By Hind M. Gautam, Talk of the Town

In the evolving landscape of modern medicine, clinical excellence requires more than scientific knowledge and technical expertise. Communication is a core competency that shapes every facet of patient care and healthcare leadership. As a practicing clinician, I have come to appreciate that my ability to speak with clarity, to listen with intention, and to lead with confidence is as critical as any clinical guideline or therapeutic tool. This realization led me to join Toastmasters.

Toastmasters International is not a conventional path for physicians.  Yet, I found in it a rare and invaluable space for structured personal development—one that complements and enhances my professional practice. My primary motivation for joining was not to become a public speaker in the traditional sense, but to strengthen my identity as a physician who leads, educates, and advocates effectively.

Through Toastmasters, I have developed greater fluency in organizing my thoughts under pressure, articulating them with confidence, and adapting my message to diverse audiences.

Beyond patient encounters, communication is also central to academic presentations, peer collaboration, and institutional leadership. Toastmasters has provided an environment to experiment with voice, tone, pacing, and narrative—skills rarely emphasized in traditional medical training. Feedback from fellow members, many of whom come from non-medical backgrounds, has been particularly illuminating, reminding me that effective communication transcends jargon and hierarchy.

Perhaps most unexpectedly, Toastmasters has also invited me to rediscover storytelling as a professional tool. Sharing personal narratives—whether about moments of doubt, growth, or connection—has allowed me to reflect on the human dimensions of medicine that are often obscured by clinical demands. In doing so, I’ve become more attuned to the emotional texture of patient care and more intentional about how I lead and teach.

In an era that rightly demands more empathy, clarity, and accountability from healthcare professionals, communication is not ancillary—it is foundational. My experience with Toastmasters has reinforced this truth. It has equipped me not only with better skills, but with a stronger voice—one I hope to use in service of patients, colleagues, and the future of medicine.

I never imagined Toastmasters would be for me. Public speaking? For fun? That sounded terrifying! But everything changed when my friend Bobby, who was the Church Mutual Club president, invited me to support her at a Toastmasters Open House where she was giving a speech.

I showed up expecting nerves and formality—but what I found was a warm, welcoming group of people who were genuinely supportive and encouraging. The atmosphere was laid-back and fun, with no pressure or judgment. If someone stumbled, the room filled with encouragement, not awkward silence. It was clear: this was a space for growth.

That Open House completely shifted my perspective. I decided to give Toastmasters a try, and I’m so glad I did. Over the past year, I’ve seen a huge improvement in my public speaking skills. I’m more confident, more composed, and even starting to enjoy the process of preparing and delivering speeches.

Recently, I took on the role of club Secretary—a step I never thought I’d take when I first walked through those doors. It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute to the club in a new way and support others on their own speaking journeys.

Toastmasters has become more than just a place to practice speeches. It’s a community where we grow together, cheer each other on, and celebrate every step forward. If you’re on the fence about joining or know someone who is, I encourage you to come to an Open House. You might just surprise yourself—like I did.

Life has a way of throwing curve balls when we least expect them. Deadlines pile up, meetings overlap, and unexpected challenges appear just when we feel least prepared. In those moments of chaos, our ability to stay calm can make the difference between success and stress. But how exactly do we remain “cool as a cucumber” when everything around us feels overwhelming?

The first step is pausing before reacting. When faced with chaos, our natural tendency is to respond immediately—sometimes with panic or frustration. Instead, taking a deep breath allows us to reset our thoughts. A calm pause is often the strongest response.

Next, focus on what we can control. Chaos is often amplified by worrying about things outside our influence. By narrowing attention to what can be done in the moment, we shift from feeling powerless to feeling proactive. Small steps forward create a sense of order, even in disorder.

Another key is keeping perspective. In the heat of the moment, every issue can feel like a crisis. Asking ourselves, “Will this matter a week from now? A year from now?” helps separate urgent tasks from unnecessary stress. Perspective allows us to respond with reason instead of emotion.

Equally important is communication. When chaos involves others—as it often does—remaining calm and clear in how we speak helps steady the entire group. A composed tone, reassuring words, and active listening can transform tension into teamwork.

Finally, practice self-care outside of chaos. Just as athletes train before the big game, staying cool under pressure requires preparation. Mindfulness practices, regular exercise, and healthy routines strengthen our resilience. When challenges strike, we are ready to handle them with composure.

Toastmasters provides an excellent training ground for this skill. Whether it’s managing the unexpected in Table Topics or handling last-minute changes in meeting roles, we practice staying calm under pressure in a supportive environment. Over time, that practice translates into real life, helping us carry confidence into boardrooms, classrooms, and daily challenges.

Remaining “cool as a cucumber” isn’t about ignoring chaos—it’s about navigating it with grace. When we pause, focus, keep perspective, communicate well, and prepare ourselves, we turn turbulence into opportunity. And in doing so, we inspire others to stay calm too.

Oshkosh Corporation is a Fortune-500 American industrial company, which engages in the design, development, and manufacturing of purpose-built vehicles and equipment. At the same time, a frequent part of the employees’ everyday life at Oshkosh Corporation is holding meetings with trade partners and other team members. The employees’ need to be comfortable with public speaking has led to the Oshkosh Corporation Toastmasters (“Truckmasters”) thriving. With sixteen members, this Toastmasters club in District 35 has been a valuable resource for employees of Oshkosh Corporation to practice their speech skills.

Over the past year, Truckmasters welcomed two new members to the club and made significant progress in all members’ Pathways development. Many of the members are far along in their paths, including Presentation Mastery and Motivational Strategies. The new members have begun giving speeches on the topics from the different levels of Presentation Master, including the initial Icebreaker speech.

Truckmasters’ most defining quality is providing an opportunity to help participants strengthen their communication skills. Both members and guests have regular opportunities to speak confidently and receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment. Each meeting features a prepared speech segment, where every speaker receives both encouragement and constructive suggestions for improvement. Table Topics, where participants practice impromptu speaking with minimal preparation, is a club favorite, generating strong engagement from our members.

Some of the key goals of Truckmasters in 2025-2026 include trying to increase the club’s visibility both within Oshkosh Corporation and in the local community by reaching out to local news publications. Another goal is holding more community events to provide additional opportunities to practice public speaking skills and recruitment drives.

Overall, the Oshkosh Corporation Toastmasters Club has been showing great growth over the past year, and it has a very promising future ahead.