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Splash! A Leader's Guide to Effective Public Speaking
Public speaking can be truly enjoyable and a powerful tool for making a difference in the lives of others. For many, the fear of giving a speech is worse than the fear of death. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned orator, this book will help you transform your public speaking to a whole new level of leadership influence. Learn the SPLASH formula for great public speaking that will make you the kind of speaker and leader who makes a SPLASH--leaving any audience, big or small, forever changed--every time you speak!
- GenresNonfiction
153 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 18, 2014
Easy and quick read with great application principles. Key points presented will help a new or current speaker grow. Keep in mind the six SPLASH principles while speaking and you will grow to be a successful speaker. One of the take always for me was to speak for a goal or to move a cause forward - be selective in what and when you speak to have a greater impact.
May 17, 2020
SPLASH A Leader’s Guide to Effective Public Speaking, Chris Brady, Obstacles Press, 2014
Chris Brady, part of the Life Leadership cabal penned a short book about public speaking. This book is essentially composed of 27 tips. Each chapter explores each tip. Some tips are broad and high level, others get more at traditional stage craft. The central message this book is “SPLASH”. and SPLASH represents the main points:
Say Something that matters
Prepare the Speaker, Not just the speech
Leave it all backstage
Audience is Everything
Simplicity is power
Happen
Luckily for me, as I was reading this I realized I had a public speaking engagement only a week or so out, so I could see first hand if the tips would make for a better presentation.
Chiefly, this book repeats some advice that I’ve heard elsewhere, none the less it is good advice, like the stressing of preparation and knowing your audience.
Brady at least offered some advice that has been proven worthwhile in other sources. At other points Brady seemed to be flaying the herald and exclaiming some pretty large ideas and exposing a warrior like ethos for public speaking. A deep indifference strikes me when thinking about the warrior ethos for public speaking. Brady emphasizes deeply the preparation of the speaker. Not just knowing the material, but being deeply passionate and having the convictions to bring your ideas to your audience. Sometimes I felt this book was made for someone preparing for a TED Talk, where as the start of the book, it seemed this was supposed to be an every person’s book. But then it hit me, the intended audience of this book is probably someone in LIFE LEADERSHIP, where these type of big ideas no doubt hit deep in that kind of culture.
Of course, and what is typical in these short takes of a book, is a simple stating of the facts without any real reflection or deep explanations. For instance Brady constantly writes how it is important to get the “right information” and follow the “right media”. This advice on it’s own does not offer much, on what “right” is, and to be fair is a complicated topic.
Overall this book is fairly cohesive and coherent, at 153 pages the book won’t keep you too long. But that’s to say, despite the slick presentation, the repetitious stating of bullet pointed key points SPLASH only managed to make small ripples in my head space. As for my real speaking engagement that I took after reading this book, perhaps the only real advice that seemed to stick was the advice to use strategic pauses and as a lesson learned for my talk; perhaps knowing my audience better.
I’m doubtful that this book will make anyone a great public speaker, but if you are stranger to the stage, perhaps this book at the minimum can give you a false sense of confidence. At a minimum this book probably won’t do much harm.
+ Some good conventional tips
+ Easy reading
– a lack of depth and real reflection
– A absence of any real impact on me as the reader.
– skeptical that it will have a large impact on my public speaking.
Chris Brady, part of the Life Leadership cabal penned a short book about public speaking. This book is essentially composed of 27 tips. Each chapter explores each tip. Some tips are broad and high level, others get more at traditional stage craft. The central message this book is “SPLASH”. and SPLASH represents the main points:
Say Something that matters
Prepare the Speaker, Not just the speech
Leave it all backstage
Audience is Everything
Simplicity is power
Happen
Luckily for me, as I was reading this I realized I had a public speaking engagement only a week or so out, so I could see first hand if the tips would make for a better presentation.
Chiefly, this book repeats some advice that I’ve heard elsewhere, none the less it is good advice, like the stressing of preparation and knowing your audience.
Brady at least offered some advice that has been proven worthwhile in other sources. At other points Brady seemed to be flaying the herald and exclaiming some pretty large ideas and exposing a warrior like ethos for public speaking. A deep indifference strikes me when thinking about the warrior ethos for public speaking. Brady emphasizes deeply the preparation of the speaker. Not just knowing the material, but being deeply passionate and having the convictions to bring your ideas to your audience. Sometimes I felt this book was made for someone preparing for a TED Talk, where as the start of the book, it seemed this was supposed to be an every person’s book. But then it hit me, the intended audience of this book is probably someone in LIFE LEADERSHIP, where these type of big ideas no doubt hit deep in that kind of culture.
Of course, and what is typical in these short takes of a book, is a simple stating of the facts without any real reflection or deep explanations. For instance Brady constantly writes how it is important to get the “right information” and follow the “right media”. This advice on it’s own does not offer much, on what “right” is, and to be fair is a complicated topic.
Overall this book is fairly cohesive and coherent, at 153 pages the book won’t keep you too long. But that’s to say, despite the slick presentation, the repetitious stating of bullet pointed key points SPLASH only managed to make small ripples in my head space. As for my real speaking engagement that I took after reading this book, perhaps the only real advice that seemed to stick was the advice to use strategic pauses and as a lesson learned for my talk; perhaps knowing my audience better.
I’m doubtful that this book will make anyone a great public speaker, but if you are stranger to the stage, perhaps this book at the minimum can give you a false sense of confidence. At a minimum this book probably won’t do much harm.
+ Some good conventional tips
+ Easy reading
– a lack of depth and real reflection
– A absence of any real impact on me as the reader.
– skeptical that it will have a large impact on my public speaking.
October 4, 2016
This was interesting reading for the first half of the book then started feeling repetitive. The author discusses several principles that I believe would help the speaker connect well with the audience. The practical tips and tricks would need to be put to the test to know whether or not they're truly effective. Since I'm not a frequent public speaker, I won't be spending much time there. But I may refer to the book again if I do need to do some public speaking.
July 26, 2016
Life Leadership has so many public speakers within their organization who inspire audiences weekly which made purchasing this book a "no-brainer."
It is an easy read.
152 pages crammed with insights which can be read in a few hours.
By the 4th chapter I was already learning new things and feeling glad I was reading it.
A must-read for anyone wanting to learn about the hows, whys, and whats of effective public speaking.
Like the book says... Join the thousands of speakers who have a cause that they believe in and a message to share that betters the world.
And if you think that the world is just all rainbows and unicorns, you shouldn't be public speaking.
What do you believe in that will better the world?
This will be the foundation of your message...
Pretty cool, huh?
It is an easy read.
152 pages crammed with insights which can be read in a few hours.
By the 4th chapter I was already learning new things and feeling glad I was reading it.
A must-read for anyone wanting to learn about the hows, whys, and whats of effective public speaking.
Like the book says... Join the thousands of speakers who have a cause that they believe in and a message to share that betters the world.
And if you think that the world is just all rainbows and unicorns, you shouldn't be public speaking.
What do you believe in that will better the world?
This will be the foundation of your message...
Pretty cool, huh?
May 7, 2016
The biggest issue I have with this book is that I am not ready for it. Although I have spoke in front of a few large groups, I am not at this time ready to make my splash. For that reason the book was three stars, at some other time it may be a four or even a five star book.
"Splash!" is a good basic starter book on public speaking that comes from the "why" rather than the "how" as an introduction. I do recommend that anyone getting started in the speaking arena read this book as part of their preparation.
"Splash!" is a good basic starter book on public speaking that comes from the "why" rather than the "how" as an introduction. I do recommend that anyone getting started in the speaking arena read this book as part of their preparation.
December 10, 2015
Very well written. Easy and simple principles to read and learn. Looking forward to applying them as I continue to grow in speaking ability. I have read part of Dale Carnegie's book on speaking as well and have found this to be along the same line, maybe more up to date on today's speaking style and like I mentioned already easier to read and understand. If you are looking at becoming a better speaker, whether a small group or hundreds of people, I would recommend starting right here.
March 31, 2016
The best, and most complete, discussion of public speaking I have seen or heard. I have heard several of the suggestions over the years, but the way SPLASH pulls it together makes it easy to follow. It also makes it clear how to prepare to "prepared" speeches as well as preparing for impromptu speeches.
April 23, 2014
Enjoyed this. SPLASH is a fun acronym for remembering key principles in being an effective communicator - via both the written and spoken word.
The book is now well marked up and will be kept on my 'easily within reach' resource shelf.
The book is now well marked up and will be kept on my 'easily within reach' resource shelf.
June 16, 2014
Another great book from Life Leadership! This book made an immediate impact on my fear of public soaking! This is a must read for all who want to make a splash in the level of influence with public speaking!
http://www.lifeleadership.com/Shoppin...
http://www.lifeleadership.com/Shoppin...
August 22, 2014
This is the best book on public speaking I've read so far. It covers the foundational principles of successful speaking along with great techniques to engage the audience and create real change. Definitely recommended!
April 9, 2014
Great information packed into a nice, easy to read format with memorable acronyms and memory joggers to help retain the information.
October 9, 2014
There were a lot of great points for giving talks. This will be a great reference book when giving talks.
April 13, 2017
Répétitif. Le français du Canada est bizarre et a beaucoup dérangé. Mais très bons conseils.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews