From Grapes to Fine Wine: Lessons to Gain Confidence in Public Speaking for Business Leaders
Have you ever hesitated to take the first step in a new journey—perhaps for days, weeks, or even years? That’s exactly what I did when it came to public speaking. For over three decades, I kept my dream of becoming a confident speaker bottled up. It wasn’t until a close friend encouraged me to attend a Toastmasters meeting that I finally began to uncork that dream.
Walking into that first meeting, I was nervous and unsure. But from the moment I stepped through the doors, the warm welcome and supportive atmosphere reassured me. I sat, listened to incredible speeches, and hoped I wouldn’t be called upon for Table Topics, the impromptu speaking segment. But, of course, I was.
The question was simple: “If you could be any age, what age would you be?” I fumbled through my thoughts, bouncing between decades and milestones, before landing on an unexpected answer: “The age I am right now.” Because, like a fine wine, we improve with age. To my surprise, that fumbling response won me Best Table Topic, and I was hooked.
Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.
Reflecting on my Journey
Reflecting on my journey, I realized that public speaking, like winemaking, requires a process. A single grape doesn’t become wine on its own. It needs to be crushed, pressed, and refined.
Similarly, becoming a confident speaker requires three essential ingredients: speeches, feedback, and mentors.
Toastmasters
In this video I share how embracing the Toastmasters journey has made me a better speaker and a better leader.
I invite you to watch it and consider taking that first step for yourself.
1. Speeches: Crushing the Fear
When I began giving speeches at Toastmasters, my goal was simply to survive the 4-7 minutes. But as I practiced, I discovered that speeches are about more than just speaking—they’re about connecting. Each speech builds confidence, refines delivery, and helps you craft a message that resonates with your audience.
Over time, what once felt like an eternity on stage becomes an opportunity to inspire and lead.
2. Feedback: The Pressing Process
Feedback is where growth happens. Just as grapes are pressed to extract their juice, evaluations in Toastmasters transform raw potential into refined skill. At first, hearing critiques can feel uncomfortable, but it’s essential to embrace this stage. Honest, constructive feedback highlights areas for improvement while celebrating what you do well.
With each evaluation, you become more polished and dynamic—turning rigid “grape” qualities into something fluid and impactful.
3. Mentors: Adding the Right Ingredients
Having a mentor is like introducing the perfect blend of ingredients to a fermenting wine. Mentors guide, challenge, and inspire. They provide insight from their own experiences and help you navigate obstacles with confidence.
Toastmasters fosters these connections, creating a supportive network that accelerates growth—not just as a speaker, but as a leader.
Leadership Through Speaking
For business leaders, the ability to communicate effectively isn’t optional; it’s essential. Public speaking allows you to motivate your team, articulate vision, and inspire action.
If you’ve ever doubted your potential to lead, know this: just as grapes don’t transform overnight, neither do leaders. But step by step, with the right framework and support, the transformation is inevitable.
The key is to keep moving. Each speech you give, each piece of feedback you receive, and every conversation with a mentor builds on the last, compounding your growth. Progress may feel slow at times, but every step—no matter how small—brings you closer to becoming the leader your team needs.
Just like the aging process in winemaking, time and persistence add depth and richness to your skills. The more consistently you practice and improve, the more confident and influential you’ll become, turning once-daunting challenges into opportunities for connection and inspiration.
Toastmasters taught me that leadership and public speaking are not about perfection—they’re about progress. It’s a journey that rewards perseverance, and the results will ripple through every aspect of your professional and personal life.
So, take the next step. Keep moving forward. Because the best leaders, like the finest wines, are made through time, effort, and the courage to grow.
Thank you to both Langley Toastmasters 2743 and The Professional Edge for their continued support. You can find a club near you through this link.
