Let Us Talk Episode 9

Meet the Enlightened Mozart of Letters

Interviewed by: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

DTM , Dr. Rajan Philips is quiet, cheerful and fun to be around. The word “No” is not in his dictionary. His inculcated serving nature makes him like a candle that disseminates light all over the place. If you visit his house you will be taken aback with the trophies and awards scattered all over the place. Dr. Rajan is a Lecturer in the English department at International college of Engineering and Management. He is a member of two clubs Khimji Toastmasters Club, and he is currently the VPPR of Distinguished Speakers Toastmasters Club. He has walked the walk and tried it all weaving a true success story to be narrated.

DTM Dr. Rajan Philips

Let us talk approached the Mozart of letters to touch base with him on many areas of concern to our fellow toastmasters. Our dialogue was an eye opining, thought provoking and highly enriching. The conversation with

DTM Rajan delved to so many areas to enlighten our readers that Toastmasters is a true place for continuous learning and real positive change. The talk brought about the following words of wisdom.

· I was all prepared and looking forward to the day I could become part of such a great organization.

· Learning is a never ending process and I was keen to hone my skills even further. I hoped to achieve this as a TM.

· I have been a very active member of this club and my parent club - Khimji TM Club and played a key role by conducting regular Education sessions, mentoring new members and being a key speech contestant bringing laurels to the clubs.

· Each time you take part and do your best – and do better than the previous occasion- you have already won a personal battle.

· While marking the ballot and awarding points avoid going by overall impressions.

· Choice of a good topic is half the battle in delivering a good speech. TMs should spend adequate time to go through the speech project guidelines in the various manuals.

· The unique feedback process in TM sessions is a vital element of the program’s resounding success.

· For those prepared to invest quality time and unwavering commitment, sky is the limit.

1. When and why did you join toastmasters?

I joined the TMI In October 2007 as a chartered member of Khimji TM Club. By then I had already heard a lot from some seasoned TMs about TMI as a premier organization for communication and leadership development.

In the earlier phase in Oman, my working away from the capital came in the way of enrolling as a member. So when once clubs became functional once again, I didn’t require any persuading to join. In fact, I was all prepared and looking forward to the day I could become part of such a great organization. It was one of the greatest investments I could make in myself.

2. You are already an English lecturer so what made you carry on?

True. I had public speaking and organization skill as a requirement in my profession and had a fair degree of exposure to many things that we do today in TM clubs.

But learning is a never ending process and I was keen to hone my skills even further. I hoped to achieve this as a TM.

Furthermore, I grew up as the single child at home and was an introvert, who enjoyed writing and such other reflective pursuits. I wished to develop a more balanced and socially interactive personality. And ‘what better forum than TMI’, I told myself.

As I look back, I am happy I took the right decision at the first available opportunity. Since then there has been ‘No turning back’. I believe I realized my goals to a great degree thanks to the warm, genial and mutually supportive environment at the TM Club sessions and the impact of wonderful human beings from different social, cultural and professional backgrounds that I had the good fortune to interact with.

2 b. Did becoming a TM help you professionally?

Yes, in numerous ways. For instance, I incorporate the skills and insights I learnt here to make more interesting and interactive academic presentations at seminars and workshops. Confidence levels have gone up considerably and I always strive to take the audience along with me.

3. Tell us about the major roles/responsibilities you have shouldered so far?

At the club level, I have served as VP Education and President – of the DSTM Club.

I have been a very active member of this club and my parent club - Khimji TM Club and played a key role by conducting regular Education sessions, mentoring new members and being a key speech contestant bringing laurels to the clubs. My contributions were recognized and I won the Outstanding TM for the year offered by the Khimji TM for 2 years.

During 2011-2012 I had the opportunity to be the Area Governor for area 64 and lend good support to the Division as member of the Division and District Executive Committee.

During this tenure I had the privilege to serve as Contest Chair, Judge and Chief Judge of Contest at different levels including the 2012 District Conference at Bahrain. Each of these provided invaluable learning experience.

4. Tell us about your experience as a contestant at club, area, division and district level?

I have had the privilege of participating at the Club, Area and Division level in all the four categories of contests and doing fairly well. I was particularly happy to win a position in the humorous speech contest at the Division level 2 years ago. (Many, including me, fancied I didn't have any special skill to deliver rib tickling speeches!)

The high point as a contestant was the opportunity I got to represent Oman in Table Topics category at DTAC Jordan 2011.

Participating at each higher level is a huge challenge and new learning experience. We must persist and keep moving forward.

5. What is your advice for those who are hesitant to participate in contests?

By delivering project speeches at the club TMs are developing the courage and confidence to face an audience. Having done that, participating in contests is the next natural step and they shouldn’t shy away from these contests. You shouldn’t worry too much about wining or losing. Each time you take part and do your best – and do better than the previous occasion- you have already won a personal battle.

Go all out by choosing appropriate topics and rehearse earnestly. Make the best use of available time and yet make sure not to exceed the time allotted.

6. How should contestants cope with unfavorable outcomes?

They should learn to take the good and the not-so-good in their stride. Accept the outcome in a mature and calm way. Analyze the strengths and weakness of the speech objectively and value the views of your mentors and genuine well wishers as good lessons for tomorrow.

7. Can you reflect on essential points to bear in mind while you are a judge and chief judge in the contests?

Being a Judge and Chief Judge are tremendous responsibilities. You must gain a clear idea about procedures and judging criterion by careful study and by attending training sessions. More important, apply these in a fair and objective way without the slightest trace of bias of any kind. ‘Justice must be done and seen to done’. While marking the ballot and awarding points avoid going by overall impressions.

9. What do you like to see in OTAC 2013?

We must create the best possible ambience for the contestants to give in their best. The choice of judges and officials and their training should be done meticulously to ensure highest standards of adjudication. We should also have a few education sessions of high value. Above all, efficient time management should be our top priority.

10. Most of the toastmasters seem to have difficulty finding a speech topic or idea what is your advice on that? And how do they go about drafting their speech and rehearsing it afterwards?

Choice of a good topic is half the battle in delivering a good speech. TMs should spend adequate time to go through the speech project guidelines in the various manuals. These give good indication of the range of topics apt for a given project. Next, the TM should zero in on a topic close to his interest, one that he finds comfortable. He must also seek the advice of his mentor and other experienced TMs.

The speech should be written out as a speech and not an essay. Then learn the complete speech if you have a good memory. But don’t plan to reproduce it verbatim. Instead speak based on key points. And you can have these on a card or cards and in the jacket pocket. You may never have to pull it out. But if you go totally blank, as it happens sometimes with even senior toastmasters, you can always pull out the card.

11. Can you shed light on the importance of being an Area Governor and the lessons you learnt?

An Area Governor plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the clubs stay healthy and vibrant. By maintaining an active channel of communication and advisory support he can encourage the members and the club to meet its DCP targets and have lively and meaningful sessions. He is the real link between the club members on one hand and the divisional and district officials on the other.

I am happy that I could carry out my responsibilities as the Area Governor of Area 64 in a very effective way thanks to the unreserved support of the club officers, division and district officials and in particular my fellow Area Governors of Division D , with whom I shared wonderful rapport and good will. The President’s Distinguished Area status that the Area 64 achieved last year is but a natural outcome of this focused endeavour towards a common goal.

12. Tell us your experience in facilitating a Youth leadership program, sponsoring a gavel club and similar leadership roles?

I did not play a direct role in organizing or sponsoring a YLP or Gavel club. But whenever possible I supported such efforts by conducting education sessions and being a judge at some of the contests.

I played a similar role during a couple of Speech craft program aimed at giving groups or organization a taste of the TM experience in a condensed form. I wish to congratulate the leaders /coordinators of two active and dynamic Gavel clubs – Ana Gavel club and Khimji gavel club for their dedication in running these very effectively and creating a new generation of TMs.

13. Can you give us a glimpse of your DTM journey?

I was awarded the DTM towards the end of June 2012. The DTM journey has been an exciting and marvelous one. It was a highly focused and committed progress. In 7 to 8 months of my enrolling as a member in October 2007, I obtained the CC award. But, I don’t think I ever gave a project speech without adequate reflection, preparation and practice. I had a couple of speeches in hand so that I could step in at short notice when the designated speaker pulled out. I was also blessed in having great mentors .

I worked on both the communication and leadership track simultaneously and completed all the other requirements well before completing the tenure as an Area governor and win this coveted award. I dedicate it to all my supporters and well wishers who are too many to be named here.

14. What according to you makes TMI stand out from other organizations that provide self improvement programs/courses?

Each Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills without the tense or competitive environment we normally associate with learning.

The unique feedback process in TM sessions is a vital element of the program’s resounding success. Every role and event is evaluated in a fair square manner. If an evaluator errs ( it seldom happens) in being too subjective or negative – the general evaluator and others may in turn point out where he slipped.

There is plenty of free and positive advice to get at the club sessions that you can hardly expect anywhere else without a hefty ‘consultation fee’.

In fact, the overall cost of such and excellent educational programme is incredibly meager.

To me the most valuable feature of TM clubs is that appreciation of every small or big effort and achievement is done generously and in style.

15. Last word you want to conclude with?

Every TM is highly privileged and fortunate to be part of a marvellous educational and character building global organization that provides so much in return for so little monetary investment. For those prepared to invest quality time and unwavering commitment, sky is the limit. We must make the best of every available opportunity and grow into persuasive communicators, outstanding leaders and above all wonderful human beings. It is our duty to share this joyful experience with others and bring them too into the TMI family.