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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Toastmasters International (www.toastmasters.org) announced today that Robin Sharma, a world-renowned leadership expert and best-selling author, is the recipient of the organization's 2011 Golden Gavel award. The prestigious Golden Gavel award is given annually during Toastmasters International Convention to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership.

"Leadership comes in many forms. It is dependent on your confidence and ability to communicate and relate to others," says Toastmasters International President Pat Johnson. "We selected Robin Sharma as this year's Golden Gavel recipient because his messages of leadership resonate with the world today – especially his point that you don't need a title to be a leader."

Sharma is the founder of Sharma Leadership International Inc., a training firm in Toronto, Canada, that advises top CEOs on leadership tactics and change management. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft, Nike, General Electric, FedEx and NASA.

"We all have the power to show leadership at work and in the world," says Sharma. "Because leadership really comes down to three things: Influence, impact and inspiration. So whether you're a teacher or a taxi driver or an astronaut, you can show leadership."

The author of 11 international books, Sharma's works have been published in over 60 countries and nearly 75 languages. His second title, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari," has sold 3 million copies worldwide. His most recent work, "The Leader Who Had No Title," inspires people to become better leaders in their everyday lives and maximize performance.

Through his website, robinsharma.com, and conferences such as "The Remarkable Entrepreneur SuperConference" being held in Toronto in June, he offers leadership content and advice for business owners and entrepreneurs. He has been profiled by CNN, MSNBC and the Biography Channel.

Sharma will accept the award and address attendees during a dinner held in his honor on Friday, Aug. 19 at the Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is part of the Toastmasters' International Convention, taking place Aug. 17-20, 2011. The public is invited to attend.

The Golden Gavel has been presented by Toastmasters since 1959. Past recipients include Walter Cronkite, Stephen Covey, Carolyn Keptcher, Deepak Chopra and Tony Robbins.

To learn more about Toastmasters 2011 International Convention, and obtain a complete schedule of events, including keynote presentations, skill-building seminars and international speech contests, visit www.toastmasters.org/Members/Convention.aspx.

Listen to the new Toastmasters Podcast featuring Sharma to learn more about him and his program: http://www.toastmasterspodcast.com/members/toastmasters

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization currently has more than 260,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 113 countries. Since its founding in October 1924, the organization has helped more than 4 million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.

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Pat Johnson

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SOURCE Toastmasters International