Toastmasters International -

Paddles Up: Leadership Lessons on the Water

The two-year-old B.E.S.T. Toastmasters of Zhuhai in Guangdong, China, tries to incorporate fun team-building activities to keep members engaged. Recently, club members worked together to paddle a dragon boat, a long kayak that is typically decorated with dragon heads and tails. Many members had never paddled before, so they paid close attention to the guide’s signals and focused on staying synchronized to move the boat forward. When members felt tired, the team banded together to keep the boat moving and maintain high spirits. This experience helped members become more cohesive as a team, confident in their abilities to conquer challenges and improve their skills.