High Performance Leadership
This page describes the Toastmasters High Performance Leadership (HPL) Programme which offers a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn by doing.
Three part learning process
The Toastmasters proven three-part learning process of study, action and feedback is used in a real-life project selected by you.
The programme involves recruiting a Guidance Committee, studying the learning materials, selecting a project, working with your team to accomplish the goals, making presentations about the project, and receiving feedback and guidance.
Your Guidance Committee members can be subject-matter experts, coaches, colleagues or even your manager; they do not have to be a Toastmaster. However, you will get the best learning if at least one of your Guidance Committee has completed the HPL award themselves.
Your HPL project can be within or outside of Toastmasters, and should be about making a notable contribution to Toastmasters, your organisation, or your community. Not all projects succeed and there is no requirement to do so; the emphasis is on learning about the components of effective leadership and how to build a team that is greater than the sum of its parts..
Successfully completing an HPL (Leadership Excellence) recognition is a requirement towards achieving your Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) award.
What are some High Performance Leadership Projects Toastmasters have completed?
- Organised a national Toastmasters event.
- Set up a recurring storytelling workshop in the community.
- Chaired a church rummage sale organising committee.
- Promoted Toastmasters in local area through a variety of PR initiatives.
- Developed a District Operations Manual.
- Initiated one or several new Toastmaster Clubs.
- Organised the development of a local skateboard park.
- Organised several rounds of Club Leadership Training.
- Organised a Club “Evaluation Boot Camp” event.
- Set up a Civil Defence Readiness Unit.
- Organised a university class reunion.
Links to More Resources
The best resource is to speak to a current Distinguished Toastmaster, to find out about the project they completed. They may have some tips and ideas for you to consider.