Resilience: Virtually Speaking: Communicating at a Distance

by Tim Ward, Teresa Erickson

To adapt to a world where you can't meet face to face, with no air travel, conferences cancelled and teams working from home, leaders, experts, managers and professionals all need to master the skills of virtual communication. Written by the authors of The Master Communicator’s Handbook, this book tells you how to create impact with your on-screen presence, use powerful language to motivate listening, and design compelling visuals. You will also learn techniques to prevent your audience from losing attention, to keep them engaged from start to finish, and to create a lasting impact. The "Resilience Series" is the result of an intensive, collaborative effort of our authors in response to the 2020 coronavirus epidemic. Each volume offers expert advice for developing the practical, emotional and spiritual skills that you can master to become more resilient in a time of crisis.

96 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2020

Reviews

[Carlos Valdes-Dapena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Ward and Theresa Erickson are communications pros and it shines through in every page of this incredibly timely and helpful book. They have been teaching communications and influencing skills to people at all levels around the world for years and they bring every bit of that experience to this compact, easy-to-read guide specifically written to help those of us working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's chock full of handy tips for using video conference apps, setting up and running virtual meetings, making on-line presentations and more. For example, I use Zoom every day and I had no idea there was a "side-by-side" mode for presentations that allows both the slide AND the speaker to be seen at the same time! Tim and Theresa's book is worth it for that idea alone. But there is so much more they offer. This is a terrific book and I suggest you buy it today to make your communications all they can be.

[John Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consultants Tim Ward and Teresa Erickson know virtual communication. Covering all facets of screen presence, presentation skills, and interactions with participants, their new book is an eminently practical, hands-on guide to the brave new world of webinars, zoom meetings, and virtual relationships. With so many ways to muddy online communication, this book provides critical and amazingly useful guidance to effectively convey your message. Years ago, Marshall McLuhan famously argued, “the medium is the message.” Whatever your intended content, the message received may be quite different, particularly if the audience is confused, distracted, or irritated by delivery problems. If you want effective delivery, read this book over and over again until its advice creates response habits ensuring your message stands a chance of truly making a difference.

[Joseph F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors are providing a genuine public service publishing this book in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even if you are an excellent communicator and public speaker, unless you are accustomed to speaking virtually (like in webinars or virtual meetings), there is much you will need to learn to be an effective and easy to watch and listen to speaker. The authors point out that virtual communications will be a large and permanent communication tool going forward. They give practical guidance on how to communicate in a virtual environment and useful tips on how to set up the hardware, lighting, positioning and how to make eye contact with the camera giving the appearance of having contact with your audience. It is an easy and useful read. Get your copy today.

[Gleb Tsipursky · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an expert in decision making and risk management, I've seen too few leaders recognize the special challenges of communicating effectively in virtual settings. This book provides the solution to those who are savvy enough to recognize these dangers. I especially appreciated the practical and pragmatic tips that leaders - and anyone - can use immediately in preparing for both high-stakes and day-to-day virtual communication. This book is a necessary tool for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in the context of pandemic and the post-pandemic world. And make sure to check out the authors' previous book, The Master Communicator’s Handbook, which I found highly useful for improving my in-person and written communication.

[Sally Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book. I use it with international upper-level undergraduates, who find it extremely useful, but really it is recommended reading for anyone who meets and presents in an online setting. Pithy but including the psychological and linguistic justifications for its recommendations, this book is just what we need right now.

[Linda Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be immensely helpful to every expert who needs to be more effective than ever before in making their messages heard in online meetings. It's concise and organized so that you can quickly find the pointers you need to make a difference.

[Michelle Auerbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many people are doing the virtual meeting and speaking thing really really poorly. And now I know why. Don't be one of them. Read this book - I have been sharing ideas and practices from it since it came out and I have improved my own speaking and leading. I have also saved a few people from disaster. Not only are Tim and Teresa seasoned experts in speaking and content but they know exactly what we need to succeed. I laughed at the pictures and examples but it is not funny - you see so many horrible Zoom or FB live or streamed disasters. It is so easy not to be one of them. I am grateful I read this and for this time when we are all working virtually, you will be glad too.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could not be more timely. In our new world of daily Zoom meetings and presentations, everyone should know how to be their best two-dimensional self. I’ve given this book to university professors, colleagues and friends who I know will benefit from the suggestions on these pages. Teresa Erickson and Tim Ward are master communications experts, and I’m so glad they have gifted us with this gem of a book.