Have we become less formal in Toastmasters?
I remember my first Toastmaster meeting three years ago. The District Governor, two Lieutenants, and the division governor were all there to welcome me to the organization. OK, not really, but it is nice to think that they were. Actually, all of them were there for the club’s year end meeting dressed in suits and ties.
I thought that was the way speakers dress. So what did I do?
I wore a suit and tie every time I presented, to almost every meeting, and you know what happened? Comment form after comment form came back, “Too stiff…too formal…lose the tie.”
So I lost it. For the next few club presentations, I lost the tie and unbuttoned the jacket. Now I am lucky if I wear pants to the meetings. Is that the right thing to do?
Then just over a week ago, I was sitting in Las Vegas with Darren LaCroix and Patricia Fripp when the came question came up. What level of formality is required of a speaker?
Be it in Toastmasters, Professional Speaking or Non-Profit, does a speaker go full formal or not? This is a major stress point for the World Championship of Public Speaking. Many speakers believe that some judges will mark off for men and women not in suits with men in ties.
The same goes for professionals. There is a common belief that suits are required to project authority and that men wearing ties signifies respect of formality. Without the suit, you might lose the respect of the people paying for your speech.
Does wearing a suit, and for men a tie, really project authority?
Let me hear your thoughts. Then I will chime in with mine.
About the Author: My Toastmasters Blog is written and edited by Chris Elliott, a professional speaker and blogger. Chris serves as a leader for supply chain and international non-profit organizations. He enjoys using his knowledge and experiences during his speaking engagements, workshops, consulting projects, and one-on-one coaching sessions. The result—connecting people and empowering change. If you would like information on how you can bring Chris to speak to your next meeting, please download Chris' one sheet or contact him by clicking here.
Speakers should dress appropriately for the occasion and in a way that will put their audience at ease.
I had a conversation with Mark Brown who related that, when he speaks to his high school audiences, he dresses casually, often in jeans. He will put his hand in his pockets (gasp).
But at a the President’s dinner at the Toastmasters International Convention, there was Mark resplendent in a tuxedo.
It all depends. When I train managers I wear a suit. For other audiences I’ll wear dockers and a knit shirt.
The first concern is for the audience.