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Women Speakers Just Made History!
"and the 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking is..."

by Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking

Wow. What a speech contest this year! The setting was a gorgeous day in Calgary, Canada. I sat in the 8th row with my fellow World Champs, Mark, David, Ed, Mark, and Vikas. We were among 1500 people watching history being made. Not only was history made, but it was a great reminder of my favorite Toastmasters rule: Once you win, you can never compete in that contest again.

Whether you're a speech competitor or not, I think the lessons that came out of this year's contest will be very helpful... especially for women!

I know this may be a longer article than I usually write, but I believe -- especially for female speakers -- it'll be well worth your time.

Before the Lady Lessons, I need to tell you about how speaking history was made on two fronts. First, LaShunda Rundles is the first woman to win the contest in more than 20 years! (She's only the 4th woman to win since the contest began in 1938 - though Toastmasters was a "male only" organization for many years.)

I think this is an amazing year for woman competitors. I liken this to the American gymnasts for the first time winning two medals in the Olympic games last week!

Second, although I can't officially confirm this, there has never been 2 women in the top three spots. Kathrine Morrison, Ph.D. came in third, and was from my original home District 31 (Massachusetts). I had the honor of working with her on her speech during recent visit to Boston. Prior to the contest, I was also honored when several contestants asked me for feedback on their speeches.

Congratulations to this year's winners:

2008 World Champion of Public Speaking
LaShunda Rundles
Region 3 · District 50 · Texas, USA

Second Place
K. Loghandran
DNAR District 51 · Malaysia

Third Place
Katherine Morrison
Region 7 · District 31 · Massachusetts, USA

LaShunda "owned the stage" on Saturday. She had a magical connection with her audience. When they announced her name for the contestant interviews (before the winner was even announced), I knew she had won. There was a noticably higher level of audience response.

What did the three finalists do betther than everyone else? In my opinion, they connected at a deeper level. The more I reflect on the contest yesterday, the more I realize the power of the "connection." Admittedly, it's difficult to achieve this under the "pressure" of any event. If you can master the connection, you can take the audience wherever you want them to go. Unless you connect, the audience won't let you drive!

Two great side effects will happen as a result of LaShunda winning. First and foremost, her accomplishment will inspire more women to compete in the contest. She has no idea the effect that she has had on the Toastmasters world!

Second, more on a personal note, now my fellow World Champion Speakers and I will not have to answer that question we get continually, "Why don't women win the International Speech Contest?" I usually answer with a question,"Why don't more women compete?" Now, thanks to LaShunda, more women will compete. Excellent!

LaShunda "owned the stage" and absolutely deserves the trophy. The other contestants should be proud to be considered one of the best 10 speakers in the world, out of 25,000 contestants. Most Toastmasters dream of speaking on that stage, most will never make it there. Appreciate what you have.

What else did many contestants have in common? They were coached. Many people have asked "who coached whom." My understanding is... Mark Brown, 1995 World Champ, spent some time working with LaShunda, Vikas (2007 Champ) worked with K. Loghandran, and I worked with Kathrine, as well as with some of the other contestants. When I spoke to Mark, he told me that he did work with her, but Mark wouldn't take any credit. He said, "It was all LaShunda!"

I must say that all we (World Champions) offer is our perspective. The true hard work comes from the local District support, friends, and family. Most importantly the incredible decisions that are made by the contestants themselves. The contest brings about a huge amount to feedback from hundreds of people. Wading through all of that is the greatest challenge of the contest. The true effort is by the contestant themselves.

Since the former World Champs often get mentioned in the "thank you's" during contestant interview time, many want to know if the contestants pay us, or how does that work? Although we're professional speaker coaches and earn a living doing this, my fellow World Champions and I offer free help to anyone who makes it into the finals. All they have to do is ask. It's amazing to see the different levels of involvement with some of the contestants. Do you want to know exactly what we teach contestants? Just this link and check it out: www.HowToOwnTheStage.com

Think about it... At the regional level, there are 8 regions (not counting the inter-district contest) with 7-10 contestants per region. That is about 64 people who are competing for a finalist spot. Fortunately (or unfortunately) my business doesn't allow me the time to help that many people, for free. Personally, I love to help finalists because the winners before me had been so gracious to me. It also allows me to relive my moment in time. This unique experience gives me an incredible "perspective," because many of my own friends and family really couldn't care less about how to put together a winning speech!

Three lessons for female speakers
from LaShunda & Katherine:

Lesson #1 ~ Voice

One obstacle for many women is their voice. It's not fair, but it's human nature that an audience member needs to have confidence in you and your message. Part of this comes from your voice. Do you sound like you're worth listening to?

At times, it's good to be warm and touching, but during key moments presenters must also instill belief in themselves through their voice. LaShunda used her amazing singing voice to connect. What I also loved is that she didn't "overuse" her singing. She knew clearly that it was a speech, not a talent contest. She used it to make her point, and that was it. Then she moved on.

If you were in the audience with ms on Saturday, you wouldn't have just heard Katherine use her Foundational Phrase "Baby, don't believe 'em," you would have also felt it. The confidence and emotion she put behind the words were much deeper and more important than the words alone. (What's a 'foundational phrase?' Just one of 30 Own The Stage Principles we teach. Learn more at: www.HowToOwnTheStage.com)

Are you aware of the power and downfalls of your own voice? Have you ever considered getting a voice coach?

Lesson #2 ~ Attire

What many female speech competitors and professional speakers miss is the "purpose" of a speaker. A speaker is considered an "authority figure" on stage. Audience members are there to learn from "an expert." Do you dress like one? Guess what ladies, it's easier for a guy. (Although some guys don't get there either!) A guy can just put on a suit and tie and look the part. I was recently advised that I needed to update my own ties. Guess what? I listened. I have great ties, but they are several years old. I need to look up-to-date. I am fashion-challenged, but VERY COACHABLE. I need to be current. So do you.

Look at the picture of LaShunda (at the beginning of this newsletter). Look how she is dressed... dark suit, professional, and classy. When she was on stage, a dark suit brings your eyes to her face. To connect, that's where you want the audience to focus. Did you ever wonder why many comedians wear black? It is not a negative or dark thing, it is about gaining focus on their face to connect.

When you get to be Alan Weiss or Larry Winget -- booking $20,000 speeches and having many books -- you can wear whatever the heck you want. Until then... ladies, no flowery dresses!

How is your attire? Up to date? (It doesn't have to be expensive, just project an "authority figure" persona).

Lesson #3 ~ Stage Presence

Wow. Both Kathrine and LaShunda really Owned The Stage! They had a presence that was noticeable. (K. Loghandran did, as well. He was incredibly "likeable" on stage. We all wanted to get to know him and be his friend. Don't want to leave him out -- I'm just focusing on the ladies in this article).

Stage presence comes from confidence in yourself and your message. Much confidence can be gained by... guess what? Stage time!

One aspect to stage presence is knowing where your heart is. Both female speakers were there for the betterment of their audience. They realized that it wasn't "about them." It was clear that they were both aware of a much bigger picture than the contest. In their delivery, they showed that they had the privilege of affecting 1500 lives that day. If you get a chance to hear LaShunda's acceptance speech, this will be even more obvious. She mentioned her own battle with Lupus and a much bigger picture and appreciation of what she DOES have. If you focus "too much on the trophy" it will elude you forever.

What will you do to work on your "mindset" and stage presence?

Stage time, Stage time, Stage time,

Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking

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