Q. When you first joined Toastmasters, what did you expect it to be about and what was your reason to join?
The reason I joined Toastmasters was primarily because of my mom. I had known about Toastmasters since I was 12 years old, and from that time, I wanted to become a member. So by the time I reached that age and was a Grade 12 student, I decided to join. The primary reason was my mom.
Initially, since I already knew the overall idea behind Toastmasters, being public speaking and leadership, I didn’t have very high expectations because I felt I already understood what it entailed. However, once I joined, I realized it was far beyond just earning more skills or developing yourself. "It felt more like creating a family, people you can rely on whenever there’s something you want or need to share with them."
Q. Once you become a member, what were you hoping to get out of it?
I can answer this in two ways. Personally, I hoped to see myself as a better speaker, and my main focus was actually more on the leadership side. I already used to practice public speaking in my school scenarios, so it was not hard for me to delve into that as much as I wanted. But in terms of leadership, I expected myself to become better at leading people, managing how things are supposed to be done, and getting the outcomes as needed.
The other way involves something beyond my personal life, which includes other people, and that is where the family part comes in. I have a few friends from Toastmasters, and I have also encouraged some of my own friends to join. You create a family, you create a bond, and you create a network as well.
Q. When did you first take on a meeting role or club officer role? How was that experience?
Okay. The first role I took was Word of the Day. I do not remember what word I presented, honestly, but at that time we did not have a grammarian role per se.
My very first speech was an Icebreaker speech, but the difference back then was that we decided to move to a different venue for our session, and everything was not quite the usual scene that I expected when I stepped into the meeting hall. I was kind of nervous because it was my first time presenting a speech, and finding myself in a setting I had never seen was one of the most confusing parts for me. But I managed to deliver my speech, which was actually very successful in my opinion.
I remember that my evaluator was DTM Ethopis. She gave me one of the best evaluations, honestly, and since then I realized that I needed to improve more. That feeling is something I still remember.
Regarding my first club officer role: It is a very unorthodox way of going at it. I became the division’s public relations manager prior to being in any club officer role, and then I became a president. When I took the role of the division’s public relations manager, I had initially auditioned to be the vice president of public relations of our own club. I did not get that role. However, the division director at the time, DTM Eminet, heard my speech and invited me to take on the division PR role, which I did. It was one of the most thrilling experiences I have had because, honestly, I never realized how vast the entire district was. That is where I truly learned how impressive the structure is. After that experience, I became a president.
Q. How would you describe the experience of serving at the division level?
It was challenging, but the best thing about it was that the challenge made me think of ways and ideas to improve myself, with the support of people who would help me achieve the goals of the group I was leading. I even managed to create the current Telegram group, ‘Toastmasters clubs in Ethiopia’ which was an initiative that started back when I became the division’s public relations manager. Seeing that clubs are growing within the country makes you happy.
Q. Can you share a moment when you realized you were learning leadership skills through these roles?
I would say the best time I recognized that I had been learning more about leadership was when I became a president. In the case of public relations, the learning aspect was there, but right after I took on my presidency, I was challenged to lead people. Since I was the youngest president back then, I was probably 19 or 20. It was really challenging to lead people who were older than me. On top of that, challenges arose within my own team. My VPE and my VPM had to step down, and I had to find other members to take on those roles while still managing to finish as a distinguished president by the end of the year.
Through all these experiences, I realized that if you are with the right people, have the right team, and be the right leader to guide them, then things will work out fine.
Q. How would you explain your growth in your leadership capacity?
I’d say the main thing is the project management side. Especially with specific goals in Toastmasters, I realized that each goal needs its own way of being implemented. During my time as president, I had to make sure our club success plan was filled out and followed, ensuring members were taking roles, and managing club contests. Overall, project management was one of the biggest things I both implemented and learned from as a leader.
Q. What part of your Toastmasters journey was hardest for you?
Right now is probably one of the most challenging parts because I’m working on my DTM project, which has been going on for more than a year. I’m trying to form a club where Rotaractors from different clubs can join Toastmasters, create their own club, and still be supported by Rotarians ready to help and mentor them. The idea goes beyond personal growth and focuses on helping people overcome their own challenges and change their own stories.
Q. Were there moments when you doubted yourself and held yourself back?
Yes, quite a few actually. There was a time when I was not active as a member because COVID hit. Being offline, disconnected from the entire world and reality, and trying to find where I fit in roles I was confused about was challenging. I asked myself, "Why am I still a member? Do I really need this?" But coming back as a member and understanding the online context helped me rejoin and eventually become a president leading online sessions.
Q. Can you give an example of a failure or mistake that ended up teaching you something important?
During my second speech, I prepared a speech where I rehearsed every single word and then went on to deliver it. That turned out to be one of the worst mistakes I ever made, because I forgot my speech in the middle of the presentation. I was quite bewildered about what I was supposed to do, but I had to compose myself, return to my notes, and finish. It taught me an important lesson: rehearsals are helpful, but over-rehearsing can make your delivery feel forced. After that, I focused on making my speeches sound natural.
Q. Following that experience, what helped you deliver your speeches in a more natural way?
First, if you have a personal story, go for it. Speak about something you know well. Second, it’s better to work with bullet points instead of writing every single word of your speech. Personal stories matter the most, and using bullet points helps make your speech feel natural.
"Even the worst lie can be delivered in a very convincing way if it is expressed well."
Q. How has your Toastmasters experience affected your work or career?
Toastmasters is the primary reason why I got my current job. I joined my current workplace as an intern and later moved into a permanent role. For me, being part of Toastmasters meant I was comfortable with interviews. I was more articulate, confident, and clear. Toastmasters helps make sure that whatever you are expressing actually comes across. It is also about how you express things. That shows how much delivery matters.
Q. Can you give an example where something you learned in Toastmasters helped you in a professional setting?
At our workplace, we regularly have team lunch presentations. In the Dynamic Leadership path, there was an elective project where you had to deliver a speech using presentation slides. A few months after completing that project, I was selected to present during one of our team lunch sessions to around seventy people. Because I already understood how presentations work, especially how to use slides and explain ideas to a large group, the experience felt manageable.
Q. Looking back, how have you changed since you joined Toastmasters?
Connecting with people all around the world tops everything I have learned. Back when I served as an Area Director for a division/district in Minnesota (District 6 to be specific), I realized that Toastmasters gives you the opportunity to go over and beyond the circle you know. I learned how one can be so committed and dedicated to serve their clubs and change perspectives of others.
Q. If you could go back in time and do-over any leadership position, which one would it be, and why?
I would probably repeat my Area Director role for District 6. I still remember waking up in the middle of the night to do my area visit for one of my clubs and also take roles in these clubs. It was the time I also realized that I could share what I grew up with to the other side of the world, showing who and what Ethiopia is to the rest of the world.
Q. You have served as Program Quality Director (PQD) for Division E. How was that experience?
Being a PQD was not an easy task. It was probably because I was clueless about what I was supposed to do in that role. As time went by, I gained more understanding about how club officer trainings are held along with ensuring how clubs can maintain quality. I would say most clubs in our district and division have high-quality club meetings tied with dedication. That is what makes me proud.
Q. What is the one thing you think should be improved about the Toastmasters experience?
When I was young, my mom took me and my brother to a mid-year event hosted by Addis Ababa and Imperial Toastmasters Clubs – it was a hiking event at the Gulele Botanical Garden. For me, back then, it was most likely one of the best experiences I have ever had. I feel like if clubs continue hosting social events that connect clubs and other people who want to join Toastmasters, I believe it would still ensure that Toastmasters is more than delivering speeches. It is about building a family who were once a bunch of strangers you have never met.
Q. Where do you see yourself in Toastmasters in the coming years?
It shouldn’t come as a shock when I say this, but I want to retire. I believe I have attained all the skills I pursued since day one and I am also currently trying to build a legacy with my new Rotaract infused club. In the far future, I hope to see more youth joining Toastmasters for what it is and what it would provide as I have seen what it has given me.
Q. If you could give one piece of advice about growth and leadership, what would it be?
Everything is a learning process. Whatever you do, it all starts from zero experience. On top of that, it is also a matter of knowing that things are dynamic. My advice would be to always know that things change and for you to embrace that change: make use of that change for the better.