Competing in Toastmasters Contests is Essential for Growth

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One of the greatest ironies I’ve witnessed in the world of Toastmasters is seeing accomplished members—Distinguished Toastmasters (DTMs) and accredited speakers—who’ve never stepped onto a contest stage. Their noses held high, badges pinned proudly on their suits, they boast about their achievements, yet struggle when it comes to delivering a powerful, impactful speech. In my view, it’s akin to owning a sword you’ve never tested in battle. Without competing, you’re missing the fire that forges raw talent into true mastery.

The Forge of Contests: Where Growth Truly Happens

In Toastmasters, contests are not just about winning titles or taking home a shiny trophy. They are the ultimate training ground, the place where good speakers are transformed into exceptional ones. Contests grill you, stretch you, shape you, and toughen you. They force you to dig deep, explore your potential, and most importantly, handle pressure. As Muhammad Ali famously said, “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” It’s in this crucible of contests where the real fight takes place—long before you face the audience.

Imagine an Olympic athlete who trains for years but never competes in any qualifying rounds. Can they be considered champions if they’ve never been tested in the arena? The same applies to Toastmasters. You can’t call yourself a complete speaker if you’ve never faced the intensity, pressure, and adrenaline of a contest. Each round, each speech, each contest season refines your skills. It’s where you see if your content can withstand scrutiny, if your stage presence can captivate, and if your message can resonate with judges and audiences alike.

A Toastmaster’s Journey Through Contests

I once knew a Toastmaster named Prakash. He was a seasoned speaker with over a decade of experience and multiple leadership titles under his belt. Yet, he’d never competed. He’d mentored others, conducted workshops, and earned his DTM, but avoided contests, saying they weren’t “his thing.” One day, after much convincing, he decided to step into the contest arena, starting at the Club level.

Prakash quickly realized that being a polished speaker in regular meetings didn’t guarantee success in a contest. The stakes were higher, the judging criteria sharper, and every gesture, pause, and vocal inflection mattered. He was critiqued in ways he hadn’t experienced before—raw and unfiltered. But instead of shying away, he embraced the challenge. By the time he reached the Division level, Prakash was a different speaker altogether. His presence was stronger, his words more impactful, and his ability to engage was on another level. Even he admitted that contests transformed him in ways regular speeches and meetings never could.

The Problem with Wooden DTMs

Toastmasters International has its own criteria for attaining the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) title. You need to complete a series of projects, lead teams, mentor others, and so on. But here’s where I feel a gap exists. How can you achieve the highest distinction in public speaking without ever competing in a contest? It’s like calling yourself a professional swimmer without ever racing in a pool.

Competitions test every skill a DTM is supposed to have: audience connection, persuasive speaking, handling pressure, and refining messages. Yet, many DTMs shy away from contests, choosing instead to focus on leadership roles or safe speaking projects. This creates what I call “Wooden DTMs”—individuals who hold the Wood piece of a title on their wall, but have never truly sharpened their skills through the fire of competition.

I strongly believe that people should not be allowed to become DTMs without a minimum of one win at the Area level. Why? Because even a single win means you’ve gone through the process—building, refining, and perfecting your content. It shows that you’ve been judged, critiqued, and tested. As the great orator Cicero once said, “Practice without improvement is meaningless.” Contests are the proving ground that ensures every DTM is not just a speaker, but a battle-tested, refined communicator.

Why Compete?

1. Pressure Builds Diamonds: Competitions put you under pressure. You are performing not just for feedback but for a ranking. It’s a whole different ballgame when you know every word is being evaluated. This pressure forces you to find new depths of confidence and composure.
2. Direct and Honest Feedback: In regular meetings, evaluations are often polite and encouraging. But in contests, the feedback is raw and honest. If your speech lacks impact, you’ll know it. If your structure is weak, you’ll feel it. This feedback, though tough, is where real growth happens.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: Losing a contest is as important as winning. When you lose, you learn to handle disappointment, reflect on your weaknesses, and come back stronger. It builds resilience and adaptability, qualities every great speaker must have.
4. Contests as Real-World Training: Winning or losing a contest might not matter to your job or family life, but the skills you develop—confidence under pressure, quick thinking, and engaging storytelling—transfer directly to real-world scenarios. You learn to speak not just for applause but to create genuine impact.

I recall a Toastmaster named Anita, who initially viewed contests as a source of stress rather than growth. She reluctantly entered a Humorous Speech Contest after much persuasion. She didn’t win, but the experience changed her perception completely. “I learned more in those three months of preparation and competition than in my last three years as a Toastmaster,” she told me. Today, Anita is a Division champion, mentoring others with a new-found passion she never thought she had.

What Contests Teach You: Beyond the Stage

The benefits of competing extend far beyond the trophy. It’s about growth—personal and professional. It’s about gaining insights into your strengths and areas of improvement. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and daring to be judged.

“The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory,” as Les Brown says. That’s what contests offer. Each year, as you step up and face the challenge again, you become sharper, tougher, and more capable of delivering not just a speech, but an experience.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Forge—Embrace It

In the end, contests are like a forge. The fire is intense, the shaping process is demanding, and sometimes you’ll feel like giving up. But without that heat, without that hammer striking repeatedly, a blade remains dull and brittle. Toastmasters is not just about ticking off projects—it’s about pushing yourself to be the best speaker you can be. And there’s no better way to do that than through contests.

So the next time you consider sitting out a contest season, remember this: The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle. Step into the arena, face the fire, and let it mold you into a speaker worth listening to.

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