Leading Out Loud

Leading Out Loud provides powerful insights into the challenges of communicating and living authentically. Who would have thought it would be so hard to have our "own voice" resonate fully for ourselves and others? Pearce poses the questions that help us do the thought provoking work necessary to develop and refine our personal perspectives, communications and actions. I approached this book as someone interested in leadership and finished it with insights into all aspects of myself - business person, spouse, child, and friend. Throughout the book, Pearce offers rich examples (from world renowned public figures to students preparing themselves to enter adulthood) that illustrate the struggles we all face with being authentic. The messages in this book will help anyone who has a passion to make things happen. Fittingly Pearce doesn't speak from stage left. He is unafraid to use his own life, both its successes and struggles to illustrate and affirm his perspective. We can hear you fine Mr. Pearce.

"Leading Out Loud is the most influential book I've ever read for improving my style of speaking to business audiences -- and I say this after almost 20 years as an international consultant, keynoter, and workshop leader. Pearce has done an incredible job of leading a reader through choosing to become an advocate, a leader of change, and then developing the knowledge and skills for doing that effectively. This book has even changed the way I write articles -- as an advocate rather than just an "information giver." Pearce's examples make everything clear and credible. His writing is succinct too -- you don't have to wade through chit-chat to get what you want. Outstanding!"

I first read Pearce's book when it was published in 1995. Since then I've easily re-read it a dozen times and recommended it to a number of clients and associates as THE reference guide to creating authentic, genuine and engaged communication in the workplace. His style is authentic, his insights boarder on the spiritual. It's so far beyond a "how to" book on public speaking. Instead, through his personal insight and passion, Pearce guides the reader to discover the very core of who we are, how we should show up in our communication with others and in the process how we can become more effective business leaders.

As a professional communication consultant, and former White House speechwriter, I've read perhaps a baker's dozen books on executive communication. It's a faceted field, and some aspects are well-represented in the selection of books available.But to my mind none has addressed the central need for (and subtle complexities of accessing) truth and heart in business rhetoric with simple clarity -- until this little volume appeared. It's been around awhile and is still a gem.Terry Pearce teaches communication at UC Berkeley's business school (with side trips to the London School of Business and various corporate gigs), and he's spent time in the trenches at IBM. Perhaps he's best known for his work with Schwab CEO and co-chairman Dave Pottruck (see "Clicks & Mortar," a book they co-wrote). His graceful braiding of theory and practice, and clean style brimming with examples, make this a fluid read that sticks in the mind.Pearce digs beyond style into substance, and even deeper, into conviction. As a writer who routinely interviews CEOs in hopes of helping them frame their thoughts, I daily encounter this core question: How do you coax and excavate substance from your client, and frame it with authenticity? Pearce spills the tools and techniques of how he does it. If you fret about making your speaker believable -- if you want to craft language that does more than disappear in the pool of rhetoric with scarce a ripple to show for it -- in other words, if you want to help folks communicate in a believable, sustainable way that makes a difference -- that's 'leadership communication.' And this book can help set you on the right road.Sadly, most corporate speeches are forgettable. Maybe because most speakers are afraid to speak from the gut? If you intend to help raise the level of your own message, or your clients, this one's worth your time.

Mr. Pearce installs new lights on the path for those wishing to developing a clarity of intent for themselves, as well as guiding the direction of how to communicate that intent to all that one comes in contact with. One of the greatest tests of a business title to me is does the material offered affect me as a person in multiple aspects of my life -- am I introduced to a deeper understanding of myself and enabled to place that understanding into my actions. Leading Out Loud passes this test, allowing my colors to fly with new definition.A MUST READ!