Toastmasters Newsletter April 2016

NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK And a mentor is this teacher who doesn’t tell you what to see but shows you where to see.

A mentor is the one, who can uplift the mentee, who is always ready to help.

The success of a new member largely depends upon the mentor.

Everyone in our life inspires us in small ways or big.

“I used to think that life is about easy living.

It was not until the strange thought of retiring early from my secure, high profile, low paying government job that a new idea was born.

During the decision-making process for my retirement, I realized that decisions for change cannot be easily made, for they can come only through a continual flow o inspiration. I started on a quest for avenues that gave me high doses of inspiration.

Seeking inspiration continually, I now realize that we can see inspiration in every person we meet, even in the typical person going about his or her daily work routine, because we can inspire them just by showing them the path, if they are willing to follow it.”

(Toastmaster international magazine, May 2015 issue)

The best teachers don’t tell you what to see but show you where to look. – Alexandra K Trenfor

Today what I am is only because of my mentor, DR JOHN VALLIATTU. He helped me, nurtured me and guided me in all my project speeches. Despite being so busy in his work he was there as a guide, as a mentor, as a coach at every stage. It was my good luck that he helped me and gave me lot of confidence to talk in public.

A member experience will be enhanced by the guidance of their mentors. So feel free to ask their help and call them regularly. The benefits of mentoring are immense.

Sharda Daga, CC President NTI Toastmasters Club CONTENTS

• From the President’s Desk • A Note from the Editor • Welcome new VP Education • Why Mentoring is Important • First Class Ticket to Toastmasters • Mentoring • Area 6 Contest

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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Each of us has a unique quality, a virtue that sets us apart and in no ways we should lose this. The only way to improve is to recognize this and make it better each time.

“Don’t change who you are.

Become more of who you are.”

This is the formula of Sally Hogshead, an accomplished keynote speaker and the author of the book, ‘How the World Sees You: Discover your Highest Value through the Science of Fascination’.

I have been fortunate enough to have some adrenalized mentors who stop not until their mentees have realized their potential.

To name a few are DTM Rajesh Daga, DTM Girish Kumar, TM Saleh Al Khamyasi and TM Prathap (Toastmaster from Bahrain). They have guided me exceptionally well. They helped me realize a dream I did not even think about when I set off.

This issue is a special dedication to all the Mentees and Mentors who work hand in hand to make learning an enjoyable experience.

We hope you have a great time reading this one and we promise this one will be a special issue in your collection.

A special thanks to TM Tahir for the support This is exactly what our mentors teach us, in this newsletter. isn’t it?

The concept of a mentor and mentee was alien to me till I came to Toastmasters.

Even after I joined Toastmasters and was assigned a mentor I always figured that the mentee would tell me exactly what to do as we were told in school. But on the contrary my mentor never told me the right way to do it but only showed me the direction in which I could discover my potential and do better than just the right way. And as I set off on this unique journey of self learning and development I realized that the best way to teach and learn simultaneously was through mentoring.

Noopur Joshi Vice President Public Relations NTI Toastmasters Club

• Metoring for success Metoring Through Small Gestures • Million Men • NTI - A family of Mentors and Mentees • Tough Mentor • Thumb Rule for a Mentor • Meet my Mentor

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WELCOME NEW VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION

It is not unknown that Toastmasters is not only about communication, but leadership too. And leadership is not just about a title but is all about how well your club and its members grow.

It’s been 3 years since I joined NTI and it feels like I found my second home. I remember my first day as a guest at NTI. Even though I was a new face to every person present in the hall, they all welcomed me with warm hearts and smiling faces.

I instantly fell in love with the positivity and decided that this is the perfect place to improve myself.

Since then I have always taken back home great learning after every session.

In the 3 years of my toastmaster’s journey, I’ve served as the Treasurer of the club. But when it came up to holding posts with more responsibilities like VP-Education, VP-Membership; I always hesitated. This continued till the time I received a phone call from our president MTM Sharda Daga saying that due to some unfortunate reasons our VP-E Kishore has to leave and that NTI needs a new leader. “Will you be the new VP-Education Nilofer? The club needs you.” is what awakened me and made me realize that

“Leadership is not a POSITION or a it’s now time to give back to the club title, it is action and example.” that has given me so much.

– Cory Booker.

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I immediately agreed to take up the POSITION and within a few days of taking up the post I felt the sense of POWER. The power of being the VP-E, the power that should be utilized in the right way.

With power, responsibilities.

come

Taking the club to greater heights is my main aim as VP-E. The most important thing to achieve this is persistence.

Bill Bradley rightly said:

“Ambition is the path to success. great Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in”.

The reason I am able to carry out my duties smoothly is because of my strong and wellsettled team. Whenever I send a message to VP-Membership TM Abdullah or Treasurer TM Mahesh or Secretary MTM Vrunda or any other member of my team, I get instant replies. They are always there to support me, to guide me. It is my previlege to be a part of such a dedicated team.

To be successful in anything you do, be it in toastmasters or in life, one needs to be persistent. I make a promise to you all that I will be persistent and take NTI to greater heights just like how TM Kishore was doing it religiously. To do this I also require support from each one of you. I leave you with this note

“We are only as strong as we are The positivity and never give up united, as weak as we are divided” attitude of our members is what - J.K Rowling. keeps me attracted to the club.

So, let us all come together and set new I have mentioned this in my previous articles records. and I repeat again that NTI is like my “power bank”. I get my weekly dose of energy every Sunday which lasts the week and by the time my energy level goes down, it’s time for our weekly meetings again.

The positivity of this place is so high that negativity is forced to pack its bag and leave.

This is why my passion towards toastmasters never dies.

NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

MTM Nilofer Tanna Vice Prseident Education NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

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WHY MENTORING IS IMPORTANT

minglein the new lifeon earth by following recommended guidance and advices.

Adam and Evefaced a lot of challenges and obstacles to adapt to the new life, in which it enhances their skills, knowledge and the will power to learn and accept the guidance of their mentors (*The angels).Same knowledge and learning experiences were passed on to us and the rest of humanity through extensive mentoring and coaching programs by Adam and Eve and the rest of God messengers and profits.

I read many good articles about the importance of mentoringand the excellent results both mentors and mentees earned by the endof the program. Most of these articles state that mentoring had become part of workplace and our life. This statement is absolutely correct. However, I say that,

In our society, parents coach and train their children about life; friends coach friends onemotional difficulties, and personal challenges; teachers coach students on academic excellence and the power of learning, managers and supervisors coach employees on work issues and career developments; and couples coach each other through difficulties and challenges in their marriage. Proverbs 11:14 says

“Mentoring is not new in our life, it “Where there is no counsel, the has been there since the first day people fall; but in the multitude of God created human. “ counselors there is safety. Coaching and mentoring are a natural parts The first coaching relationship was born in the Garden of Eden (Gen 1:26-32; Gen 2:15- of life.”

25), (QuraanSurah al-Baqarah, verse 35-36), where God coached Adam and Eve. God angels continued the journey of mentoring program, the Angels were there to guide, coach, teach and mentor Adam and Eve and the rest of the profitson how to adjust and

The above chronological mentoring program shows the importance of mentoring and coaching programs, it is a journey in the pursuit of excellence from someone who has more knowledge and

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experience helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. God created coaching and mentoring and he is the original Master Coach. It was part of God’s original plan for mankind since the first day he created life on earth and it will continue until the last breath on this earth.

members and the new chartered clubs receive the full benefits of toastmasters’ organization.

Do you have a coach or mentor in your personal or professional life? Are you a mentor or a coach of someone in need of your help and support?Just remember the Toastmaster organization became a strong story of Adam and Eveand God’s master plan platform and powerful tool in executing of coaching and mentoring in this life. some of Gods’ plans on earth via its senior members by helping each individual to It is about time to move forward with your enhance their skills and pursue their dreams plans, it is time to find the best mentor who through powerful mentoring and coaching matches your character, the one who will programs. have a positive influence on your plans and ready to assist you in pursuing your dreams These programs have been and ambitions. After all, coaching and mentoring were parts of God’s original plan wrapped up inside a wonderful to help connect us with Him and with each gift box called the mentoring and other.

coaching program, where more senior knowledgeable toastmasters transfer their knowledge and experiences to the new members and new chartered clubs and rest of toastmasters who are in needfor support and guidance.

DTM Sabah Abdullah Al Ismaily Division R Director, District 20, Region 11

They vary from verybasic mentoring programs where vice president education assignssenior toastmasters as mentors to new members, as well as existing members who still inneedfor further coaching and assistance to sophisticated Educational Excellence by training new club sponsors, mentors and club coaches, to ensure that NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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MY FIRST CLASS TICKET TO TOASTMASTERS

then.

A couple of days later I received his call. The energy and conviction with which he spoke was so uplifting.

Though we had not met before he kept inspiring me to join Toastmasters to an extent that I wished he was my boss.

“He

went on elaborating what would I benefit from joining such a life changing journey as if he was a farmer planting a seed in my mind.”

I thanked him for his call and hung up with a promise to visit the club soon. However, my procrastination got the best out of me and tempted me to defer the visit week after week. I was taken aback when he made a follow up call urging me to make the visit soon.

DTM Rajesh Daga gives mentoring a special flavor.

I found the quote of John C Maxwell

I was destined to embark my Toastmasters’ journey under the roof of his inspiring Leadership.

“A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Walking my memory lane, I recall that when I sent a letter to Toastmasters International asking them how to go about chartering a new corporate Toastmasters club, I was told someone will contact you. Their answer did not necessarily please ME then but I had to wait for the call. Do you know who called me? Yes! You guessed it right, it was DTM Rajesh who was Division D Governor back

as a suitable synonym for DTM Rajesh who has always walked that extra mile to see his mentees grow and proceed further.

Once I joined NTI Toastmasters Club, I found it a hub where Rajesh and the likeminded leaders nurture talents inspiringly. His invocations were exceptionally captivating and inspiring. He kept encouraging me to take roles and progress in my speeches.

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Superb was at the core of his uplifting vocabulary list. His inspiring evaluation style was a catalyst of change in my case. It was his positive feedback style which enabled me to take charge of my own development and personal growth.

I could attest that my formation days at NTI toastmasters made me embrace life with an attitude of a glass half full.

It has made me create the opportunity and His words while evaluating my speech three celebrate the achievement. titled, “ Human Symphony at the Mattrah Fish Market” are still echoing in my minded. It has taught me to always revisit the basics In fact it was his words on that evening of the Toastmasters. I mean the mission, the which set me free and empowered me to promise and the values of Toastmasters. soar high like an eagle constantly in search These are some of the key lessons I learned of discovering new horizons. from DTM Rajesh Daga and the like Minded Leaders.

I have worked with him in many events and learned a lot from his rich experience. Our They silently illustrated to us again relationship grew beyond the club. In fact if I were to write my own autobiography one and again that Toastmasters is day associating with him will be a chapter about servant leadership. It is about by itself. He is indeed the gate through giving more. It is about celebrating which I navigated in a self-discovery the success of others. journey embracing the opportunities that Toastmasters has gifted me.

Passionate mentors like Rajesh are not teachers but awakeners as Robert Frost One of my favorite ways of describing his lucidly put it. They Truly mentor for success. influence on me is referring to him as

‘My first class ticket to Toastmasters.’

His sincerity and continuity as an inspiring mentor made a great difference in my progress. I could feel the joy of mentoring TM Saleh Al Khamyasi and the passion with which he adhered to ACB, ALS the task.

Assistant Division Director Club Growth - Division R His mentoring style inspired so many people Public Relation & Translation Affairs manager and empowered them to be the change District 20 for Arabic Toastmasters Region 11 they want to see in the world.

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MENTORING

rich in experience and ultimately helps in the development of an individual for better performance of skills learnt through the relationship established between two people. (Mentor & Mentee ) Though there are core competencies such as professional teaching, counselling, coaching, advising etc., involved in mentoring , it is not necessarily true that these are all a must in shaping someone.

It can be casual with constant interactions between the mentor and the mentee where knowledge is passed on seamlessly and in the process both the mentor and mentee tend to learn from each other.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, a ear to listen and a push in the right direction “

- John. Crawford Crosby , an American Politician from the United States , State of Massachusetts

This means that a more knowledgeable person picks a less knowledgeable person and develops a relationship with him, listens to him and develops him which leads him into a clear trajectory and direction and enables him to perform with confidence in the future. It always involves communication and coaching to a person who has shown the willingness to learn.

Mentoring involves people receiving guidance and support from a mentor who is

Toastmaster’s structured programme is one such process where the mentoring is done to someone hand picked and the mentee learns by observing, partpicating and involving himself by establishing a relationship with the mentor over a period of time.

A good mentor effectively becomes a good leader tomorrow, as mentoring comes with a responsibility which needs to be fulfilled. It also helps in the personal growth of a person and this is exactly what, joining the toastmaster’s programme does . We know of many cases where art of mentoring learnt in the Toastmaster’s structured programmed has helped people to achieve their goals in leadership whether it is at corporates or

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whether it is a social organization.

Now let us understand the duties of Mentors and Mentees:

DUTIES OF A MENTOR • To have a clear understanding of the needs to be a good mentor based on your own self-assessment of experience and skills.

• To be a Role model and set examples so that that you become the bench mark for all the evaluations of a good mentor.

• Inspire the mentee in every possible way and help him in overcoming any challenges that he or she may face in the process of mentoring.

• Empower the mentee so that they start to think independently in achieving the desired goals • Always try to boost the confidence and self esteem of the mentee by appreciating and giving proper feed backs wherever necessary

• To be eager and enthusiastic and show the inclination to learn when you are being mentored.

• Always try to be thankful for the efforts and time taken by the mentor by understanding the difficulties and challenges which are being faced.

• Take the mentor into confidence in whatever you do so that it helps in correcting mistakes immediately and also boosts the interests of the mentor for your own personal growth.

Finally, the phrase below is really suitable to the Art of mentoring:

“Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish, he will eat for a life time” This is what mentoring is all about and a strict implementation of this will show that you are on the right path of mentoring

DUTIES OF A MENTEE • To have a clear understanding of the benefits of mentoring and what are the gainful insights you will have from the process of mentoring.

• To be receptive to negative feed backs and not get demoralized when constructive feed backs are given by the mentor NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

TM Mahesh Ramamurthy CC Treasurer - NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R District 20

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AREA 6 CONTEST

AREA 6 DIRECTOR - KANNAN RAJGOPAL

JUDGES FOR INTERNATIONAL AND TABLE TOPICS CONTEST

JUDGES FOR HUMOROUS AND EVALUATION CONTEST

CONTEST AWARDS

JUDGES

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AREA 6 CONTEST

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MENTORING FOR SUCCESS journey. The names changed, faces changed but what remained the same was encouraging appreciation and a good word by different mentors. In my journey, i have seen some wonderful dedicated mentors like Dr John Valiattu, Girish Kumar, Saleh Khamyasi, Ajit Limaye , Shyam Sankaran, M. V. Jose and the list goes on.

The Toastmasters manuals are so complete and easy to understand, that some of us might feel quite at ease at running it through on their own. However, this journey with a mentor will be more enjoyable, comprehensive and fruitful.

Although, I may have used the word "mentor" in normal conversation, I realized the depth of its meaning only after joining Toastmasters.

I recall vividly, my first interaction with my mentor DTM Tony Lobo in 2003 at Ghala Toastmasters Club. After every meeting, he would take the initiative to call up next morning and give his feed back in a manner that I would start looking forward to my next role. He was re assuring, supportive and sometimes curt and to the point. Very cleverly, he would ask my opinion and suggestions about a role he played. That gave me a sense of importance and

I felt respected by a very senior Toastmasters.

In my later years, I realized, I would not be in Toastmasters, if i had not had mentors to support and guide during this wonderful

Not only one develops a good bond with his mentor, it also helps mentor to discover his own capabilities as a guide, coach and mentor.

We learn to understand different perspective in a non-threatening environment.

The relationship between mentor and mentee is a two way street.

I have witnessed that there is a sense of hesitation amongst new members in calling up their mentor. Rarely one seeks the help of a mentor after P3 or so. It should not be. Have a mentor throughout your Toastmasters journey.

I urge all to call up your mentor at least once in a week. Start today. Share your concerns, your glory, your eureka moments. Seek his opinion. Give yours.

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There is no bigger satisfaction for a mentor than to see the growth and success of his mentee. For a mentor, it is important to understand the level of mentee and slowly persuade, push and encourage. Each of us is different and thinks, act and behave differently. Mentors gain in inter personal skills of dealing with people by working with different mentees. Such an opportunity is rarely available in real corporate world.

life, there can be no other better satisfaction.

I urge members to take advantage of the mentoring support available and climb your ladder of success.

I firmly believe that by playing the role of mentor, one becomes a better human being as well helps another to become better. In

DTM Rajesh Daga NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

In the end, I quote Phil Collins,

”In learning you will teach, in teaching you will learn.”

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MENTORING THROUGH SMALL GESTURES

sanctuary of my grandmother’s garden.

Thoughts of broken bones and embarrassing failures kept my feet firmly on the ground and my hopes securely locked away.

When I was 10 years old, my mother took me to a gymnastics demonstration in Delhi.

I still remember the awe surging through me when I saw child after child, none of whom could have been much older than myself, run up the foam mats, coil every muscle and leap into the air like a majestic hawk. I can still trace that perfect arc they made right before landing square on their feet, not missing a single beat as they beamed at the audience before zipping back to the end of the queue.

Never before had I been so spectacularly stunned.

As a child I was always known as the plucky, chatty one but that day I uttered not one word during the entire drive back to my grandmother’s house, trying to memorise every second of that afternoon frame by frame. Despite my reverence for that moment, I never had the courage to attempt such feats on my own, even in the secluded

It wasn’t long until that burning envy calmed as the whole incident faded to the back of my mind, as childhood fancies are wont to do. It was to my great shock when one day many months later my school announced that they were beginning gymnastics lessons after class. Joy and excitement raced through me and before I knew it I had signed myself up! It was a few days after I had handed in my application that my old friends fear and apprehension caught up to me. I knew it was a class for beginners but what if I made a spectacular fool of myself.

I had only recently joined this school and what if this was the event that made me a social pariah for the rest of my life. I was all but set to withdraw my name from the class but a friend had told a friend who told even more people that I was going to do it.

‘My life is over. Farewell cruel world.’

It was with great dread that I walked into the gymnasium that day. We did warm up exercises and queued up to try our hand at cartwheels. One after another we walked up to the foam mat and I saw person after person do somewhat clumsy but successful rolls into cartwheels. I cursed at myself for having stayed away from these simple tricks that were almost such a common sight in the playground. When my turn came, I walked up to the mat on quivering legs, palms sweaty and heart pounding. I

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hoped and prayed to every god I knew that I had the most fantastic bout of beginner’s luck ever imaginable. I swayed back before pressing my hands to the mat, pushing off of the ground as hard as I could and for a moment I thought the gods had heard my prayers.

I had never been more wrong in my life.

in the perfect launch stance, leaned back and then…Promptly fell flat on his back.

The coach then pulled out another girl from the queue, who did the same. And then another, and another.

What was happening?

The coach then turned to me and asked

“Do you think they don’t deserve to

Instead of vaulting my body into a perfect be here?” arc while balancing on my hands before landing solidly on my feet, I had managed I must have shook my head in disagreement to somehow tangle my limbs like a floppy because he said rag doll and roll onto my back like a flailing turtle, minus the adorable shell to crawl into and hide my face in. Fate was exceptionally “Then you deserve to be here too. cruel that day and refused to let the earth No one is an expert not even world swallow me whole or turn me invisible as I champions.” froze in place, unable to so much as breathe.

My life flashed before my eyes and all the colours seem to blend into one until I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. The coach who up until this point had been observing from the sidelines was now standing next to me, smiling warmly and helping me to my feet.

Ithought he would tell me to leave and never come back, that I was wasting everyone’s time. Instead, all he did was ruffle my hair and asked me to wait and watch. He pulled out one of the upperclassmen boys from the line and told him to go up next.

This had to be it, he was going to show me someone infinitely better than me to show me exactly why I don’t belong. The boy, Neehal, walked up to the mat with the happiest grin on his face, setting himself up

It was through his gentle coaxing and firm determination that I began to gain confidence.

Over the years I found myself encountering challenges of many different kinds. Whether it was sitting for those all-important, life altering exams or walking into a Toastmasters meeting for the first time, I felt a numbing fear. And in all those moments I found myself looking back to that day in the gymnasium and the strength I gained from not only the kind words of the coach, but also the headstrong determination of each and every one of those students who forged ahead despite their shortcomings. I look back on the students at that demo session who wowed the crowds with their grace and skill.

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You never know who is looking up to the mentors I look back on to continue on. you at any moment so put your best foot forward and wow the world.

And that’s the most magical aspect Because we all need someone who of the mentorship system. It doesn’t inspires us to do better than we have to involve grand gestures and know how. ceremonies.

In times of uncertainty, these individuals are

It can just involve motivation at those crucial moments. I can just involve kind smiles and simple words. Because that’s what mentorship is about.

If you are fortunate enough, you may remain in touch with your mentor/mentee for a long time, but you can also mentor someone for just that one moment and teach them valuable lessons that stay with them throughout their lifetime.

MTM Bhagya Solanki CC NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

MILLION MEN As a Week end treat, I saw the movie called “Eeati”. It is regional movie, but true global content. The hero put his life-blood to be an “Olympic Gold medalist” in 100 meters hurdles race. The coach put the tremendous effort to train the hero. He trains day in and day out, cold or hot, happy or sad, every moment. To cut a long story short, the coach’s marvelous efforts made the hero a champion.

Connecting the cinema to life, I recall the person who put an equal effort for my success. It started with my father, the poor NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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village farmer, who wanted his son to step Mentoring and mentorship takes place in out of the village as an Engineer. My mom all scale of life. We have to take advantage mentored me to be disciplined. of this. Mentorship can empower you and drastically increase the chance of your Out of the crowd, if I can distinctly recollect succeeding. If you want to be as successful as one person as a considerable contributor, it Bill Gates, Warren buffet or Richard Branson, is TM Ramanathan. He is a toastmaster for take mentorship as worship.

15+ years, started his toastmaster journey while he was working in Saudi Arabia and Growing up, around people who continued in Oman.

encourage you, give you the ropes to climb higher, and help you become a better individual may be a million.

But, out of a Million Men, there might be one man, whose path might not take that turn to success without you.

His usual day in Oman started with correcting the draft speech of his mentees, while sipping the first cup of coffee. Every day he would receive a call from his mentees. All our club members took his help for speech drafting; he also helped the members from other clubs in Oman and Saudi. If I am allowed to make a wild guess, he might be helping around 500 members at a given So be that man, and pray for million men. point of time.

He was the personification of passion and that was reflected through his mentoring techniques.

Be a busy mentee and be a brave mentor.

I am proud to say that I still take his advice long after he has left Oman. Some our club champions, who won the Club, Area and Division contests, still take the advice to climb the success ladder. Thus ‘Mentoring to Success’ is truly a global episode.

When Richard Branson started the International operation of Atlantic Virgin Air, his problem solving and success was mentored by Sir Freddie Laker, British airline entrepreneur.

NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

TM Rajasekaran ACB NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

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NTI - A FAMILY OF MENTORS AND MENTEES

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The concept of mentoring is one of the best possibilities of being a Toastmaster.

In a true mentor-mentee relationship, both the mentor and mentee derive benefits..And this can turn to be a lifelong friendship.

We all need mentors at different stages of our life. Students need mentors, those who are starting a career need mentors, if you want to have progressive career you need mentors and if you want to have good work life balance too, a mentor can be very beneficial.

Jack Welch, the charismatic past CEO of General Electric, in his bestselling book, ”Straight from the Gut”, talks about mentors and how his mentors at various stages of his career made his progress through the corporate ladder faster and in the right direction. He advocates all youngsters to find a mentor soon to make sure the job is meaningful and for getting proper coaching, and to make career growth definite.

Toastmasters program stresses a lot about the mentoring program and how new members (and experienced members too) can benefit from their mentors.

I still seek mentors for leadership growth, communication skills development and even in my job.

And I believe a good mentor can make our home life happier too. ` So go out, seek good mentors and get immense benefits from the true, deep and meaningful relationship with your mentor.

And if you are a person with some experience keep your doors open for mentees.

Happy Toastmastering!

DTM Girish Kumar NTI Advanced Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R District 20 NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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CONGRATUALTIONS DTM!

NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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TOUGH MENTOR

They are bricks that build an impressive career.

Every task you perform, however insignificant it may seem is a step; drop; brick; in the larger picture of your destiny- don’t take it lightly. People are so obsessed with legacy but have no clue how to build one. My boss would tell me that after you’re gone (from this organization) this document is all that will be left of you. Let’s say there is a spelling mistake and people will judge you for that, at that point it wouldn’t matter if you were a I used to work for a very unpleasant man, gold medalist in college! There are a million to say the least. He was a control freak, had things that stand in your way to succeedan abrasive attitude towards his staff and don’t be one of them. "attention to detail" is an understatement to his detail. He would ask me to write I then took this LPO analogy and stretched purchase orders. Yes, write them not edit it to real life, most of us rush through life like them from previously used templates! After a task to be completed without really giving that he would print out the draft, check it a thought to what the outcome should personally and ask me to incorporate the be. Like taking up a course for better job corrections; print it out and bring it back prospects not for learning a new skill; starting to him to check again. Often he would find a business because of money problems- not a few more mistakes, highlight them and learning how to manage the money in your ask me to correct them and probably add a hand and staying in a rut and not growing to couple of more points into the document. be a better person.

One day while this circus was going on, my boss, who notices how visibly peeved I He was a tough mentor who wasn’t look, decides to lay it on me. He told me that scared to show me a mirror when you print out an LPO, write a report or send out a mail; don’t treat them as minor and I have to say I am grateful to have met tasks. him because as the saying goes NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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“Work for someone who will challenge you every step of the wayyou will learn more in a year than you would have in 5 years”.

We read this in a lot of email or whatsapp forwards but we realize this when it’s too late; by then the world is laughing at us for spelling “Delivery” as “Dilivery”

Even if you aren’t as blessed as I am, challenge yourself- learn more and teach more as well because you learn much more when you teach. In the end I would say we are the makers of our destiny.

TM Varun Kumar NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

THUMB RULE FOR A MENTOR 1) Active Listener: Mentors who listen actively don’t simply sit back and allow words to hit their eardrums. Instead, they take notes, ask, repeat, interact etc.

2) Dedicated to other member success: Successful mentors care about the club and the members in the club.

3) Curious: Mentors who are naturally curious tend to follow the motto “If there’s a will ,there’s away”.

Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company said

“You can do or be anything if you have enthusiasm”.

Mentoring in Toastmaster is of no exception.

But the question is: How can you be a successful Mentor. The answer is by picking up four noticeable habits of highly successful mentors:

4) Stepping out of comfort zone: Mentors who are willing to try new things witness personal and professional growth which would reflect on the mentee.

Taking up those four habits, and try to work on them would give a result.

NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

TM Muneer Al Barwani NTI Toastmasters Club Area 6 Division R

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MEET MY MENTOR

Mentor B.R. Chander, ACB B.R. Chander, CC, is the divisional head of the Engineering Services Division of Khimji Ramdas. He is a passionate Toastmaster who began his stint in Toastmasters in the year 2003 and since then has been relentlessly participating in meetings and contest of the club , Area and the divisions.

The positive aspect of TM Chander is his uncompromising dedication and involvement in the Toastmasters program and the urge to do better each time when he is on stage. He has the ability to set an example to junior toastmasters in the club and some members look up to him as their role model.

What makes him a good mentor?

His attitude towards developing fellow toastmasters and mentees is quite commendable.

As my mentor he gets deeply involved in developing and improving my skills by allotting specific time in guiding and motivating me to do better every time.

What has been accomplished under his guidance?

Apart from introducing me to the NTI Toastmaster’s club, he has been a part and parcel of all my speeches by guiding me and giving me important tips which would help impress the audience. This has helped me into becoming a more confident speaker.

What is the best feedback received from B .R. Chander that helps the most?

He offers great suggestions in improving in each and every part of my speech. His critical analysis is exemplary. His honest and frank approach in his overall assessment of a particular speech or role is quite commendable. His one tip of using personal anecdotes in the project speeches and Table topics has helped me in connecting the ideas better with the audience.

TM Mahesh Ramamurthy NTI Toastmasters Club NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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NTI Toastmaster Club • Where Leaders Are Made KTI Building • Next to Al Sahwa Towers, Al Ghubra www.http://1079197.toastmastersclubs.org/

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