Dalibor Cicman about Toastmasters: Learn to communicate confidently
The thing that pushed me forward is that we have a Toastmasters club within GymBeam. Toastmasters is a global organization that is dedicated to public speaking. I think in many cities – even in Slovakia in a few cities – it is available, so you can sign up for this club and learn to improve your speaking.
We also have a group like this within the company. As colleagues, I and some of my colleagues can come and have a structured session where the whole group improves their speaking.
I would recommend this to you too. If you want to improve your speaking, find a Toastmasters club in your city, or in a larger city nearby, where you can come and improve your speaking.
Will you come to my wedding to be the mayor?
Will you come to my wedding to be the mayor?
This was the question from my youngest cousin Dalibor. I see how you do it and I don't want anyone else.
It was during his brother's wedding, when he had no idea when he would get married.
The role of the mayor is very important at an Eastern wedding:
- leads the groom's parents' apology
- leads the bride's courtship
- gives a speech before the banquet
- organized by "regular"„
Without hesitation, I answered "with great pleasure.".
Standing up in front of people, loved ones, and family is still the biggest step out of my comfort zone for me.
My first mayorship was before I found out there was such a thing as Toastmasters.
The difference between him and Dalibor during his wedding was huge.
Still:
- I am stressed.
- My throat is dry.
- My heart is racing.
However, I know, thanks to my Toastmasters training, how to work with it.
Are you going to a Christmas party and have been tasked with saying a toast?
🎄 Are you going to a Christmas party and have you been tasked with saying a toast? 🎤
Here are three handy tips on how to handle it with style:
🎁 1. Avoid clichés (start with a strong introduction – a question, a story, or a holiday metaphor)
„Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!“ – you know that already, right? Try it differently. Mention a funny incident or interesting fact from the year that describes your team.
“Would you believe that this year more toner was used in the printer than coffee in the kitchen?”
🎁 2. Engage emotions
Christmas is about experiences. If you can make a toast that brings laughter or emotion, you've won. A brief memory of what brought you together or a thank you to colleagues for their support is all it takes.
„"Together we achieved record turnover this year. And as I watched your joy at this achievement, I realized that this is not just a job – it is our shared adventure."“
🎁 3. Less is more:
Your audience is waiting for cabbage soup and cakes, not a 10-minute speech. Be brief, clear and easy-going, 4-5 sentences will be enough.
✨ Golden rule: Imagine you are speaking to friends, not at a conference. Relaxation is the key to success.
✨ Extra tip: If you forget what you wanted to say, raise your glass and say: „Here’s to all of us!“ It always works. 😉
🎤 Try it. You will surprise yourself – and others! And come and train with us at the Toastmasters speaking club
Elevator pitch
Imagine you're riding in an elevator with your ideal client. What would you say to them?
In modern times, this is called an "Elevator or lift pitch" - in translation:
a short (about 30 seconds) way to introduce yourself,
get through a key point or two and
to establish a connection with someone.
It's called an elevator pitch,
because it takes about that long,
How much would you spend riding in an elevator with someone?.
Sometimes it really bothers even an experienced speaker.
We want to leave the best impression possible.
And no time to prepare...
And only one attempt!
We regularly have a block at our meetings,
which we call improvisation.
Short impromptu speeches on various topics,
which last 1-2 minutes.
We often break a sweat doing it.
Sometimes it doesn't quite go as planned.
However, it is training that makes the student a master.
The photo is from a conference where I was during a break.
He had about 20-30 seconds to make a lift pitch with potential customers.
Result – an agreed personal meeting for potential cooperation.
Great, I'm happy.
Are you reading our posts and hesitating?
Come and see our meeting without obligation.
Tomáš was a top IT specialist. The code was flawless, but his presentations? A disaster.
Tomáš was a top IT specialist. The code was flawless, but his presentations? A disaster. 💻
A promotion? Someone else always got it.
He watched his colleagues progress. Those who could talk. Those who shone in meetings.
Tomáš? He stayed in the background. When he had something to say, he started to mince technical details.
Nobody was listening.
It frustrated him. 😡 He deserved more. But no one else thought so.
One day he came across Toastmasters. "I'll come check it out," he said to himself.
The first visit surprised him. The speakers performed as if they were not afraid of anything. It was strange. 🤔
He tried it too. He was nervous. His hands were sweating. His voice was shaking.
But no one laughed. On the contrary. 👏 He got feedback. Specific. Useful.
He went every week. 📅 He polished his performance. With every speech, his self-confidence grew.
He figured out how to engage. How to speak clearly. How to make people listen.
A few months later, the meeting came. This time, he was noticed. Both his colleagues and his boss.
A year later, he had an interview for a project manager. He passed. 💼 For the first time, he felt ready.
Today he leads the team. He has a better salary. Self-confidence.
„I wouldn’t be here without Toastmasters,“ he says.
Be like Tomáš. Just take the first step. 🚀
Convincing presentations? Effective meetings? A strong personal brand?
Convincing presentations? Effective meetings? A strong personal brand?
It all starts in Toastmasters speaking clubs.
In the speech club you will practice:
👉 How to speak clearly and confidently.
👉 How to impress management or clients.
👉 How to lead a team with conviction.
Regular feedback will show you what to do better.
Community support will help you overcome challenges.
Career growth? It's no longer a question of if, but when.
Join Toastmasters. Start building your leadership skills today. 🌟
Admission is free, we look forward to seeing you. 😉
After 5 years at home
After 5 years at home 👶👶, Janka felt like she had forgotten everything she knew at work. 💼
My colleagues have grown so far, both in their careers and in their self-confidence.
She felt left behind. She lacked work experience. She was losing confidence.
She just listened in the meetings.
She knew it wouldn't work out this way. She wanted more.
For yourself and your family. 💪
One day she came across the speaking and leadership organization Toastmasters. „What do I have to lose?“ she thought.
The first evening surprised her. People there spoke with confidence and courage. It was inspiring.
She decided to give it a try. Her hands were shaking during her first performance.
But no one judged her. 👏 On the contrary, she received specific feedback. Useful.
She started going regularly. 📅 She became more confident with each performance.
She trained not only in speaking, but also in leadership. Gradually she found herself. 🌹
A few months later, her colleagues noticed her. After years of silence, she finally shone. 👀 A year later, she got a position she wouldn't have dared to take before.
Today she is confident. Professional. And proud of what she has accomplished.
„"Toastmasters helped me find myself. And the career I wanted," she says.
Are you after maternity leave? You too can grow your career. Come and see us. 🚀
Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you! (you can find the nearest meetings on this Facebook in the events section)
„"Did you expect such a big change in self-confidence in 5 months?"“
„"Did you expect such a big change in self-confidence in 5 months?"“
Certainly not.
It's been 5 months since I've been going to the Toastmasters club.
A club that focuses mainly on public speaking and leadership.
I first came to a club meeting in August and I was extremely embarrassed during the first improvisation. I felt terrible because everyone else was doing perfectly. 😐
I would have packed it all up and never shown up again, but I got encouraging feedback from the other members, and that motivated me to stay.
If a guy who won a national speech contest tells you that he sees potential in you, you won't immediately dismiss it. 😅
So I showed up at the club for another meeting and slowly improved with quality feedback. My improvisations got better and better and I even learned a few lines.
And now, 5 months later (8 sessions), I have improved my:
- Self-confidence – I know that my speech is now audible and I know that I am improving. 💪
- Writing and speech structure – I now know how to engage, how not to make a speech boring, and how to make people laugh.
- Emergency – when I'm surprised by a question, I no longer remain silent, but I can express myself briefly.
- Communication with people – I can negotiate with people and talk better, and I'm even moderating the next Toastmasters meeting.
Toastmasters is responsible for turning a hardened introvert into an enthusiast. Thanks to the feedback, I have confidence in myself and I take every speaking opportunity that comes my way (I'm even hosting two balls back-to-back in a few weeks).
That's why I think Toastmasters is the perfect club for everyone, because the skills you learn there will be useful in any situation.
-Victor.
You can have a similar experience if you visit one of the clubs. You can find future meetings on our Facebook events. You can participate completely free of charge.
We look forward to seeing you! 😊
The first 3 seconds are decisive
The first 3 seconds will decide whether people will listen to you – or scroll on.
What then?
If I had to pick one,
but really just one thing that personally bothers me
jumps out when the first impression is mentioned,
so that's it... there you go...
SMILE
Miro Žbirka (RIP) already said about him:
Smile
There is no cipher.
It's a small win for the cheeks
Smile
Try to pass it on.
A little curve into the streets
Smile
It spreads easily.
By mail girls, boys, cheeks
Smile
Naughty and clear
Fly from street to street
Try it!
It's free.
It doesn't require effort.
You have it completely under your control.
If you are looking for tips on how to be:
- better in speech,
- more confident,
- ...or you just want to have fun
Come and see our open meetings without obligation. You are most welcome.
How many opportunities have you missed just because you put off taking the first step?
How many opportunities have you missed just because you put off taking the first step?
„"I realized I was in the right place and that I should have been here last year."“
This was our guest Vlad's answer to the final question after yesterday's Toastmasters club meeting.
It started when he searched the internet for ways to improve his communication.
When we search for something on the internet, Uncle Google, the smart one, usually inserts some links, advertisements, etc.
That's how it was in this case, and that's how Vlado found out about our club. A year passed and nothing happened at all.
So from his point of view...
We have had 23 meetings so far, where we practiced communication skills and moved forward thanks to feedback.
Personal experience is non-transferable! You will read in vain, you will think in vain, you will evaluate what is better in vain
Come take a look, experience it firsthand, just like Vlado, and then make your decision.
You're standing in front of an audience, all eyes are on you
You're standing in front of an audience, everyone's eyes are on you, and in your head you're thinking:
„"What do they think of me? Did I forget something? Will I look stupid?" 💬
I know how you feel...
Your voice shakes, your hands are cold, and you just want to disappear. I know these feelings all too well.
When I first got up in front of people, it was a struggle. I was afraid I would make a mistake, that they wouldn't take me seriously. But thanks to Toastmasters, that changed.
▫️So no - I'm correcting you: not thanks to the club, but to my decision to do something about it and train regularly.
📚I learned how to prepare for my speech, I received feedback on what to work on and how to work with stage fright.
And I'll tell you ➡️ it's not about the fear disappearing completely, but about how you learn to live with it. And when you have the support of a group that understands and encourages you, suddenly it's not so hard ☺️.
If you too experience fear of public speaking, come join us. You will see that everyone you meet here has similar fears. And together we will learn to overcome them.
One thing you can do to become as special as Cristiano Ronaldo
One thing that when you do, you will become extraordinary like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of course, to each his own.
Ours is oratory.
And that one thing is: REGULARITY.
The key to becoming an exceptional speaker is regularity.
1% talent and 99% regular training.
In our club, regularity means meeting every two weeks.
During them you have the opportunity to go up on the floor and speak.
Work gradually on things like:
- articulation
- gesticulation
- movement on stage
- use of descriptive language
- eye contact
- emergency
- stories
Are you ready to take your speaking to the next level?
Come and take a look without obligation.
It was the opportunity I had been waiting for.
It was the opportunity I had been waiting for. The entire top management was sitting in front of me. All the top managers. The CEO. Even one of the partners. ♠️
I was ready. I explained the strategy.
He showed detailed solutions. He presented numbers, data, processes.
My hardskills? Sure. ✅ I convinced them.
But then the questions came. The hard ones:
„"How would you lead a team?"“
„"What do you do when you need to make a quick decision?"“
„"How do you gain the trust of your colleagues and convince them?"“
That's where it came from.
Insecurity. Weak answers. Self-confidence? Almost zero.
It was obvious that I would not convince them of my leadership.
I left with a sad head. 😔
At home, I realized one thing: technical skills got me an interview. But soft skills would get me even further. And I didn't have those.
If I want to progress, I have to work on myself. On clarity of expression. On self-confidence. On leadership.
It's not a matter of a week or a month. It's a job for years. But it's necessary.
That's why I'm training now. I'm honing my soft skills. I'm learning how to speak clearly and convincingly. And that's in the Toastmasters speaking club. 🎤
Opportunities are coming. The question is, will you be ready for them? 🚀
👉 Come and see the Toastmasters club meeting.
You live the same story every day
Imagine living the same story every day. 🌅 You wake up in the morning, go to work, meet the same people, come home in the evening and everything repeats itself. It's not bad, but you feel like something is missing. Maybe inspiration. 💡 Maybe change. 🔄 Or just the feeling of moving forward. 🏃♂️ That's how I felt when I first heard about Toastmasters.
I remember the day I decided to go to my first meeting. I was nervous, full of expectations. 😬 I thought I would only find people there who wanted to be better speakers. But I was wrong. I found something much more. I found a community that accepted me for who I am. 🫶 People who inspired me with their stories, determination, and constant striving to improve. ✨
They say we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. 🧑🤝🧑 And I realized that we can choose these people. 🧠 We don't have to stay in the same bubble. We can surround ourselves with people who push us, teach us something new, and show us that the world is full of possibilities. 🌎
Recently, we went for a walk on Zobor together with our club members. 🏔️ It was a day full of laughter, conversations, homemade spreads, freshly baked bread and warm tea. ☕ At the top, overlooking the city, I realized one thing - no change begins if you don't take the first step. 👣 Whether it's a step on a hiking trail or a step into a room full of strangers. 💪
Looking back, I see how much this club has given to my life. 🙏 And it all started with a single decision - to go and watch a match. 🎯
Maybe you're reading these words right now and wondering if Toastmasters is for you. 🤔 The only way to find out is to take that first step. 🚪
Real life only begins when self-denial begins.
„Real life begins only when self-denial begins.“ – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher
Surely you've heard this one before,
or a variation of this statement, e.g.
that life begins outside the comfort zone.
We can argue about that, but my point is different.
Functioning in an environment that
- we know
- we know how to behave
- we know the result of our efforts
- does not require too much effort from us
is in a way like turning on autopilot.
Our brain wants us, very naturally,
to hold in such an environment. It is natural for him.
It is its function from ancient times,
when he was supposed to keep us alive, safe.
At Toastmasters club meetings
together with our guests very gently
we are touching the edge of the comfort zone regarding expression
and each of us observes what is behind it.
I am convinced that every person has behind them:
- undiscovered opportunities for personal development,
- growth potential he never imagined,
You just have to peek beyond that border.
Gently, regularly and in small steps.
If you want to look after yours,
I invite you to our regular meetings.
Are you stagnating in your career? It could be because of your soft skills
Are you stagnating in your career? It could be because of your soft skills.
Technical skills have gotten you where you are now. But what next?
If you can't engage in meetings, communicate ideas effectively, or lead a team, it can hinder your career growth.
The truth is this:
Decisive moments in your career depend on your ability to communicate.
👉The best expert doesn't get promoted. But the one who can convince that he is ready.
👉 Important ideas won't catch on if you can't present them with confidence and energy.
Better communication skills open doors to leadership positions.
In the Toastmasters speech club, you will gain the following skills:
✔️You will learn to present ideas clearly and confidently.
✔️You will receive feedback on what to do better.
✔️You will hone soft skills that will move you forward.
Now you. Join us and advance your career. 🧑🚀
Stories, stories, stories…
I keep hearing it over and over again.
Stories, stories, stories…
If you want to move forward, work on how to tell a story.
A young man through hard work
won the national competition for the best speaker.
Here is the 3 step guide he used
while writing his winning speech,
specifically when telling the story within his speech.
By the way, he worked on it
incredible 2 months – it was worth it 🙂
- story framework – in short, immediately introduce the listener to the plot
- escalate the plot
- give a solution
It's that simple and semi-pathetic.
If you would like to know more, see
video on Utube – Verity Price – how to write a winning speech.
Or come and see our meeting,
where we practice speaking in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Don't forget to subscribe to this page and
Don't miss more tips on how to improve your speech.
„"Why you?" the HR person asked her.
„"Why you?" the HR person asked her.
Katka wanted a better job. But she didn't know how to handle the interview.
The words she had been practicing froze in her mind.
The recruiter smiled politely. A day later, she received an email: „Thank you for your time, but we have selected another candidate.“
She knew that her mistake was not in experience, but in communication.
A friend recommended Toastmasters to her: "It's a speaking club. Try it, it'll help you speak."„
Katka wasn't sure. "I don't need to be a speaker," she thought.
But in the end she decided to go and have a look.
First performance? Nervous, her voice shaking. But she got feedback. Useful. Encouragement.
With each meeting, her confidence grew. She learned to impress. To speak clearly and convincingly.
Another interview in a few months. This time she smiled and answered confidently.
She got a job. And new self-confidence.
„"I couldn't have done it without Toastmasters," says Katka.
Find your voice too. Come and see a Toastmasters meeting. 🚀
He managed sales better in half a year than people with 10 years of experience. How?
He managed sales better in half a year than people with 10 years of experience. How?
Czech entrepreneur Václav Tomanic decided to learn sales – but instead of theory, he sought feedback. He recorded every online sales call, analyzed it, and looked for areas for improvement.
(Hmmm… this question caught me off guard, I need to prepare for it in advance. Or… I looked inattentive as I was rocking in my chair, I’ll try to be more attentive next time…)
This is how he improved call by call, while his competition did nothing similar. After six months, he was on par with salespeople with a decade of experience…
Feedback is the key to progress – so let's record interviews, ask questions from more experienced people, and look at ourselves critically. If we do this, improvement in any area will skyrocket.
The area I chose was public speaking and I get feedback in the Toastmasters speaking club. After each speech I get feedback from more experienced people and thanks to that I progress. Even a full room of people doesn't scare me so much when speaking anymore 🙂
If you too would like to conquer your fear of public speaking and know what it's like to have a supportive environment in the field of public speaking, don't hesitate and come and see our club meetings (admission is completely free).
We look forward to seeing you! 😃
How many times have you turned around on the threshold – right before you could experience something?
How many times have you turned around on the threshold – right before you could experience something?
„"I arrived at the agreed location of your Toastmasters meeting,
"but I turned around at the door and went back home."“
Road closed…
This was the response from one of our potential guests,
when I asked her why she didn't come to the meeting in the end.
When we discussed it later, her reason
was the age of the people in the room –
„"youth and all young people were there"“
An obstacle in the road, a barrier.
At Toastmasters, we come together around a common goal.
Friends, we are interested in more than the age limit.
The goal is to work and progress in
public speaking and leadership skills.
Whether:
- Were you born in the 20th century or the 21st?.
- Do you have little or a lot of experience?
- Are you a man or a woman?
it is not crucial for us.
Because what matters is you and your determination.
If you have it and want to work on it,
you want to step out of your comfort zone and improve,
then you are in the right place.
Toastmasters speaking club.
The first step to overcoming an imaginary obstacle on the road,
you can do it by coming without obligation
look at our meeting.
Peter is a great analyst.
Peter is a great analyst. His reports? 📊 Perfect. But when he presented them, he buried his work.
He got a chance to show his work at a big meeting. All the top managers and CEOs were there.
He talked about numbers, graphs, details. But the audience? 📱 They were bored, whispering.
When he finished, the room was silent. "Thank you," the boss said. That was all.
Peter knew the problem wasn't his job.
The problem was that leadership is not about technical skills.
He decided to change something. He had to improve his communication.
He found Toastmasters.
„What have I got to lose?“ he thought. He came to the meeting.
It was fascinating to see how skillfully the club members spoke in front of an audience.
He decided to try it.
First speech? Nerves. 😟 But no one laughed. On the contrary, he received feedback. Useful. Encouraging.
He trained. 💪 He learned how to turn numbers into a story. How to engage and convince.
It was different at Peter's next presentation. He spoke clearly, with confidence. The audience listened. 👏 The management was thrilled.
„Toastmasters helped me improve my presentation skills,“ says Peter.
Do you want to know how to impress? Come and check out a Toastmasters meeting.
Juraj thought he would never be a good speaker. Today he is an inspiration to others
Juraj thought he would never be a good speaker. Today he is an inspiration to others:
When he decided to attend his first Toastmasters meeting, he felt like it wouldn't be for him. "I've never been a good speaker," he thought. "I'll never impress anyone."„
But he came. And right at the beginning he received something he never expected – encouragement. The first speech was nervous, timid, but he received feedback that inspired him and gave him courage.
That was the moment that changed everything.
Juraj began to attend regularly and saw progress at each meeting. With each meeting, his speech became clearer, his self-confidence grew, and with it, his ability to persuade and engage.
Today, Juraj is a much more confident speaker who knows how to impact and inspire with his words. And although he was just an ordinary person at the beginning, he now feels strong and ready to face any audience.
„"Toastmasters showed me that anyone can improve if they put in the effort."“
If you also want to gain more self-confidence and improve your communication skills, join us!
You can find the next meetings on our Facebook events 🙂
Who are you? What do you do anyway and why?
Who are you?
What do you do anyway and why?
How often do you meet?
We are faced with various questions.
I had something similar,
when I first crossed the threshold of the teahouse,
where the toastmasters meeting was held.
It is therefore perfectly fine for you to write to us
on messenger and ask for more information.
Who are you?
A group of people, friends, and we are part of a speech club.
We have a common goal – to improve our speech.
We are under the umbrella of the global Toastmasters organization.
What do you do anyway and why?
Since we know that we will not achieve our goal by just dreaming,
We meet regularly and practice our speech.
There is, almost always, a lot of fun involved.
Exercise means:
- prepared speeches,
- improvisations,
- ratings
How often do you meet?
Regularly – every other Monday,
We post events on our FB page.
If you are interested in more, write to messenger,
or simply come and see us at the next meeting.
„"Just.. Basically.. Like.. Um.." = speech killer.
„"Just.. Basically.. Like.. Um.." = speech killer.
Word fluff. A small filler that seems innocent. But in reality, it's the biggest killer of my speech.
Why?
🛑 Because it ruins the whole speech:
I come across as unsure and less competent, and my speech is not fluent. This weakens my credibility and distracts the listener.
👉 Why do we use word cotton?
The most common reason is that we don't know what to say. We don't have any words in our heads right away.
Many of us don't even realize how often we use it.
✅ How to get rid of it?
Be aware of your bad habits. Record yourself speaking and find the most common fillers. Use silence instead of cotton wool.
🌹 Extra tip:
Come check out the next Toastmasters speaking club meeting.
With us you will learn to speak like a pro.
A good speaker talks. A great speaker listens.
A good speaker talks. A great speaker listens. Feedback is your best tool.
In Toastmasters, you will receive feedback that is:
🔍 Specific – you know exactly what to improve.
📈 Developmental – helps you progress step by step.
🤝 Supportive – correction without criticism, encouragement without empty phrases.
Plus: You'll also get specific tips on how to be clearer, more convincing, more authentic.
I'm looking at my old notes. My feedback was that:
🎤 Poor eye contact with the audience
🎤 Introduction – not to introduce yourself, but to get attention
🎤 Don't keep walking around
🎤 Gesture more
🎤 Slightly monotonous voice
I have already fixed all these problems.
My speeches and performance are getting better and better.
If you want to develop your speaking and persuasiveness, join us.
👉 It is true: Feedback is the key to better public speaking.
I just started Toastmasters recently.
I only recently started Toastmasters. As someone who analyzes everything and often builds unnecessary blocks in my head, I never imagined that I would receive the award for best speaker of the evening on my second speech at the Toastmasters club.
I really feel accepted here. I found the courage to speak up, overcome my fear, and my speech was confident and inspiring. And it all started with a single decision – to come to the meeting and start this journey. In my case – not to think too much. To trust myself and the people around me.
Many of my realizations are not directly related to the club, but Toastmasters started it all. It opened doors for me that I didn't even see at first.
This photo carries a strong emotion for me. I am happy and proud of what I have accomplished. And what is even more beautiful – Daniela Ob, the moderator of the meeting and my coach from the weekend training, shares the same joy with me. As Marek from the club said – we are here like two leches… laughing. 😊
And I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for that. ❤️
-Robo
3 INEVITABLE THINGS
3 INDISPENSABLE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO
BEFORE THE TOASTMASTERS MEETING STARTS.
Monday is the day we meet.
in our club.
Every other week.
For those who don't have enough or have more on hand,
they also have the opportunity to participate in meetings in other clubs:
- Toastmasters Trnava
- Toastmasters Petržalka
- Slovak Toastmasters
- Toastmasters Zilina
- Toastmasters Trencin
- Toastmasters Nitra
During the return trip from Bratislava
So I twisted it to Trnava
and he has been to their 200th meeting in a row.
If you're reading this and have been thinking for a long time,
that you will come and see, don't hesitate –
We are normal people like you.
It does require a bit of determination and...
sometimes even stepping out of your comfort zone.
However, according to several of our guests who
We are now members, it's worth it!
So what are those three things?
- find a good place
- to order something delicious
- to complete a work task so you can fully concentrate
You need to take the first step yourself.
We would all love to see you.
How to speak in a way that makes others listen – and buy?
🔊 Successful salespeople know how to talk.
Pitch, call, meeting, post – it's all about sales.
At the speaking and leadership organization Toastmasters, we train exactly that: how to speak in a way that makes others listen – and buy.
📍 Come join us and improve your most important sales skill: speaking.
The most controversial question
The most controversial question ever asked on television
In 1988, Michael Dukakis was the overwhelming favorite to be president of the United States. He had great speeches, a strong team, and most polls predicted he would win the election…
Until one single question he was asked during a television debate.
The moderator, Bernard Shaw, asked what is considered the most controversial question ever asked during a political debate. It read as follows:
„"Mr. Dukakis, if your wife were raped and killed, would you agree with the death penalty for her murderer?"“
(he was asked this question because part of his campaign was to abolish the death penalty)
Dukakis answered this question coldly.
He stressed that he is a lifelong opponent of the death penalty and believes there are much better ways to prevent crime. He also highlighted statistics that supported this claim and reiterated his plans to organize a global summit where countries would work together to prevent the spread of drugs.
It was a short answer. But something was missing from it… Emotions!
It was his own wife, but he responded as if the fact had been completely stolen from him!
People didn't need to hear for the 50th time what he wanted to implement during his term in office... but his speech lacked any sign of emotion. The audience was shocked by his response because there was no sign of pity, empathy, or humanity!
Because of this response, Michael Dukakis, the stronger presidential candidate, lost 7 percent of his support in one day and ultimately lost the election...
And what can we take from this?
To be persuasive in our speeches, we must also take into account emotions and not just facts and statistics. If Dukakis had expressed the pain and anger he would have felt at that time, but that despite all that he was convinced that the death penalty is wrong and the country functions better without the death penalty, the election would have turned out completely differently... Therefore, we must not forget in our speeches that we also have a human face and that we also experience emotions, thanks to which we actually build a relationship with the audience and thanks to which we are more persuasive...
SOURCE: book Win Every Debate – Mehdi Hasan
Inspiration from Bruce Lee
INTENSIVE SHORT-TERM or CONSISTENT LONG-TERM
or what can we take inspiration from Bruce Lee?
What do you think will lead you to your desired goal more quickly?
The legendary Bruce claimed that endurance is more important than bursts of effort.
Today's era is characterized by speed:
- changes
- information transfer
- how to scroll the internet
This naturally affects us – the participants of the era –
and whether you realize it or not,
or whether you admit it or not.
One possible outcome is:
- mediocrity
- stagnation
- loss of concentration
Therefore, if your goal is to improve your speech
and you achieve results that you are not completely satisfied with,
join us in the Toastmasters speaking club.
We have invested in consistency – we meet systematically and regularly,
We are honing our expression step by step and thus moving forward sustainably.
We are a community that enjoys spending time together.
Come and see our meeting without obligation and
judge from your own experience.
A salesperson who doesn't speak well won't sell.
Even the best product needs words that capture attention.
Even the best salesperson needs a speech that inspires confidence.
Sales is not about manipulation.
It's about clear communication, structure, and the ability to adapt.
It is rhetoric in practice.
At Toastmasters, we train exactly what makes a good salesperson great:
🎤 ability to captivate (within 10 seconds!),
🎤 clearly communicate value,
🎤 how to deal with stage fright in front of an audience and clients,
🎤 how to listen and respond - not just talk.
These are not school presentations. This is a live training arena for real people with real goals.
👉 Come check out the next Toastmasters meeting.
Speak better. Sell more.
Comfort zone
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE, EVEN IF IT'S HOT?
If you want to move forward and achieve something in life,
What you know today will most likely not be enough.
Why?
Because you got where you are today thanks to,
what you already knew and had mastered.
It's your comfort zone.
COMFORT ZONE
= the blue middle field of our image
Feelings: satisfaction, it's a safe place
for a break and reflection.
At the same time, a place that hinders progress.
The shift occurs when you decide to step out of that "room.".
There will be two doors in front of you:
PANIC ZONE – ALARM ZONE
= red field of our image
Feelings: stress and overload.
You have to handle an inordinate amount of work, you don't know how to handle it,
it's simply beyond your current capabilities.
LEARNING ZONE
= orange field of our image
Feelings: challenge and excitement, involvement.
It requires concentration and attention and thus
In the fall, it's where you grow.
That's why it's so good and absolutely necessary today
regularly step out of your comfort zone and thus:
- to acquire new knowledge
- learn new skills
- to improve oneself
Try to change the smelly but warm one
when reading a post like this
for a feeling of slight tension and discomfort,
which will turn into satisfaction, joy and fulfillment.
Come to our meeting and experience it for yourself
a supportive environment and a way to move forward.
First impression
Did you also have a first impression when you saw this photo?
Mine was this: Like from the remedial school or Pat and Mat.
In real life, we are together with Petya Š.
quite normal people.
But where I'm headed is a matter of first impression
and its distortion.
Let's look at it together.
The way someone looks, the way they use their hands,
with his lips, his eyes, how he looks, how he remains silent,
What is the tone, dynamics, and intensity of the voice?
has a greater impact than what it says.
7 % is the content of what you say,
38 % is a paraverbal component – how do you say it, dynamics, tone, intensity
55 % is nonverbal communication – facial expressions, gestures, posture.
At Toastmasters speaking club meetings
we systematically and regularly devote ourselves to
especially the 93%,
which are decisive in most preparations.
About whether:
- you will gain and keep the audience's attention
- Will you manage to convince/inspire?
- you can create a trustworthy environment
And yes, it can be learned, you just have to
determination, confidence and perseverance.
If you have these 3 qualities, and you want to improve,
We are looking for you. Come and see for yourself.
Lightning from a clear sky
This realization came like a bolt from the blue…
For 48 years I lived under the delusion that I was a great conversationalist.
It was only during Toastmasters meetings that I understood,
that I have to work really hard on it.
Thank you Toastmasters Nitra,
Toastmasters Trnava,
Toastmasters Zilina
and Slovak Toastmasters
-Vlado
If they could do it, you can too!
Excellent speeches are not created by writing but by rewriting...
This quote was said by the winner of the 2001 Toastmasters Worldwide Speaking Competition – Darren LaCroix
His speech that he gave at the competition before that, he presented 22 times in 22 different Toastmasters clubs. And each time he changed and improved the speech until it was perfect…
We often think that the best speakers have incredible talent and that we will never achieve the success they have.
However, these top speakers train and work hard to be good.
Richard Seinfeld, one of the most successful comedians in the world, writes jokes and practices them every day to stay relevant. He has been doing this for 20 years and is at the top of the comedy industry.
Hard work is the price of success. However, it does mean that even those of us who are not extremely gifted at speaking can succeed in this area if we invest the time and effort.
Darren LaCroix was considered unfunny by his entire family, but later became a successful comedian and his humorous speech won a worldwide speech contest.
Les Brown, was considered mentally retarded but nevertheless became a world-famous motivational speaker
Demosthenes of ancient Greece, now considered one of the greatest orators of all time, suffered from a stutter and was the target of ridicule, but through hard work (putting stones in his mouth and articulating clearly, running along the river and trying to speak clearly) he managed to become a respected politician and orator.
If they could do it, you can too!
Try your hand at public speaking and come to the Toastmasters speaking club, you can see the next meeting on Facebook in events. 🙂
Communication fitness
If you can train your muscles in the gym, you can also train your confidence on stage.
Dalibor Cicman, CEO of GymBeam, shared in his latest video how they support the development of communication skills in their company through Toastmasters. 👏🔥
Thanks to Toastmasters, employees have the opportunity to improve their presentation and leadership skills.
A date a little differently 💡
For the past few months, my husband Radovan and I have been going on dates – but not to the movies or dinner. Our Mondays belong to the Toastmasters speaking club 🎤, where we learn to speak in front of people and build self-confidence.
At the beginning, we were dealing with a single question: "Who will look after our three children (ages 5–8)?"„
Because the truth is – you can always find an excuse. But you can also find a way. And we found it ✨
And it was worth it. We've both already had our first short presentations. I was nervously swaying from side to side and smiling more than usual 🙂. And you know what? I still felt like it was a step forward.
We received feedback that wasn't harsh, but it pushed us forward and motivated us 💪. We even started to pay more attention to how we speak at home – how many "eee, hmm, so..." we use. And that's perhaps the greatest gift – when you start to realize how people perceive you.
Toastmasters clubs operate all over the world and in Slovakia 🏢. But for us, it's mainly a community where you can laugh at your own mistakes and learn from them without fear ❤️.
So, will you come and see us? 🤩
- Janka
Club Officers Training (COT) in Bratislava
Club Officers Training (COT) in Bratislava.
Thirty club officers in one place.
And the result? One of the most valuable trainings we've ever experienced. 🙌
What we took away:
➔ brainstorming full of fresh ideas,
➔ a clear vision for the coming years (including the goal of having your own division),
➔ motivation that clubs grow when the people in them grow.
In addition, a lot of new energy and commitment to our community.
Toastmasters is not just about public speaking. It is a place where we develop leadership skills that we can transfer to our professional lives, personal relationships, and community service.
You can gradually lead your mini-team or the entire club - and thus build your leadership step by step.
And that's how we give back value - to ourselves, our clubs, and the entire country. 💙
I got a lot more
When I first came there, I expected a speech club. I got much more.
Every meeting is like an intensive training session – not just in front of the mirror, but in front of people.
Minimum theory. Mainly practice: improvisation, leadership, feedback, managing stage fright, working with voice, body language and silence.
In those 8 months I learned:
– How to get attention in a few seconds.
– How not to lose track when your brain says "escape".
– How to lead people through words – not authority.
I'm not there to "present better.".
I'm there because I want to be able to engage, inspire, influence.
Speech is not a talent. It is a tool.
And Toastmasters is the best training I've ever experienced.
-Michael
Goal: improve your speech
MORE THAN 2 YEARS AGO I DECIDED TO WORK ON MY SPEECH.
In the photo, I'm standing on stage for the first time.
Toastmasters speaking club.
My first speech.
I WAS THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WOULD LIKE
GET THE BEST RESULTS BY TURNOVER.
After all, time is running out, the solution in such a situation,
Naturally, it has to be fast!
Tractor boots for rainy Nitra weather and a sweatshirt
Heart pounding
Expectations
Curiosity
Get ready, don't shit yourself, GO!
Not even a minute and I immediately knew that...
…. it won’t be that fast… EUREKA…
Since that moment, I have stood on that stage many times.
A beating heart – it is my faithful friend and
signals readiness status.
Expectations – I am working on a gradual and
completely freeing oneself from them.
Curiosity – TOP, I love this mindset.
If you are also the type of person who:
- wants to systematically work on himself and his speech,
- He likes to joke around and be around like-minded people.,
- you are not afraid of a challenge and do not expect instant results,
then we are looking for you.
Come check out our next meeting.
and experience it for yourself.
No obligation and free as a guest.
How many times have you wanted to say something out loud – and it just stayed in your head?
A few months ago, I sat down in a chair in a small meeting room - at Cowork.
I had no idea that I was sitting there with a completely new version of myself.
It's called Toastmasters. At first glance, it looks like a "speakers' club." But it's actually more than that.
People like me – introverts, perfectionists, overworked professionals, and curious students – get up in front of a group of people and speak in front of an audience.
About themselves. About their thoughts. About the embarrassments that changed them.
About plans that seem too big to say out loud.
And it is by saying them out loud that something changes:
👉 You will stop being afraid of failing.
👉 You will learn to speak more clearly - but also to listen more carefully.
👉 You'll start laughing when you make a mistake - and you won't fall apart.
For me personally, Toastmasters is one of the most practical decisions I have made.
It's not about being a "perfect speaker." It's about having the courage to say something the way you really feel. And letting others cheer you on.
If you ever feel like you would like to speak with more calmness, better manage nervousness, or just trust your own voice more - come and see the meeting.
Maybe that's where you'll discover a version of yourself you haven't met yet.
Are you waiting for the right moment?
Are you putting off your goals and dreams? Are you waiting for the right moment to start or are you afraid to make a change in your life?
I first learned about Toastmasters in college and then put it off for over 10 years. Every year I would write this goal into my New Year's resolutions - I would come and check out Toastmasters. Sometimes it was school, then my first job, a year later a new job, then Covid-19, sometimes it was family and interests. And then something happened and the years flew by.
It wasn't really that I couldn't find the time to meet every other week. It was that I didn't want to step out of my comfort zone, that I was afraid I wasn't good enough or that I would embarrass myself in public. So I would follow new Facebook posts from Toastmasters members every week and for a decade I wouldn't know if I was good enough or not. And so everyone else progressed while I stagnated in the same place.
I missed out on small steps towards progress in my speech, I missed out on great people I could have met, I missed out on experiences, but also on experiences that could have hardened me and moved me forward. And so I was still the same girl from years ago, afraid to ask the saleswoman in my childhood where they got yeast or baking soda.
I finally fulfilled a long-pending dream once – I attended a Toastmasters meeting. And how did it go? Excellent – I experienced a great atmosphere and said two sentences, but I wanted to come again.
So if you don't want to break my 10-year record of postponing a Toastmasters meeting, come check out our meeting. We look forward to seeing you.
PS I'm still afraid to ask the salespeople in the store where they have what, but that's getting better. 🤪
-Tanya
Average vs. great speaker
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
AVERAGE AND GREAT SPEAKER? 🙇 vs 🙋
Big and each of us feels it.
What is the given difference based on the theorem above?
Describe it yourself – we are all sensitive to something different.
For me, for example, these things:
- quality content
- connection with personal experience
- my audience involvement
- etc etc
There is one difference, however,
which stands at the beginning.
In front of everyone.
And that is the approach and work with change.
A great speaker evaluates –
based on self-assessment or feedback
and almost instantly implements the change
to his next speeches.
He doesn't wait for a situation that may never come.
There's no excuse for not being able to do it now.
He learns the lesson and changes.
This requires a huge dose of motivation,
built on 3 pillars:
- decision
- trust
- discipline
Toastmasters speech club and active participation
at its regular meetings (2x/month)
offers an environment where you can not only realize,
but immediately put the change into practice and train it.
Are you ALL in or what more do you need?
Allow yourself to be awkward.
A dog trainer at a speakers' club?
That will be embarrassing. 😨
I train dogs… and now myself.
Not on orders, but so that I wouldn't be afraid to stand in front of people and say something.
Namely – sometimes I manage to be funny…
And sometimes it doesn't work out and it's embarrassing. 😄
So if you want to have fun and find out what the awkwardness taught me, definitely come. 🙃
👉 Casual
👉 Free
👉 In a good group
PS: I promise to make at least one mistake. 😅
An evening I will think about for a long time
Monday. It was an evening I will think about for a long time.
On and off stage – emotions were flowing in full force.
🎙️ We experienced three powerful speeches - from the heart, with a punchline, and with a spark.
🎭 Improvisations? This time about emotions. Not facts. Not logic.
In those brief moments, we saw each other – and maybe even a little bit of ourselves.
We are a community of people striving to grow. To be better. To be more open.
And to top it all off – we elected a new committee. New leaders. A new chapter.
I am grateful to be a part of this space.
Places where words have weight. And silence even more.
A year ago VS. today
A year ago:
❌ Stage fright. Mega nervousness
❌ Worried about what to say.
❌ Verbal fluff. Body language is useless.
Today?
➔ I regularly speak in front of an audience
➔ I moderate entire meetings
➔ I evaluate other speakers and give them constructive feedback
A huge shift in less than a year.
In speech, in self-confidence, in the ability to lead an audience.
And that's only thanks to Toastmasters.
It's a speech club where everyone can improve their communication.
Additionally:
🌍 Toastmasters is a prestigious international organization. Being in Toastmasters is prestigious. My employer also sees this.
Does that sound appealing?
👉 Sometimes just the first step is enough.
Come check out our next meeting.
I had trouble speaking.
A year ago I had trouble speaking in front of people:
Analytical thinking? 100 %.
Soft skills? Weak.
At work, I was always pigeonholed into ‚technical“ roles — because that’s where I felt most confident. But deep down, I knew that if I wanted to grow, I needed to be better at communicating, leading, and performing.
Even in my personal life, I felt limited.
So, less than a year ago, I joined Toastmasters, a public speaking club. It was a huge challenge. And one of the best things I could have done:
- With every performance, every evaluation, every feedback round, I move forward.
- I see myself changing — not just as a speaker, but also as a person.
If you feel that analytical or technical skills have been pulling you forward so far, but soft skills are holding you back
— I recommend: give public speaking a chance. It can be learned.
If you want, come and see our club's next meeting.
Our Mondays with Radek
Our Mondays with Radek don't belong to the cinema or dinner, but to the Toastmasters speaking club 🎤.
It wasn't easy with three children (5–8 years old) - you can always find an excuse, but we found a way ✨.
First presentations? Nervousness, swaying from side to side, an extra smile 🙂. But also feedback that moves you forward and motivates 💪.
We even pay more attention to how we speak at home now – and that is a huge gift.
For us, Toastmasters is a community where you can laugh at your own mistakes and learn from them without fear ❤️.
Will you come and take a look? 🤩
-Janka
Soft skills = skills for life, for every day
These aren't just public speaking skills. They're skills that help you everywhere - at work, at home, among friends, in relationships.
What if you communicated a little better every day?
Imagine that…
➔ your voice can convince,
➔ your words can create a connection,
➔ your reactions can unlock solutions.
All of this isn't just practiced on stage. It happens in every interaction – with a colleague, with a friend, with a stranger on the street.
👉 Toastmasters is a space where you develop these skills step by step.
And you don't just feel the difference in your speech - you feel it in your whole life:
➔ You will gain self-confidence.
➔ You will improve relationships.
➔ You will learn to lead – yourself and others.
And the most important thing?
These skills will stay with you. Not for a month, not for a year – but forever.
These are skills that open doors for you, improve your relationships, and give you a boost for your entire life - in every situation, every day.
Every meeting we have is a mix of two types of speech.
🎙️ Every meeting we have is a mix of two types of speech:
➡️ prepared speeches where speakers share thoughts, stories and inspiration,
➡️ improvisations that will test your alertness, creativity, and ability to react in the moment.
And when there's enough talking and improvising, we're also adding a vote for the best speaker and improviser of the evening. 🌟 It's a little bonus that brings joy, motivation, and a desire to improve further.
It's not really about who wins. It's about the atmosphere, the support, and the growth we experience together - speech after speech, meeting after meeting.
👉 Come and see. Maybe next time you'll be on stage.
Leadership is not just about titles
👩💼 Leadership is not just about a job title.
It is the ability to lead people, motivate them, and move them forward – and that can be trained.
At the Toastmasters speaking club, you have a unique opportunity to improve your leadership skills in practice:
➡️ you can lead the entire club,
➡️ or try a smaller function,
➡️ possibly lead a nationwide team.
Every role teaches you something new – from organization and planning to teamwork and motivating people. 🚀
And all this in a safe environment where you grow together with others.
👉 Join us and improve your leadership skills to a level you won't get in your regular job.
Speech competitions
🎤 Toastmasters is inseparable from competitions - prepared speeches and improvisations that will bring tension, laughter, and moments that will make the audience laugh.
The winners from the clubs meet on the national stage – and there it's not just about applause. There they compete for the title of the best speaker in Slovakia.
And it doesn't end there. The journey continues – to higher levels, up to regional or international rounds in English.
From smaller stages to large stages - always with the same question: Who can captivate the audience the most?
When I had to speak in front of people, my stomach clenched
When I was about to speak in front of people, my stomach clenched and I felt like vomiting.
Does that sound extreme? Not at all. When we're stressed, our bodies react in all sorts of ways—our hands sweat, our voices shake, our hearts race. Our brains panic about the unknown, and our bodies follow suit.
The good news: with repetition, the brain stops evaluating performing in front of people as a threat and stress decreases.
That's exactly how it was for me. Today, I even enjoy speaking in front of people and my stage fright is minimal.
Do you want it to be similar?
Come try it for free.
Dunning–Kruger effect
I thought I knew how to speak in public.
Is that how you feel too?
There is something like the Dunning–Kruger effect.
I attach its illustration below:
self-confidence ▲
| ●
| / \
| / \ ← „The Path of Humility“
| ● / \
| / \ / \ ← „The Rise of Expertise“
| / \ / \
|/ ● \
+—————————-►
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 → professional knowledge
First Peak ("Mount Stupid") – Naive Confidence
→ "This is really easy, I have it in my little finger!"„
The Fall („Valley of Humility“) – Realizing One’s Ignorance
→ „Oh… this is a lot harder than I thought.“
The Rise of Expertise – Wise Self-Confidence
→ „I understand the topic, I know what I know – and I know what I don’t know.“
This effect essentially speaks to the perception of one's competence.
And let's go back to me.
I felt that my competence – expression
is at a high level – I reached the first peak –
Mount Stupid…
By systematically attending meetings
Toastmasters clubs, I realized,
that I still have great potential for improvement –
awareness of one's own ignorance.
I have embarked on the path of humility!
By regular participation, learning and most importantly
by practicing = by speaking I realize,
that my expertise is increasing.
At the same time, it's clear to me how much more I still have ahead of me.
Therefore, if you feel like you can talk,
Come to our meeting and test it out.
Maybe the Dunning–Kruger effect
won't be that far from the truth and
you will find out things about yourself and your expression,
that you were not aware of
Thirty club officers in one place
Club Officers Training (COT) in Bratislava. Thirty club officers in one place.
What will come of it? One of the best trainings we've had. 🙌
What did we take away?
➔ brainstorming full of ideas,
➔ a clear vision for the coming years (and the desire for your own division!),
➔ motivation that the club grows when the people in it grow.
And yes – a lot of new energy and inspiration for our community.
Toastmasters is not just about public speaking. It is a place where we practice leadership and learn to use leadership skills in work, in life, and in service to the community.
Over time, you can lead your own mini-team or an entire club and build leadership skills.
And with all of this, we give something back - to ourselves, to the club, and to our country. 💙
Competition for the best improviser of the evening
🎤 And the competition for the best improviser of the evening wins… Evka – yum! 🏆👏
Toastmasters meetings inherently include not only improvisations - short, impromptu speeches where the speaker does not know the topic in advance - but also competitions.
We are competing for:
✨ best speaker
💬 best improviser
🧠 best evaluator
Not to "beat" others, but to grow.
Every speech, every feedback, every performance in front of an audience moves us forward - in self-confidence, in thinking, and in how we communicate at work or in everyday life.
🔥 Do you want to try it too?
Come to our next Toastmasters meeting and discover what's inside you.
Monday – an evening that still lingers
It was a Toastmasters meeting. There was a buzz of energy on stage and in the audience:
🎙️ Two powerful speeches. Each different, all from the heart.
⚡ Improvisations followed. No preparation, no filters – just real stories.
💬 Finally, feedback that moves you forward. Growth doesn't start with flattery, but with constructive feedback.
In those few hours, we learned to speak out loud, to listen even better – and maybe even to understand ourselves a little better.
We are a community that believes that words have weight and silence has even greater weight. If you want to grow with us, the door is open.
Do you also want to improve your speaking, communication or presentation skills?
Come and see the next meeting without obligation.
We'll see you again at the next meeting - a little better prepared than we were yesterday.
Acting confidently is a skill
🫨 My voice was shaking.
🤯My heart was about to jump out of my chest.
😓I was sweating.
All of that is now in the past and I'm looking forward to all eyes being on me again.
Having a confident demeanor is a skill like any other.
It can be learned.
Come beat the stress of public speaking and join us.
National competition in prepared and improvised speeches
🎤 Toastmasters holds a nationwide competition every six months in prepared and improvised speeches - in Slovak and English.
The atmosphere is often full of tension, but also of strong stories, humor and unforgettable moments. The winners from individual clubs will meet and compete for the title of the best speaker in Slovakia. 🇸🇰
If you too feel it's time to take your communication and leadership skills to the next level, come check out a Toastmasters club meeting.
Maybe you will one day represent your club on the big stages. ✨
At our meetings you will experience:
🗣 Prepared speeches – members present speeches according to a clear educational program.
💡 Speech evaluation – experienced speakers will provide constructive feedback.
🎯 Improvisations - train your agility and creativity in a fun, impromptu session.
⏱ Technical assessment - you will improve your speech, timing, and speaking technique.
The official part is followed by an informal meeting where you can chat, get tips, or make new friends.
Come, experience it, and maybe you'll discover your talent right here.
Another Toastmasters evening is behind us.
Another Toastmasters evening is behind us 🙂 In a relaxed atmosphere we had:
- prepared speeches,
- improvisations on previously unknown topics,
- constructive feedback,
- and voting for the best improviser of the evening.
And we came together again in a strong group.
Because, as the saying goes:
The secret to success is purposeful perseverance.
We must prioritize the things that are right
At a company meeting last week, one of my Czech colleagues said a sentence that shook me to the core and made me sit on my ass like I haven't in a long time...
„"We simply have to prioritize things that are right over things that are pleasant."“
If you want to be a carpenter, work with wood.
If you want to be a bricklayer, learn to lay bricks.
and if you want to be a speaker, then practice speaking
However, in my opinion, it is not enough to come to a meeting once every 2 weeks and:
- to take on a role (or not)
- to have a speech (or not)
- evaluate the speech (or not)
I think that if you want to be a great speaker, it requires systematic work with feedback and gradually addressing and improving on the things that make a good speaker great:
- voice work
- working with body language
- working with content
What did you do today (right before the pleasant) to make yourself a little better?
What did I do to be better? And what does that have to do with the photo?
So much so that: In addition to taking on the role, I threw myself into evaluating the speaker and won the competition for the evening's evaluator.
Having a confident demeanor is a skill like any other.
It can be learned.
Come beat the stress of public speaking and join us.
Feedback. Not as a formality. As a tool.
Feedback. Not as a formality. As a tool.
In Toastmasters, feedback is an integral part of every meeting. Not to judge someone. But to move them forward.
Why is it so important?
Because it shows us reality:
➔ how others perceive us
➔ what worked
➔ what was disturbing
➔ what can be fine-tuned in the next speech
Each speaker has their own evaluator – an experienced club member who monitors the speech as a whole: content, body language, gestures, voice, and work with the audience.
And at the same time, everyone in the audience can give feedback - briefly, honestly, specifically.
The result?
Speakers get better with every speech.
David Laroche and stuttering
David Laroche didn't stutter "a little bit.".
He stuttered so much that he preferred not to speak at all.
This is how you set up the system:
to speak every day,
loudly, slowly, purposefully,
in front of people – even if it was uncomfortable.
Not motivation. Volume.
Not self-confidence. Repetition.
After hundreds of hours, something boring happened:
what had terrified him had ceased to be extraordinary.
Until he finally got into TedX as a speaker…
Oratory is not broken by understanding.
It breaks with exposure + time.
If you wait for fear to go away, you'll never start.
If you start, fear will adapt.
Why "Toastmasters"? 🍷🎤
What about "Toastmasters"? 🍷🎤
When the first Toastmasters club was formed in 1924, founder Ralph C. Smedley wanted to practice short, social speeches (toasts) – toasts, introductions of guests, reactions at the table.
The toastmaster was the one who led the evening.
He gave the floor. He kept the pace. He guarded the culture of communication.
And that's exactly what we practice to this day.
👉 Switch to social mode and improve with us.
Chief Officer Training
Everyone in the photo holds a position in some club - they take care of membership, finances, education, or lead the entire club, etc.
Such COT trainings (Chief Officer Training) are not just about processes and spreadsheets, but also about ourselves as leaders.
We solve:
➔ what works in clubs and where we can improve
➔ concrete ideas and solutions that we can use immediately
➔ the direction of Toastmasters in Slovakia and the longer-term vision
We meet like this once every six months so that the clubs can grow consciously, meaningfully, and as a community.
Toastmasters is not just about public speaking.
It's a space where we grow as leaders, volunteers, and people. 💬🎤💙
Three diplomas awarded
A recent meeting?
Three diplomas awarded:
-the best speaker,
-the best improviser,
-best evaluator.
Katka, Robo, Tanya.
And the best part?
Great mood.
Those moments are the most 🙂
Give Toastmasters a chance
👉 Do you think public speaking is not for you?
That's why it makes sense to give Toastmasters a chance.
ℹ️ With every performance, every evaluation, and every feedback, you move forward.
And gradually you realize that you are not only changing as a speaker, but also as a person.
Come and see the next club meeting without obligation.
We look forward to seeing you 🙂
Starting is half the battle.
Getting started is half the battle. And it's not just a wise saying on the wall.
This applies to speech, to change, and to the simple decision to come.
How to start a speech in a way that is interesting?
How to start speaking when we are nervous?
And how do we actually start something that we have been putting off for a long time?
That's exactly what Toastmasters meetings are about.
We look forward to seeing everyone who:
– want to improve their speech
– or are they looking for the courage to take the first step
Guests are welcome.
You don't have to know anything, you don't have to say anything. Just start by coming.
Leadership Laboratory
Toastmasters is a leadership laboratory. You will get the chance to:
➔ lead a mini-team of people
➔ to moderate an evening in front of an audience
➔ organize events from A to Z
➔ solve real problems with real people
No HR department. No titles. No corporate glitz.
Just you, the team and the result.
For me, this meant:
→ the first systematic management of people
→ training the ability to persuade
→ presenting the vision to the community
→ building trust and authority without formal power
→ handling the pressure when someone is after me
And these are the skills that are paid for in the market.
So: You can build your leadership skills at Toastmasters.
And then the private market will pay you for it.
Summary evaluator
Summary Evaluator — the final member of the quantitative team and a role that makes you look at people differently.
Not what they say. But:
➔ The way they look when they talk.
➔ How they stand. What energy they bring to the room.
➔ Whether the audience is leaning forward or looking at their phone.
This role forced me to focus on the entire meeting — not just the speeches:
➔ How the moderator keeps the pace.
➔ Whether the speaker evaluators provide feedback that can be realistically worked with.
➔ How the transitions between the individual parts flow.
➔ What is the energy at the beginning and what is the energy at the end.
And that's what's valuable about it — you don't look at one performance, but at the whole. The organization, the flow, the atmosphere.
Everything that others don't notice because they are immersed in their task.
The result? You start to read the room and everything in it.
And that's a skill that will stay with you even outside of Toastmasters.