What Have I Learned En Route to Becoming A DTM

First of all, don't get me wrong. I'm writing this post not to boast about being a DTM, but to share with you the fact that some Toastmasters have actually achieved their DTM award a few times (yes, you hear me right) and each time learning a different set of lessons.

P/S: DTM stands for Distinguished Toastmaster, the most significant milestone which any Toastmaster can achieve.

That said, achieving the DTM award is not really the end of the journey, but rather just a part of the journey in Toastmasters.

For those of you who are new to Toastmasters, achieving a DTM award means that the Toastmaster must have:

1. Completed at least 40 assignment speeches.
• Competent Communicator manual: 10 basic speeches
• Advanced Communicator manuals: 5 advanced speeches in 6 different speech manuals
2. Held leadership positions and served 2-digit, 3-digit, 4-digit or even 5-digit number of members.
• Served as a club officer.
• Served as a district officer.
3. Helped someone become a better communicator.
• Coached a new member in his assignment speeches.
4. Contributed to the expansion of the Toastmasters program.
• Sponsored or mentored a new club in the local community.
5. Organized, lead and completed something for his fellow Toastmasters.
• Played different meeting roles.
• Organized events or activities.

You may read more at:

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/EducationalProgram/CommunicationTrack.aspx

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/EducationalProgram/LeadershipTrack.aspx

Let's get back to the topic - what have I learned en route to becoming a DTM?

#1 - Being a good communicator is not just about being able to speak well, it is also about being able to listen effectively.

• My observation tells me that most people are too eager to speak out their minds that they have forgotten to ask themselves whether they are speaking in the right context which the listener can relate to.
• Being able to listen effectively to what others say allows you to understand their frame of mind and specific needs.
• Once you understand their frame of mind and specific needs, you then organize your thoughts and speech in a way that they can relate to easily.

#2 - True leadership is about serving people, it's not just about titles, positions and instructing people.

• My definition of a true leader is someone who knows where to go and how to bring others along with him.
• Given a title or a position doesn't make a person a true leader because he still may not know where to go and may not have the capability to bring others along with him.

#3 - Becoming a better person.

• Having the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds gives me a more well-rounded perspective of how interpersonal relationships work.
• In order to lead effectively, you must first gain the trust and respect of the people you lead. To gain trust, you must first be trustworthy. To gain respect, you must first be a person who has integrity and respects others. Before you talk, you must first walk your talk.

The Toastmasters educational programme is a self-paced, learn-by-doing, and service-minded programme. It provides you a positive and nurturing environment to fail and and learn from your mistakes. I strongly urge you to go through the programme and share what you've learned with others.