Master the Art of a Toast

A friend just received a fairly major career promotion.  It came about through her dedication to self-improvement, lots of hard work, and the guidance of a wise and trusted mentor.

The mentor is retiring at the end of the month, and a big celebratory party is planned.  My friend has been asked to make a toast at the event.  When I asked her what she was planning to say, she dismissed it with a comment that she’d just “wing” it.

Just “winging” it in any job responsibility is rarely a good choice. In this case, her toast will be one of the first speeches that she gives in her new career role.  Did you notice that I said speech?  Yes, that’s right, a toast is a speaking opportunity, a mini-speech, if you will, and should be treated with care.

Here are some tips if you find yourself called upon to give a toast:

• Prepare.  Keep the toast short, generally no more than two or three lines, and make sure that your comments are focused on the person being toasted.  This is NOT the time to draw attention to you, to make a political statement, or put down others.  It is the time to honor the person being toasted, so speak with sincerity
• Toasting is usually done before or after a meal, so there may be a bit of a commotion.  It is okay to clink a glass to get everyone’s attention, or if there is a microphone you may wish to get everyone’s attention that way.  Wait until you are sure that all glasses are filled before beginning your toast.
• When you are ready to begin, you should stand, holding the glass in your right hand.  Begin your remarks, looking at the person being toasted while you speak.
• When you are ready to conclude your remarks, you should raise the glass with your right hand, holding it out at shoulder level.  Then, glance briefly around the audience, and conclude with something like:  “Please join me in toasting the continued success of our colleague, our friend, Bob.”  (The precise concluding remarks will need to be tailored to the specific event and occasion.) Then take a sip from your glass.

Making a toast well reflects not only upon the person being toasted, but also upon the speaker.  Make it an opportunity to shine.

And by the way, if you should find yourself on the receiving end of a toast, you should smile, and try to look modest and gracious, letting others stand and drink to your success.