Member of Liberty Village Toastmasters Club
Leader in the Cyber Security world
In May 2023, Raphaelle Gauriau embarked on a transformative journey as a member of Liberty Village Toastmasters Club in District 60, seeking to enhance her communication skills for both personal and professional growth. In this exclusive interview, Raphaelle shares her motivations, the impact TM has had on her, and the unique advantages she’s gained as a bilingual participant.
Embarking on the Toastmasters Odyssey
Raphaelle’s decision to join Toastmasters was fueled by a desire to hone her communication skills and elevate her professional trajectory. The attraction of speaking off the cuff, a skill she found difficult, brought her to join Toastmasters, where she felt warmly welcomed. Additionally, her partner’s positive experience with Toastmasters served as a compelling endorsement.
A Grateful Journey of Personal and Professional Growth
Gratitude permeates Raphaelle’s experience within the Toastmasters community. The shared goal of building confidence and fostering growth creates a supportive environment that encourages members to embrace new challenges, even in the face of failure. Coming from an engineering background, Raphaelle’s perspective on communication shifted. Previously focused on brevity and factual precision, she now recognizes the power of storytelling to forge deeper connections with others.
The Bilingual Advantage: Overcoming Language Barriers
Being a non-native English speaker, Raphaelle confronts unique challenges in expressing ideas and nuances in a language that is not her mother tongue. While Toastmasters doesn’t completely eliminate this linguistic barrier, it provides a platform for Raphaelle to build confidence in expressing herself. Despite occasional self-consciousness about language perfection, Toastmasters has empowered her to lower the barrier and embrace her evolving communication skills.
A Message to Readers: Embrace Mistakes and Grow
Raphaelle’s journey with Toastmasters is encapsulated in a simple yet profound message to readers: “Try new things and make mistakes! Mistakes are great; they help us grow!” This ethos encapsulates the spirit of Toastmasters, where the process of learning and self-discovery is celebrated.
Unveiling the Power of Toastmasters
Raphaelle Gauriau’s journey with Toastmasters is a testament to the transformative potential of this global community. Through her experience, she invites others to embrace challenges, share stories, and appreciate the beauty of mistakes as stepping stones to personal and professional growth. For Raphaelle and many others, Toastmasters is more than just a speaking club. It’s a place where people discover more about themselves and feel empowered.
