Four Lessons That Shaped My Growth
When I joined Toastmasters, I expected to improve my speaking skills. I wanted to think faster, organize my thoughts, and communicate with clarity. What I didn’t expect was that the most meaningful part of my journey would come from something else entirely — mentorship.
In my previous club, I was fortunate to be surrounded by long‑time Toastmasters who guided me with patience, wisdom, and a gentle push at the right moments. Looking back, everything they taught me fits into one simple, memorable word:
⭐ HELP — Hand Up, Encourage, Lead Yourself, Purpose
This four‑letter acronym captures the essence of what mentoring in Toastmasters truly means.
Hand Up: Growth Begins With Saying Yes
One of the earliest lessons my mentors taught me was surprisingly simple: put your hand up.
Whenever a role was announced — Timer, Evaluator, Table Topics Master — they would look at me with a smile that said, “Go for it.” At first, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure I was ready. But each time I raised my hand, I discovered something new about myself. I became more confident, more comfortable, and more capable.
Mentors often see potential long before we see it in ourselves. Sometimes, all we need is a gentle nudge to step forward.
Encourage: The Heart of Evaluation
The second lesson was the power of encouragement — especially through thoughtful evaluation.
A great evaluator listens deeply, observes carefully, and chooses words that help you see what you could become. My mentors modeled this beautifully. They taught me how to evaluate with empathy, how to motivate without overwhelming, and how to offer feedback that builds confidence rather than fear.
Encouragement is the engine of Toastmasters. It’s how we grow each other — and how we grow ourselves.
Lead Yourself: Leadership Starts Within
Another important lesson was that leadership is not a title — it’s a choice.
Toastmasters taught me that leadership begins the moment you take responsibility for your own growth. It shows up in how you prepare, how you show up, and how you support others. Leadership is being honest with yourself. It’s doing your best even when no one is watching. And it’s recognizing that every member, regardless of role, has the ability to lead by example.
When you lead yourself well, others naturally follow.
Purpose: Returning to Your “Why”
The final lesson came from a simple question a mentor once asked me: “Why are you here?”
It brought me back to my original purpose:
- To think quickly
- To organize my thoughts
- To speak with clarity
- To grow as a communicator
Somewhere along the way, I had been attending meetings without fully engaging with that purpose. Mentors have a way of bringing you back to your “why.” They remind you that Toastmasters is not about perfection — it’s about progress.
The Power of HELP
When I reflect on my Toastmasters journey, everything I learned from my mentors comes back to this one word:
⭐ HELP — Hand Up, Encourage, Lead Yourself, Purpose
- Hand Up — say yes to opportunities
- Encourage — lift others as you grow
- Lead Yourself — leadership begins with you
- Purpose — remember why you’re here
Toastmasters mentoring is not about teaching someone to speak. It is about helping someone discover their voice.
And that, to me, is the true power of HELP.
About the author:
Kannan Gopal began his Toastmasters journey at Mississauga Valley Toastmasters Club in Ontario, Canada. He is now part of the Comfortably Speaking Toastmasters Club and also the Area E04 Director in District 86. He volunteers as an Effective Speaking and Leadership coach for the 800 Black Forest Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets and serves as a leader at other volunteer organizations.
With a passion for storytelling, Kannan crafts speeches that weave life lessons, inspiration, and motivation into every message. His ability to connect with audiences through engaging narratives has shaped his growth as a speaker. This blog is his way of sharing one such realization, and trusting it will offer both insight and inspiration—a read worth your time.
Written by Kannan Gopal,
Comfortably Speaking