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Senator Michael Pintard Speaks on Effective Leadership During Toastmasters Month
Oct 28, 2014 - 2:15:47 PM

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It was in 1924 when Ralph C. Smedley held the first Toastmasters International meeting in a YMCA in Santa Ana, California. Over the past 90 years of the organization’s existence, it has rapidly grown with the reputation as the pinnacle program for developing effective communication and leadership throughout the world. The organization is said to have more than 313,000 members in over 14,650 clubs in 126 countries.

The month of October is observed as Toastmasters Month as Toastmasters International celebrates its 90th birthday. On August 1st, 1972, the first club in Grand Bahama was established, Freeport Eagles Club 1425. During this Toastmasters' Month the Club has had a series of educational sessions teaching new Toastmasters and guests more about the organization and also guests speakers were invited to motivate the members in areas such as leadership. On Thursday, October 16th, 2014, Club 1425 had the privilege of having Senator Michael Pintard as a guest speaker. Speaking on the topic, "What makes an effective leader", Senator Pintard inspired the members and guests in attendance. See speech below.

Are leaders born or are they created? While some argue that they are born, they can be created, as demonstrated in the Toastmasters program. Leadership is the quality of mastering ourselves. It is often measured by the person’s characteristics, style, or function. However, leadership should be measured by the balance of the three.

What is leadership? Leadership is the ability to motivate and coordinate persons to move in a shared direction towards a common goal. But our challenge is that some leaders believe that they should only show up and function –coordinate persons – which is not sufficient. We must accept the fact that we have to motivate and inspire some people. At some point, all of us need some motivation.

Leaders who are seen overtime as effective and transformational are those who have a clear vision. They think “end game”. What is it I am going to do and toward what end? What are the motives? When people think of end game and motives, that is when the fire is kindled inside of them. That is when we should evaluate leadership. What is it that is motivating the decision made by the government, or the CEO of the company? Sometimes when motives are pure and execution is bad, you give them a pass. But when you perceive that motive is wrong we then begin to distrust leaders.

Leaders ought to have a clear vision of themselves. Vision is having a mental picture of an ideal scenario in the future that is much better than right now. Everyone needs that vision check. Where do I see myself, what kind of person would I be and what will I be doing 5, 10, 15 years from now? In the absence of a vision we neatly fit into somebody else’s vision or plan. So, a personal vision is not optional, it is necessary and imperative. If you have not defined who you are and what you are about, people will tailor-make your life for you and you would be amazed how many persons fit the mould created by somebody else for them. It is most important to be you – have a time of introspection determining who you are.

Leaders are goal oriented. Organizations you work with, companies you work for, The Bahamas, we are all screaming for visionary leadership. We are unable to see how our individual function ties in with the overall function of the organizations we are a part of.

Leaders are passionate. Passion is that ingredient that makes you do a certain job whether you are being paid for it or not. Passion is indispensable to the project of leadership. Leaders who don’t have it tend to not resonate with people. A good indication that you may not be within your assignment in life is if it does not set you on fire or move you. Do not find yourself 10-20 years working in a job or holding a position that you have no passion for.

Leaders care. Effective leaders are able to communicate that they care. In business communication, there is a fundamental difference in saying to a colleague or co-worker, “You did a good job” which is intellectual analysis compared to, “I felt so good as a result of what you did” which is emotional and intellectual analysis. To say you were moved, shows that you care.

Leaders are focused and disciplined; not being all things to all people. Be focus on your assignments and tasks. Those who focus on many things accomplish very little. Effective leadership gets members of an organization or group to think broadly and long-term. Leaders have a far reaching view.

What is the most effective style?

Sometimes persuasion, coercion and leading by example can be the best way. You may have to choose styles that are unpopular but necessary. Styles that are unpopular and difficult should not be the ones that dominate your existence. If you are dominantly using coercion, you may be considered a tyrant. It is important to use various styles depending on which situation demands it. That is why leadership is an art.

What is your leadership style? Are you hands-off? Or, do you dictate? There are some leaders that are so effective that at the end of the day, though they are without title, they are able to get results from people by virtue of who they are and how they function. Steve Covey says that leadership is not a title, it is a choice. You have the capacity to lead from wherever you are. In HR there is a term called “ lead up” meaning you can be anywhere in the organization but you command a measure of respect where people would work overtime for you for free and they would work overtime for the manager for more money. So, we have to determine what type of leaders we are going to be.

It is about seeing the end game. Our success as a country will be determined by to what extent we can find common ground to fight issues that are bigger than the individual problems. We have to find common ground, ways to work beyond our safety zone to make it happen. That’s the kind of leaders we need, the transformational leaders who see a national life that needs to be fundamentally reordered and we as effective leaders are offering ourselves to participate in that project. Ralph Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters, said, “We learn best when we are having fun.” We have one country to build and one key way to do that is to find common ground where we can work together across political, religious, gender differences so that we can transform the country not just for us but for our children unborn. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?


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