When I started attending Toastmasters originally, I knew I wanted something out of it that wasn’t precisely Toastmasters. In fact, the very first thing I said to someone else about it… was that I wanted to learn TED style speaking — not simply Toastmasters style speaking.
I still feel that way, even to the extent that I’m not completely sure Toastmasters can serve that purpose for me. But I’m paused there, because I still think it’s very possible that Toastmasters can — if I get seriously clear about what I want.
I don’t want the structure of a Toastmasters speech. I don’t want the hierarchy of steps, the lessons learned in order. They are valuable, there’s no doubt about it, but that’s not what I want right now. I want a different kind of learning. I want a heart-centered learning, with Toastmasters precepts added into the mix. I want something based on TED… with consideration given to the kind of “great speaking” guidelines that Toastmasters excels in. I may find out that the basic structure is necessary for some people (or all people) to learn before moving on to the emotion. But I am not convinced of this.
My reticence here probably comes from the fact that I learn by feeling things out. I’m certainly biased!
What I really want to do is ask TED if there is room for a set of TED events dedicated to the kind of speaking that is done at TED. A kind of TEDx with guidelines for speaking, for instance. Hell — we could do it just by creating the guidelines! There’s no need for a separate event, just for the kind of open acceptance that would allow new speakers to try and learn.
Who knows if they’d go for it — but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t have to be TED-affiliated to be intensely valuable. My urge is to name it, and then do it. (Or vice versa. Why not?) So that’s what we’re going to do. God knows, I’ve suggested enough names and concepts over the years that it would easily fit into our usual repertoire.
(Small aside: I think ToasTED is a brilliantly funny option — thanks, Tim! — but I suspect that using that name without being sanctioned by Toastmasters and TED themselves might not be all that polite. Also, I was joking about turning it into a drinking game…)
There are so many things we could do with this, it blows my mind. We could meet via video; it could be an internet-wide meme, for that matter. We could meet in person, we could make our own small TEDx events or private meet-ups and watch TED talks and refine our speaking techniques. We could take over our local Toastmasters meetings, to show them how striking and important TED’s work is — and what they might do to integrate those values into their own speaking.
If you are familiar with Toastmasters and TED — even in passing, or enough to offer your thoughts — I want your input.
What guidelines would we provide for TED-specific speakers?
What process would best teach someone to speak movingly at TED, provided they have the right kind of moving material?
Could we also present guidelines on the actual material?
And I need to do a bit more digging, but… does TED already provide a set of guidelines that would get us going towards this goal?
Megan Elizabeth Morris (aka MEM, Megan the M.) is a bonafide professional catalyst and adventurer. She's the Ideaschema instigator, orchestrator and autodidact, and you can find out more about her by clicking here.Got an idea? Something we haven't thought of? Whatever you're thinking, we want to hear it. Please feel free to leave comments or email us by clicking here.
