In this video from District 57 Toastmasters, guest Nithan Narula—a Technical Program Manager and President of Danville Toastmasters—shares his journey of how the organization helped him overcome a lack of confidence and rediscover his voice.
What is Toastmasters?
Nithan describes Toastmasters as a membership-based nonprofit focused on growing communication and leadership skills in a safe, supportive environment [01:21]. Rather than a formal class or seminar, it is a “learning-by-doing” space where growth happens through:
- Active Participation: Taking on meeting roles and speaking “on your feet” [01:50].
- Constructive Feedback: Members improve each other through positive, valuable evaluations [00:31].
- Safe Experimentation: A culture that values “progress over perfection,” where mistakes are treated as necessary lessons rather than something to fear [02:08].
Personal Growth & The Biryani Analogy
Nithan compares the Toastmasters journey to making biryani [02:34]:
- There are many layers to the process.
- You won’t get it perfect the first time, and that is okay.
- Through repeated attempts and adjustments, everything eventually comes together.
For Nithan, the results were transformative. He transitioned from being nervous on camera and in meetings to being able to organize his thoughts with clarity [03:49]. He even rediscovered his passion for writing, which led him to publish multiple books—an achievement he attributes to the confidence gained in Toastmasters [04:38].
Support for ESL Speakers
The video highlights that Toastmasters is particularly valuable for those who speak English as a second language [05:07]:
- Diverse Environment: Clubs include members from every background and accent [05:57].
- No Judgment: Like a “campfire circle,” everyone is welcome regardless of their current language proficiency [05:15].
- Skill Addition: Nithan shares that he still enjoys Hindi movies and music, noting that Toastmasters doesn’t replace one’s culture but adds a skill to connect with more people [06:09].
How to Get Started
The easiest way to begin is to visit a local club as a guest with no obligation or preparation required [07:00].
- Resource: Visit tmradio.info to find in-person, online, or hybrid options [07:15].