High Performance Leadership

This page describes the Toastmasters High Performance Leadership Programme which offers a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn by doing. 

3 part learning process

The Toastmasters proven three-part learning process of study, action and feedback is used in a real-life project selected by the Toastmaster. 

The programme involves recruiting a Guidance Commitee, studying the learning materials, selecting a worthwhile project, working with a team to accomplish the goal, making presentations about the project, and receiving feedback and guidance.  The projects can be within or outside of Toastmasters, and ideally should be achieving something worthwhile.

What are some High Performance Leadership Projects Toastmasters have completed?

• Served a term as Club Specialist
• Chaired a District-sponsored event organising committee
• Set up a recurring storytelling workshop in the community
• Chaired a church rummage sale organising committee
• Promoted Toastmasters in local area through a variety of PR initiatives
• Led a club to achieve President's Distinguished status
• Persuaded a club to sponsor a new club
• Developed a District Operations Manual
• Organised several new Toastmaster clubs
• Ran a Youth Leadership Program
• Revitalized own club as President to achieve President's Distinguished Club and led Area to President's Distinguished status
• Ran a Speechcraft series for students
• Rebuilt a club to the point that it was self-sustaining
• Organised a local skateboard park
• Organised a club anniversary celebration
• Organised club officer training round
• Organised a club "Evaluation Boot Camp" event
• Set up a Civil Defence Readiness Unit
• Organised a university class reunion

The High Performance Leadership Project Details

Part 1 – Learning about Leadership

• Complete the quiz – Assess your Knowledge of Leadership
• Assess current leadership skills by answering a questionnaire and plotting results on a model
• Develop a list of leadership projects to choose from
• Recruit a Guidance Committee

Part 2 – Choosing your Objective

• Describe in writing the vision for the project
• Write a mission statement based on the vision
• Define core values for the project
• Plan and present a speech about the project

Part 3 – Winning Commitment to your Objective

• Recruit an action team
• Create an action strategy
• Identify key result areas
• Set goals and deadlines
• Prepare an Action Plan

Part 4 – Working the Plan

• Review progress
• Describe any obstacles, problems, setbacks and explain how they were handled
• Describe any people problems and how they were handled
• Re-evaluate the overall plan
• Get feedback from the team
• Reassess leadership skills

Part 5 – Analyse and Present Results

• Prepare and deliver a speech about the project and the leadership learning experience