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Our top 10 tips on winning an argument Develop better relationship skills
The Team of 2015 Get to know our team members for this year & learn about their plans for the year
Issue 2 February 2015
president‘s letter
BE BETTER IN 2015 GET GOING NOW
T
he highly anticipated New Year has come and gone. We have now hit the shortest month of the year before spring arrives. So much has happened and it’s only the start of the year! I took part in the JCI UK national community £1 a day project. The aim is raise awareness in line with Millennium Development Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty. Currently there are 1.2 billion worldwide people currently living in extreme poverty. Funds raised from this project are donated to Save the Children for projects delivered in the UK and abroad.
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It’s about disruptive innovation and the hard, long, committed work it takes from many dedicated people to catalyze, create and sustain culture change. The role of a citizen is equally as important as that of a leader.
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This is quite a highly charge debate. Can you really create three a meals day on such meagre amount of money? The answer is yes! I have completed this challenge twice; unfortunately I had to stop half through this year. I really struggled to manage my meal planning and the number of engagements I had to attend this time around. If you missed the challenge this year, I really encourage everyone to take part next year. Picture my badge and picture from the movie. The highlight of the last month (while still on the £1 a day challenge) was my invite to the private screening of the movie at the American Embassy. Followed by panel debate with Operation Black vote, since we have the general elections are on the horizon. It was a very lively debate.
a month with JCI London While the free wine, soft drinks were flowing and popcorn. I held out and sipped my tap water and networked before the screening. I promise you it’s the most powerful film you’ll see this year, and a ‘must watch’ for anyone interested in developing their leadership skills. I certainly learnt a lot and thought I would share my top five insights from the movie. Leaders are essential. Leaders do not make movements, but successful movements require leaders. As we see time and again throughout “Selma,” movements must have someone who is entrusted with the authority to make final decisions on strategy, to know when to advance and when to retreat, to soothe the activists in times of sorrow and to speak clearly to the outside world at critical moments Disruptive Innovation It’s about disruptive innovation and the hard, long, committed work it takes from many dedicated people to catalyze, create and sustain culture change. But far from all it takes dedication to create anything of lasting value. The role of a citizen is equally as important as that of a leader. In the movie, the people, the followers, and the ordinary everyday people, showed that they were as hungry, eager and determined for change as Martin Luther King himself. Real change starts from the bottom up, not the other way round. I would recommend reviewing Chude Jideonwo in his TEDx talk, highlights the importance of the office of the citizen.
Feel fear, but do it anyway Perhaps my favourite scene in the movie is during the second march from Selma to Montgomery, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Martin Luther King, along with thousands of people march towards hostile state trooper, armed with tear gas, whips and batons. The same troopers, who had just days before wounded, maimed and bludgeoned black people attempting to do the same thing. You can see the fear on his face, the apprehension, the anxiety, the slight flicker of doubt, but because he believes in what he wants to do, he goes ahead and presses forward. That to me is one of the marks of great leaders; the ones who feel fear, but are convicted enough to do it anyway. We have a Social Responsibility to Do More Not only did Dr. King remind America that they had a responsibility to their fellow man to get involved, but he also confronted them when they thought they had done enough— most notably with the President. Johnson had done a lot to help the African-American cause. He had supported desegregation and the right to vote, etc. He had done a lot and was content with that, but King knew he could do more. He didn’t let Johnson believe the lie that he had done all he could do. He was the President of the United States. He could do more. He could stop people from expressing their hatred; he could stop the violence. Selma is a powerful movie that teaches that us some important lessons. Do yourself a favour and see it. If you have seen the movie how were you moved by the film and what are you doing to differently in 2015?
Soraya Bowen
JCI London President Email: sorayab@jcilondon.org.uk
Forward Magazine Issue 1 January 2015 3
contents
8
Meet the team Learn all about their plans
20 How to...
Develop better relationship skills
22 Be Better Our top 10 tips on debating 24 JCI benefits of Public Speaking 26 Thirsty Thursday Our favorite networking event
Forward Magazine Issue 2 February 2015 4
Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. - Og Mandino
Forward Magazine Issue 1 January 2015 2
MEET THE TEAM
LEARN ALL ABOUT THEIR PLANS Soraya Bowen
JCI position in 2015 President Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I joined JCI back in September 2010 when I was facing redundancy and needed rethink my career direction. I attending a JCI London event focusing on international events and opportunities available via JCI. As soon as entered the room I loved the vibe and left the information session full of enthusiasm of what was offer. I completed my membership form that week, applied to join the incoming 2011 council and the rest is history! Occupation: Community Development Officer Biggest Personal Achievement up to date Work in progress but the highlight of my JCI career winning JCI World Most Outstanding
New Member in 2013. I also won JCI UK Most Outstanding Preparation for Deputy President 2014 Describe JCI in three words Opportunity, Fun, Personal growth Describe yourself in three words Resilient, fun, challenging Favourite inspirational quote ‘Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t’ A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: Call me to meet for a drink and I’ll happily share one or two stories. Why did you get involved in the council 2015? It was a natural progression from taking on the role of deputy this year to move up and take on the President’s 10) Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. We are celebrating 100 years of JCI. Why not attend our ‘Kick off’ meeting in January. This is an opportunity to find out more and get involved in celebrating JCI with us!
Forward Magazine Issue 1 January 2015 8
Rafael
Tselikas-Mauro
JCI position in 2015 Deputy President Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I joined JCI in April 2012 and got involved initially with the public speaking club. I was looking to join and contribute to an organisation that is active in creating positive impact. I attended several events, met some inspiring members and felt this was the right place for me to get involved. Occupation: Business Development Manager Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: I am working on it. Describe JCI in three words: Inspiring, Great, Leading Describe yourself in three words: International, Curious, Persevering Favourite inspirational quote: ‘A journey of a thousand miles become with a single step’ by Lao Tzu A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: When I was a kid, the first time I really walked, I grabbed a tree stick in my hand during a walk and believed it was a handrail. This gave me the belief I could walk, but in fact, I didn’t need any handrail or tree stick. Somehow I hold this memory but I still need to check with my Mum though if this is a true story or not! :) Why did you get involved in the council 2015? Since I joined JCI in April 2012, I have met great people, worked with amazing teams, been involved in inspiring projects and developed new skills. I want to keep challenging myself to grow and also use what I learned within the organisation to bring JCI London to the next level. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. Together with my partner we are planning to start our little family next year!
Dexter Dash
JCI position in 2015: Immediate Past President Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? 2011 to meet people Occupation: Architect Biggest Personal Achievement up to date:
Getting engaged Describe JCI in three words: By members 4 members (4’s a number) Describe yourself in three words: Rebelliously 2 big 4 3 words (2,3,4 are numbers) Favourite inspirational quote: When we live in the world from a place of genuine self worth ‘... when we believe we are “enough”..’ we stop screaming and start listening, we’re kinder and gentler to the people around us, and we’re kinder and gentler to ourselves. Brene Brown Why did you get involved in the council 2015? Presidential responsibility to serve as IPP.
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Loredana Toader
JCI position in 2015: JCI London Training Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? In Feb 2012 because I wanted to do more interesting/challenging activities outside my work and also meet and interact with a more diverse group of people.
Occupation: In my job I get involved in marketing, business development, selling and business analysis. My company offers business analysis and agile training. Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: Living in London and being able to travel to so many places and discovering the world and its diversity. Describe JCI in three words: Challenging, supportive and diverse Describe yourself in three words: Tenacious, adventurous and curious Favourite inspirational quote: “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.” A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: In 2012 I attended a training organised by JCI London on negotiation and the expert named Derek told us though personal funny stories that everything is negotiable. One week after this training I was on Oxford Street shopping for shoes. I entered into this shop, I won’t say the name but it is a high quality and an expensive brand. After 30 minutes of trying different shoes on I set my heart on this pair that were discounted by 50%. The shop assistant obviously didn’t miss her up-selling training and immediately brought me 4 bags that matched the shoes perfectly. Normally I don’t let myself easily tempted and but this time I just couldn’t say no to this bag.Such a big dilemma espe-
cially when extravagant expensive shopping was not on my list. While I was deciding I remembered my training and I thought why not give it a try? I went to the shop assistant and asked her if I would get a special price if I buy both the shoes and the bag? After all she suggested it, I never even mentioned I wanted a bag. She said no as the shoes I was buying were already discounted. I said can you please ask your manager? She took me to her manager and I asked the manager if she can she give me a £50 off if I buy both items? She said she can’t give me £50 but she can give me £30 off and I thought to myself” wow that was easy, never realized you can negotiate in a shop before”. Before I said yes to the deal I had another look at the bag and I noticed a scratch. It was not bad or visible without looking carefully. I said to the manager “sorry but this bag has a scratch”. The manager look at it and said ok you can have £50 off but I said sorry I want a bigger discount how about £70? She said ok immediately. Why did you get involved in the council 2015? In September I took part in LEAP, a program that I highly recommend to any JCI member. The program and the people I met there made me realize why I like JCI so much and the amazing things that people in this organisation do. I got inspired and I decided I want to do more. I am also curious to see what I am capable of and how much can I stretch myself. I see it as a journey full of unexpected surprises and with an unknown destination. I hope to meet lots of people willing to take the journey with me. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. The theme that I set up for the training this year is “Discover the leader in you” and I am happy that a lot of people liked it and it inspired them. It is about being open to new challenges. Some events that members can attend are the public speaking club, the debating training, the JCI Impact and Achieve in January. More exciting training will be announced soon so please check further JCI London emails.
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Thi Ri Aung
JCI position in 2015 Finance Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I got involved in JCI because I know I would be able to connect with other driven and dedicated young professionals through this network and collaborate to contribute or make a difference in whichever ways we could in our areas of interest while developing ourselves professionally and personally. Occupation Accountant Biggest Personal Achievement up to date
Becoming a mentally stronger and physically healthier person. Describe JCI in three words Inspirational professional environment Describe yourself in three words Positive dedicated individual Favourite inspirational quote “You can’t hire someone else to do your pushups for you.” Jim Rohn Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I want to contribute to the Local Chamber and work to the best of my ability to help meet the Chamber’s objectives. I also think that this is a great opportunity for me to grow professionally as well as personally. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. Planning to bring my little boy to London for a visit in 2015.
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Zack Young
JCI position in 2015 Business Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I’ve been involved with JCI since early 2014 and joined members of the local and national chapters on various national events including the Public Speaking Academy & LEAP, I also attended the European Conference in Malta (which was life-changing). Occupation I’m an entrepreneur having founded several businesses. Biggest Personal Achievement up to date My business Cherry Bird was a chapter of my life I’ll never forget. Trying to solve a personal pain by building a business, joining an accelerator at Google Campus then raising investment. It was a journey which
Describe JCI in three words Community, Empower, Growth Describe yourself in three words Driven, Loyal, Focussed Favourite inspirational quote “I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect and beautiful journey of my life. It’s a trip more wonderful than I could have imagined.” - Kerry Washington I love this quote because it reminds me that life is one messy journey which is beautiful in itself and that half of the journey is just showing up. A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: Stories are for speaking and I look forward to sharing one in conversation. Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I want to ensure that JCI evolves and steps up the game with business - it’s a fast moving landscape. We’re so lucky to be in London, with so many exciting projects happening around this glorious city.
Nisaa Jetha
JCI position in 2015 Community Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I would like to be part of an organisation that brings liked minded young professionals together. Occupation: Legal Profession Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: Last year I embarked on the “Challenge for Life” trek for disaster relief. I climbed Mt Kinabalu, cycled through Borneo for 3 days (at times for 9 hours a day) then white-water rafted for two days and ended at the South China Sea. Describe JCI in three words: Inspiring, International, Transparent Describe yourself in three words: Driven, Compassionate, Curious Favourite inspirational quote: “If you torture the data long enough Nature will confess” - Ronald Coase (Economist) A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: I have lived in France, Spain, UAE, USA, Canada and the UK all within the last 10 years. Why did you get involved in the council 2015? JCI as an organisation has consultative status with UNESCO, The Council of Europe and various other bodies. It is also part of the Chamber of Commerce which provides a platform to facilitate change on a local level by gaining global presence. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. Bringing back the £1 A Day Challenge and addressing poverty issues within the UK alongside global initiatives by creating strategic partnerships.
Ana Karina Andrade Giese
JCI position in 2015: JCI London to Ghana Project Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I joined JCI London in October 2014. At the time I have been living in London for just 6 month. I initially joined JCI London in order to meet new people, turns out that it offered me a lot more than that. Occupation: Business Development Biggest Personal Achievement: My biggest personal achievement will be finalising my project JCI London to Ghana. Describe JCI in three words: Self-development, inspirational, opportunity Describe yourself in three words: loyal, determined, and dedicated Favourite inspirational quote: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!” Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I was lucky to meet Rafael who I met through work. He is the one who told me all about JCI and the great opportunities it offers. After attending a few JCI Socials and Events I realised that being part of the council will expose me to a variety of challenges which will help my personal development. It is also a great platform to meet interesting and inspirational people worldwide. Last but not least I wanted to be part of a community whose aim it is to create a positive impact in the world. JCI offers me all that. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. Every child deserves the right to a good education, no matter where they live in the world but with 50% of the world’s children of primary school age living in conflict-affected areas, this right is sadly not a reality. At JCI London we want to change this situation, one small step at a time. In line with the UN Millennium Development Goal No. 2, our “Brighten your Corner” project is planning to help the delivery of a better primary education for the children at LA Primary School in Accra, Ghana by providing books and educational materials for their library.
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Chloé Bost
JCI position in 2015: Social Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I heard about JCI through one of my colleague who is a Glasgow member. I was intrigued and I went to my first presentation two month ago, where I discovered everything that JCI can brings you, and I was hooked.I wanted to be involved to be part of this community. Occupation: Regulatory Affairs Consultant Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: Still working on this one Describe JCI in three words: Let’s grow together Describe yourself in three words: Creative, enthusiastic. And, ahem, stubborn Favourite inspirational quote: “Do or do not. There is no try” - Yoda Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I wanted to get involved as soon as I joined JCI, and I had right away the opportunity to apply to a Director role soon after joining. So I jumped on it Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. I have few ideas that I prefer to keep as a surprise, but I can tell you that I plan to organise original/quirky/fun/unusual events
Immaculate Birungi
JCI position in 2015: Membership Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? For me, 2014 has been such an amazing year. JCI is a phenomenal development platform and this year, I had the opportunity of
Iman Kayali
JCI position in 2015: Executive Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? I joined JCI two months ago, as I want to network, make new friends, and develop personally and professionally Occupation: Credit Controller Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: My master degree (MBA) , University of Bath, 2013. Describe JCI in three words: Empowerment, Network, International Describe yourself in three words: Active, Positive, and Kind Heart Favourite inspirational quote: “And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years’’ Abraham Lincoln Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I want to be an active member in the council, play a leading role, share my knowledge and experience, and acquire new skills Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. I want to know more about JCI and its projects, and by the time, I am sure I will have exciting things to plan and put in practice.
attending LEAP which I truly enjoyed and where I developed the desire to make a difference by contributing to the growth of our Chamber as a Membership Director and I believe this will be a great opportunity to work collaboratively with the awesome Team 2015 where together we will enlighten the experiences of our members and guests to make an impact, thus sharing “The best kept secret...” which is being a JAYCEE.....! Outside of JCI, I am a Credit Control Manager With The Freshwater Group of Companies.
JCI London Issue 2 February 2015 14
David Khanna
JCI position in 2015: Strategic Partnership Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? Autumn 2013 – Superhero’s Series. I was looking for a new challenge, a professional network and to develop. JCI ticked all those boxes and more. Occupation Director at Arolite Ltd Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: Cycling 300 Miles in 36 Hours from London to Amsterdam in aid of the Stroke Assosiation. Describe JCI in three words A game changer. Describe yourself in three words Passionate. Driven. Thoughtful. Favourite inspirational quote. Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not and add what is uniquely your own. Bruce Lee. I’m currently building my inspirational story. Why did you get involved in the council 2015? I developed a passion for JCIL in a short space of time and now I have the opportunity to help strengthen it for the future. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. Developing shared events/networking opportunities for JCI members with other professional organisations in London.
JCI London Issue 11 November 2014 6
JCI London Issue 11 November 2014 11
Marise Westbroek
JCI position in 2015: Peace One Day Director Why and when did you get involved in JCI London? The JCI mix of personal development and cross-disciplinary teamwork for charity seemed just perfect. I joined as soon as I moved to London, in October 2014. Occupation: PhD candidate in Physics at Imperial College London Biggest Personal Achievement up to date: Upon a rejection from Cambridge Part I Natural Sciences, which gave me a strong sense of defeat, I put in three years of hard work at Utrecht University, made it into Part III Physics and completed the degree. This experience has taught me that I can do things, which, really, I can’t. Describe JCI in three words: Welcoming, inspirational, enabling Describe yourself in three words: Broad, driven, caring Favourite inspirational quote: ‘I have one great fear. Mediocrity.’ (from a good friend) A funny/inspirational story that you want to share: During a gap year partly spent volunteering at a primary school in Kenya I had the idea of sponsoring a girl through secondary school. Funds were generously provided by my family and friends. When the girl’s mother heard the good news, she knelt, prayed, and whispered that I must be sent from above. I was deeply touched by the beauty of such gratitude. Why did you get involved in [Peace One Day] 2015? I was looking for a way to get involved in JCI when I found myself sitting next to none other than Rafael at the National Convention’s gala dinner. I loved the funny way of raising awareness for a serious cause and the international JCI collaboration. And of course, being in charge is a great challenge. Tell us one exciting thing you are planning. At JCI, I rediscovered public speaking, a hobby I abandoned before I finished school. I have had my first day of training with Pony Express and am planning to join Toastmasters and register for the College of London public speaking competition.
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HOW TO...
DEVELOP BETTER RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
I
would like to take the time to have a little chat with you about relationships of the intimate kind. I know if we where to have this discussion face to face it might be quite uncomfortable so please allow me to write this letter to you.
bound to uphold them. The notion of seeking happiness and self fulfilment is a fairly new one emerging out of the enlightenment a couple of hundred years ago: http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
The couples of today thus live in an exciting You see I would like to tell you about the new time in an environment different from past idea of relationship skills. It’s still quite new it generations: seems. Most of us begin our long-term relationships with some ideas of how to build them for happiness but • The couples of even that is a fairly new today are much more idea as well. That’s beatomic. Technology and “If you choose to build a longcause relationships have urbanization make us term relationship with a changed a lot in the past travel further in pursuit partner (or even several) it few generations. of careers. Where just pays to develop focused a couple of generations skills to do that.” If we look towards the ago we would have had past to our parents, grand the support of our comparents and beyond we munity and extended may notice some of these family now we have to changes: rely much more on our partner. • In the past people where kept together for • The barriers to exit are lowering. We have survival reasons. There was a lot less ecofewer reasons to stay in a relationship if we nomic opportunity and stability for a single are unhappy and more permission from our woman so the prospect of a descent into culture to try out several relationships in our poverty and hunger made people stick tolifetime. gether regardless of how happy they where • The industry of relationship skills has been together. born and it’s growing. My personal opinion • The social pressure against divorce and is that we are witnessing its infancy. towards marriage was very high. Once your place in society, your wealth and standing So dear reader it seems that today, if you are linked to your status as married and you choose to build a long-term relationship with a stand to loose a great deal when divorcing, partner (or even several :) ) it pays to develop if you could even do that. focused skills to do that. I have been an en• The cultural values where towards duty and thusiastic scholar of relationships for at least not self-fulfilment. Both men and women 10 years now, avidly searching and examining where assigned roles and they where duty this beautiful and fascinating realm. I do not Forward Magazine Issue 2 February 2015 20
consider myself a relationship expert nor am I a relationship counsellor. I am just an enthusiastic scholar eager to share what I have learned. I have learned that it is difficult to educate adults about relationships mainly because they do not think they need such education. We tend to jump in and only seek help when we are suffering deeply, when the pain we feel outweighs the taboos against speaking out and seeking help. I also learned that we do not much talk about what really goes on inside our intimate lives. It’s very uncomfortable; there is a lot of shame and taboo walls preventing us to. Nevertheless I am optimistic, as these challenges seem to start being addressed and chipped away at. If I could wave a magic wand and give people just a few skills before they start a relationship, a guide book if you will, I would share with them the following. • I would talk to them about compatibility. I really makes sense to check that you see eye to eye on some of the big life questions with someone you intend to spend a long time with: http://youtu.be/9CkeDucTMHk • I would emphasize emotional support. Now that we are more connected but more alone than before it would be lovely if we develop some of the facets of giving an receiving affection: http://youtu.be/7t_h3vWYpEw • I would talk to them at length about the erotic. About giving and receiving pleasure. About how it waxes and wanes and
evolves: http://youtu.be/_E1n7tyNaHY And lastly, as much as it pains me I would speak about abuse. I understand why so little has been spoken about it and why it is so poorly understood. Yet it is so very common. It touches all our lives and we all are forced to make concessions to it. In the context of relationships I would at least speak about how to recognize it early and how to limit it’s severity. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS19H2_I0ANmWbpTTMCx_Q3ol_ XDdCPzu http://youtu.be/ybgMuxpKIB0 Thank you dear reader for taking the time to sit down with me for this chat. I hope you enjoyed it so far. I know I haven’t given you a lot of time to reply while I was sharing what was on my mind. I do want to listen to you though. Almost all of what I have learned so far was from people like you, directly or indirectly telling me their stories, the valuable lessons they have learned. Enough so that I decided to build a home for such stories … ah but more on that next time, Now is your turn to speak :) https://twitter.com/TheRDLCurator https://www.facebook.com/therdl Sincerely,
The RDL Curator www.therdl.com
BE BETTER
Our top 10 tips on winning a debate
D
ebating is not only used in parliament and it is more than just winning. Having a good argument helps you bring your stnad point accross and of course also lets you beat your friends and collegues in debates. Here are our top tips on debating - even winning the JCI Wolrd Champoinship.
1. Matter is what you say – the arguments
you make and the evidence you show to support them. It doesn’t matter how well you speak, if it isn’t solid it won’t stand up to counter arguments. Make sure you’ve thought about all the arguments against you – if you don’t, your opponents will!
2. Manner is how you say it. There are a few techniques that make any speaker more engaging: make eye contact with the audience, don’t speak too quickly and don’t just read from your notes!
3. Method is the way you put everything
together. Is your speech in the right order, so your arguments follow on from each other? If you’re part of a team, is each member taking a different approach, and how do they fit together? A good debater needs to work on all three of these factors: none of them will win a debate on their own, but they can all make you lose it!
4. Know the structure. There are lots of
different kinds of debate, so make sure you find out what to expect. It’s hard to prepare if you don’t know what you’re preparing for!
5. Be bold! The most important thing is that you are confident about the argument you’re
giving. This can be hard, especially if you’re asked to argue a side you don’t agree with. But don’t let it show!
6. Link your arguments. No matter what
event and what topic, everything comes down to internal links. How does one argument connect to another? If it doesn’t seem to make sense to you, chances are it’s because it actually doesn’t make sense. Figure out where the logical breakdown is, and explain that.
7. Simply state the opposite. The
strategy of just asserting the contrary is surprisingly underutilized. Sometimes, the best argument is simply “no, the opposite.” If they say “economic growth is good,” why not say “economic growth is bad?” You should always be ready for that direct clash.
8. Facts & Figures Knowing your stuff can boost confidence levels, although some people have been known to fake it until they make it - something we don’t advise in debating. Instead, call your opponent’s bluff by checking their facts, too.
9. Keep emotions in check. While
unruly emotions may rear their ugly heads during heated arguments, arguing without emotion is impossible (and kind of pointless). Instead, keep emotions under control, or use them to sway your opponent if you think they‘ll bite.
10. Listen. By perking up your ears to your
fellow debater‘s argument, you can refine your own. Also, those who take the time to listen before they speak appear in control, according to psychiatrist and author Julian Short.
Forward Magazine Issue 2 February 2015 23
JCI BENEFITS OF Public Speaking By Epi Mabika, JCI member
E
ffective Communication is crucial in the survival and enhancement of any society. Speaking well can save your job, relationships, businesses and life itself as you learn to do so with influence, persuasion and power. One of the ways society is changed is through the power of speech and this is evidenced by great leaders such as: Obama, Dr. King, Ghandi, Thatcher, Steve Jobs and Oprah who are and were great communicators. A practical way of improving your own leadership skills is by improving your public speaking and communication skills. Powerful presentations come from expressing what you know effectively, noting that it’s not just what you say, but how you say it too. Effective Public speaking can therefore help you in the following ways: • Improve your critical thinking and impromptu speaking. This is a necessary skill that could differentiate between a job promotion or lack thereof. It helps you examine the positive and negative consequences of your solutions and then communicate your ideas to others • Improve communication skills- both verbal and non-verbal • Increase professional credibility and intellectual capital. You position yourself as an influencer and thought leader in your field, providing ideas and solutions • Boost self esteem and confidence • Make new social connections- great place to network and meet other people who share your interests. • Career advancement- A sharpening of leadership skills, creativity and poise, leading to a possible pay rise or increase in sales,
as you articulate yourself better in making negotiations with confidence As you know, public speaking is ranked one of the highest fears in life, however once these skills are mastered through practice, you can disempower that anxiety and get to a place of speaking with confidence and ease. It is therefore important to set yourself public speaking goals in order to monitor your progress over a set period of time. When targets are set, periodic evaluation can help you see what areas you need to improve or adjust in relation to your targets, for example monitoring your vocal variety; hand gestures, eye contact, voice intonation, use of filler words (um’s and ah’s), articulation or clarity of speech to name a few. One way of achieving these goals is through joining the JCI Public Speaking Club: Our club is young, fresh, fun and friendly! We create a conducive climate for growth and provide support and accountability towards each other’s targets. We are all learners and leaders in our own right, with a wide range of speakers from beginners to intermediate and advanced speakers, so you never feel out of place. You get to practice in a safe, non- judgmental environment to get constructive feedback and chance to get over any speaking anxieties. Every member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. The objective is to learn how to formulate, express and sell your ideas and yourself with poise and confidence. You will also improve your ability to listen and evaluate other’s ideas as well, thereby enhancing your own leadership skills. For more information about our cub, contact Lori Toader Recommended Reading: “Speak to Win” Book by Brian Tracy
Forward Magazine Issue 2 February 2015 24
ing k o w t Ne every h mont
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