08/06/2026
The Hidden Gem of Toastmasters, Leadership Development
In preparation for a speech at Central Austin Toastmasters, I came across some sobering research that reveals an important value proposition for the leadership opportunities Toastmasters offers.
According to research by the Harvard Business Review, the average age of someone who takes on their first leadership role is 30. However, the average age someone receives leadership training is 42. That means that people in leadership positions don't have the skills needed to lead effectively.
Another insightful body of research from McKinsey & Company reveals that most leadership training is restricted to the classroom environment. Adults retain about 10% of what they learn in that environment. McKinsey recommends developing leadership skills with a mix of 70% On-the-Job training, 20% mentoring, 10% classroom.
That gap between how companies are investing in leadership training and the abysmal return they get from that investment is significant. That positions Toastmasters as an outstanding leadership laboratory where the training we provide in our COT and TLIs gets applied almost immediately. Leaders don't have to wait for "corporate" to provide incomplete and ineffective training, and certainly don't have to wait until they are 30 to set themselves apart from their peers.
If you have been hesitant to take advantage of club and district leadership opportunities, you are leaving a lot on the table. The crazy thing is that Toastmasters International doesn't charge extra for this hands on, applied leadership training.
This is shared by another Toastmaster.
