Mentor Monday, October 28 theme was Evaluation.
Evaluation and Mentoring according to Ralph Smedley, are vital for a club.
He writes, “Mentoring and evaluations create enthusiasm, and once you light that fire the only thing it needs is some kindling.”
The Mentor Monday workshop attendees enthusiastically kindled the Evaluation theme. Each presented their personal view on how effective evaluations serve a speaker.
Effective evaluations make a difference.
District 86 Mentor Monday Workshop is in its second year.
On the fourth Monday of each month. At the workshop attendees receive and share valuable information on Mentoring.
October 2024 Workshop
District 86 Director Anne Dockeray, DTM welcomed all to the workshop. One of her main focuses as PQD last year was, Mentorship and the Workshop was born.
This year’s District 86 Mentoring co-chair Marianna B. Taylor initiated the discussion with comments that emphasized the responsibilities of an evaluator.
Returning, District 86 Mentoring co-chair Teresa Carolan DTM, followed up with a quote from Henry Cloud, an acclaimed leadership expert, “The natural response to evaluation is to feel judged.”
Have you, ever felt judged by an evaluation?
Cloud adds, “We have to mature to a place where we respond to it with gratitude, and love feedback.”
It takes time and confidence to love the feedback.
Here are the evaluation takeaways from the workshop.
Toastmaster Charles DTM, offered the Poker Technique for Evaluations. He remarked that even an inexperienced Toastmaster can feel comfortable using this technique.
P– Point – What point did the speaker make?
O– Opening – Was it riveting or were precious seconds taken up with niceties?
K– Connect – Did the speaker effectively connect with the audience? For example, using “You” statements instead of “How many of you?”
E– Enthusiasm – Did the speaker present with feeling? What emotions did the speaker invoke in you?
R– Remember – What impact did the speaker have on the audience? Did the speaker use a foundational phrase that made his/her message memorable?
Charles also presented GLOVE technique
G– Gestures and Eye Contact (Body Language)
L– Language – Pictures, metaphors
O– Organization – Opening, Body, Conclusion
V– Vocal Variety
E– Enthusiasm (Connection to audience)
DD Anne put forward that an effective evaluator uses examples from the speaker’s talk when suggesting specific ways a speaker can elevate the speech to the next level.
D86 Harold DTM offered Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Rule. The rule states that 7 percent of meaning is communicated through spoken word, (words used); 38 percent through tone of voice, (what the audience hears), and 55 percent through body language, (what the audience sees).
In other words, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” Albert Mehrabian
The HERO technique was discussed by DD Anne
H– Heard- What I heard?
E– Excel- What the speaker excelled at
R– Recommendations -To take speech to the next level
O– Overall- Summation of the evaluator’s comments
DTM Charles also shared 3 words that an evaluator remove from an evaluation: need, should and but.
PQD Bhushan Rele DTM emphasized the importance of the Evaluator connecting with the Speaker before the speech is given.
It was noted that TIME was a deterrent for Evaluator and Speaker to meet, nevertheless getting to know the speaker is is a best practice in offering an effective evaluation.
Longtime Toastmaster D22 Paul proposed evaluations fit the speaker. Paul said issues can arise when an evaluation doesn’t.
Toastmasters are at varying levels in their speaking ability. Another reason, as CGD Bhushan pointed out for the evaluator to connect with the speaker.
D86 Toastmaster Brenda, says she would be interested in perusing the topic of Evaluations again next month.
Effective Evaluations, can be enhancement tools for helping members springboard to their next level.
When you are the Evaluator…
- Be kind, get to know the person speaking
- Demonstrate your interest in both the speech and in the speaker’s ability to grow and improve.
- Personalize your language
- Avoid phrases like “you didn’t” or “you should have” or “you need to”
Join us next month at Mentor Monday, November 25 at 6pm as we take a deeper dive into Evaluation and share your expertise and experience on Evaluation.
Created by Teresa Carolan Mentorship Co-Chair, Top Drawer Toastmasters