What do you think?
Rate this book
Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes, and Win Them Over
Karen Hough doesn't want you to be "perfect." People fear public speaking because they worry about having to conform to all sorts of handed-down rules that tie them up in knots and put their audiences to sleep. It's authenticity and passion that win people over, she says, not "polish." But you can't be authentic if you're following guidelines that drain the life and personality out of your presentation. Hough debunks over a dozen myths about presenting to make it more fun and natural for everyone. She explains how practicing in front of a mirror makes you worse, why you should never end with questions, and much more. She includes true stories of people who not only were able to become great presenters by being "bad" but actually came to enjoy it! Like them, by following Karen Hough's wise and witty advice, you'll be able to tear up the old rules and embrace and develop your own style. You'll be freed to be a living, breathing, occasionally clumsy human being whose enthusiasm is powerful and infectious.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hough
10 books4 followersKaren Hough is the Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, and the author of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work.” Her book was a #1 Bestseller on Amazon and also made the Top 25 Business Books on 800-CEO-READ. ImprovEdge received the silver Stevie International Award for “Most Innovative Company of the Year 2012” for Women in Business. She has been using improvisation as an engaging learning tool for business for over 12 years, is the recipient of the Athena Powerlink Award for outstanding woman-owned business, the author of the Yes! Deck, in addition to articles and blogs. Karen is working on her second book which will be published in 2014, "Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes and Win Them Over."
She speaks nationally on diversity, negotiation, leadership, sales, presentation and women’s issues. She trained with Chicago’s Second City and enjoyed a career in stage and film, performing in over 100 live and filmed productions. Her next life involved working as a successful executive in network engineering for many years, and finally she became an entrepreneur. ImprovEdge has a presence in six cities nationwide and a client list including ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, Coach, OhioHealth, Jones Day and Nationwide Insurance to name a few.
She is a graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne, Paris IV, and she lives with her husband and three children in Ohio.
She speaks nationally on diversity, negotiation, leadership, sales, presentation and women’s issues. She trained with Chicago’s Second City and enjoyed a career in stage and film, performing in over 100 live and filmed productions. Her next life involved working as a successful executive in network engineering for many years, and finally she became an entrepreneur. ImprovEdge has a presence in six cities nationwide and a client list including ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, Coach, OhioHealth, Jones Day and Nationwide Insurance to name a few.
She is a graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne, Paris IV, and she lives with her husband and three children in Ohio.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 10, 2021
Man, just reading some of the unorthodox practices listed in this book has got my heart pumping and my adrenaline racing.
Karen Hough, through her acumen and erudition, research and anecdotes alerts and guides the reader to liberate themselves from the cliched and restrictive rules of presenting.Some of which are just absurd like practice in front of a mirror
Prepare to have your ENTIRE perspective on PowerPoint completely twisted, mangled and re-arranged (in a good way) as the author decimates these self-imposed rules and transports the reader back to basics in order to galvanise them to be their most authentic self.
Karen Hough, through her acumen and erudition, research and anecdotes alerts and guides the reader to liberate themselves from the cliched and restrictive rules of presenting.
Prepare to have your ENTIRE perspective on PowerPoint completely twisted, mangled and re-arranged (in a good way) as the author decimates these self-imposed rules and transports the reader back to basics in order to galvanise them to be their most authentic self.
January 5, 2016
For anyone who wants to become a better presenter or, more largely, a better communicator, this is a valuable book. It moves away from the absolutes that people hear all the time (i.e. imagine your audience in their underwear) and provides some more reasonable and realistic suggestions. Recommended for anyone who talks in public and wants to up their game a bit to be more authentic, and less plastic!
April 26, 2025
The central theme of "Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever" by Karen Hough is to embrace authenticity and passion in presentations, rather than striving for "perfect" polish. The book challenges traditional presentation rules and encourages individuals to break free from rigid guidelines, making public speaking more fun and natural.
Authenticity over Perfection:
The book emphasizes that being genuine and passionate is more impactful than trying to be flawlessly polished.
Breaking the Rules:
It encourages readers to disregard outdated and often restrictive presentation rules that can stifle creativity and personality.
Embracing Mistakes:
Instead of fearing mistakes, the book encourages readers to view them as opportunities for growth and engagement with the audience.
Finding Your Own Style:
The focus is on developing a unique presentation style that reflects the speaker's personality and communication preferences.
Making Presentations Fun:
The book aims to transform the often-daunting experience of public speaking into a more enjoyable and natural process.
Authenticity over Perfection:
The book emphasizes that being genuine and passionate is more impactful than trying to be flawlessly polished.
Breaking the Rules:
It encourages readers to disregard outdated and often restrictive presentation rules that can stifle creativity and personality.
Embracing Mistakes:
Instead of fearing mistakes, the book encourages readers to view them as opportunities for growth and engagement with the audience.
Finding Your Own Style:
The focus is on developing a unique presentation style that reflects the speaker's personality and communication preferences.
Making Presentations Fun:
The book aims to transform the often-daunting experience of public speaking into a more enjoyable and natural process.
February 27, 2021
Great read for those looking to improve in presentations. This book was recommended on monster.co.uk to improve public speaking whether it’s presenting a topic at work or going for a job interview. This book also gives great tips on video conferencing which is now used more widely.
The book it’s self breaks into 13 key areas to help in presentation skills and gives the reader tips. Overall a good read you won’t be disappointed.
The only drawback is that it doesn’t give you specific tasks to improve in key areas.
The book it’s self breaks into 13 key areas to help in presentation skills and gives the reader tips. Overall a good read you won’t be disappointed.
The only drawback is that it doesn’t give you specific tasks to improve in key areas.
May 7, 2017
If you have read/taken more than 1-2 trainings on public speaking, there is probably nothing new here. However, this slim, easy to read book neatly summarizes (with good examples) tips for making better speeches/presentations, such as know your audience (backgrounds, expectations), why they should listen (what's in it for them?), what is the end result/action they should take based upon what you say, etc.
September 16, 2020
Good ready ready
October 25, 2020
lo leí para la escuela y me terminó gustando jeje muy buenos tips
April 30, 2025
This is a great book to help you understand about throwing out the traditional rules of presenting and do things in a better way to get a better outcome for your presentation
October 12, 2016
this is a good book. It gives some practical advice on presentation
April 8, 2015
As a long-time teacher of public speaking, I pick up this book with considerable skepticism The sub-tile is "Break the Rules, Make Mistakes, and Win Them Over."
The best thing Hough does is deflate the traditional advice about learning to be an effective speaker. For example, she provides a devastating attack on the cliche about imagining the audience in their underwear. He also reminds us that we shouldn't practice in front of a mirror. It doesn't prepare us to look at a real audience while we are speaking.
There's little in his book about some of the better advice available in public speaking textbooks. This means the book will be supplement to more traditional books in a classroom.
The book works best as a reminder of what matters between the speaker and the audience. Both should walk away from a presentation changed in some way.
The best thing Hough does is deflate the traditional advice about learning to be an effective speaker. For example, she provides a devastating attack on the cliche about imagining the audience in their underwear. He also reminds us that we shouldn't practice in front of a mirror. It doesn't prepare us to look at a real audience while we are speaking.
There's little in his book about some of the better advice available in public speaking textbooks. This means the book will be supplement to more traditional books in a classroom.
The book works best as a reminder of what matters between the speaker and the audience. Both should walk away from a presentation changed in some way.
February 9, 2015
This was another Goodreads First Read giveaway that I entered. The cover and the title piqued my interest, and the text did not disappoint.
Karen Hough, who is well-schooled in the art of improv, walks readers through the basic rules of presenting that we've all been taught over the years, and systematically explains why you should break or forget each and every one of them. I notice that even in her writing, she practices what she preaches, using stories and examples instead of dull facts and figures. It works to great advantage because this was a very entertaining read.
If, like me, you have ever felt uncomfortable presenting to a large (or even medium) group of people, this book is worth your time. Learn how to break the rules and become a better presenter for it.
Karen Hough, who is well-schooled in the art of improv, walks readers through the basic rules of presenting that we've all been taught over the years, and systematically explains why you should break or forget each and every one of them. I notice that even in her writing, she practices what she preaches, using stories and examples instead of dull facts and figures. It works to great advantage because this was a very entertaining read.
If, like me, you have ever felt uncomfortable presenting to a large (or even medium) group of people, this book is worth your time. Learn how to break the rules and become a better presenter for it.
July 25, 2016
I received this book as a giveaway from goodreads.
I wish I had this book while I was still in college! So many of my boring classroom presentations would have been much easier to manage and more fun! The whole concept of "throwing out the rules" and "being a bad presenter" were very convincing, using stories and examples to back up the ideas. Which is also one of the main points on giving "bad" presentations! I feel like the book read like what Karen Hough would sound like if I got to see her present. It was a nice, quick read and very compelling!
I wish I had this book while I was still in college! So many of my boring classroom presentations would have been much easier to manage and more fun! The whole concept of "throwing out the rules" and "being a bad presenter" were very convincing, using stories and examples to back up the ideas. Which is also one of the main points on giving "bad" presentations! I feel like the book read like what Karen Hough would sound like if I got to see her present. It was a nice, quick read and very compelling!
November 13, 2014
This was a quick read with excellent tips on how to be a strong presenter. It debunks many of the former public speaking rules. The basics of being a good presenter is to really know your materials, rehearse several times and speak from the heart. This was a helpful read for me and I recommend to all who want to improve their public speaking skills.
June 16, 2014
Good points - a lot of stories - would have enjoyed more of the research.
September 4, 2014
Very good summary of what NOT to do. Because the books and the schools are teaching powerpoint all wrong. Or at least they were when I left.
February 26, 2015
Lots of good advice unevenly presented. If public speaking intimidates you, this is a book you need to read. Everyone else will be bored.
February 9, 2015
I am not really being fair to this book. It is a good read for someone who is new to public speaking, but most of the advice and tips seemed were already familiar to me.
January 1, 2016
Short, concise, full of decent advice.
Read
February 4, 2016It was a very good book about presenting, and while I didn't agree with everything listed, I definitely came away with a lot of good ideas in regards to presentations.
July 1, 2017
Quick fun read. Some actionable material so better read than listened to.
May 3, 2017
Not too bad. It is an easy read as it gets to the point quickly and with a single example to illustrate each point.
Its premise of "being bad to be good" isn't exactly as it claims, as it simply boils down to "be natural", and "it's okay to make mistakes".
Good for a quick refresher read on presenting.
Its premise of "being bad to be good" isn't exactly as it claims, as it simply boils down to "be natural", and "it's okay to make mistakes".
Good for a quick refresher read on presenting.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews