2024 International Speech Contest - Area Level (H1)
Some time ago, during the networking hours, at the end of our Toastmasters meeting, one of the youngest Toastmasters who recently joined us, walked up to me and started a conversation. Though she was hesitant, I could see that she was determined to talk. After a brief introduction about each other, she opened up stating that she had tried talking to me during the last two weeks and finally mustered courage and was able to make it on the third week.
Her disclosure took me to a lot of nostalgic memories in the club way back in 2015. During break time when people swarmed together to network, I used to sit isolated and I was the last to pick my tea. 'What if someone comes and talks to me? What should I respond? Will I show my nervousness to them? I am very bad at talking to new people. Should I stop coming to meetings?' These thoughts kept running in my mind as I sat alone. Leave away the impromptu speaking sessions on stage. I was more scared about the networking part. Though I did not make big efforts to improve my networking skills, I did make very small efforts consistently. All I did was, attend meetings regularly and take up roles. Our home club was a warm and friendly place and helped me build my networking skills. Slowly when I took up leadership roles, I was in a position to persuade the guests to become members as a Vice President Membership of the club. I had the great opportunity to talk to school and college kids, CEOs, celebrities, entrepreneurs, retired bankers, doctors, pharmacists, and people from many walks of life. My perspectives broadened and my networking skills improved, which transformed me into a confident and warm person to approach. And this is just one of the several skills one can improve in the Toastmasters forum.
Coming back to my new friend, she is way more skilled at networking compared to where I started, as she had the courage to take the initiative to approach people. When I shared my experience being an introvert hesitating to get up from my place to network, she could hardly believe and thought that I was being diplomatic. Only the seniors in the club who had watched me transform will know :)
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