http://web.mst.edu/~toast/docs/Effective%20Evaluation.pdf
Dear All,
My post today is about the art of evaluation. Toastmaster international has a pdf on effective evaluation and the link is included above.
I have included the section on How you say it in this post and i encourage you to read the whole document. I learned so much by reading it.
At the end we are in the podium to make the speaker improve and incorporate our suggestions in their next speech so they can grow a little bit thanks to our suggestions.
How You Say It
How you phrase your evaluation has as much impact on the speaker or leader as the content of your evaluation. When you mean well and have good ideas but use words that put the person on the defensive, your message is lost. Carefully select your words, using the following guidelines.
Remember that you are speaking only for yourself, giving only your opinion. You are not speaking on behalf of the audience; in fact, your opinions may differ from those of the rest of the audience. Avoid saying “we think,” “we believe,” “the audience would have,” “the audience didn’t understand,” and other words that imply you are speaking on behalf of others.
Likewise, avoid impersonal statements that imply someone other than you is giving the evaluation, or imply the evaluation is directed to someone other than the speaker. Do not say “they say,” “one must,” “people are,” or make other vague references.
Avoid judgment words and phrases, such as “good leaders don’t,” “that was the wrong thing to say,” “if you want to do it right, you must,” “you did,” and “you were.”
Use words that describe your own reactions to the speaker, such as “I was impressed with,” “I was confused about,” “when I heard,” and “I think the speech’s purpose would have been clearer if,” and “I liked it when.”
Don’t repeat a point once you have made it. Repeating a point can sound like nagging.
Avoid words like “never” and “always.” These exaggerations detract from your message.
Thank you
Carlos