When I first joined Decisive Toastmasters in 2018, I was told that Ron was assigned as my mentor. My thought was, “I hope this Ron guy has the patience of a saint.” Joining Toastmasters was such an anxiety-stricken process for introverts like me. I had already decided to just observe for the next million years with minimal participation.
However, things took a different turn rather quickly. Ron did not let me sit around and cruise by, but I have no idea how I had agreed to most of his suggestions with minimal protests. There was something about the way he said things that made me feel like, “Ok, I trust you even though I don’t want to do it.” I would just agree, even in the most reluctant manner. I am glad I did because he opened up my eyes to what a great mentor looks like. A great mentor acts as a compass for his or her mentee/protege and helps them create a roadmap to achieving those goals. A great mentor sees the potentials of the mentee and believes in him/her in spite of their self-doubt. A great mentor is a great leader and an amazing cheerleader at the same time.
At the very beginning of our mentor-protege relationship, Ron sat down and helped me set dates and signed me up for different Toastmaster roles for 2 months straight. I thought it was the norm so I had only protested slightly. If he had left it up to me, I would probably take my sweet time with the ice-breaker speech, and keep on signing up for simpler roles like “joke of the day” or closing thoughts. Within the first month, I was signed up to do my first ice-breakers speech. Little did I know that he was creating that roadmap for me to meet my goals, which I didn't know I had.
When I had specific questions on what to do about a certain speech, I was glad he didn’t mark my speech with a red pen all over my writing, as my English teachers did. He directed me to focus on my message without the overwhelming details for improvement. He was more like a compass, giving me that sense of direction for my speeches and goals.
Though Ron never told me what to do, he occasionally surprised me with a text like “Would you like to be the Toastmaster for the next meeting?” Also, through another source (Amy Campbell), Ron had put in my name to be the “Test Speaker” for another club that same year. Luckily I got out of that one. Whew! All of these made me hyperventilate out of fear. I would be like, “Ron, why are you doing this to me?” However, this leads to my second point. Ultimately I knew he believed that I could do it and that I could only grow when I stretch my comfort zone. When he believed in me, somehow I believed in myself just a little more each time. Isn’t that what great leaders do as well?
Someone once said, “In order to be a great leader, you must first be a great follower.” I beg to differ - “In order to be a great leader, you must first be a great cheerleader.” Bring your pompoms if you want to. Ron didn’t have to tell me. Every time I stood up to give a speech, he was silently cheering for me, no matter how I felt I was doing a terrible job. He wanted me to be successful EVERY SINGLE TIME. So in return, I became his biggest cheerleader during the District 61 Toastmasters Election. I was checking Facebook for the results of the elections as if some people would be doing on hockey scores. When I saw the post of the results, I did a mental “Yes! Go, Ron!” You get the idea! We all cheer for those who cheer for us, in any element of life. Ron was elected the District Director for 2019. It was incredible to witness such an achievement.
Now, much time had passed since. I still think Ron was one of the best mentors who helped me created a roadmap, which helped me complete my Level 2, within the year. Now I am trying to use this roadmap system for my personal and business goals. Not only was he a great mentor, but he was also a great leader because he inspired me to keep on working on my goals and seek out my potential in spite of my fears. Over the years, I saw myself push myself to do things outside of my comfort zone. I saw myself in a new light because fear no longer defines my ability to take on a certain task. Last but not least, I believed that Ron’s excitement to see others succeed makes him the great leader and cheerleader that he is. When one cheers you on, you are more inclined to do better each time.
These are just some of the things I experienced. There are more about Ron's leadership qualities that I hope I can acquire one day.
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