The HPL - A Little Known Manual
By Ute Brinkmann, ATM-G, soon applying for DTM

"Why don't you do your HPL on the area?" I was asked a year ago.
And I said: "My what?"

The HPL, or High Performance Leadership Program, is yet another indispensable Toastmasters manual. It costs just a few dollars and comes with three manuals for a guidance committee (Supply Catalog #262). This innocent-looking bundle of materials amasses tremendous wealth when put into action. When you apply it's principles to any leadership project, whether it be leading your TM division or running a fundraiser for your community, you cannot argue with the results.

The HPL program has five parts: Learning about Leadership, Choosing Your Objectives, Action Phase #1 (Winning Commitment) and Action Phase #2 (Working the Plan), and Analyzing and Presenting the Results. Following through is quite simple. You will:

1. Work with a guidance committee (people you choose) that will provide feedback and suggestions for improvements.
2. Study the material from the manual and apply them to your project.
3. Select a worthwhile project with the intent of completion by working with other people.
4. Work with your team to reach the goal or show enough progress so you can show the results.
5. Make a presentation on the project to your Toastmasters club and get credit towards the AL, the Advanced Leader.

I did follow the above advice and "did the HPL on the area", which resulted in a much more satisfying and productive year as the 2002-2003 area governor for C-5. It helped me put more thought into my commitment as area governor than I had previously expected. A vision and a mission were required along with defining core values. I did a couple of speeches about the project at my home club. An action plan was required as well as roles, goals and a timetable. Then the project was on its way. At times, issues had to be revisited, setbacks had to be acknowledged, conflict occurred and had to be dealt with. It was not always pretty. But there were highlights: very successful officer training and speech contests during the course of the year and a club in the area got rescued!

I am glad I did it. It was a great learning experience in a comfortable environment. The manual brought the project down to manageable bits while I learned on the job. I gained experience both in leadership and personal growth. Getting credit for it all is just icing on the cake.

So, if you have a leadership project coming up, why not use Toastmaster material to get the job done? Go ahead, "Do your HPL on the area or division!" Better yet, make a one- year commitment and serve your area or division. While you are at it: charter a new club, be a mentor for a new club or be a club coach (formerly club specialist) and help a club to become distinguished. Toastmasters International will give you credit for your work and reward you with the AL, the Advanced Leader recognition. And you will be on your way of becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster.

This article by Ute Brinkmann appeared in The Yankee Activator, District 53's newsletter. It is posted with the kind permission of the author.