Coaching for a Different Purpose

While the Club Coach Program is a specific, internally focused Toastmasters initiative to revive struggling clubs, the concept of coaching—helping others set and achieve personal goals—is an essential philosophy practiced by quality clubs. Whether on a formal or informal basis, Toastmasters regularly embrace the idea of mentoring and supporting their club peers.

To that end, the Effective Coaching curriculum of the Pathways learning experience helps participants polish advising and leadership skills for use in the club, the workplace, and other life settings.

For example, Savitha Setlur, DTM, who works at a Wells Fargo bank in San Leandro, California, put her Effective Coaching training to practical use by mentoring a fellow Toastmaster and bank colleague. Setlur encouraged the young woman to boost her confidence by voicing her opinions and ideas at work, and by participating in Toastmasters speech contests.

Later that year, the woman received a work promotion and reached the division level of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Her coach couldn’t have been happier. “I was able to help her see her own potential,” says Setlur.

As a member of three Toastmasters clubs, Setlur believes this path has improved her own capabilities as a positive communicator and leader.

“I love the way you analyze different communication and leadership styles. You figure out what yours are, which ones work best, and how you can combine different styles to be effective in certain situations,” Setlur says.

Paul Sterman is senior editor for the Toastmaster magazine.

Watch a video of Savitha Setlur, DTM, talking about her Pathways experience at www.toastmasters.org/Magazine.