Communication and leadership skills go hand in hand. There are many good reasons why Toastmasters teaches both communication and leadership skills. People with good communication skills are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions, and good leaders need communication skills to be effective.

Communication and Leadership, the education program is divided into two tracks.

The Competent Communication Manual

The Competent Communication manual (often called the basic manual) helps you to develop the basic skills that you need to prepare and present an effective speech. The manual is organized into ten separate projects, each with its own individual focus or objective. An extremely effective tool in developing your speaking skills, the Competent Communication manual never tells you exactly what to do or what to speak about, but rather it provides a set of guidelines for you to think about as you prepare your speech.

After completing the Competent Communication manual, you earn Competent Communicator (CC) recognition and are able to focus your efforts on the projects in the advanced speech manuals of the Toastmasters program.

Project 1: The Ice Breaker
The first speech of the Toastmasters program is about introducing yourself to your peers, providing a benchmark for your current skill level, and standing and speaking without falling over.

Click here to view demo of Project 1 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8YlhwHc4xY

Project 2: Organize your speech
Introduces the basic concepts of organizing a speech around a speech outline.

Click here to view demo of Project 2 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWWz1Tcjlh0

Project 3: Get to the Point
Clearly state your speech goal, and make sure that every element of your speech focuses on that goal.

Click here to view demo of Project 3 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL_18XIQj_o

Project 4: How to Say It
Examines word choice, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices.

Click here to view demo of Project 4 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NQ3ugf1NT4

Project 5: Your Body Speaks
Shows how to complement words with posture, stance, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact.

Click here to view demo of Project 5 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Vlstv7Hq8

Project 6: Vocal Variety
Guides you to add life to your voice with variations in pitch, pace, power, and pauses.

Click here to view demo of Project 6 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkYoZhPIyVE

Project 7: Research Your Topic
Addresses the importance of backing up your arguments with evidence, and touches on the types of evidence to use.

Click here to view demo of Project 7 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEzXNIIE6iE

Project 8: Get Comfortable With Visual Aids
Examines the use of slides, transparencies, flip charts, whiteboards, or props.

Click here to view demo of Project 8 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfXe33HnLtY

Project 9: Persuade With Power
Discusses audience analysis and the different forms of persuasion available to a speaker.

Click here to view demo of Project 9 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o70pXw56qk

Project 10: Inspire Your Audience
The last of ten speeches, this project challenges the speaker to draw all their skills together to deliver a powerful inspirational message.

Click here to view demo of Project 10 speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rWH3JKKETs