Smart Talk: The Public Speaker's Guide to Success in Every Situation

by Lisa B. Marshall

Have you ever lost out on a promotion? Struggled with a difficult conversation? Been put on the spot and blanked? Imagine if......you were better at persuading others and negotiating for what you want....you were more fluent at introducing yourself, making conversation, and following up....you were better at delivering feedback, receiving criticism, and using positive language....you were perceived as more diplomatic and charismatic.Smart Talk applies up-to-date communication research to everyday situations and gives smart, practical, step-by-step directions to achieve results. Smart Talk is no ordinary book— it's the Swiss Army Knife of communication—a comprehensive set of tools to build strong relationships and avoid communication breakdowns.With proven strategies and practical action plans, Smart Talk will help you resolve conflicts, strengthen your natural charisma, and master the art of persuasion. Never again will you dread a holiday party or be rendered speechless at a business meeting. Backed by solid research and written in an engaging narrative style with a warm sense of humor, communication expert Lisa B. Marshall translates her wealth of experience into practical, fresh advice to help you navigate any complex situation, and achieve professional success.

Genres: Business, Communication, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Psychology, Leadership

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2013

About the author

Passionate. Authentic. Practical. Interactive. Fun. Expert.

Most people know me as the host of The Public Speaker podcast which has earned over 15 million downloads since debuting in 2008. The show has remained an iTunes top 3 podcast in the careers category for over three years and was nominated as a top five podcast in 2009 and 2010. The podcast remains in the top 25 career category. I am also host of the Smart Talk podcast.

However, working together with organizations and individuals is what I love most (and is what pays the bills). I love creating incredible transformations - personal, professional and financial - through developing and enhancing communication. For example, I've helped organizations build stronger teams, manage conflict, create stronger, more effective messages, and deliver better presentations. In addition, I've coached many senior leaders one-on-one to develop stronger executive communication skills.

My Clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche among many others. I hold masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication.

My work has been featured in diverse media from CBS Money Watch, to Ragan.com, to Chicago Tribune to Woman's Day, to Cosmopolitan.

Finally, at home I like to sing with gusto, talk in Spanish, swim, take pictures, and spend time with my husband, kids, and extended family!

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart Talk: The Public Speaker's Guide to Success in Every Situation is a fantastic book packed full of tips and ideas that can be useful for anyone. This book not only caters to how you can better communicate what you want to say to other people, but how you can negotiate and build up other people.

This book is great for helping you identify your weaknesses and strengths when communicating with other people. It shows you how you can improve and say things in a more acceptable manner by just simply rewording what you want to say. I thought it was very important that Lisa Marshall included about complimenting people. I feel that complimenting people and pointing out their strengths contribute to the growth of the individual.

My favorite part of this book was on how to say no. I always have had trouble saying no, not so much by peer pressure, but by feeling like I should help everyone that asks for my help. I found myself overwhelmed on several instances and this book has helped in showing why it is alright to say no, and how sometimes, that is what your employer may be looking for.

I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it to everyone! I think everyone can benefit in at least one way or another from all of the information in this book.

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially, I thought this book would help me with my public speaking. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much information I learned about communicating in general. Well written with great insight into how one can become a more thorough communicator across all avenues of one's life.

[Lois W. Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart Talk by Lisa B. Marshall
When I first opened Smart Talk, I thought I was about to explore a self-help book for work force communication, but soon discovered this book is so much more. Lisa describes Smart Talk as “The Swiss Army Knife of Communication” and you know how handy that little gadget can be for so many situations! The same can be said for Smart Talk, for it guides us to be master communicators in all phases of our lives - from the intimacy of our homes to winning over our business associates and competitors. The rules don’t change much from one venue to another. Lisa’s style is conversational and breezy, making it a fun read as well as an oh-so-practical one.She shares anecdotes and real life examples that clearly bring her messages home. Then you have the opportunity to test yourself with her quick quizzes and end of chapter checklists and challenges - all designed to help you put her ideas into action. I particularly enjoyed her chapter on conversation magic, from opening meaningful conversations (even in your e-mails) to being an effective listener, to skillfully deepen relationships. Over and over again, you see how even one small change can make a huge impact on your skills as a master communicator. Lisa is the “go-to gal” for mastering Smart Talk.This is a book you will want to keep by your bed stand, and refer to over and over again..

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a college senior about to enter the work world, Smart Talk is a godsend. But really, Lisa B. Marshall's book on how to communicate better in any situation can benefit anyone who is open to it. This is the kind of book that you can read all the way through and then refer back to different sections when desired. There are amusing chapter names like "Tongue Fu" and "Magically Delicious!"

Lisa uses many effective strategies to connect with the reader. I appreciate her willingness to share personal anecdotes. Something else that makes Smart Talk special is that there is more material on the book's website. Videos exemplifying communication concepts are a nice supplement to the written content. It is impossible not to take something valuable away from Smart Talk, whether you want to completely overhaul your communication style or just need an encouraging nudge in the right direction.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Smart Talk to be helpful for any situation - whether you need to make a speech or just need to work on communication skills at work or with friends and family. I love Lisa Marshall's writing style and sense of humor. The bonus materials are fun and education too.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone with some experience in speaking and communication skills, this book still proved immensely helpful. Each of the chapters is organized with a concise summary at the end. The topics discussed are relevant to work and personal life. Incredibly useful to anyone and everyone.

[Bill Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful.

[Cool · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encyclopedic type of book, i.e., there is a little bit of everything; she covers it all. On top of that there are quizzes, bonus material, and additional online reference material. You could spend a very long time on each topic. I like her real world examples, including those drawn from her own career. We'd all be a lot better off if this was required reading, especially these days where many people act and talk in such an immature and unprofessional manner.

[Oyuka · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing i do focus recently is to connecting with people, communicating and networking. To learn more about communication skill, i wanted to read books about it. Thus, I did reserve this one on my local library, finished today.

Well written and contains so much useful tips and practice stories and challenges. I would highly recommend it to everyone who have same purpose like me.

[Todd Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really appreciated and found value in the content, I did not like that I was asked several times to go to her website to see examples of what she was talking about. I felt a lot of the value of this book is to be found on any of the several websites she provided, but that’s not where I want to go/be when reading a book.

[Christina Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title made me think this would be about public speaking in the Toastmasters sense. Really, it is about communicating effectively, particularly in the workplace. The parts about social media will seem archaic; the rest has aged just fine.

[Nex Juice · Rating 3 out of 5]

None of the techniques she gives you are easy to remember. So, unless you carry this book around with you, it's really not very practical. I liked a lot of the advice she gave.

[Wan Farisan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful for becoming a more successful person in life

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found many tips to work related interpersonal communications. I specifically related to the feedback chapters, 6/7. This audio was smartly narrated and seemed well put together.

[John Nustad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was goos but was expecting something different like more on public speaking than communication in general.

[Tian Hai English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been listening to her podcast since the beginning of her podcast career. She always always always provides great tips I couldn't have found out anywhere else. I have been one of her huge fans and always will be.

This book is great because it's like the condensed version of all the great public speaking tips she's given in her podcast and more. Lisa acts very personal in the book, making it feels like I have hired my personal coach. She shares a lot of her experiences for us to learn. I can't emphasize enough how important this book is to me in helping me with my public speaking skills.

[Poy Espiritu · Rating 3 out of 5]

basic basic info. im halfway done but so far its just really basic knowledge. i dont need to be reminded how to write an email or thank you. i will be open mind tho and keep reading but so fae its basic.

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almost done but got too bored with it.
good for managers it is very work business related aimed for managers.

im not a manager so it doesnt do me good 80% of it. still 3 stars. basic basic basic info most ppl already know. 3 stars is generous.

[Raphi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is helpful in many ways. I feel a lot better after reading Lisa's perspective on the wide variety of topics she covers in the book and the helpful tips and quiz's from the website. I am not in the us invests world and this definitely makes a lot of business references and office situations, but very easy to follow and definitely a great guide to make basic conversation with anyone autonomic and with your own personal charisma.

[Jennifer Cusumano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just re read this helpful little book. I'm re grading it to 4 stars. I forgot how many great, insightful little snippets are in this book. I especially think the chapters on conversation are more important than ever in this era where people seem to have forgotten how to listen and respond thoughtfully. Maybe I'm just in a different place now...

[LemontreeLime · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those books I just couldn't finish. and it was on audio too, and i _still_ couldn't bring myself to finish it. I think i had been hoping for a book more on giving speeches not maneuvering your public image. What can i say, i'm an 18th century kinda girl.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good business advise book. I feel like I had heard the introduction to a lot of the information on Lisa's podcast but it was a good refresher plus lots of helpful and practical tips to implement.

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some chapters were 2 stars, but the good chapters were 4 stars. Many great chapters on people skills.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Web to web. Who knew?

[Nikki Tobias · Rating 4 out of 5]

good information and practical tips

[Roland Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overall communication round up.

[Dave Lohman]

Smart Learning

I enjoy Lisa's podcast and I found this book just as engaging and educational. She presented good and practical advice that I can put to use.

[Todd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very useful advice. I will keep this handy for future reference and as a reminder to try and improve my speaking skills.

[gabriel morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned how to network. I also learned how not to whine about workload or working conditions.

[Michael McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart talk is not a book you're ever done reading - it's a resource you can't live without. I can't say enough about this book and how helpful it has been to me and how helpful it will continue to be in the future. Lisa B. Marshall's podcast is also a 5-star podcast on my list and I've been a fan for years. This book is on my shelf within arms reach as a valuable reference always.