President's Tip of the Week

The Basics of Evaluation
(6/4/08)

Evaluation is one of the most difficult and rewarding parts of the Toastmasters experience. It is also the most useful, in my opinion, because we have opportunities for providing feedback every day outside of Toastmasters. We will become much more successful at work and in our personal relationships if we master the art of providing positive, useful feedback.

I will be quoting from an evaluation guide by Frank P., DTM, and Jim O., ATMB, over the next few tips as we go through the basics of evaluation. I hope you find these as helpful as I have. Quotes are bolded. (Thank you to Ocotillo Toastmasters for sharing your helpful materials!)

Remember that your evaluation is only 3 minutes long. Each evaluation has 5 basic sections which must be covered in this short time. Here is an outline for a successful evaluation:

1. OPENING: Give a very brief overall reaction to the speech. Find something about which to comment positively. Avoid going into detail. Try to be positive overall in this portion.

2. OBJECTIVES: Discuss how well you feel the speaker met his/her objectives. Cover the objectives successfully met... This is the top of the "oreo cookie" we build during the evaluation.

3. SUGGESTIONS: Offer suggestions for improvement on objectives that require more work. Be sure to always word them in a positive manner (e.g., "It might have been better if you…" or "You might want to try…" or "I challenge you..." or "I'd love to see you try…" or "I want more of…..") rather than "Your closing was weak" or "You shouldn't have…" This is the creamy center of the oreo cookie.

4. GOOD THINGS: Mention the things outside of the objectives that YOU think the speaker did well (eye contact, gestures, organization, vocal variety, use of notes, lectern presence, word selection, use of humor, etc.). Be specific. This is completes our tasty oreo cookie.

5. SUMMARY: Summarize your reaction to the speech. Always be positive here. This is no place for suggestions. Word your summary to leave the speaker thinking that he/she has accomplished something. Prepare a final sentence that leaves the speaker on a "high." That last sentence will probably be the one point that will stick with the speaker longest. Leave the speaker feeling good about himself/herself.

Remember that your evaluation is your opinion. Avoid making statements like "You should…" or "Don't…" as if they were fact rather than opinion. Instead, use phrases such as "I feel," "I think," "As I saw (or heard) you," "In my opinion," "I suggest," "I'd like to see you try," etc.