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Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story
You can change the world—one audience at a time! Today's challenging times call for passionate visionaries who are authentic and articulate communicators. Speaking coach and consultant Gail Larsen presents a proven program that liberates the "speaker within" and transforms even the reluctant orator into an agent of change. While most books on public speaking focus on polishing your presentation and overcoming fear, Larsen's holistic blend of spirit and logic goes far beyond the standard format, making TRANSFORMATIONAL SPEAKING a must-read for even the most seasoned speechmakers. With her uniquely inspirational approach, Larsen reaches out to those who want to make a genuine difference in our world by changing minds through touching hearts. TRANSFORMATIONAL SPEAKING offers insightful advice on everything from defining your message and refining your delivery, to managing the dynamics of a room, handling logistics like a pro, and building a connection with an audience of any size. Larsen has helped business executives and entrepreneurs, community and social change leaders, and healers and life coaches become active movers and shakers through the power of effective communication.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
48 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 29, 2023
I met Gail at a retreat, and I love that she does this kind of work, helping people tell their stories from their heart, their center, their "home zone." This book is rich with inspiration and practical tools. I feel that it will guide and support me as I go on book tour.
August 9, 2022
I purchased this book thinking it would be about how to be more engaging and convincing with your ideas. Sort of salesmanship. However, it really is geared to people looking to become professional public speakers. This is ok, in that much of the knowledge can be applied in your day to day life, as ways to improve communication. Not a bad book, but not a home run for me.
April 7, 2016
Gail Larsen, in Transformational Speaking, implores us that if we wish to inspire people, we must tell a better story than the ones we told before. Her book shows us how to make our speeches more moving, inspiring, and effective by speaking from the heart. In essence, if you are not moved by what you say, others will not be moved either.
I particularly liked the section dealing with “The Hero’s Journey,” a term originated by Joseph Campbell in his book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces.
The stories that you mine from your own Hero’s Journey, will allow you to speak with heart felt authority and power. The author emphasizes that the key to connecting with people is to experience and share the emotions that you felt as you overcame your obstacles or learned valuable lessons.
Virtue Is Its Own Reward
One story that came to mind as I read Transformational Speaking, was when my mother passed away almost three years ago.
She was in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation clinics a lot at the end. It was a stressful time for both my mother and I. She said, “My get up and go, got up and went.”
Yet, even in the midst of this hurricane, there were also peaceful moments when we could chat while sharing lunch or when putting a jigsaw puzzle together. I admired how she responded to the difficulties with a kind nature.
“I knew I was old when someone congratulated me on my alligator shoes and I was barefoot.” she told one doctor. Though most of her other body parts were worn out, her funny bone was still working like new.
However, my blood boiled when health care “professionals” treated her like an object rather than as a person. Even when people acted as though she were invisible, or worse, as though she was not “all there,” my mother never wavered in being thoughtful and accommodating.
“What is your mother’s full name?” asked one therapist.
I looked at the therapist. Then I looked at my mother next to me. “You could ask her. She’s sitting right beside me. She doesn’t bite,” I said.
“Olive Marie Sprouse,” my mother answered, with a smile.
I watched my mother’s courageous example of how to deal with:
1) the physical tribulation of her body wearing out; and
2) the mental antagonism from people who treated her like a “has been.”
I took note as she refused to let life’s indignations tarnish her heart. Instead, she just smiled and kept on doing the best she could.
When the time comes after “my get up and go got up and went,” I will follow her lead.
I particularly liked the section dealing with “The Hero’s Journey,” a term originated by Joseph Campbell in his book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces.
The stories that you mine from your own Hero’s Journey, will allow you to speak with heart felt authority and power. The author emphasizes that the key to connecting with people is to experience and share the emotions that you felt as you overcame your obstacles or learned valuable lessons.
Virtue Is Its Own Reward
One story that came to mind as I read Transformational Speaking, was when my mother passed away almost three years ago.
She was in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation clinics a lot at the end. It was a stressful time for both my mother and I. She said, “My get up and go, got up and went.”
Yet, even in the midst of this hurricane, there were also peaceful moments when we could chat while sharing lunch or when putting a jigsaw puzzle together. I admired how she responded to the difficulties with a kind nature.
“I knew I was old when someone congratulated me on my alligator shoes and I was barefoot.” she told one doctor. Though most of her other body parts were worn out, her funny bone was still working like new.
However, my blood boiled when health care “professionals” treated her like an object rather than as a person. Even when people acted as though she were invisible, or worse, as though she was not “all there,” my mother never wavered in being thoughtful and accommodating.
“What is your mother’s full name?” asked one therapist.
I looked at the therapist. Then I looked at my mother next to me. “You could ask her. She’s sitting right beside me. She doesn’t bite,” I said.
“Olive Marie Sprouse,” my mother answered, with a smile.
I watched my mother’s courageous example of how to deal with:
1) the physical tribulation of her body wearing out; and
2) the mental antagonism from people who treated her like a “has been.”
I took note as she refused to let life’s indignations tarnish her heart. Instead, she just smiled and kept on doing the best she could.
When the time comes after “my get up and go got up and went,” I will follow her lead.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews