “Ahh…umm…I think…like….” I race through my speech as quickly as I can and sit down. Red-faced, I stare at my hands. Being shy, I was never a good public speaker. I thought it just came naturally to extroverted people. Plus, I always worked better behind the scenes anyway. Or was that a story I had been telling myself? Playing small never served anyone well. In work or at home, if you can’t communicate your ideas effectively (however brilliant they may be), you’ll never convince people to follow you. British motivational business speaker Rob Brown summed it up well: “If you can speak, you can influence. If you can influence, you can change lives.” We have a short time on this planet, and we can all make a difference in some way. I realized that if I was to share all my ideas and thoughts—and influence the world around me—I needed to be-
come a better speaker. And the only way to do that was to learn and practice. In October 2020, I joined the TAC Toastmasters Club. I wanted to make friends, network and improve my public speaking skills. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into my first meeting. I was handed a microphone and asked an impromptu question like in a Miss Universe-style Q&A. Standing up to speak felt like the start of a rollercoaster ride. A bundle of nerves, followed by a mix of terror and excitement, and a rush of exhilaration when it was all over. I had done it—and felt stronger for it. I came back the next month. And the month after that. I forced myself to keep getting on that rollercoaster. But instead of squeezing my eyes shut when the car reached the top, I slowly began to look around and take in the view. Everyone at our monthly luncheons wants to improve their public speaking skills. We’re just at different stages of that journey. I have now completed multiple speeches and have taken on the role of vice president of PR and
events. Working with Pueyen Lee, president of the TAC Toastmasters Club, I have been introducing new formats and fun themes to our meetings. Not only has Toastmasters boosted my confidence when standing in front of an audience, it has allowed me to practice my leadership skills in a safe space. “All the best speakers were bad speakers at first,” American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote. Some people might seem like naturals, but true skill is only achieved through dedicated practice. As you think about your resolutions for 2022, consider putting “improving my public speaking skills” on your list. It doesn’t matter if you are not planning on giving any keynote speeches. The ability to tell stories and share your thoughts in a compelling way can enhance both your professional and personal lives. Jump on that rollercoaster. It’s a wild ride. Ursula Williams is a member of the TAC Toastmasters Club.
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