Toastmasters From A Choice Theory Lens

I have not been involved with the Toastmasters organization, but I have heard many people comment on it with enthusiasm; they all tend to say, "I'm glad I was a participant." Upon a little further research on their website, I found out why so many people have positive experiences with Toastmasters: it is a need-satisfying organization!

To oversimplify and summarize, Toastmasters promotes activities which satisfy their members' needs for power/significance and love/belonging (as well as perhaps fun/learning and freedom). What a positive, powerful and effective method for meeting a person's needs - learning to speak well with others in a public setting (belonging) and learning to be a leader within a group or organization (power/significance). Toastmasters promotes the concepts of leadership which are also in agreement with Dr. Glasser's and Dr. Deming's concepts of Lead Management (won't all successful leadership programs have these components in common?). I have begun the process to (hopefully) start a local chapter of Toastmasters in my community and corporation (doing so will most likely satisfy my needs for power/significance and belonging).

I have a vision for making my organization into a place which transforms people; elevates them; takes them further and higher than they were before they came into contact with us. In essence I want to make my organization a need satisfying organization. I believe that by bringing in a Toastmasters club, we will be on the path towards creating the skills necessary for sustained leadership and giving people opportunities to learn how to meet their needs in a positive manner. I'm certain that those involved with Toastmasters will attest to the idea that their membership in this organization is need satisfying. I'd rather see people join Toastmasters than join a local KKK, biker gang or other such group - that's for sure!

If you've had need satisfying relations with Toastmasters or some other similar organization, please let me know by commenting on this blog or emailing me directly (I'd prefer the blog comment so others can benefit from your input).

Until next time in the blogosphere... aloha!