This is the ‘Win with Stories’ newsletter. Every week I send an email with a message wrapped in a short story. I also share one actionable tip and a few content recommendations to help you enhance your business storytelling skills.
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How a mentor’s feedback put me on the path to become a better public speaker
“Sachin, you present like the weight of the world is on your shoulders”, said Adrian.
In that moment, I wished to disappear forever. I was 25 then, and had just completed presenting at the Godrej Group’s monthly marketing meeting.
I was one of the members on the PR agency’s team for the group of companies. Every month, it was my job to present.
I looked at the presentation as a chore that I needed to get done, and that day was no different.
Adrian Terron had joined a few weeks earlier as the head of the corporate communications function. He had a different and energetic approach, and was pushing me and my colleagues to do better.
“If you don’t believe in your work, no one will. Present like your work is making a difference to the Godrej Group, because it does.”, added Adrian. Thankfully, he said this to me in private when I only had my boss for company.
For the rest of the day, I was processing what he said. It was embarrassing, but Adrian’s comments only stated the fact.
I could have sulked for a few days and forgotten about what Adrian said. But investing in my public speaking ability was long overdue.
I knew the time had come for me to take a decision I had been putting off for years. That was to join Toastmasters. It is a not-for-profit community that helps people improve their public speaking and leadership skills.
But there were challenges.
I had to commute 90 minutes one way to attend these meetings on Sunday mornings. Preparing a speech late at night, and facing a crowd of 50+ faces the next morning became my drill.
But I did it. It was because I was committed to do well in my PR career.
The Toastmasters process was a tried and tested one, and the results were visible within a month.
My next presentation was a hit!
The senior marketing executives of Godrej Group were notoriously poker-faced in these meetings. But even they started smiling and asking questions during my next presentation.
Adrian walked out of the meeting room with me and congratulated me on the outing. That was the beginning of a great professional relationship.
That presentation also might have convinced my bosses at the PR agency that I was a good resource to invest in.
I look back at this incident every now and then. And every time I learn something new. This time, it told me about the kind of feedback that matters.
We receive feedback all the time, whether at work or in life. But many times these are judgments dressed in a thin veil of constructive criticism.
Though piercing, Adrian’s feedback had the right intent. Me presenting better would have helped him as the department head.
But it would help our agency too and most importantly, it would help me progress as a professional. Like they say, it would have been a win-win-win.
So the one with the right intent is the only kind of feedback that truly matters. Pay attention when it comes along.
ONE Communication Tip For Today:
If you act on today’s suggestion, it might just change your life. If you truly care about improving your communication, or want to become a better professional or leader then I cannot recommend Toastmasters enough.
Toastmasters clubs are run by volunteers in different chapters. If you live in a metro city, there is bound to be one close to you. Just look for it on Google with ‘Toastmasters + name of your city’.
I spent seven years with Mumbai Toastmasters. It is the single biggest reason for my above average public speaking skills. I also credit it for introducing me to some amazing friends and for improving my overall confidence.
So if you aren’t aware of this community, give it a try. You can attend the meetings as a guest a few times before making up your mind to become a member.
So yes, join Toastmasters.
A few things you can read today.
After the first article for Mint Lounge, I had the opportunity to write many more for the magazine. Today, let me share some of the articles I wrote for them.
- The Bruised Beauty of Mullaitivu(I consider this my first travel journalism article)
- Salvador, the Culinary Portal to Africa
- The Festival of Fights
- Ghost stories of Ometepe
That’s it from me this week. Tell me one thing that will make you share this newsletter with friends and colleagues 🙂
If it’s already share-worthy, then please forward this to your network right away. Let’s all win with stories.
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