by Jim Chappel Division F Director
As we strive to rebuild our district from the impact of the pandemic, we continue to face challenges. With challenges comes growth, and here are my thoughts as a Division Director on how we can best use these challenges to advance our growth.
As a Division Director, you are assigned a team of Area Directors. You learn quickly that they each possess unique skills that compliment your team. When least expected, they step up and become an asset to your division. The beauty and the challenge of being Division Director is to help form these colorful and talented personalities into a cohesive and impactful group.
Serving as a Division Director also offers the opportunity for personal growth. Regardless of our age or stage in life, we are here because we still want to grow to become better communicators at work or in personal relationships, to be more effective in a church or volunteer setting, to grow our leadership and management skills, or just to continue to challenge ourselves mentally.
A Division Director level job puts you in charge of a team of people with different backgrounds and experiences. As you work with your area leaders, you naturally consider and incorporate their thoughts, styles and ideas into your own life. And that is where personal growth occurs. At the same time, you’re making a significant impact on the organization and the members of your division.
Of course, growth is usually tricky and uncomfortable and brings with it situations that must be managed. How you address these issues demonstrates your leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. Your involvement in Toastmasters will absolutely enhance your effectiveness in these areas.
As a leader, you need to be a motivator and a positive example to your team and those around you. It comes with the territory! The longer you are in a leadership role, the better you become at it. While working on speech projects, I used to find myself wondering how I would benefit from a particular topic or assignment. At the district leadership level, I now see the benefits and purposes of some of our more advanced speech projects. So, leadership enhances your perspective as well.
As we all know, it’s tough to balance work and life with volunteer commitments. But I encourage you to seek out more responsibilities and leadership in Toastmasters. In so many ways you will benefit personally.
And for TM, THIS IS HOW WE GROW!