Developing skills for today’s work-from-home environment as told by Michelle Borders

In June 2019, I was asked to become a member of the Naples Chamber Board of Directors to represent the majority of their members who are Small Business Owners. It was then that I joined Toastmasters with the personal goal of increasing my self-confidence as a speaker.

In 2020, our club started meeting on Zoom in response to the pandemic stay-at-home orders. This experience helped me perfect how I present myself virtually. I also learned the Zoom technology as I became accustomed to facilitating Zoom meetings at Toastmasters. These skills have become essential in the current work-from-home environment.

When I was asked to share my story for the newly created Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds, I was able to deliver an impactful 5-minute speech while looking at the virtual audience. The Coalition chose to use the video on its website and for a presentation to the County Commissions. There is no way I would have been able to do a presentation like that without my Toastmasters experience!

 

Michelle Borders is a member of Naples Sunrise Bay Toastmasters in Naples, Florida. To find a Toastmasters Club near you, visit www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club.