What is this?

Mentor in a Box is an education project to develop a video web library, teaching competent leadership skills to mentees of I'll Drink to That Toastmasters.

Inspired by the OpenCourseWare (OCW) Movement, the library will prepare mentees for the basics of competent leadership so they are more engaged during the weekly meetings. Mentees can search for a subject through the blog archive; play, pause and rewind tutorials; and stay up to date of new videos and postings by email.

This is certainly a work in process. So please feel free to subscribe to stay current! If you have questions, comments or would like to contribute to Mentor in a Box, email me @ mentorinabox@gmail.com. Mentor can also be found on YouTube here.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Body Language (ADVANCED TOPIC)

This post will cover a more advanced topic of communication and competent leadership. It is recommended you finish at least 6 speeches from your Competent Communication Manual before reviewing.

A Toastmaster meeting is a laboratory to practice communication and leadership skills. As you become more comfortable with speaking and taking on leadership roles, you will naturally convey this comfort through your body language. However, becoming a student of body language (or nonverbal communication) can bring your leadership skills to a more advanced level.

This post will serve as a launching point for mentees to better understanding the importance of body language.

Even if you’re really comfortable in front of an audience, being aware of some of the movements we make as speakers, and how the audience can interpret this, can be a real asset for purposely conveying your intended message.


Source: CNN


This video from HowCast.com is about conveying a confident presence during a job interview. However, the same concepts can be applied when conveying confidence and compentence during a speech in Toastmasters.


Source: HowCast.com



Shoot for the Moon!  Find speakers you can model some of your body language after during a speech or leadership role.  For example, John F. Kennedy may be a good role model for speeches with 'pomp and circumstance.'  Refer to past speeches for inspiration.


Source: Archive.org



Perhaps you need a role model for a less serious occasion. Your inspiration for body language can come from any source, and can be used to convey any message.
Disclaimer: Viewer Discretion Advised

Source: CBS



What message do you want to convey through body language?

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