Let Us Talk Episode 2

A Speaker with Wings of Fire

Interviewed by:  Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

Watching him delivering a speech gives you a feeling that you are in presence of a man of virtue. He is an advocate of glass half full.  His winning speech in OTAC 2011 exhibited the power of forgiveness.  Whereas, his sensational second place speech in OTAC 2012showcased “Reclaiming Myself”.  Its thought provoking message was a wakeup call for the audience as well.  His versatile imagination, eloquent language and captivating style are few qualities that set him apart.

As a public speaker DTM G Ramesh is a brand in his own right. He proudly states that Toastmasters’ program gave him a great sense of fulfillment and helped him believe in himself as well.

DTM G Ramesh

He describes himself as a South Indian with a Punjabi heart and south Indian brain.  He was destined to land in Oman in 1997 and currently working as Asst. Senior Manager – Vehicle Sales in SBG.

In terms of his toastmasters’ engagement he is a member of Saud Bahwan Group Toastmasters & Morison Muscat Toastmasters. He has  served as Club VP Education and President in SBG TM; as a Club Mentor for MMTM, during their start-up time; as well as  an Area Governor for Area 65.

“Let Us Talk” snatched few moments out of his busy schedule to touch base with him  in order to share his rich and insightful Toastmasters’ experience to empower our fellow Toastmasters and motivate them to stretch further and realize their dreams.  Our conversation brought about the following lines:

• Toastmasters’ program gave me a great sense of fulfillment and helped me believe in myself as well.
• I have worked on converting my nervous energies by speaking louder while on stage, we have to be in our present
• Journey to DTM has taught me never to under estimate anything. At the same time it has amply convinced me that nothing is beyond the will of humans.
• We should categorize mentors as Club Mentors and Individual Member Mentors. Have an incentive to acknowledge the best mentor in division, in both categories.
• I would like to see Divn coming up with a check list for new clubs formation and ensuring that before the formation of any new club, those who intend to form a club answer the points in checklist.
• Observing service leadership at all levels is basics in Toastmasters.

Why did you join Toastmasters and when?

Since my school days, I liked public speaking. Even in college I won 'College Colour' all 3 years consecutively. Toastmasters  was 'the' thing for me and I joined this nourishing hub in 2002.  Sure enough it has become an everlasting affinity and a real turning point in my life.

How did you deal with your stage fright in the beginning?

I have worked on converting my nervous energies by speaking louder. It has been quite effective...That is why I have come to be known as a Toastmaster who does not require a mic.

Were there moments at which you felt I will quit?

No....never has that thought crossed my mind. Not just Toastmasters, I generally don't quit or give up easily.

What kept you carry on?

Positive feedback, opportunities to learn, platform to share and experiment my learning above all....the camaraderie that I experience every time I'm in any club's session

What difference did being a toastmasters add to your life both professional & Personal?

Toastmasters has given me immense confidence. More importantly, it has demonstrated in many practical ways the advantage of feedback. Thanks to Toastmasters, my appetite to receive constructive feedback and genuinely dwell on it, has gone up multi folds.

People get puzzled when they deal with Table Topics what is your advice for them?

People get puzzled for the following reasons: (a) hurry to get done with it; (b) thinking ahead of the topic, thereby missing the point; (c) over-confidence (d) even lack of confidence; (e) lack of understanding of the topic (in case it is a quote or an idiom); (f) urge to do something different

 

In my opinion, while on stage, we have to be in our present....i.e., living in that moment, neither worrying about the performance to follow, nor get overwhelmed with their last time on stage. Most of the points mentioned above effect our performance only because we are not in the present. It takes a lot of effort to be there. Table topic speaker must approach the stage in medium pace, holding a smile (whether he can afford it or no!), realize that he is on stage, take his time to start and speak normally. Magic will happen!

Becoming a DTM gives a sense of accomplishment tell us the lessons learned during your journey to DTM

Journey to DTM has taught me never to under estimate anything. At the same time it has amply convinced me that nothing is beyond the will of humans. And I feel a much 'shared' sense of accomplishment, for I have not travelled alone. Many of my fellow toastmasters have played a very active role in my doing so. This sense of gratitude helps me give back....whenever, wherever...however...to Toastmasters community.

How should we promote toastmaster as an educational vehicle for developing Communication & leadership skills and fostering self confidence and personal growth?

Toastmasters program does not require hard sell. The efforts of Senior TMs, Division officials and club leaders are genuinely showing results. However, there are 2 area where we can focus better:

(1) Forming more of Gavel Clubs in Schools. – This will ensure that students realize the importance of communication & leadership and grow with that culture. 

(2) Formation of Accredited Speakers’ Bureau – Today, we have quite a good number of seasoned speakers. If we can provide them with opportunities for public speaking outside the club/TM forums, we would be giving members an immense sense of satisfaction and doing our society/community good service.

Both these would help in ensuring that the TMI remains well lubricated and functional as an educational vehicles.

How can we enhance the quality of mentoring at the club level?

We need to have very involved/evolved educational sessions. Division must hold an informal meeting with senior TMs (irrespective of which club they belong), have a brainstorming session and come up with a practical program for mentoring. Assign responsibility to AGs to oversee the devised program. Categorize mentors as Club Mentors and Individual Member Mentors. Have an incentive to acknowledge the best mentor in division, in both categories.

Your expectation from Division D ex. Com this year?

I have observed that Div somehow gets into number crunching and starts chasing club formations with a lot of zest. It is also the responsibility of Divn Ex-Com in office to strengthen the existing / newly formed / clubs in troubled waters.

 

I would like to see Divn coming up with a check list for new clubs formation and ensuring that before the formation of any new club, those who intend to form a club answer the points in checklist. Divn must then have an internal meeting, decide if they should allow the formation or should they ask them to hold on for some more time before their registration. In case they do not qualify well on that checklist, Divn must provide all assistance in strengthening that club’s base. A month or two later they must go through the checklist again. Once they are convinced that Club is ready, they must charter it. Such well thought and formed clubs will have much longer life and will add value to TMI program.

Last word

Toastmasters is a voluntary organization. Whoever joins, joins it with his free will. This aspect must not be forgotten and it must be respected. At all stages of a member’s Toastmasters experience, he must not be subject to ‘hard sell’ or pressure. We need to work on making it so pleasant an experience for the member that he must be willing to do whatever is expected out of him, not because he is throttled to do so.

 

Transparency, listening with an open mind, appetite to take constructive feedback and willingness to provide positive feedback on time, above all, observing service leadership at all levels is basics in Toastmasters. Such a spirit will make Toastmasters the ‘most sought after’ program by one and all.