What a Speech Contest Taught Me About Winning

Last weekend, I competed in the Toastmasters District 42 International Speech Contest—and came in second.

Now, let’s be honest. The goal was first. The dream? To advance to the next level and eventually stand on the World Championship of Public Speaking stage. That didn’t happen this time.

But here’s the thing: losing doesn’t always mean losing.

When I enter a speaking contest, I always carry an ulterior motive. Yes, I’d love the trophy, the title, and the trip to the finals. But underneath it all, my real goal is this: to create one speech—and make it the best it can possibly be.

And that means, no matter what happens, I always win.

That might be why I’m never devastated when I don’t walk away with gold. Sure, I’d prefer to win (who wouldn’t?), but I’ve learned that the real prize is the growth that happens in the process.

This time, my contest speech was called “A Little Extra.” It’s a story that blends humor and heart, centered around an experience that once left me starstruck and speechless—meeting Mikhail Gorbachev. Yes, the Mikhail Gorbachev. Nobel Peace Prize winner. The man who helped end the Cold War. And the man whose bald head I spontaneously touched.

Yes, you read that right.

I was overwhelmed. What do you say to someone who seems so… extraordinary? The words that came out of my mouth? “Nice sweater.” Not exactly Churchillian. But that awkward moment broke the ice (and probably every protocol in the book). We laughed. We connected. And I realized something important: extraordinary people are just ordinary people with a little extra—extra courage, extra effort, and an extra willingness to connect.

That speech—“A Little Extra”—has now sparked something bigger. It’s becoming a full keynote. It’s evolving into a TED Talk. What started as a competition piece is now a message I want to share far and wide: We all have the power to be extraordinary. We just need to give a little extra.

And that’s why I’ll keep competing. Not just for the win, but for the motivation, the message, and the moment where it all clicks—on stage and in the hearts of those listening.

If your reason for entering a contest is to grow as a speaker, to inspire others, and to develop a message that might just change a life—then winning? That’s just the icing on top.

And who doesn’t love a little extra icing?

Molly Hamilton,
MVP Advanced