My dad was the first speaker I ever listened to “officially”. Officially it was often at the dinner table as he was preparing for a speech through his endeavors with Toastmasters. It was the job of my older brother and me to throw a stone in a bucket, creating a large clang that we enjoyed, if he hesitated or stammered. This was the way of Toastmaster Speaker Training in Kansas in the 60’s. It is no wonder my dad, with his polished speeches, would go on to win several Toastmaster awards, as a speaker for a wide-variety of training, causes and efforts on a national level. While we enjoyed the official speaking of my father, I believe it was the unofficial storytelling of him, my uncle and friends who would gather around a campfire that led me to understand the power of sharing ideas through the images of words. It was those words that could elicit a response for those who were captivated and dream of the possibility.
Over the years it has been fun to follow in dad’s footsteps, both storytelling and Toastmaster training. My career has been a blend of business endeavors that feed my stomach, and working with children, along with supporting children’s issues that feeds my soul. Because of the variety of those settings, I too have found myself as a storyteller, speaker and teacher. It is a unique joy to have 5 pre-school kiddos gather closely to imagine what will happen next when the page of a book is turned, or the next voice of the story is heard. It is unique privilege to step to the podium, ready to thank or engage a large audience for the topic paramount on their minds.
Whether building upon the structure of a well-written book, or listening to the needs of an individual or a group, the collaborative nature of crafting the message is foundational for the intended experience for the listener. I would enjoy listening to and learning more about your story.