A Marvelously Motivating Toastmaster
Interviewed by: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi
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| DTM Mohammed Murad |
The Letters “M” in DTM Mohammed Murad name stands for Marvelous Motivator. His own success story gives you an inspiration that Toastmasters is certainly the hub where leaders are not only made but reborn and reshaped. Between 1996 and now there is a journey through which he sailed from Dubai to the hem of Toastmasters International to be the First Vice President of Toastmasters International.
He is an entrepreneur and Managing Director of several successful businesses. He holds an MBA and a Master of Quality Management degree from the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. He is also a graduate of the City of Dubai’s Leadership Development Program, and has received training at Harvard, London Business School and the Singapore School of Government.
DTM Murad reveals that Toastmasters will always be important in his life. “I am excited by the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given me so much. My life has been transformed through Toastmasters, and I am a better person now, in all aspects.”
Lt Col DTM Mohammed Murad will be the Presiding Officer & Key Note Speaker at DTAC 2013 which will take place at the Intercontinental Festival City Dubai.
He is a firm believer that "Whatever happens to you is none of your business, all you need to do is work hard" and the fruits of sharpening your saw will unfold naturally.
Let us Talk approached the man with the assuring smile to share few tips to inspire our members in Division D- Oman and District 20 at large. The treasures of his wisdom were so thought provoking and enlightening. We Thank him for squeezing our invitation within his extremely busy schedule and on behalf of all Division D toastmasters we extend our gratitude for his highly appreciated gesture. Our conversation with him focused on many aspects of his success story to encourage us to “Aspire to Inspire” and carry forward our quest to “Touch to Transform”. Our dialogue proceeded in the following directions:
· Whatever happens to you is none of your business; all you need to do is work hard.
· Habits will automatically fall in place if you uphold the values of Toastmasters: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence
· I got tremendous self confidence, which in turn enhanced my people skills and long term planning.
· I learned to listen to my children more often than trying to preach, and then lead by example is one of the qualities I diligently implement.
· You need to have a fun factor in everything you do in life.
· Evaluation, in my opinion it is the most important learning segment in the whole Toastmasters program.
· The better communicator a person is the better leader he or she becomes.
· Knowledge is one of the corner stones of leadership.
· Toastmasters has taught me that communication is an important aspect of a healthy family environment.
· There is no replacement of persistence and consistency.
What made you join toastmasters?
A friend who casually asked me to come to a meeting. I joined and never looked back.
When did you embark on your toastmasters' Journey?1996, there was only one club in Dubai at that time, I joined in the first year, but wasn't a chartered member.
From UAE to USA the dream is overwhelming tell us about that?
I am a firm believer of the saying "Whatever happens to you is none of your business, all you need to do is work hard". I never had this dream of becoming the President of Toastmasters but I worked hard in every leadership position I held and as things unfolded, I got closer to making a difference on the largest scale possible.
What are the habits of a highly effective toastmaster from your perspective?Habits will automatically fall in place if you uphold the values of Toastmasters: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence.
How did toastmasters enhance your qualities as a leader?I got tremendous self confidence, which in turn enhanced my people skills and long term planning.
How did toastmasters enhance your qualities as a father?If a person follows and implements certain values in their own life, it automatically gets transferred to the people around him or her, and specially the closest ones. Having said that, I believe I learned to listen to my children more often than trying to preach, and then lead by example is one of the qualities I diligently implement.
The Philosophy of toastmasters as a platform rotates around learning through enjoying, doing and motivating can you elaborate on that?You need to have a fun factor in everything you do in life, Toastmasters is no different, an individual will need to experience it to understand the value of it and then enjoy the journey.
Speech, humor, table topics and Evaluation which segment has benefited you most?Undoubtedly evaluation, in my opinion it is the most important learning segment in the whole Toastmasters program.
A leader is a communicator and a communicator is a leader can you explain this? The first step to leadership is communication. The better communicator a person is the better leader he or she becomes.
How did reading enhance your leadership skills? Tell us about your reading habits and what are you reading now?I do not read fiction, I read self development and business books, I make sure that I read at least one book a month, and on top of that I listen to many audio books in the car. Knowledge is one of the corner stones of leadership; unfortunately I realized that late in my life, I am trying to catch up now. I am reading a book called The Psychology Book now, it is an interesting book.
What do you do for a living?When did you embark on your toastmasters' Journey?1996, there was only one club in Dubai at that time, I joined in the first year, but wasn't a chartered member.
From UAE to USA the dream is overwhelming tell us about that?
I am a firm believer of the saying "Whatever happens to you is none of your business, all you need to do is work hard". I never had this dream of becoming the President of Toastmasters but I worked hard in every leadership position I held and as things unfolded, I got closer to making a difference on the largest scale possible.
What are the habits of a highly effective toastmaster from your perspective?Habits will automatically fall in place if you uphold the values of Toastmasters: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence.
How did toastmasters enhance your qualities as a leader?I got tremendous self confidence, which in turn enhanced my people skills and long term planning.
How did toastmasters enhance your qualities as a father?If a person follows and implements certain values in their own life, it automatically gets transferred to the people around him or her, and specially the closest ones. Having said that, I believe I learned to listen to my children more often than trying to preach, and then lead by example is one of the qualities I diligently implement.
The Philosophy of toastmasters as a platform rotates around learning through enjoying, doing and motivating can you elaborate on that?You need to have a fun factor in everything you do in life, Toastmasters is no different, an individual will need to experience it to understand the value of it and then enjoy the journey.
Speech, humor, table topics and Evaluation which segment has benefited you most?Undoubtedly evaluation, in my opinion it is the most important learning segment in the whole Toastmasters program.
A leader is a communicator and a communicator is a leader can you explain this? The first step to leadership is communication. The better communicator a person is the better leader he or she becomes.
How did reading enhance your leadership skills? Tell us about your reading habits and what are you reading now?I do not read fiction, I read self development and business books, I make sure that I read at least one book a month, and on top of that I listen to many audio books in the car. Knowledge is one of the corner stones of leadership; unfortunately I realized that late in my life, I am trying to catch up now. I am reading a book called The Psychology Book now, it is an interesting book.
I have several businesses, and all are doing well.
What are your hobbies?
Extreme Sports like Bungee Jumping, Sky Diving, Deep Sea Diving, collection watches, pens and knives, and reading.
How do you strike a balance between your commitments?I resort to the magic mix of Time Management and Delegation.
Are any of your family members a toastmaster? And how did your long toastmasters training impact the environment at home?None of them, but they support me fully. Toastmasters has taught me that communication is an important aspect of healthy family environment, so I communicate well.
What is in your toastmasters’ agenda this year?
Continuing to add value at every level. A last word you want to conclude with?There is no replacement of persistence and consistency; nothing comes for free so work hard to fulfill your dreams
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