Recently, I read a blog post by a World Champ. Now, that's not unusual. I believe if you have a dream, you need to follow those who have been there and done that. My dream is to become better at what I do: connecting with an audience. So, I listen and learn to those who have done and are doing just that.
One of those folks is World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren LaCroix. You may have heard of him. If not, stop reading now and click here to see his winning speech.
That speech won Darren the World Championship in 2001. Since then, he has dedicated himself to helping others become better speakers. I had the privilege of seeing him in person last year in Cincinnati, OH. It was standing room only. No surprise. He's THAT good.
Last month, Darren posted a blog that not only impressed me, it made me think. And that's the best kind of blog. Within a few minutes of reading it, I was challenged to further reveal my authentic self in my presentations, in my blogs, whenever I speak with people.
Today, I want to share Darren's life-changing blog with you. Click here to read it now.
I challenge you to think about that part of you that you need to share to connect with others, to become more authentic. Maybe it's time you, like Darren, shared your relationship with God.
Maybe it's time you begin that relationship.
Having a balanced life includes the spiritual. I truly believe that. I'm living proof as there have been times over the years when I've been close to God and other times when I wasn't so close. Wherever I've been, it's affected other areas of my life.
That's why reading Darren's God Blog had such an impact.
Be bold. Be brave. Be authentic.
Jean
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Showing posts with label champion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label champion. Show all posts
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Monday, January 10, 2011
Rock Your Evaluation! (Part 1)
Rock It!
When evaluating a speaker, look for what the speaker did well and what he can do to improve. Take a look at your Competent Communicator manual and you’ll find the skills you should look for. Remember how each speech had a different focal point, something you would focus on as you crafted and gave your speech? #5 focuses on Body Language; #6 focuses on Vocal Variety. Keep these in mind as you evaluate your speaker.
But what if you’re evaluating the best speaker in your Toastmasters club? You know, the one that never says an ‘um’ even in casual conversation. The one that gives presentations for a living. The one that, let’s be honest here, is a bit intimidating to evaluate. What then?
The key to giving a rockin’ evaluation is to evaluate the speaker as if you were an audience member. (Which you are)! Even if you’re a newer Toastmaster, you can give valuable feedback when you share what resonated with you or what the speaker could have done differently to make their speech more powerful.
According to 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking finalist, Bryant Pergerson, “Giving a great speech evaluation is one of the most important jobs in a Toastmasters meeting. As you learn to give more purposeful evaluations, your fellow club members will become more effective speakers and evaluators.” And, when they become better, they’ll evaluate you and you’ll become better. That’s what Toastmasters is all about.
To really ROCK your evaluation, you must:
Remember to give value
Organize it like a speech
Conclude with encouragement
Keep it real
Before you evaluate another speaker, take a moment to visit Bryant’s website and watch his video, “4 Secrets of Great Evaluations.”
Rock on,
Jean
2010 District 37 Evaluation Champion
When evaluating a speaker, look for what the speaker did well and what he can do to improve. Take a look at your Competent Communicator manual and you’ll find the skills you should look for. Remember how each speech had a different focal point, something you would focus on as you crafted and gave your speech? #5 focuses on Body Language; #6 focuses on Vocal Variety. Keep these in mind as you evaluate your speaker.
But what if you’re evaluating the best speaker in your Toastmasters club? You know, the one that never says an ‘um’ even in casual conversation. The one that gives presentations for a living. The one that, let’s be honest here, is a bit intimidating to evaluate. What then?
The key to giving a rockin’ evaluation is to evaluate the speaker as if you were an audience member. (Which you are)! Even if you’re a newer Toastmaster, you can give valuable feedback when you share what resonated with you or what the speaker could have done differently to make their speech more powerful.
According to 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking finalist, Bryant Pergerson, “Giving a great speech evaluation is one of the most important jobs in a Toastmasters meeting. As you learn to give more purposeful evaluations, your fellow club members will become more effective speakers and evaluators.” And, when they become better, they’ll evaluate you and you’ll become better. That’s what Toastmasters is all about.
To really ROCK your evaluation, you must:
Remember to give value
Organize it like a speech
Conclude with encouragement
Keep it real
Before you evaluate another speaker, take a moment to visit Bryant’s website and watch his video, “4 Secrets of Great Evaluations.”
Rock on,
Jean
2010 District 37 Evaluation Champion
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