The Art of Effective Evaluation
This is largely based on a TM module that underscores part of the Toastmaster Mission: To provide a supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication skill.
Opportunity comes when grows are tactfully, but insightfully and honestly given. The evaluator is to be a motivator, encouraging the speaker in a way he or she wants to change. Also, the evaluator is a facilitator, enabling learning with specific details. Finally, the evaluator is a counselor, especially in the case of a new speaker, with mentoring and even cheerleading.
There are 10 behaviors of the effective evaluator:
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1- Show you care by giving grows and glows;
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2- Suit the evaluation to the speaker by finding the speaker’s goals for the speech by email or even a few minutes before delivery;
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3- Know the objectives for the specific project;
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4- Listen actively and take good notes on what picture was painted, how objectives were met. These notes may best be taken separate from the manual sheet and coded with (-) for growth and (+) for what did well.
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5- Personalize with language, as “my reaction,” “it appeared to me,” “I suggest,” “I felt…” Avoid “should” but use “could.”
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6- Use positive reinforcement as by starting with appreciation and giving nurturing;
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7-Build a motivational climate so that the speaker can realize his or her potential;
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8- Evaluate behavior and presentation and not the person or personality;
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9- Nourish self-esteem as by giving an overall positive response;
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10- Show speaker how to improve with a focus on what was done and by giving 1-2 specific grows to apply to the next speech.
Practical Applications of the Evaluation:
Jennifer Bauer, the 2015 TM evaluation contest winner at the division level, gave the presentation for which this is the summary. She said esteem is a big issue. If self-esteem or the feeling of self-worth is good, a speaker can take risks and feel challenged more than threatened or defensive. But a speaker may be in a fragile, vulnerable state. One way the evaluator can adapt is by directing comments to the whole club but using third person and not addressing the speaker directly. The speaker is referred to as “he” or “she” or “the speaker.”
One common method for the verbal evaluation is to use the sandwich method, which has a glow, then a grow, and then a glow.
All Toastmasters are on a journey, and all can help and be helped along the way by closely observing what works and being open to revising and trying new pathways. Along the way, not all suggestions from others are good ones, but some feedback can be very helpful.
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