My name is Tarsem Dayal and I am an information technology client support specialist. I’ve worked at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC, for 27 years.
My background is in finance, but computers were always an interest of mine. While I worked at a bank, I was always helping people with their computer issues, but I knew my communication skills were lacking.
The biggest challenge for me was talking with people. I was very shy, so all I would say was, “Hello.” I had no clue how to ask the next question in a conversation.
During college, I took a communication class, but I didn’t really learn much about communication. Our final project was a 5-minute speech. I was so scared. As soon as I finished, I ran back to my desk — and knocked down a few chairs on the way. I was shaking and couldn’t even answer any of my classmates’ questions.
Years later, at the Postal Service, I saw a banner for the Toastmasters’ Speak Up 727 Club. I asked a coworker about it and she invited me to one of the Tuesday meetings.
At my first meeting, I realized it was exactly what I needed, so I joined.
Toastmasters is an educational organization where you learn public speaking and leadership skills. Members deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback.
The first speech I gave was an “ice breaker,” and I still remember how I felt. I was sweating and shaking — but I was determined to get better at communicating, so I stuck with it.
There are many aspects to communication, such as listening, body language, hand gestures, tone of voice and facial expressions. Listening was the biggest thing for me to learn. I used to multitask all the time instead of truly listening. Now I focus during my conversations.
Toastmasters has also taught me leadership skills as I’ve served in various roles for the club.
Since joining the club, I have seen a 180-degree change in myself. I have even attained the highest Toastmasters level — the Distinguished Toastmasters Award.
It’s a long way from what I once was to what I am now.
“Off the Clock,” a column on Postal Service employees and their after-hours pursuits, appears regularly in Link.
