I have been part of a Toastmasters club for a few month to practice my speaking skills but even more importantly, to help me with my reflection process as it forces me to create short speeches and therefore to clarify my thoughts on certain topics.
2 weeks ago, I participated to the Prague Business Toastmasters’ contest in the “Speech Evaluation” category, where contestants evaluate the same speech and get evaluated on their own performance.
I am usually good at prepared speeches, especially because I have time to structure the speech and can rehearse a lot. The Evaluation contest is more challenging to me because you only have 5min at the end of the speech to gather your observations and thoughts, structure and memorize them and then deliver a 3min speech right away, without your notes.
As I was the first contestant to go, I didn’t have time to rehearse in my head at all. I wasn’t even done with structuring my thoughts when I was called. That’s when I decided to trust myself and commit to my speech, like I suggested in a recent snowboard story. And I am pleased to say that I didn’t crash and ended 2nd, qualifying for the next level contest. That was a great reminder that I, and we all, can show up not 100% ready and still perform.
But I wanted to share 3 take aways that I believe can be useful to everyone in any area:
- The Power of being an Evaluator:
- Just like you learn best when you teach, you learn best when you evaluate. It really forces you to pay attention, to look for what works and what doesn’t work or could be improved, and to get out of judgment since when you evaluate, you want to be as objective as you can. And it gives you some ideas on what you can do differently yourself.
- Evaluating others gives you confidence because it puts you in the expert shoes, even when you don’t consider yourself an expert. It makes you realize that you have some value to provide no matter what your level is.
- The Power of “the evaluator being evaluated” : Seeing an evaluator being evaluated turns things upside down. It breaks the dynamic of a one way feedback and the belief that those who evaluate have everything figured out and know it all. Think about it in other areas. There is power for employees in seeing their leader receiving some feedback and working on their own stuff, at any level. There is power for a kid in seeing their parents open to feedback and working on how to be a better parent or partner. This helps keep the ego in check for those who evaluate and normalizes the process of feedback for those who receive it.
Here is what you can practice:
- Whatever you want to develop in your job, business, sport, or life, wherever you want to grow, especially if you want to grow your confidence, put yourself in a position to evaluate others and provide feedback. This will boost your skills and your confidence.
- Ask for feedback on the feedback you provide (from the person you are giving it to or from others). This will help you become better at it.
- If you are a leader, share the feedback you receive with those you lead. This will create more trust and help them better receive your feedback.
For those in Prague who are interested, the area contest will be on April 3rd at the Venue of Prague Speakers Club, i.e. Institute of Chemical Technology (VŠCHT), Technická 1903/03, Building B. It’s an opportunity to hear inspiring speeches and evaluations, and you are welcome.
Take care,
Evan Bernache 