Be Heard Now!

I'm writing this review to disagree with another reader's review which states in part, "...However, [the Speaking Circle Process] does not work if you just read the book, which consists of a lot of touchy-feely material that may be appropriate for people preparing inspirational speeches, but is worthless for those making business presentations or operating outside the realm of group therapy." This is like saying that a book on aerobic exercise does you no good unless you exercise. Hardly an insight.When I read "touchy-feely" I'm guessing the other reviewer would prefer a book that deals less with emotion. Since public speaking often stimulates fear in the speaker, I found this book's exploration of related emotions to be extremely helpful. Business presentations where people don't fall asleep are often the result of a good mix of personal connection and information. If this wasn't so, business people would simply review written reports.Read this book and practice the process. All you need are one or two other people to listen. You'll build self-confidence for ANY presentation. I've used the book and the process, and have since spoken to scores of groups including tough minded business groups, and large and small public audiences. It helped me connect with authenticity and ease.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend, who had just finished it. She was using it as a springboard into a new aspect of her Nurse Practitioner job. For me, I needed a new way to teach weekend intensive training programs for Music Practitioners-to be. I read it in the NY airport waiting for the first flight, continued reading once I boarded and throughout the next flight to California. By the time I arrived, I had a new approach to teaching the class, by story telling and used a great many of the techniques in the book. The class went very well over the weekend and I feel it was due to Lee's suggestions. This book will be read and recommended often,as I teach many weekend intensives.

I bought this book because of an article I read about a year ago. When I first started reading it, I thought, "Eh. I know this already." But as I continued to read, the power of the book opened up for me. Mr. Glickstein's numerous examples and excellent choice of chapter topics led me to want to create and be a part of a Speaking Circle. In fact, I went so far as to contact him to find out about training opportunities. My experiences in other stuctured group settings in which one's wonderful human qualities are affirmed have given me enough evidence to trust that Speaking Circles can do what they purport to do. Be Heard Now is the key to the door of your true voice. I heartily recommend this book to you if you wish to learn how to "come home" to yourself as you speak. It is an easy, but oh-so-powerful, book to read. By recommendation of other individuals, I have also just purchased the companion tape; I hear it dovetails well with the book.

Lee Glickstein offers a unique approach to public speaking. No more canned, "polished" acts in front of a group! Who likes to memorize, anyway?? BE HEARD NOW involves becoming more connected to your audience, which in turn creates an authentic, fresh message each and every time you speak to a group. Yes, there are preparations to be made before you speak but it doesn't work to copy someone else's style or words. The idea in this book is to bring out your own creative, genuine style when you speak. And, by weaving personal stories and anecdotes from your own life into a message you truly feel compelled to talk about, you can draw rapt attention from your audience. It's a wonderful, refreshing approach to speaking from the heart. I loved this audio tape. I've listened to it a dozen times. I used the techniques in a recent promotional opportunity at work and was chosen hands above the other candidates. It works!

I ran across this book while looking for another book...the subtitle was so captivating I had to pick it up, look at it, put it back, go back to it and than start browsing through the book. Was I glad I did, because I bought it---and was lucky enough to than be able to participate in a Speaking Circle (covered heavily in the book) that the author gave just days later at the Bookstore. The earlier written review about the book pretty much sums up the overview of the book itself and the authors approach to new ways to view speaking...I'll share my story: scared, self conscience, overprepared for every talk I have done---and in my work I've done many, but always taken the "it wont be good unless I hurt and suffer" before the talk itself with painful memorizatons, negative projections and self doubting mental gymnastics...after the book and the Speaking Circle experience as well as listening to the audio version of the book, I can honestly say; this stuff has worked for me..it may seem hokey to you at first, but thats because it is so ground breaking---give it a shot, take a chance---what do you have to lose but your fear and doubt---there is much to be gained. I am hoping to use the principals from the book in not only my approach to speaking, but in all areas of my relationships with other people when communicating in any form.Nice work, easy reading, practical to implement..go for it gentle reader, you will gain much, I surely did.