Speak and Get Results: Complete Guide to Speeches & Presentations Work Bus

Sandy Linver clearly articulates what it takes to deliver content with style in "Speak and Get Results." Linver does not believe in born speakers who excel at public speaking without any practice whatsoever. Linver reviews the importance in choosing an appropriate message to bring the listeners where a speaker wants them to be. Linver correctly points out that too many speakers assume that their listeners be as interested in or as committed to their subject as they are or that they see it from the same perspective they do. In other words, some speakers try to accomplish too much for their audience with a single communication. Linver also briefly touches on visuals. This section is probably not of much use for readers who look at more than the basics for developing compelling visuals. Linver then reviews in detail the three basic qualities of effectively speaking in public: 1) Authority: Speaker has to look and sound as if he knows what he is talking about, 2) Energy: Speaker has to give the impression that what he says matters to him, 3) Audience Awareness: Speaker must see and respond to his audience. Authority, energy, and audience awareness mainly come into play through the speaker's command of his body and voice. Moving the feet apart and establishing a firm base, leaning forward to the audience, and taking the time to pause and breathe are some of the techniques that Linver covers. A humbling and enriching experience is to be videotaped while speaking to an audience and then to review the delivery. Readers will often be surprised about what they will see about themselves. Effectively speaking in public cannot be achieved without nurturing and developing the skills reviewed in this book.

I do not say that lightly. This book -- and the course from Speakeasy Inc., that I recently took -- are life-altering. The things you learn about yourself, and how you can use your own personality to be an effective, authoritative and authentic speaker are profound. This book not only serves as useful for business situations but for personal communication as well. Reading this book is like having a conversation with Sandy, who is talking you through all the high points of the Speakeasy philosophy. I highly recommend this book! You will see immediate positive changes in your communication skills that will help you throughout your life in any situation.