Why Every Leader Should Take Public Speaking Seriously (And How Toastmasters Can Help)
If you've ever sat through a presentation by a leader who couldn't hold the room's attention — someone riddled with filler words, stiff body language, and a monotone delivery — you know how quickly trust and credibility can erode. Public speaking is one of the most critical yet overlooked skills in leadership. The good news? It's a skill you can develop, and one of the most effective ways to do it is through an organisation that's been helping people find their voice for nearly a century: Toastmasters International.
The Humbling Realisation That Changed Everything
After six years as a member of a local Toastmasters club, I can say with confidence that it has transformed the way I communicate. But the beginning of that journey was a humbling experience. Before joining, I thought I was a pretty good public speaker. Most of us do. It wasn't until I started receiving honest, structured feedback from fellow members that I realised I had habits I didn't even know existed — habits that were undermining the very messages I was trying to deliver.
Even now, after years of practice, I feel there's still room for improvement. That mindset — the willingness to keep growing — is exactly what separates good leaders from great ones.
Tip #1: Find a Local Toastmasters Club and Give It a Real Chance
If you've heard of Toastmasters but have never seriously considered joining, now is the time. Search for a club in your town or city and commit to attending at least three meetings before making a judgment. The first meeting will likely feel uncomfortable, especially if you're put on the spot and asked to speak in front of the group. That discomfort is normal — and it's part of the growth process.
Give yourself a genuine chance to experience the format. You'll quickly discover that it's a supportive, structured environment designed to help you improve at your own pace.
Eliminating Crutch Words: The Silent Credibility Killer
One of the first and most impactful things Toastmasters helps you tackle is crutch words — those filler sounds and phrases like "um," "ah," "er," "but," and "so" that creep into our speech to fill silence. We use them because allowing a pause between sentences feels deeply uncomfortable. But here's the truth: a well-placed pause is far more powerful than a string of filler words.
Most people have no idea how frequently they rely on crutch words. Try this exercise before you ever step foot in a Toastmasters meeting:
- Record yourself delivering a short speech using your phone.
- Play it back and count every filler word you hear.
- Prepare to be surprised — the numbers are often much higher than expected.
When I gave my first speech at Toastmasters, I said "um" roughly 18 times in just two minutes. Once I became aware of it, however, eliminating those fillers became significantly easier.
Every Toastmasters meeting includes a designated "Ah Counter" — a person whose sole job is to track every filler word used by each speaker throughout the meeting. At the end, they report back to the group so each member knows exactly how many crutch words they used and which ones they favour. It's simple, it's effective, and it creates immediate self-awareness.
Body Language and Vocal Variety: Where the Real Message Lives
Beyond crutch words, Toastmasters helps you refine two elements of communication that most people drastically underestimate: body language and vocal variety.
Consider these widely cited numbers about how a message is communicated:
- 55% — Body language
- 38% — Vocal tone and variety
- 7% — The actual words spoken
That means a staggering 93% of your message is delivered through how you look and how you sound — not what you say. Think about that the next time you agonise over the perfect wording of a speech while neglecting your delivery.
Here's a relatable example: you receive an email from a colleague that reads as terse or even hostile. You think, "What's their problem?" But when you speak to them in person, they're perfectly cheerful. The words were identical — what was missing was the vocal tone and body language that would have conveyed their true intent. Now flip that scenario. Imagine saying "Hey, how's it going?" with genuine enthusiasm versus saying the exact same words in a flat, irritated tone. Same words, entirely different messages.
In Toastmasters, designated speech evaluators observe your presentations and provide feedback on what you did well — perhaps you used expressive hand gestures or varied your pacing effectively — along with constructive suggestions for improvement. Maybe you gripped the podium the entire time, or your voice stayed on one flat note. This kind of specific, actionable feedback is invaluable and nearly impossible to get in everyday professional settings.
Why This Matters for Leaders
Leadership is, at its core, an act of communication. Whether you're rallying your team around a new vision, delivering difficult news, or simply running a Monday morning meeting, how you communicate determines whether people trust, follow, and believe in you. If you lack confidence in front of a group, your employees will sense it — and they'll lose confidence in your message.
I personally believe public speaking training should be mandatory for anyone in a leadership role. At the very minimum, leaders should take the skill seriously enough to practice deliberately. If joining Toastmasters isn't feasible, at least make a habit of recording yourself before any important speech or presentation. Watch the playback. Count the filler words. Study your body language. Then do it again — better.
Conclusion
Public speaking isn't a talent you either have or you don't — it's a craft that improves with practice, feedback, and self-awareness. For leaders, it's not optional; it's foundational. Whether you join a Toastmasters club, hire a speaking coach, or simply start recording and reviewing your own presentations, the important thing is to start. Your team deserves a leader who communicates with clarity, confidence, and conviction — and with deliberate effort, that leader can be you.