Impactful Communication: Jocelyn B Tyson Of Toastmasters International On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Know Your Goal — Stay within the assigned topic. It’s best to have a concise written outline of your speech to know the main key points you need to hit. On a few occasions, I have typed out my speech word for word just to be 100% sure I don’t derail and lose track of the goal.
In an age dominated by digital communication, the power of articulate and effective verbal communication cannot be understated. Whether it’s delivering a keynote address, leading a team meeting, or engaging in a one-on-one conversation, impactful speaking can open doors, inspire change, and create lasting impressions. But what truly sets apart an effective communicator? What techniques and nuances elevate a speech from mundane to memorable? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jocelyn B. Tyson.
Jocelyn B. Tyson holds the prestigious title of World Champion of Public Speaking for Toastmasters International, a testament to her exceptional communication skills. Jocelyn joined Voorhees Toastmasters Club, part of Toastmasters District 38, in 2021 to enhance her public speaking skills and expand her network. Little did she know that when competing in her first contest series, she would be set on a path to becoming a world champion. Jocelyn’s talents extend beyond public speaking. With a PharmD earned in 2007 from Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Jocelyn’s academic background is as impressive as her professional achievements. Jocelyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends and participating in various athletic activities in her spare time. Read more about Jocelyn’s Toastmasters journey in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about communication, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I have always had a passion to help others in the area of medicine. In high school, I remember volunteering at the local hospital as a Candy Striper and enjoying that feeling of being a part of something bigger. A year or so before graduation, I had an opportunity to attend a summer enrichment program at Rutgers University School of Pharmacy.
During that summer, I decided on my career. I found the degree that would allow me to connect with patients and make a difference.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
As a pharmacist, I’ve had many insightful experiences with customers, peers, and workplace leaders. In one of my prior roles, my workplace was involved in compounding, which allows medicines to be prepared to fit the unique needs of patients, which cannot be met with off-the-counter products. Each year, the key influencers at my organization went to the Capitol to network with similar-minded organizations through an annual conference hosted by the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding. This event also included an opportunity to talk with lobbyists who could influence legislation on pharmacy compounding. Being selected was an honor within our organization as it signified that you were a budding leader.
I was able to travel to Washington, D.C., for the first time. Additionally, I met executive members of my company, including the CEO and CFO, in an open forum, which was a rare opportunity for such a large organization. I had the opportunity to act as a peer alongside these seasoned professionals for a common cause. It was a relatable moment and a chance to bond and express our feelings about our work and the future of our field. Learning more and becoming more involved with all aspects of our work was an honor.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The character traits that have been instrumental to my success are tenacity, inquisitiveness, and a passion for networking.
Tenacity — To me, tenacity means getting it done no matter what. My journey to obtain my PharmD was met with challenges and even some seasons of failure. But failure is a part of life, and that reminder kept me going even when I wanted to quit. It took leaps of faith to keep moving from one disciple to another. Because of that tenacity, I have been a practicing pharmacist for 15 years.
Inquisitiveness — I recognized early on that there is always something you can learn and build upon, whether it’s another training opportunity, a new certification, or a new forum to practice public speaking.
Passion for Networking — I firmly believe that networking is one of the biggest reasons people succeed in their careers. Taking the time to talk and connect with peers and community members will allow your doors to be wider and vaster. You’ll be surprised how many doors are connected and how many people know each other within your circle.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How would you define an “Effective Communicator?” What are the characteristics of an effective communicator?
An effective communicator truly listens and is willing to hear and reiterate key points to demonstrate their comprehension. Additionally, an effective community knows how to get their message across clearly and show that they understand and believe in the message they’re sharing. Another characteristic of an effective communicator includes being concise. Brevity is essential. You want to get your most important points across clearly.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
Knowing your audience is the trick to adapting your communication style to different situations. It helps if you take the time to do some research on your own and figure out the vibe of your audience and what they’re looking for. Should your communication style be more factual, or story-based, or analytical? What additional questions can help you get a feel or vibe for who you’re talking to? As a pharmacist, assessing the time and bandwidth that a healthcare provider may have to provide in a given conversation is critical. On the other hand, if you’re talking to a mother who is worried about their child, you are taking your time, learning more about their needs, chatting with them, and walking through the aisles with them. It’s different for each situation — but know your audience!
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
In August of 2023, I was awarded the title of World Champion of Public Speaking by Toastmasters International. This nonprofit organization builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Since achieving this title, I’ve had the opportunity to share my experience with various media outlets and Toastmasters clubs and districts. These interviews all have different feels and styles. Some interviews have rapid-fire questions when a quick response is appropriate. In other forums, I notice people leaning in for more information, and I know how to elongate my answers, give more descriptive replies, and give more background and stories. I’ve learned to adapt and adjust along the way nimbly.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
As a pharmacist, I had a previous role that was more consumer-forward. I often walked alongside customers upset or frustrated with their insurance or about a payment method. I had to learn to walk through these difficult and sensitive conversations with poise and compassion. I found that providing examples of how other patients have navigated similar situations would ease the customer’s stress. Sometimes, even a tiny snippet of a personal story that you’ve experienced before or seen before would let them know that they weren’t alone. Talking about similar experiences through storytelling creates connections.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
Stories are easy to relate to and to follow along. Connecting with your audience is the most important factor in giving an effective speech. And telling stories is the perfect way to do that. Stories give you a great reference point to work with. It builds on facts about who, what, where, when, and why. It can help you structure your final points and leave a lasting impression your audience will remember. People remember stories, especially when told well with emotion and dynamic delivery.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1 . Practice, Practice, Practice — Get out there and practice what you will say. If you’re giving a speech, start by practicing your opener and closer. If you can master those two parts, you will feel and come across as more confident. Additionally, I encourage people to practice in different venues such as a community club like Toastmasters or other venues like community centers, rotaries, etc. When I was getting ready to interview for my current job, I had Toastmasters club members facilitate a mock interview with me so that I could practice my responses. When it came time for these interviews, it was an effective process because I was prepared.
2 . Do Your Homework — For a prepared speech or presentation, know your venue, know your audience, know how much time you have available to present, and your timeline. I remember paying close attention to what I wore for the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. What would I feel like walking on the stage? I even practiced walking across the stage and switched from heels to flats to ensure my outfit wouldn’t inhibit me. Those small steps make you feel more comfortable and make people want to listen to you.
3 . Know Your Goal — Stay within the assigned topic. It’s best to have a concise written outline of your speech to know the main key points you need to hit. On a few occasions, I have typed out my speech word for word just to be 100% sure I don’t derail and lose track of the goal.
4 . Enhance Delivery with Emotion and Gestures — My emotion and gestures have led to my success as a communicator and public speaker and led to others viewing me as a dynamic speaker. Within my Toastmasters club, I have vastly improved my gestures, making each move purposeful. I also practice my communication skills by facilitating exercise classes in the community. Making good use of the exercise space and being thoroughly engrossed has allowed me to be a better instructor. I purposefully incorporate energy and enthusiasm into the group participants.
5 . Have a Positive Attitude — Your attitude comes across to people in the room. Do you want to be there? Does that come across in your delivery? People want to listen to people who are comfortable and exude confidence.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Non-verbal cues are essential for professional speaking and workplace communications. I had many face-to-face conversations when I worked in a retail-facing role as a pharmacist. I found that giving someone my full attention included those non-verbal cues — leaning in, nodding when someone was asking questions, making eye contact, and looking inquisitive. These small cues let a customer know I was keeping track with them.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Yes, there have been challenges that I’ve encountered as a result of increased digital communications. Sometimes, it is hard to connect when dealing with dead spaces or being on the go and having technical challenges. I’ve learned always to have a fallback. If we can’t do Zoom, let’s connect through the phone.
On the flip side, digital communications also provide an opportunity to enhance things. It’s the way and the future. There are tremendous opportunities with Zoom if we utilize and embrace it. It’s here to stay, so it’s great to practice using it and utilizing hybrid opportunities when possible.
My advice is to be prepared with your equipment. If you’re facilitating a Zoom meeting, know how to share your screen, utilize backgrounds, and navigate your tools.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
I am a big advocate for joining a local Toastmasters club. There are clubs worldwide; they are such inclusive and supportive environments for developing public speaking skills.
Secondly, I encourage people to practice, practice, practice! There are some aspects of stage fright that you may never completely overcome. But, with practice, you will start to feel comfortable. The more often you do it, the more comfortable you feel. In Toastmasters, I can practice every single week. Even if I only do an impromptu speaking opportunity, a one-to-two-minute speech. Those smaller speaking opportunities familiarize you with the public speaking space.
Finally, incorporate feedback, learn to grow, and develop yourself. Seek places where you can get feedback. Find a mentor to help you track your growth and keep you moving forward. The key is to get better — find a place and platform to help you do that.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
Join a public speaking group, whether it’s Toastmasters or another organization. Or find another type of group that advances your career or professional goals. Just find something a little different than what you do at your job every day so that you have the opportunity to develop other skill sets. Joining these groups will also help you network. Look online, find those opportunities, find ways to have those conversations. You can achieve this through community connections — your local church, community center, or other spaces.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m a big proponent of discussing proper diet, food, and nutritional habits. I’m always seeking ways to advocate for these food deserts. For people who don’t have transportation, it can be hard to find places with good nutritional options. How can we improve access to fruits and vegetables? I would start a movement that promoted proper diet, food, and nutritional habits.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Follow me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynbtyson/.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Impactful Communication: Jocelyn B Tyson Of Toastmasters International On 5 Essential Techniques… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.