Many of us know the symptoms: the racing heart, the sweaty palms, and shaky hands that come with having to give a speech. Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, is so common that up to half of the population avoids any situation that requires addressing a public forum. Yet for many of us, public speaking is a skill essential to our success at school, at work, or as a participating member of our communities. Whether it’s presenting a report in class or in the boardroom, whether it’s speaking to a television camera or at a town meeting, most of us, at some time in our lives, will need to face our fears and speak before an audience. And that’s where this book comes in.
Dr. Donald Palmisano is one of the most gifted speakers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and in A Leader’s Guide to Giving a Memorable Speech he shares the lessons he’s learned from decades of experience giving speeches. He explores a speaker’s worst nightmares: the panic when your mind goes blank and you can’t think of a thing to say, or when your projector dies, taking down your slideshow. How do you recover from these disasters? In this guide, you’ll learn how to deal with the unexpected mishaps that can beset any speaker, from lost slides to missing notes. You’ll learn how to create a bond with your audience, emotionally investing them with what you’re about to say. Using as examples powerful speeches delivered by historical icons, from
Queen Elizabeth I to Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Palmisano reveals the rhetorical tricks of the trade: the dramatic pause, the art of repetition, and the power of metaphor and dynamic writing. You’ll also learn how important it is to include stories in your speech. Long after the speech has ended, what your audience will remember are the stories you told or the anecdote that moved them. And for those who must speak on-camera, there are tips for you too, with advice about makeup and wardrobe, how to prep for remote recordings, and what to expect in a television studio.
I wish I’d had this guidebook thirty years ago, when I started my career as an author and speaker. Instead I had to learn the hard way, my heart pounding as I stood before countless audiences. I muddled my way through painful television interviews, grew flustered when my slides were displayed upside down, and discovered what it feels like when the energy in a room suddenly collapses. Eventually I did learn the tricks of giving a great speech, but I had to suffer through years of trial and error and countless mistakes.
This guide can save you from that pain.
—Tess Gerritsen,
New York Times bestselling author
For Memorable Speeches: A Strong Voice, A Proven Choice