Interview with Gerald Ong

“I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.” – Robert Brault

Read on to find out why this Mechanical Engineering friend of mine inspires me.

Gerald Ong

Mechanical Engineering undergraduate, The University of New South Wales, Australia

1) Why did you choose to study Mechanical Engineering?

I am passionate about cars, buses, trains, ships & aeroplanes. I enjoy the calculations and the simulation of graphics of structural stress & dynamics of fluid flow.

As an aside, I am aiming for Professional Certificates in the Wine Industry & Advanced Certificate in Training & Assessment (ACTA) after my graduation. I am a person who believes in life-long learning and will be “upgrading” myself after achieving my key milestones.

2) What is it like to study overseas? After graduation, would you work in Singapore or abroad?

Studying overseas is fun and exciting. Sometimes you go out with friends for drinks and the celebration of birthdays but we also have to do our fair share of work. At the same time, you can explore tourist destinations, i.e. Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Sydney Maritime Museum.

Last year, I visited my friend’s vineyard in McLaren Vale, Adelaide and caught up with his family over dinner on a 4D3N trip. Also, I am taking the time to visit friends and relatives within the Australia & New Zealand Region. Looks like I have to cover a lot of ground in a short span of time in Australia!

It is a lot of fun to have visitors from Singapore coming by to visit while on their leisure or business trips and meet up for dinner or sight-seeing.

After graduation, I wouldn’t mind pursuing my Masters or PhD. I haven’t actually decided yet.  I am still deliberating between working in Singapore versus abroad. I prefer working overseas though.

3) Why the passion for Toastmastering?

Toastmasters allows me to speak freely and expressively and make new friends. After all, it is part of a worldwide movement. Eventually, everywhere you travel to, you will at least know somebody in that part of the world. Thus, I have established a network of friends across various countries through the many social events.

Anyway, I enjoy travelling. Now that I am in Sydney, my list of countries to visit is getting longer every year.

“You seem to be doing a PhD in Toastmasters” was a comment made by my UNSW Toastmasters friend over a Friday dinner.

Last year, I started a huge Toastmasters research project, which I will experiment with in Singapore. I am in the midst of testing out the Australian version in Singapore Toastmasters clubs to create a seamless blend.

Eventually, all these experiments will go into my guidebook, which I hope to circulate in electronic form to the Singapore Toastmasters via my second blog.

Since moving into Australia, I have devoted a small percentage of my long vacation periods to Toastmasters Research & Development in a number of areas. Never did I realise that I had heaps to do and write up on.

4) What is on your ‘bucket list’?

1. Study hard and get my Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (hopefully Second Class Upper)
2. Get my Professional Certificates for the Wine Industry
3. Find a girlfriend and get engaged to her.
4. Toastmasters – run for the Area Governor & Division Governor
5. Become an Engineer & Part-time Trainer
6. Set up a business in Training & Wine Education
7. Start another blog – already have the URL, no time to upload or prepare the content.
8. Write a cookbook for students who are preparing to study overseas

5) What is your mission in Life?

Enjoy my time with family, pets & friends as much as I can.

Every time I return to Singapore, I will first spend time with my family & cats before heading off for dinner and supper with different groups of friends.

After staying in Sydney for more than a year, I miss my 2 house cats (Marco & Colin).

After a stressful day, they make you feel very relaxed. Sometimes they sleep once you are home, or they will be waiting somewhere in the house.

Grace says:

Because of Gerald, I came to understand the Chinese saying that “When you are at home, you depend on your parents. When you are out, you depend on your friends.”

Around this time last year, I spent a month travelling overseas – Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Bangkok. I had not been to Australia before and was heading there on my own.

It was thus pretty amazing that I have a friend like Gerald, who picked me up from the airport despite his busy schedule and brought me sightseeing, doing all the touristy stuff, and to eat at the best food places. I really loved the Sdyney Fish Market, where the seafood is oh-so-fresh and yummilicious.

You can add me on Facebook and check out the pictures.

I want to thank Gerald for being an awesome friend who not only showed me around Sydney but ensured I found a great boarding place to stay in. Knowing my sense of direction is appalling, he also took the trouble to send me back to where I stayed after our sightseeing trips, or I would surely have gotten lost in Sydney. It was wintertime, cold and dark at night. I was really thankful he walked me back to where I stayed, which meant he would have a long wait for transport & the journey back too.

Gerald also sent me a concerned SMS after reading my blog post in April (about the CEO wanting to sue me for some lame reason). How many friends do YOU have, who would send you SMSes like this while they are overseas?

So thank you, Gerald. We may not know each other very well. But the care you have for people you deem “friends” is outstanding and really inspires me.

p/s: You sent me this interview end-2010 in fact, knowing I was looking for people to interview for this blog. However, I want to honour you in this special month of July. One year has passed since I did my Aussie travels but I still remember you for being a fabulous friend and a great host. Makan again when you are back!!!

And lots of thanks to Calvin Fong & Mark Niam too, for making my Melbourne trip a memorable one as well!

*Updated* Interview with Eric Feng

 

Eric Feng

Public Speaking Coach to CEOs & Business Leaders in Asia

1) Why did you choose to become a speech coach and what do you love most about your job?

I wish I could tell you that it has been my ambition since 2. That would have been an easier story to tell. (grins)

Truth is I did not choose to become a speech coach, it chose me.

It all started with my love for public speaking (thanks to Toastmasters specifically Jim Keys). I was so determined to master the skill that I went to the extreme of clocking stage time. Delivered speeches at clubs almost every single day except Sundays (I would if there are clubs running that day). Read almost all the books ever written on public speaking. And even had the chance to meet the world champions of public speaking in United States to learn directly from them. The knowledge, feedback and experience I gained over that three years helped me win several national level speech contests, including one in Philadelphia. This is when I knew for sure that what I have learnt works.

When I came back in 2007 – by a fluke of chance – a stranger (who later became my marketing associate) convinced me to write a book on what else but public speaking! This book eventually sold 8000 copies, became a bestseller and opened up doors for me into the corporate world. DP Architects called me and asked if I am willing to work with them and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, this passion of mine became a profession.

What do I love best about my job? Everything! It’s the best job in the world! I get paid doing what I love. I get to see the world and nothing beats seeing my clients become superstars on the corporate stage.

 

2) How do you gain the confidence of clients who are older/richer/have had more life experiences than yourself?

The main reason why CEOs and business leaders hire me is because they want to save time, look good and ensure their presentations motivate change and results. This is a function of my know-how in public speaking and my coaching ability, not how old I am or how rich I am. Hence the key in commanding the listening of my clients lies in my proven track record – who I have coached, the specific results I have delivered and value-added services I can provide.

I have to admit that starting out was difficult at first like anything we do. One key success factor that has worked for me (and hopefully will work for you) is to CRAVE FOR FEEDBACK. Do not be shy to ask how you are doing with your client. First, it shows you care enough to ask. Second, it gives your clients a chance to crystallize your value (which in turn creates more buy-in for you). The feedback you gathered is NOT for validation. It is to give you a sense of what has worked for your client so that you can continue doing so. It is also to find out where are the gaps so that you can fill them up and help your client create massive results during the coaching sessions, and not after. With the positive results and their referrals, you will only attract more top-tier clients to yourself.

3) How do you create a work-life balance for yourself?

That is a tough question because it really depends on what balance means to the person. To many people, balance is a time allocation pie chart that dictates an equal proportion of time cut out for a set of politically necessary tasks. And here is the irony – they do not even like some of the tasks they put up there like “going to the gym” or “picking up a new hobby”. It seems more obligatory than anything else.

For me, I prefer to have a portfolio of passions – a set of things I love to do. Things that energizes me. Things that matter to me. I think that is more important than having “balance” in your life.

4) You’re an author. Which are your favorite reads?

Where do I begin? Surprise surprise. I love the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini (his first book was made into a movie titled “Eragon”). It is a coming of age story centering an unwilling hero who has to save the world from evil villains. His weapons – courage, love and hope. A parallel to many of our lives, don’t you think? And the cool thing is the entire series is packed with mythology, magic and dragons!

As for something serious and life changing, I would have to say “Diamond Cutter – The Buddha On Managing Your Business And Your Life”. This book practically changed the way I run my business and my life. I love the garden analogy shared in the book. If you want to have a rose bush, you have to plant rose seeds. So similarly if we want to be successful, we have to start planting seeds of success. And here’s the most crucial part – the only way to do so is to help others become successful first. So in short, for you to get, you have to first give.

The author gave many examples including the premises of his assertions so go check it out. Even if what he said is untrue, his principles have just made the world a better place!

5) Who are the people who inspire you?

 All the unsung heroes that are making a difference to the world right now – in their own ways – and we have no idea who they are. They inspire me tremendously because of their humility and big hearts. They remind me that fame and wealth are transient. Ultimately what will stand against the test of time is the positive impact you have made in this world and the hearts you have touched.

Grace says: I like the notion of having a “portfolio of passions”, and “going to the gym” is likely to be included! If there’s one thing I’d like to learn from Eric, it’d be to become a charismatic speaker like him. It’d probably take a lot of hard work, what with reading almost all the books ever published on the topic, AND flying off to meet the World Champions. Hmm.. I suppose if something’s worth achieving, it’s worth putting in the superhuman effort for.

Look out for: The interview with David Yim, Chief Milkman of Udders Ice Cream, on 11th February, 2011.

*UPDATE!* Eric’s newest book: ‘Unlock Your Personal Charisma – Eight Best Kept Communication Secrets Of The Top Sales Professionals’

(Photo from http://www.facebook.com/unlockyourcharisma)

Grace says: I would not normally read a Sales book, because the contents are usually rehashed from some other book(s) and may not necessarily be relevant right now. However, having met Eric in person before, I know there’s a certain quality about him that draws people to him, and it is what he calls “Charisma” in this third book of his.

Indeed, this book provides valuable insights into what makes Eric Feng so instantly likeable and I am both delighted and shocked that he has shared these secrets.

This book is the next best thing to interacting with Eric in person. I am privileged to own a copy of ‘Unlock Your Personal Charisma’ and I will certainly be reading it again.

You should get this book if, like me:

- You’d like to learn how to keep people talking, avoid awkward silences, and have them thank you for a great conversation too!

- You want to learn how to own the stage and wow your audience every time

- You want access to the interviews with industry leaders, e.g. Callie Liew of HSR, Aliza Knox of Google Asia Pacific, etc

- You’d love to become instantly likeable like Eric, and have more people help you in whatever you’d like to do simply because they like you enough.

Get your copy here: http://www.unlockyourcharisma.com/buy-unlock-your-personal-charisma/

Interview with Mark Hunter

(photo from Toastmasters.org)

Mark Hunter

World Champion of Public Speaking 2009

http://www.markhunter.com.au

1) How has life changed since you won the 2009 World Championship of Public Speaking?

I began tilting at this windmill (The WCPS) in 1996, and represented my district 6 times in the  semi finals in the USA. I made it though to the finals in 2001, 2007 and 2009. If I had won the competition in any of the earlier attempts, the timing would not have been right to make the most of the title. Winning in 2009 was the right time because I retired in 2010, which  enabled me to make the most of the win by building my own business which I started in 2001. I am now busy using the skills I have learnt on this new, incredible journey, both inside and outside Toastmasters. I have been able to pay back to Toastmasters by sharing my experience and learning. I have been able to promote Toastmasters around our district and in two other Australian Districts.  The win has also enabled me to work with a wide range of other groups including Indigenous Young Leaders, Olympians, Olympic Coaches to mention a few. I have been privileged to travel to a number of countries supporting Toastmasters in those countries. I have also been able to give keynotes to a wide range of organisations and develop the other components of my business – Coaching and Leadership, and Training in Coaching as a leadership tool for Performance Development. I have also written one play which has as its base several speeches I have used on my journey. The play itself is a subtle advertisement for the Toastmasters Organisation. I have another play to work on which I hope to finish next year.

2) Your 2009 winning speech was about a lesson you learnt while in Nana’s kitchen. What other lessons have you learned from Nana?

My Grandmother was an angel. My memories of her are of a person I held in awe. She was gentle, beautiful, accepting, forgiving, almost untouchable, but she had an uncompromising love of her children and grandchildren.  It is worth noting that who my mother was, was my grandmother’s legacy, and as I am my mother’s legacy so too I am my grandmother’s legacy. She taught me to value others and what I had. She taught me to respect others and their lives, accepting all. Her faith was solid and the love that fell from this landed solidly at my feet.

3) How did you manage to bounce back after the water-skiing accident?

At the age of 22 I, like most youth, thought I was invincible. So I lived life to the ‘max’! The accident resulted in me being told by the doctors that I would never walk again, that I would never do a number of things. I remember facing two dark periods, when the ‘nevers’ seemed like and felt like ‘nevers’. These short periods of depression, and they were short (as in a matter of hours), gave me a taste of what it was to nearly give up. However for some reason, I had the realisation that if I stayed there, there I would remain. Consequently, I made the conscious decision not to let myself go there again, and to date, I have not travelled that path. I consciously took control and saw my disability as being very specific in its effect. In other words I saw it changing only the way I got around. I did not see it affecting my capacity to work, live and love again. This allowed me to bounce back. Also, it was important for me to accept some ‘nevers’. To deny them is to expend energy in futile pursuits. We all have ‘nevers’ in our lives. The way to manage them is to limit their impact, and accept this.

I was speaking to some high schools students a few weeks ago in the Northern Territory, and one asked me, that if I had my time over again would I choose not to have the accident. An interesting question.  My answer was that I would choose not to have the accident. Upon reflection, I believe inherent in the question, was the notion that the accident made me a stronger, more resilient, more passionate person. I believe I had the make up to maximise the potential of the adversity, and I do believe we all have that capacity, just as we all have adversity in our lives. However, the potential is sometimes limited by getting caught in denial, as I mentioned above. To deny an adversity or trial in our lives is to give it a scope of influence it should not have.

Of course I also had the support of family and loved ones who also lived through those trying times, but it was interesting to observe that in times of adversity,  the impact on those around you also needs managing.   Adversity of itself, is an opportunity to not only get over, but also to maximize the offerings contained therein.

4) What is the legacy you’d like to leave?

I have a passion for the issues surrounding people with a disability. I would like to leave the world a better place for this largely voiceless group.  In the context of  the other so called ‘target’ groups which appeared under the equal opportunity agenda some years back, those with a disability are the most disempowered, primarily because we do not have a strong collective voice. This falls from the fact that disability is not as easily defined as is, say those who belonged to another ‘target’ group, women. I would not be so bold as to say that women are easily defined, but in the context of equal opportunity they were, and consequently they were also able to bring a strong, collective political voice to changing such realities as the glass ceiling.  For those with a disability it is different. There is no collective voice, and so we will continue to see discrimination by individuals, groups, bureaucracies and governments. We will continue to see in our schools, children with disabilities marginalised. We will continue to see the concept of social inclusion lacking the reality it deserves. We do not have a glass ceiling, we have a brick wall, where the bricks are ignorance and arrogance, and the mortar is indifference. In this area, I would like to make a difference

My speeches are another important way of leaving a legacy. I respect the role they have in potentially making a difference for others. Being an educator, I bring this skill base to my presentations which hopefully makes them more effective. Not attaining the title of World Champion in my first attempt, means I have a number of speeches or concepts which I believe are relevant to a wide range of audiences. These I have been able to share in many diverse forums and will share in the coming year in a number of conferences outside Australia.

I have a view of life which is realistically optimistic, and I believe this is a message that I can share authentically in a manner which can also make a difference to those I encounter.

5) What brings you joy?

There are many things that bring me joy, amongst them are the following:.

1. Seeing an act of pure love between two people. The most amazing example of this is to see a new parent with their new born and to sense the adult’s awe of the miracle in their hands. This love is tangible.
2. The chance to make a difference also beings me joy, be it with strangers or those I know. I suppose this is about leaving the legacy that I have mentioned in my presentations. A tangible example of this is the new Toastmaster whose journey is enhanced by my contribution along with the contribution of other members. Another example of this is when consciously, or unconsciously for that matter, I commit to being present for someone else. In being present, the other has a keen sense of being listened to and loved. This is an awesome experience.
3. Being close to significant members of the animal kingdom also brings me joy. On top of my list are the big cats, dolphins, and members of the whale family, but the list is quite long. I envy those who work with such animals, and I take any chance I can to be in the presence of these ‘wonders of God’.
4. Water. Water brings me joy!  I have had to use a wheelchair since my accident and when I am in water I gain a sense of freedom that is awesome ……. perhaps in another life, I could have been a dolphin!!!!!!!!!
5. Singing at the top of my voice also brings me joy  …………. the joy is not necessarily shared by others, but what the heck!!!!!!!

Grace says: I’m inspired by Mark’s ability to bounce back from that most unfortunate accident and still be able to draw from his reservoir of strength and joy. Noteworthy too are his attempts to win the Championship. How many of us can keep at something long enough to taste success? Today, Mark’s story reminds me to count my blessings, be joyful and appreciative of all Life has to offer.

(p.s: Do check out Mark’s webbie at www.markhunter.com.au)

Look out for: The interview with Eric Feng, on 4th February, 2011.

Interview with Gary Guwe

Gary Guwe

Speaker, Trainer, Entrepreneur

1) Why did you choose to become an entrepreneur, public speaker and trainer?

Interesting question! The decision to do all three did not take place on one setting, but it was a progressive process that started when I was 17.

Then I was thinking about my life and life in general and was pondering about what exactly I want to do in future.  I began observing how others led their lives, and discovered that one’s destiny was essentially determined by the choices that he made. Back then, I was still studying at Junior College (and not sure if I should indeed proceed to go full throttle ahead for a University degree… and if I did want to pursue a degree, why? And how would it affect my career?

As I reflected on the choices I made, I also realized that I had a passion for creation – to create new things and make things happen. Also, call me idealistic, but I was also quite a free-spirited person who enjoyed questioning the norm (did I mention I enjoyed creating new things?) and sought ways to make things better. I also realized that I did not like having my ideas stifled (re: bosses!).

So after much pondering, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to start my own business! Except that, then, I didn’t know exactly in which area!

I’ve always had a keen passion for training and education. Perhaps it was because I was (and I think, still am!) very much an idealist, I wanted to make the world a better place, a career in education was always an option for me. But there was another problem – I wasn’t exactly the most vocal when it came to speaking and voicing my opinions… and it was definitely an area I knew I had to work on.

Public speaking became an area of interest for me when I entered the National University of Singapore (NUS). I knew I would need to speak and communicate well, if I wanted to do well in what I wanted to pursue my goals. Being an introverted person, it was really a keen area of interest for me… and before long it became a pet topic of sorts! As I grew, I began achieving greater results, and realized that communication – the ability to share your ideas effectively to win others over – was a key pillar in one’s success in the new economy.

Then it struck me – I could combine my passion to effect change and better lives, through education by empowering others to communicate better – and public speaking was the most efficient way to achieve that.

I have not looked back since!

 2) You describe yourself as someone who enjoys challenging the odds. Have there been instances when people said that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish a certain task but you went and did it anyway?

Several! From the ‘minor’ to the major.

One of the most poignant moments came when I was just 15. I was a Platoon Sergeant of a group of Secondary Two National Cadet Corps (NCC) Land cadets. With all due respect to my predecessors, I thought the training methods they received as Secondary One cadets were not the best they should and could have received. Morale among the group was low, their discipline was poor, and weekly training attendance was pathetic. The schools’ discipline master and department knew of notorious characters in the group. Nobody held much faith in them! In fact, I’ve to admit… I shared the same sentiments too when I found out that I was to take on the group as their leader and commanding officer!

However, over time, I began to sense something stirring in the group. Though they had been completely written off by everybody, I sensed that they weren’t as bad as they looked. Still, not many gave them a chance. I then set my sights on proving everybody wrong. I made a full analysis of the situation, and began drawing up a training concept and weekly training strategies! I wrote and kept reports on their progress, refined my training methods, and worked progressively to build up their skills, discipline, and camaraderie.

By the end of one year, their fitness levels increased, their drills and discipline were top-notch, and they became widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best groups in the school. The transformation was amazing… and many were later given important student leader roles in the school – that two years after I had graduated from Secondary school.

The same determination to prove people wrong was applied in the Toastmasters too. As  President of the NUS Toastmasters Club, I took on the club in the midst of re-construction. Then it had with a paltry membership size of just slightly over 20, with regular meeting attendance of around 10 members. The learning culture was weak, and again, camaraderie levels low. I set to revitalize the club, and sought several strategies and systems from various sources.

At the end of my first term, I quadrupled its treasury, and size to over 80 members. I returned again two years later, and doubled its size to hit close to 200 members – which effectively transformed the club from a weak, lethargic and reclusive one into a vibrant and supportive one. We were the first club to conduct weekly meetings in multiple rooms for members to present and speak, and now there are requests from others who are seeking to learn more about what we did right!

I remember then that few knew that a Toastmasters Club in NUS even existed, and even fewer would have thought that student clubs could grow to such a scale, with such vibrancy and activity, especially without active support from the university, so it’s really heartening to see how the club has grown in size and recognition by others.

Again, it goes to show that “if there’s a will, there’s a way” – and I wanted to show that anything was possible, if you only put your heart to it, and believe!

 3) What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

That I lived a life, to the best of my abilities, and potential. I do not want to look back and think, “gosh… I wonder what would’ve happened if I did that…” And that includes making a difference in the lives of others by effecting positive change.  I think that adds meaning and significance to living.

Also, very importantly I want to leave a legacy as a good father. Partially also for the reason I mentioned earlier, but I love kids, and I would want to mould them to be the best that they can be too. Be warned though… I am and will be a tough disciplinarian!

In a nutshell, I want to lie on my deathbed, and leave with no regrets.

4) What is one memorable experience you’ve had with helping a shy speaker gain confidence, and how did you accomplish that?

There are several really! There was this instance of a girl I was training in another local Junior College. She stated very early during the start of the course that she didn’t dare to speak, and she didn’t like it because she didn’t know what to say, and how to say, and that her mind would “go blank” EVERY TIME she stood up to speak!

I shared with her my experiences, and the process(es) I took to overcome my fear of stage fright, and techniques on how to generate ideas. I guess having similar experiences myself taught me the value of encouragement, and also how to provide practical advice.

By the end of the day, which was really only eight hours, the girl was able to stand up and share her story, confidently and comfortably before a group of close to thirty people for close to three minutes!

Again, it goes to show that overcoming life’s challenges isn’t just about ability, but about getting the ability! And learning is something everybody can do! Unless they’re dead…

“It’s not how good you are, but how good you want to be that counts!”

 5) What does it take to be an entrepreneur? And what are some of entrepreneurship’s toughest challenges?

Courage, Committment, and Contacts.

You need to have the courage to deal with uncertainty, to live with and through the ups and downs. You need commitment to learn and stay in the business, to learn new skills to deal with challenges, and essentially to stay there and see things through to fruition. And finally, you will need contacts – which will require you to communicate effectively with others to win them over to your side too.

One of the toughest challenges… is the uncertainty. There’s no guarantee that you WILL reap after you sow, but you will definitely reap something… which sometimes means nothing! It’s at that point of time when you have to regroup, refine and re-try to get what you want.

What this means also is that essentially, at the start, you may go on stretches ahead without any returns or rewards. That’s when your commitment comes in… are you committed to stay through the tough patches? And are you committed to solutions (innovation!) to your problems?

If one wants safety and security, then entrepreneurship is not for you. There’s nothing wrong with that. But for those who are dissatisfied with the norm, and really want to do better, then perhaps it’s an area worth pursuing!

And to everybody, I will always say: GO FOR IT!

For “you’ll never know how far you can soar, until spread your wings”

Grace says: Gary is easily one of the most encouraging people around and his amazingly prompt response to my interview request was rivalled only by Merry Riana’s. What he has done with NUS Toastmasters Club is certainly legendary (I was one of those who didn’t know such a club existed when I was an undergraduate there! Haha!)

Gary has complimentary materials for you. Check them out here: http://garyguwe.wordpress.com/updates/

To ask Gary a question:  Email your question to GraceWWG@gmail.com with your name and contact details, and include “Ask Gary” in the subject title.

Look out for: The interview with Hazel Chang, on 14th January, 2011.

Interview with Darren LaCroix

Darren LaCroix

2001 World Champion of Public Speaking

www.darrenlacroix.com

 

1) Why did you choose to become a keynote speaker and coach, and what do you love most about what you do?

 
I started off in pursuit of becoming a comedian, never knowing there was a profession of professional speaking. I stumbled upon it through Toastmasters and a seminar my company Bose sent me to. Then I realized that, as much as I loved making people laugh, I enjoyed even more inspiring them. It became a bigger, better dream for me personally. It became my passion. It was while attending my first National Speakers Association meeting in 1996 that I realized I would do some form of speaking for the rest of my life. Not even sure what or how. That didn’t matter.

What do I love most? The ah-ha in the eyes of an audience. I’d be lying if I did not say the ego is not partially involved. It feels good to serve others though teaching. I grew up being “invisible.” I still like being the ‘observer’ and watching and studying people until it is my turn for the stage.

2) Just about everyone who has ever delivered a speech to an audience and said or did something embarrassing can relate to your 2001 Winning Speech. How would you suggest people recover from their Ouch! moments, especially those living in Asian countries, where the loss of “face” can cause much distress?

Thanks. That is a lesson to all of us. The true power in a good speech is that our audience can relate to us. If they cannot, we will never inspire or educate them.

If you have not embarrassed yourself on stage, you are not risking enough. You are too concerned about “looking good.” Guess what, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! A good speech is transformational for the audience members, not you. I see it way too often that people are not “being real” so they therefore do not grow as quickly as a speaker.

I love that we have manuals. Please use them for the purpose they are designed to stretch you and help you uncover the amazing speaker inside you. The down side of manuals is that some Toastmasters are more motivated to get the check mark in the book, than grow from the experience. So when you are looking at giving a speech, ask yourself, what is my intent?

I learned from my mentors to be focused on how good you will be when you give your 100th speech.  It is NOT how it goes today. It is “if” you go up today, you WILL be better next week. Too many people are so concerned about being perfect, that they wait and wait. Seriously? No one comes to Toastmasters to be a better speaker at Toastmasters. We come to be better OUTSIDE of Toastmasters. This amazing organization we designed to be a place we can make mistakes. Besides the audience doesn’t want you perfect. They want you present.

3) What is your mission in Life?

It is sad that so many live their life with such limiting beliefs. One of the most inspiring movies I’ve ever seen is ‘Rudy’. Now, I’m fortunate enough to be friends with the man the movie was made about. Never dreamed of that happening.

I love the life that I live. I’m so fortunate that I get to do what I love to do for a living. I had great mentors and I was smart enough to listen. I did not let my ego get in the way. I have new goals and dreams. A major portion of that is to inspire others to live the life they only dream of, and have fun doing it. (Me and them).

I’m now working on 2 more books, a movie, and a one-man show in Las Vegas: Humor and Hope. A show that inspires people. It is another dream. It will push me to grow as I pursue that one.

4) What are some of the key messages that you have included in your speeches time and again?

 
“You can do this!” Probably the most important message. No one told me I could make people laugh. I bombed miserably at a comedy show my first time in 1992. Nine years later I won the World Championship out of 25,000 contestants and got 18 laughs while delivering a powerful message. I show video clips of my first time on stage from that show in 1992. Even for a general audience. I did this week at a conference in Las Vegas. It was a group of manufacturing reps from across the country. One man told me he loved my speech. I asked him what about it impacted him. He said without hesitation, “We hear a lot of motivational speakers, but you were different, you lived it.” He went on to say that the video was ”proof” of how bad I was and what challenges I had in front of me.

As my friend Rudy says, “The most important thing you can give someone is hope.”

5) You’re a comedian. Which is your favorite joke to tell and what makes you laugh?

I love improv. It is exciting, you never know where it will go. It has helped my confidence
to be able to be in the moment and handle anything. Every speaker who is serious should take an
improv class. I took several. I also learned from one of the best improv comedians in the world,
my mentor, Vinnie Favorito. If you ever get to Las Vegas, go see him. You can also FB him.

I have a joke I tell about negative people in our lives. It would not translate well in text. The reason I love it is that I never actually say the punchline. It actually happens in the minds of the audience members.

What makes me laugh? ‘Who’ might be easier to answer. I enjoy Vinnie (I go see him about once per month), comedian Ron White, and keynote speaker Jeannie Robertson. They are masters.

Humor is in the mind of the beholder. It is subjective.

Grace says: Darren is coming to do an event in Singapore on November, 16th! Information on how to get your tickets here: http://202.43.102.78/maps/20101116-singapore/

To ask Darren a question: Email GraceWWG@gmail.com with your name and contact details, and include “Ask Darren” in the subject title.

Look out for: The interview with Candice Koh , on 19th November, 2010.

Interview with Jim Key

(photo from toastmasters.org)

Jim Key

2003 World Champion of Public Speaking

1) Why did you choose to become a keynote speaker and what do you love most about what you do?

Many years ago, I saw a couple of other well known keynote speakers who had a very strong, positive impact on the audience.  I don’t just mean during the time that they were speaking; I was able to see how the attendees were continually implementing the principles they’d heard from those speakers.  It was at that point, that I knew I wanted to be a keynote speaker.  The think I love most about it is being able to have a positive, lasting, and meaningful impact in the lives of my audience members.
2) Your 2003 winning speech’s key message is that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. What are some of the dreams you are currently pursuing? Have there been dreams that you’ve had to abandon by choice or circumstance?

Have there been dreams I’ve had to abandon?  Hasn’t everyone?  There is one that readily comes to mind from my childhood, when I dreamed of being a professional basketball player in the NBA.  I only lacked one thing: sufficient ability. :)  Seriously, I did play during high school, but I had to work full time jobs while attending university.  Because of that, was not able to continue playing.  Aside from that particular dream, I’ve had some other dreams that I’ve not been able to realize.  Those were painful and personal, and will remain private.

As to what dreams I’m currently pursuing, some are business related, and some are personal.  My personal ones involve seeing my children continuing to mature as adults, and to one day becoming a grandfather.  I’m really looking forward to the day those dreams are realized!  Regarding my business dreams, I am working towards building a global speaking and consulting business, and to helping people world-wide reach higher levels of personal and professional excellence.
3) What is your mission in Life?

This may sound a bit cliche, but my two missions are; 1) to be a good husband and father, and love my family without restraint, and 2) to leave the world a better place than it currently is.
4) What are some of the key messages that you have included in your speeches time and again?

When I give speeches, I have the opportunity to expound more on these key messages, but I’d have to say that the three key messages that I frequently include in my speeches are these:

1.  Excellence doesn’t happen by accident; it must be specifically targeted and worked towards.
2.  If you want to achieve anything of significance, you must be willing to work and sacrifice.  But…it’s worth it!
3.  The best (and proper) use of our authority as speakers and leaders can be summarized in one word:  serve.

5) You identify yourself as an optimist, besides being a husband, a father, and the 2003 World Champion of Public Speaking. How do you stay optimistic in trying times?

We are definitely living in trying times.  I would say that there are two things that help me stay optimistic.  First, I recognize that today’s trying times are based on today’s circumstances.  I have to continually remind myself that those may not be tomorrow’s circumstances.  If we look at history, we can see some very dark periods of time, but those dark times did not last forever.  People changed the circumstances of their day, and thereby created a better tomorrow for themselves.  I look for ways to change my circumstances for the better.  If I can do that, I can create a better tomorrow for myself.  That constant understanding helps me to be optimistic.

Secondly, and just as importantly, is that I am a person of faith.  My sense of happiness and optimism have its deepest roots there.

Grace says: I got to know more about Jim only via Facebook and have not heard him speak before. I really like his winning speech, though, and you can read it here: http://www.jimkey.com/Championship/speeches.asp

A big “Thank You!” to Jim for so graciously agreeing to this interview.

To ask Jim a question/invite him to your company or organization: Email GraceWWG@gmail.com with your name and contact details, and include “Ask Jim” in the subject title.

Look out for: The interview with Darren LaCroix, on 12th November, 2010.