Communicate What You Think

by Earl Nightingale

A basic, practical "how to" guide to more successful communication

No matter what your career objectives are, Communicate What You Think will help you achieve them. You'll do a better job in selling ideas, plans, or procedures to associates or customers. Your sales presentations will sparkle. Your turn at the conference table will be a happier, more rewarding experience. More people will tend to seek you out at social events and want you to head up community projects. Even your written reports, letters and memos will get more attention - and action. You'll discover how to transmit messages from one person to another without sacrificing meaning or intent... how to master the art of oral expression and, at the same time, hold your audience... how to build a speech from a formula (and when not to)... how to prepare visuals that help your audience "get the picture"... how to say something worthwhile and still leave them feeling good.

Earl Nightingale, creator and host of INSIGHT, a monthly audio-cassette and book of stimulating ideas, and one of the world's best known authorities on high level performance and human potential, is chairman of the board of Nightingale-Conant Corporation. He has spent 30 years in research on what makes people - and therefore any company or organization - successful. He is often referred to as the dean of personal development. He is also the author and narrator of many audio programs devoted to personal development, sales and management training, and human relations, including of course The Earl Nightingale Audio Library. His famous message, "The Strangest Secret", earned a Gold Record from Columbia Records for sales exceeding a million copies - the only recording of its kind to receive such an award. He has also received the Golden Gavel from Toastmasters International and many other awards ranging from a special in-person recognition by the Queen of England to an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

Genres: Audiobook

First published August 31, 2009

About the author

Earl Nightingale was an American motivational speaker and author, known as the "Dean of Personal Development." He was the voice in the early 1950s of Sky King, the hero of a radio adventure series, and was a WGN radio show host from 1950 to 1956. Nightingale was the author of the Strangest Secret, which economist Terry Savage has called “…One of the great motivational books of all time“.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically a guide to public speaking and it specifically refers to the toastmasters program. The info is simple and straightforward.
The main takeaways for me:
It's a cardinal sin to be uninteresting.
Aim. Then hang loose.
Take your subject seriously, but not yourself.

[Seemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a short and concise audiobook/ program. I think it’s the importance of this book is more relevant today than ever - it was certainly ahead of its time considering it’s original publication date and era of Earl Nightingale the book comes from

In the noisy, distraction filled and extremely short attention span age we live in now - the ability to communicate your message well, articulate yourself and more which the book teaches is extremely valuable skill to learn more about - this book is the bear minimum and good start of what we all need one way or another towards this

To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
Waseem.tv/Blog

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[Stephanie Thoma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not realize this was a public speaking audio book. Only 2-hours, and with some useful mindset reminders and stories from his experiences public speaking. It can be distilled into the ideas of being interesting- gauging interest of your audience in real time, customizing the talk for various audience types in advance, only using slides when necessary- not as a distraction, and to speak what you know to the point that your expertise is undeniable and you connect with the audience to the point you're invited back.

[Ian McGaffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short read that gave some good insights into how to be a better speaker. This is an idea I've toyed with, and also has potential for anyone who has to get up in front of people and talk.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I took to time to listen to this. I found it amusing.

[Zarathustra Goertzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly nice speeches on giving speeches, liking your audience, speaking super clearly, etc.

[T. Laane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic, sharp, and surprisingly practical even decades on. The communication and creativity advice is both grounding and refreshing, with profound bits that land hard for me personally.
PUBLIC SPEAKING & COMMUNICATION. The number one sin in speaking is to be boring - every speech can be interesting with enough imagination and prep, so take the time. Cut out clichés and typical phrasing; tell your own story in a friendly, authentic way. Nightingale ruthlessly edits his writing, reads it aloud, and encourages you to do the same. Toastmasters’ 5-minute speeches are excellent practice - do these on random life topics to build skill.
NERVOUSNESS & PREPARATION. Nervousness on stage comes from not knowing your topic and not being prepared. Use pauses naturally, as in everyday conversation. Scan your audience, make eye contact to the far corners, and transmit energy both with words and eyes.
CREATIVITY & ROUTINE. Creativity comes when you add fresh input into your life. Shake up routine - change your barber, lunch spot, commute, even your wakeup time. This newness feeds your brain and makes you more original.
HUMILITY & AUDIENCE CONNECTION. For experienced audiences, open humbly - admit others may know more, but everyone needs reminders. Never patronize; always respect your audience, especially youth - they might be the brightest in the room. Don’t use slang to “fit in.” Share your learning as a peer, not a preacher.
DELIVERY TECHNIQUE. Prepare thoroughly and aim carefully, but when speaking, relax - “aim and hang loose.” Record your talk and listen back for bottlenecks, what to do differently next time. Show visual aids before you start so your audience isn’t distracted reading them later.
AUDIENCE DYNAMICS & FEEDBACK. Audiences are naturally restless, but truly engaging content pulls their focus. Watch your audience for energy - if some are unsettled, zero in on those who are with you for a boost. If someone leaves mid-speech or looks bored, don’t take it personally - there are a thousand reasons.
CULTURE & CREATIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE. Don’t lock new people into “this is how we do things here”; instead, encourage them to build on what you’ve established - leave the door open for fresh input and course correction.
AUDIENCE APPRECIATION. Always look for the positives in your audience before you speak - if you genuinely care for them, nerves drop and your delivery improves. Liking your audience leads to a good first impression and less anxiety.
OTHER TIPS. Never drink before a speech - you need to be ultra-sharp. Joke about yourself, not the audience. Make sure lighting lets you see the crowd. Practice acting confident even when you’re not - “fake it till you make it.” Keep your ego in check; the message matters more than the messenger. Get the audience to nod early for engagement.

[Lance]

There were some good points in this audio book. Some of the illustrations were a little outdated. There were parts that did not interest me.