The Hidden Lessons of Public Speaking: From Fear to Self-Discovery
My First Speech in DubaiIn April 2024, I attended my very first Toastmasters meeting in Dubai. That evening, the Table Topics Master asked:“If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?” To my surprise, I was called on stage. With just one or two minutes to answer, I took a deep breath and said:“Patience. Growing up, I never realized how important it was to pause, to listen, and to notice the details. Only as an adult did I learn that patience is something you build over time, and it is one of the most valuable skills in life.” As I spoke, I saw every eye fixed on me. Nobody was distracted. Everyone was listening. At the end of the meeting, the audience voted—and I won Best Table Topic of the Night. Even more rewarding, several members told me afterward that my response gave them new perspectives. That moment taught me something important: public speaking is not about perfection, but about connection. And that lesson became the foundation for everything I’ve learned since joining Toastmasters. The Three Stages of Public SpeakingLooking back, I realized that my journey mirrored what many speakers experience: public speaking often unfolds in three stages. The leap from stage two to stage three requires imagination, self-reflection, and countless hours of practice. That first Table Topics speech gave me a taste of stage two—and showed me how much further I could go. More Than Speaking—It’s a Spiritual PathOver time, I realized that public speaking is more than a skill. It’s a journey of self-discovery. On stage, people show their vulnerability. When someone trembles, stutters, or blushes—yet still speaks—that is not weakness. It is courage. And it is deeply human. That’s what makes Toastmasters so powerful. Each time we step up, we challenge ourselves to grow. We build confidence, we connect with others, and we learn to tell our stories in ways that resonate. This passion—sometimes even an addiction —is what keeps us coming back. In Toastmasters, we don’t just practice communication. We discover who we truly are. Final ThoughtsWhen I was a Club President in Canada, I often told new members during the orientation:“Toastmasters is like a gym. If you show up consistently and keep practicing, your ‘speech muscles’ will grow—along with confidence you never imagined.” I believe everyone has a story worth sharing. The challenge is learning how to tell it in a way that moves people, captures attention, and communicates with power. Through Toastmasters—every speech, every evaluation, every act of courage—you don’t just learn how to speak. You learn how to step into the spotlight and let your voice shine. By Renie Hung, Luminous JLT Dubai Toastmaster
Building Leaders Across Boarder: Legacy in Action
Building Leaders Across Boarders is my mission to building more leaders in our toastmasters community by bringing leaders across the borders and learning from their knowledge and wisdom. The vision is to conduct monthly sessions to share learning from seasoned leaders across borders. Our inaugural chapter beautifully illuminated the power of shared wisdom, thanks to a phenomenal team that made it possible. The session was expertly moderated by DTM Rajesh Koval and featured an inspiring Toastmasters Legends Panel comprising DTM Mohammad Murad, DTM Sunil Kottarathil, DTM Balaji Bhushan, DTM Nelson Menezes, and DTM Deepa Surendran. Bringing fresh energy and curiosity to the discussion were our Emerging Leaders — TM Nant, TM Besty Ravi, TM Haris, TM Siddique Mohammad, TM Nevin Manjooran, and TM Ajmal — who posed thoughtful questions, sparking meaningful insights and heartfelt reflections from our distinguished panel. Q: TM Nant A KalainAs a newly joined Toastmaster, what leadership lesson have you learned at the international level that you wish every new Toastmaster knew from day one? A: DTM Mohammad MuradThat’s a profound question. Leadership in Toastmasters evolves at every level—from club to area, division, district, and ultimately, the international level. What I’ve learned is that with each step up, the perspective widens and the responsibility deepens. At the international level, especially during my time as International President, I realized I wasn’t just making decisions for a single district—I was influencing the entire global community of Toastmasters. Even small policy decisions can impact thousands, even millions, over the years. The key lesson? Don’t treat leadership as limited to your term. Build a solid foundation that outlasts you. Think long-term. Leadership is about continuing a legacy, honoring what others built before you, and paving the path for those who come after. Q: TM Mohammed Siddiq KhanWhen did you first realize that Toastmasters was truly changing you, and how long did it take to see that shift? A: DTM Deepa SurendranThat’s a tricky question—it’s hard to pinpoint a single moment. But I believe the transformation began right from my first Table Topics attempt. When fellow members stood and appreciated that impromptu speech, I felt recognized. Soon after, I stepped into the role of Vice President Membership just three months into joining. It was my first major growth experience—I learned how to follow up, close a sale, and earned a reputation as a go-getter. I still remember following up with a guest for three years—by the time she joined, I had already become the Club President. Another turning point was serving as Vice President of Public Relations (VPPR) in six different clubs. I mastered tools like PowerPoint, Canva, and Excel. These skills proved invaluable during my time as a District PR Manager and Club Growth Director—and even in my professional life. Toastmasters also helped me grow as a person. I used to be very direct, which came across as arrogant. I learned to be kinder, more polite—especially important when leading large teams. Over many months of participating regularly, delivering speeches, organizing events, and embracing feedback, I noticed a major boost in confidence and spontaneity. I conducted interviews with international leaders, organized large-scale events, and gave keynote speeches. More than just public speaking, Toastmasters gave me leadership abilities—how to delegate, resolve conflicts, and connect across cultures. Those experiences deeply shaped my personal and professional growth. Q: TM Betsy RajWhat was the feeling when you gave your first speech—the Icebreaker? How did you feel, and what did you learn from it? A: DTM Balaji NagabhushanAh, that takes me back to October 1998. Back then, we didn’t have online resources—only our mentors. Mine scheduled my Icebreaker two months in advance and asked me to rehearse it three times: in a park, in front of a mirror, and at home. Writing the speech itself was the hardest part—how do you condense 34 years of life into 6 minutes? My first rehearsal went over 8 minutes and earned a scolding. The second one was 7 minutes—still too long. I had to cut content I loved, then reshuffle it to meet the time limit. When I finally delivered the Icebreaker, it was 6 minutes and 10 seconds—within time. What stuck with me most was the warmth. Everyone clapped. The evaluator told me he wouldn’t give any suggestions because it was my first speech—just encouragement. I realized then that Toastmasters is a family that lifts you up. And the biggest lesson? Learning to prioritize what truly matters when speaking to an audience. Q: TM Haris Khan:“Was there a powerful moment when mentoring someone else taught you something unexpected about yourself?” A: DTM Sunil Kottarathil:Over the past year, I had the privilege of mentoring five district directors from different backgrounds, with different strengths and leadership styles. They all came seeking guidance on how to be successful in their terms, how to become distinguished. What I realized early was this: our conversations about their goals became a mirror into my own values, beliefs and purpose. I could reflect on my own journey as district director and mentor. But this didn’t start last year. Earlier, I guided District 127 to become world number one – many of you were part of that journey with Deepa as district director. We proved visionary leadership can make dreams come true despite challenges. Even before that, I mentored Sujit Sugumaran through his journey to Regional Advisor and International Director. That multi-year mentorship showed me how nurturing leadership creates deep impact. Here’s what surprised me: each mentoring experience was different. A single approach doesn’t fit all cases. But in every instance, the most powerful realization was this – the greatest joy doesn’t come from your own success, but from helping others achieve theirs. This was a complete shift from when I first joined Toastmasters, focused on public speaking and recognition. Mentoring revealed servant leadership to me – that my role isn’t to show the way, but walk alongside those I mentor. To listen more than speak. To unlock potential already within others. When the districts I mentored achieved Distinguished status or became number