What do YOU command?

We always unconsciously recognise a leader.

When strangers are thrown into a group, a leader will always emerge.

Many books and articles talk about CHARISMA in a leader. I personally don't think charisma is a necessity in a leader. It's a 'good to have', but not an essential part of a leader.

Leaders command respect. Followers will automatically respond to leaders who command respect. They will say that there is an 'aura' about that person to attract and entice people to listen, to agree and to follow.

I do not believe that leaders are born. All leaders are forged like a sword, from raw metal into a beautiful piece of workmanship, through fire and water and a lot of knocking around. The intensity of the fire and knocking may differ, but the results are the same - a strong character is formed.

Taken from AllPosters.com

A character that commands respect from people around him or her. A magnetic force that automatically turns into charisma. Assertive yet gentle. Forceful yet thoughful.

What qualities do we think of when we think of someone with such a character?

I can come up with the following three:

1. Confidence
2. Far-sightedness
3. Trustworthiness / Honesty

Other qualities such as communication and delegation are, to me, 'good to have' qualities.

I can imagine a leader who does not say very much. But when he does start to say something, everyone keeps quiet to listen, because what he has to say makes sense and it gives direction and purpose.

-------------

In every society, we look for a leader. We look for someone to be at the head of the line.

The parent-child at home. Your manager or supervisor at work. Your spiritual leader. The President or Prime Minister of your country.

It is an in-built function that we are born with. Hence, all of us are followers, and only some of us will be leaders.

Being a leader is a choice.

In a group of strangers, landed on an island and the only way is to obtain everyone's help to built a boat to escape the island - someone will eventually have to speak out to give instructions to the others. If the others are desperate enough to leave the island, they will follow the instructions.

----------------

What do people see when they see you? What is the first impression you give them?

Do you command respect or do you just command?

-----------------

by Charlotte Goh

Joint Installation Night - 2009/2010

From the very start of planning the Joint Installation, there were so many decisions and hiccups and issues that it made many people wonder if this installation will succeed.

Having 8 clubs to come together with varying ideas and suggestions, it was a challenge to pick and use the best options and finally put together a 4 hour Joint Installation Night that proved to be a roaring success!

Well done, to all participating clubs!

Laughter exercises as icebreaker. As most people think of toastmasters as a dull and serious club, this was a refreshing look at how toastmasters can go zany and wild too.

Running to the goals ahead.

Great dance performances. Very professional and entertaining. I liked the Indian dance.

Our club's Treasurer, TM Chiang Lee Lim (far left).

Our VP-Membership, TM Michael Tee (3rd from left).

Our club's VPPR, yours truly.


MIM Toastmasters Club President, TM Glenn Koh (standing far left) and IPP CC Simon Tan (2nd from left)

Marianna Pascal taking on the Table Topics session.

Our speaker for the evening, K Loghandran DTM. A feisty man who challenged all of us to soar to greater heights and be the best, learning from the best. Truly inspiring and he's very funny too.

Appreciation for handling the music for the evening.

ATB Jason Kum was the installation emcee, in which he did a fantastic job of coordinating and choreographing the whole installation with effeciency.

CC Au Yong Lucy also did an amazing job to create the mood for the evening.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Unleashing the Speaker in YOU.

Leaders can be MADE.

Confidence can be BUILT.

Club Exco Members

As an introduction to MIM Toastmasters Club of Johor Bahru, let me introduce to you our Exco Members for term 2009/2010:

Glenn Koh (President)
Ee Jun Wai (Vice President - Education)
Michael Tee (Vice President - Membership)
Charlotte Goh (Vice President - Public Relations)
Gan Chin Soon (Secretary)
Chiang Lee Lim (Treasurer)
Dorren Tey (Sergeant-At-Arms)

Our President Theme for the term is

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Because a Toastmasters club is dedicated to developing communication and leadership skills, it would be fitting to say that the above theme addresses the following issues:

1. Make a difference in your personal development, whether as a speaker or as a leader.
2. Make a difference in your surrounding environment by sharing our experiences with other fellow toastmasters, friends and relatives.
3. Make a difference by achieving goals and objectives beyond benchmarks.

We look forward to a new term and hope to see all of you during our next meeting on 7 July 2009 at Grand Paragon Hotel.

======================================
Never neglect an opportunity for improvement.
Sir William Jones
======================================