At last Thursday’s meeting, I gave a
speech on how I have benefited from being a part of the Board of Directors
of Warner Center Toastmasters. I
also encouraged all of you to consider being on the Board of our wonderful
club. Unfortunately, one of
the issues that prevents many of us from seeking leadership positions is
the feeling that we are not inherently leaders.
Dr. Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of USC’s Marshall School of
Business and author of more than 20 books on the subject of leadership,
has said, “The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born —
that there is a genetic factor to leadership.
That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true.
Leaders are made rather than born.”
W
hen I became VP of Membership, I had no idea what the position
entailed. I thought it was
just signing up new members and updating the Roster.
Needless to say, it was more involved than that.
The good news is that from the very beginning I was never left to my own devices. I
was never just given a packet of materials and told, “Read this and do
the job.” Instead, our
wonderful founder, Rose Lane, walked me through my duties and has
continued to support me.
Although Rose has been the major contributor to my success,
Toastmasters International also provides written materials and training
immediately upon becoming a Board member.
In addition, there are the former Board Members from whose brains
you can pick your way to success. I
am sure I can say with certainty that any of us would be more than happy
to help you on your road to being a “made rather than born” leader.
Should you decide you would like to be on the Board of Directors, you will
not be left alone to wade through masses of material with no one to assist
you if you are elected. Instead,
you will be given training, support, encouragement and direction.
You will be given an opportunity to grow in Warner Center
Toastmasters and become a leader or to become a better one.
Henry Ford once said, “One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one
of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he
couldn’t do.” So surprise yourself and discover for yourself the
leadership skills you didn’t know you had and consider becoming part of
the Warner Center Toastmaster’s Board.
Carolyn
Goldman
(and private) speaking skills, improve
your self-confidence in business and personal situations, and to help
you define yourself
to your world more clearly. Why fumble around in the dark with your
self-image? You can communicate more effectively than
you ever dreamed possible!
the most prestigious and popular
Toastmasters meeting locations in greater Los Angeles, the Marriott
provides a wide variety of superb meeting rooms for one of Los Angeles'
finest Toastmasters organizations. 