Feedback received that moves you forward

Feedback is a word that evokes myriad emotions in us – bringing back memories of statements shared by our managers and leaders that somehow made us feel “less than”.

In Toastmasters, feedback is geared to make you feel “more than”. Feedback is a warm, fuzzy feeling, much awaited from the speech evaluator and general evaluator. What’s more, any Toastmaster - in the audience or to whom you send your recorded speech – can give you feedback.

To imbibe this culture of supportive and growth-oriented feedback, this project gets you comfortable along two lines:

1. Receiving feedback and applying relevant suggestions

2. Providing feedback and supporting the speaker

The best way to make the most of feedback

Take it in three stages:

1. Before your speech:

   1. While preparing your script, run it past your mentor for a first round of feedback before you even deliver the speech. 

   2. Connect with your speech evaluator and let them know areas for which you are specifically seeking feedback.

   3. Share the project evaluation form in advance so your speech evaluator is prepared with your project and speech objectives.

2. Immediately after your speech:

   1. Take feedback from other audience members during the networking and refreshment break.

   2. Take notes or record as your speech evaluator delivers their evaluation on stage or screen.

   3. Consider which points are more useful to you at this point in your journey.

3. After the meeting:

   1. Catch up with your speech evaluator and discuss the feedback, including any points that were unclear. Seek examples of what you did well or demonstrations of how to apply the feedback in the same speech you just delivered.

   2. Mull over the feedback and set yourself a challenge to apply 2-3 specific points in your very next speech.

   3. Keep a rough tracker; across your speeches, you will see yourself improving on various parameters. The tracker will help you inform your next speech evaluator on areas to focus on.

Toastmasters operates on the principle of community-based feedback. Take full advantage of it by being intentional about seeking and applying feedback.

Feedback works both ways. Even a brand-new Toastmaster can provide feedback. A newbie Toastmaster can evaluate a tenured Toastmaster. That’s because we all have unique observations and perspectives. A good speaker who’s invested in their growth will consider feedback from multiple viewpoints.