2009 World Championship reflections

Watching each consecutive World Championship is an ever challenging thing for me.  I don't say that to imply in any way that there is anything wrong with the contest or any of the contestants.  Rather, there is something very right about both.

Every year brings more contestants to the ranks of those who have spoken on the big stage.  More contestants to that stage means more opportunities to coach and interact with finalists.  Every year, I make myself available to any Finalist who seeks my help.  Some seek specific coaching; others seek simply to learn about what to expect from the experience.  I'm happy to help in whatever way they need.  I let the contestants tell me the area in which they're seeking help.  In fact, I told more than one finalist who sought a consult the day before the contest that my approach was like a Spice Girls song:  "Tell me what you want, what you really, really want."  I know...it is somewhat goofy to quote that, but the message there supports the idea that I wanted my assistance to them to be focused on the area that they saw as that of their need.

My problem is that when I coach someone, when I invest in them and work with them, a degree of personal connection with that person forms.  That makes it increasingly difficult for me to remain objective, regarding contest results.  On the day of the 2009 speech contest finals, Australian Mark Hunter earned the title of 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking.  I first met Mark when I competed against him in the 2001 Championships.  I finished 2nd while he did not place in the results.  In the subsequent years, I did some coaching for Mark in multiple years, and we developed a very nice friendship.  In 2007 Mark made his 2nd appearance in the finals (after multiple competition seasons that ended at the semi-finals), where he finished 3rd.

Additionally, I did varying degrees of coaching with 3 of the other contestants: Stephen Cornwell, Maureen Zappala, and Chakisse Newton.  On top of that, though I did not coach him in this contest, I had done some coaching with Erick Rainey back when he made the finals in 2005, where he finished 3rd.  (Note: I claim only to have done SOME coaching with these folks.  I do not claim to have done a significant amount, and I do not claim any credit for their accomplishments.  They are individually great speakers.)

The contest, quite simply, was very good.  (I'm not going to detail each of the speeches.  My wife, a Distinguished Toastmaster and Past District Governor, will do that on her blog within the next few days.)  It was obvious that the contestants had each put a considerable amount of work (aka. blood, sweat, and tears) into their speeches, because they each brought excellence to the stage.  Still, it was evident that the level of excellence Mark reached stood above the others.  That is no slight to them; it is a credit to him.  Simply, they were very good; he was better.  His use of voice, language, and delivery were unrivaled.

I happened to be taking brief notes on each of the speeches as the contest went along.  As Mark progressed, and his speech was simply "hitting on all cylinders", I wrote: "OH MY GOD!!!"    Even before he finished, probably around the 6 minute mark, I wrote:  "He's got it!!!"  Believe it......he was THAT good.  (I wrote one other comment...a note to help me capture/remember my thoughts & feelings at the time.  But that comment will remain private.)  I decided to cut out that section of the notes page and give it to him as a memento.  (The entire page contained my comments about ALL of the speakers, which is for my eyes only.)

That said, I struggled with how much (or whether or not) my prediction of how Mark should fare in the results was influenced by my subjectivity, due to our friendship.  Ultimately, I don't think it was...but that is why it gets increasingly challenging for me when watching the contests.  I don't want to favor someone just because they are my friend.

During the the previous few years of the contest, several precedents have been set.  In 2007, Vikas Jhingran became the first champion of Indian descent.  In 2008, LaShunda Rundles became only the 4th woman to win, the first woman in 22 years, and the first black woman to win. And finally, Mark's victory was the first by a contestant from outside North America since 1998, the first for an Australian since their only other Champion 27 years ago, and the first for a paraplegic.

Believe it or not, Mark's victory even established precedent that includes me.  I could be entirely mistaken, and if I am please let me know, but it makes 2001 the only year in the history of the finals in which 3 future Champions competed.  Obviously, each contest contains one future Champion, and there have been several years in which two future Champs competed.  But none produced 3.  Darren LaCroix took the title in 2001, I took it in 2003, and now Mark completes that trifecta.  It is entirely possible that more future champions will have been part of the "class of 2001".  Only time will tell.

Further connecting Mark and I is the fact that we each won on our 3rd trip to the finals.  I suppose that simply goes to confirm the old adage: "the third time's the charm".

...and, my oh my...Mark certainly was charming.  He had what I call "a high likability factor".  The man simply exudes joy.  When he placed third back in 2007, my guess is that he was the happiest looking 3rd place finisher in history.  There's no other word for the impression he left: joy.  I doubt, however, that his demeanor in 2007 impacted this year's contest results; the man's speech...simply...ROCKED!!

But...it certainly could not have hurt.  Therein lies a lesson for all future contestants, at any/every level of the contest:  your demeanor, the way you respond to results that weren't your goal and the manner in which you carry yourself matters.  It says a lot about your true character.  Like few others, I understand the sting of disappointment in the speech contest finals.  Or, as the old "Wide World of Sports" broadcasts termed it...the agony of defeat.  "Agony" is a good word to use, because it hurts.  Deeply.

But in that moment, you create an impression in the minds of those in attendance.  If you are pleasant, if you act admirably and that impression is good, you will be well served going forward.  If it is poor, especially if it is strongly negative, you may be dooming your future contest success by acting badly.  Simply, nobody likes a sore loser.  (As a side note:  I believe my behavior in 2002...the 2nd year that I finished in 2nd place...earned a degree of respect.)

...and nobody likes it when people use the negative things that they've experienced as a crutch.  Instead, we love people like Mark Hunter.  I mentioned earlier that he is a paraplegic.  Over 30 years ago a water-skiing accident paralyzed him, leaving him wheelchair-bound.  "Well, Jim...certainly such a person would be limited in being able to move around and use the stage as part of a speech...right?"  Wrong.  You *need* to see Mark Hunter's speech.  He acknowledged it (it's not like we didn't know he was in a wheelchair <smile>) with some of the most elegant self-deprecating humor I've ever seen.  But not only was his level and mode of mobility not a detriment, he used it masterfully.  (Another side lesson:  use the tools that you have.  Don't be ashamed of them, and don't apologize for them.  Turn them into strengths, and wield them with power.)

The other thing Mark had was that special *something*; the sparkle in the eye, the energy, the confidence...the joy.  I'm not sure how to fully describe it, but I know it when I see it, and Mark had it, in abundance.

So Mark - congratulations, my friend.  You are an amazing speaker and a deserving Champion, and I simply couldn't be prouder for you.

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Comments

[Simon Bucknall]

Hi Jim,

Really enjoyed your post - Mark H and I met when we competed together at Interdistrict, both in Washington DC 2006 and in Phoenix 2007 (Mark won with the same 'Green Tomatoes' speech - I remember it well, not least because I placed second!!)

Massive congrats to Mark on his achievement - he must be absolutely chuffed to bits. And rewarding for you too, after the work you've done with him over the years.

Have read much about the Speakeasy film. Do you know if it will be available through TI? It sounds terrific and am keen to take a peek...

Simon Bucknall
(London, UK - District 71)

[Jim Key]

Simon - I'd have to correct one thing. Mark did not win the 2007 Interdistrict contest with the *same* speech. He won that contest with an earlier version.

THIS version was much improved. MUCH improved.

[Colin]

Thanks for the post, Jim. I don't know Mark, I've never met him. But last year I watched the 2007 contest several times, and you are absolutely correct - he just exuded joy. His speech had an infectious, genuine quality to it, he was just extremely likeable. I'm glad to see he won this year, and will wait impatiently for the DVD.

[Marilyn Jess, DTM]

Hi Jim,

I was there on Saturday, too. Let me preface by saying I have judged many times, up to the Regional level, and competed, too. While all speakers were performing at a high level, I was not wowed by any of them. Mark did a good job moving about the stage, and with his facial expressions.

I keep looking for that elusive speaker who does not follow the TI 'formula.' By that I mean they don't use a coach, wear a dark suit, or include a story about someone experiencing a tragedy in their speeches.

What made Darren's 2001 speech so exeptional to me is I can remember the title, the opening gesture, and the punch lines.

[Richard Hansen]

Hi Jim,

I love and appreciate your comments about the 2009 championships and in particular about Mark Hunter. As current president of Bunya Toastmasters club of which Mark is a member I can say that we are all very proud of Mark and he has created a great deal of excitement for the whole district if not beyond. Not only does he deserve the win as he puts a great deal of effort into his speeches but he is also what we call in Australia "A bloody good bloke"

[Simon]

Jim - sorry, hadn't meant anything by my comment. Merely that, two years on, I can still remember Mark's portrayal of his grandma's kitchen scene very clearly!

I'm sure he must have put a huge amount of work in on the speech in the build-up to WCPS 2009. Obviously, I haven't yet seen the 2009 speeches - but looking fwd to seeing the DVD muchly!

Simon