The run is over. On October 22, 2016 at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, I finished in a respectable third place in Toastmasters Table Topic competition. Only the first place winner goes on to the state finals.
It’s was fun — I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. And It’s a great practice to be able to think on your feet.
The question wasn’t easy. “If you could stop the clock for one hour, what would you do with your time?”
I have two strategies with Table Topics — both start with an introduction and repeating the question. That allows you a few more second to warm up the synapses.
The first strategy is to relate to the crowd. What is the make up of the crowd? Mostly men? Mostly women? What about the judges? What are their ethnicity? Find something that will get the audience to nod their heads in agreement.
The second strategy is throw in a well organized twist. Whatever it is you think they’re expecting to hear? Give them something a little more that’s different and agreeable.
For instance. My Answer to the question was Nothing. With one hour off the clock I would do Nothing. I have a busy schedule and to get one hour would be incredible. In hindsight it wasn’t a great answer.
The winner’s answer was better. It’s best to live in the present. Having the hour off doesn’t change that.
The winner had both strategies in play — he found something everyone could agree to and he opened the question up to a broader understanding of our reality. Well done.
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Joe Morris is the Vice President of Public Relations for the Toastmasters Lunch Bunch, club number 6187.
