Toastmasters is a club wherein people hone their public speaking and leadership skills. We learn to plan effective meetings, give constructive evaluations and recognition awards, set and achieve annual goals, and more.

I was flattered (to say the least!) that my club elected me president for the next year. But, I have to admit that I’m also feeling a bit trepidacious. I want to contribute and lead, but I’ve never had experience in this field. I’ll have to find a mentor, make a strategy, and learn as I go.

Here are some titles about leadership. I think I’ll check them out:

• Leadership Rules: How to Become the Leader you want to Be, by Chris Widener
• Leadership the Hard Way: Why Leadership Can’t be Taught and how you Can Learn it Anyway, by Dov Frohman
• The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance, by Richard A. Davis

You don’t have to be part of an international organization to be a leader. Leadership can happen within a family, book club, or a volunteer group. Check out some of these titles and learn to apply leadership principles to any aspect of your life.