More than ever before, the business, entertainment, and political landscapes are ripe for women to accomplish their goals. Women are entering law, medical, and graduate schools in equal numbers to men. But it's still a challenge to make it to the top.
Developing excellent communication and public speaking skills gives women the ability to rise to their full potential, seize every opportunity, and realize their aspirations. Whether pitching for new business, delivering a talk at a conference, raising money for a non-profit, or communicating one-on-one with coworkers, women can become effective, powerful communicators when they speak with authenticity and confidence.
Deborah Shames, a veteran speaker and master trainer with 18 years of experience coaching high-level executives and celebrities, invites women to step up and be heard. Noting the perfection syndrome and negative self-talk that plague many women, Deborah delivers a how-to for battling these demons and identifies women's special talents—from high emotional intelligence and leadership skills to storytelling. She guides readers in the mechanics of communicating efficiently and constructing successful presentations, even with pressing deadlines.
Out Front is the definitive book for every woman who wants to engage an audience and expand her influence, whatever the venue or challenge.
This book is full of handy tips for wrestling with your own reluctance to step in front of an audience and take the stage. I recommended it to someone at work before I had even finished the book.
Highly recommended practical resource for both seasoned and inexperienced speakers.
Deborah Shames doesn't tout a one-size-fits-all method but shows you how to go about finding your own voice, work around perfectionism and equip women with the tools they need to grow into confident and engaging public speakers - no matter the size of the audience! She draws on her years of experience in communication and presents in a personal and comfortable style - a clear example of the strategies she teaches.
Personally, I was hoping for more than the basics on stage fright and step-by-step planning for a presentation. I've moved past that stage in my speaking experience. I was so pleased to find more in-depth guidance on using the stage, engaging your audience and how to use PowerPoint (or not, as the case may be!). A great tool I will return to again whenever I seek to up my presenting game.
Valuable book that inspires you for memorable presentations! The book has many anecdotes that are very educational and make the reading more enjoyable, interesting, landed and brings us closer to the author. What I found most relevant and valuable is that Deborah Shames inspires women to have the courage to be genuine, to dare to show their view, and even to go beyond, not just be an exhibitor presenting excellent information and communicating objectively, but to dare to communicate your passion on the subject, to engage in a subjective way to expose your experiences, perspectives, transformations, ... with the public. I totally agree with her, that being authentic is the way to bring added value, to generate an impact on the public, to be brave to express our opinion. And she brings many tools and practical advice based on her extensive experience, how to design your conference, how to prepare to be in front of the audience, how to handle your anxiety before and during the presentation, how to re-focus in a moment of panic or deconcentration, how to boost your career, ... All these tips, so that with practice, you manage to become a memorable and engaging presenter- public speaker- and have a great growth along the way and enjoy it! My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book