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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.
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.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2009
17 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2013
I just finished reading Transformational Speaking which is a book on a topic close to my heart...expression. I loved it because, even though the book dealt with some of the usual technical aspects of speaking, the true focus of the book was not on "performing" but on "transforming"--self and audience. Larsen gets it. She asks each reader to consider her/his own personal journey allowing it to define the message s/he conveys. And of course, speaking of anything other than what we truly know is just intellect at best. Rather, the medicine is in the depths of our sharing our experience and our truth...courageously. Her application of Alberto Villoldo's levels of perception is brilliant. The section on overcoming differences with an audience are practical and thoughtful. And I absolutely loved her "body rules".
Seriously, if you already are public speaker, do us all a favor and read this book. If you're just stepping into speaking, trust this book as a tool in your arsenal to overcome your fear, resistance, and mistaken ideas about speaking.
Seriously, if you already are public speaker, do us all a favor and read this book. If you're just stepping into speaking, trust this book as a tool in your arsenal to overcome your fear, resistance, and mistaken ideas about speaking.
June 3, 2020
If you are interested in speaking from your heart; then this book is for you! Transformational Speaking is an inspiring read, full of actionable tips about public speaking.
March 9, 2023
This is an excellent book for anyone who struggle to speak in public. The book is sectioned in easy to understand fundamentals before going into depth how they can combine to create a means for you to speak genuinely and with personable elements to enhance your authenticity towards the audience.
There are great techniques to try for combating stage fright and other anxiety issues that come in speaking in front of an audience. Just work out the techniques that could work for you and the situation and try it. I certainly was amazed by the results.
There are great techniques to try for combating stage fright and other anxiety issues that come in speaking in front of an audience. Just work out the techniques that could work for you and the situation and try it. I certainly was amazed by the results.
May 19, 2018
This book is about much more than public speaking. The author has a deeper message for anyone with the desire to make the world a better place. "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken." She guides her audience to reach inside to a self-discover that gives voice to our life experiences and core message. It is worth a read. I found the first half to be more insightful than the second half.
March 23, 2019
I loved the first half, when it spoke about finding your own story. The book lost me in the end after talking about using angels, and clearing shakras. Overall it was ok.
February 22, 2017
A little to soft and cumbaya for me.
December 18, 2015
A GREAT book! Even though written for the aspiring public speaker, the material could apply to anyone looking to develop a voice in the world.
This book does no focus on the usual tactics of crafting a speech, creating visual aids, moving on stage, or using impact techniques such as vocal variety, eye contact, body language, props, etc. Instead, Gail delivers a much more important message that would-be speakers, and/or change agents, must grapple with before those tactics will be of any use. This book is about determining the speech you were meant to give.
Each of use should have a core message that we embed within all of our communications. Gail's core message is "Be Yourself - Everyone Else is Taken" and although that isn't the primary focus of this book, it certainly lives in the undertone. Every speech she delivers has that message in it somewhere, even if she's speaking on a mundane topic such as rearranging your sock drawer. As a Toastmaster, I've been spending a lot of time on the tactics of public speaking, but this book has made me rethink that approach. I now agree with Gail's approach that the tactics will fall into place if you've gotten in touch with yourself via your home zone and deliver speeches from the heart. Alternatively, a well crafted and delivered speech on a topic/message you don't truly care about falls flat (and we've all seen FAR too many of these speeches).
As of today, this is the best book on public speaking I've read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to make a change in the world.
This book does no focus on the usual tactics of crafting a speech, creating visual aids, moving on stage, or using impact techniques such as vocal variety, eye contact, body language, props, etc. Instead, Gail delivers a much more important message that would-be speakers, and/or change agents, must grapple with before those tactics will be of any use. This book is about determining the speech you were meant to give.
Each of use should have a core message that we embed within all of our communications. Gail's core message is "Be Yourself - Everyone Else is Taken" and although that isn't the primary focus of this book, it certainly lives in the undertone. Every speech she delivers has that message in it somewhere, even if she's speaking on a mundane topic such as rearranging your sock drawer. As a Toastmaster, I've been spending a lot of time on the tactics of public speaking, but this book has made me rethink that approach. I now agree with Gail's approach that the tactics will fall into place if you've gotten in touch with yourself via your home zone and deliver speeches from the heart. Alternatively, a well crafted and delivered speech on a topic/message you don't truly care about falls flat (and we've all seen FAR too many of these speeches).
As of today, this is the best book on public speaking I've read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to make a change in the world.
October 11, 2012
You know the saying people may not remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel?
Well.
This book is the perfect cocktail -- equal part inspiration, wisdom, and resources -- that will start transformational conversations. Gail Larsen guides a speaker through a self-discovery of her/his own depth and power, which is where she explains our core message or "original medicine" lies. Once we access this "home zone", we are on the path to communicating with authenticity, confidence, and power.
Bottom line: If you ever have something you REALLY want to say, this is a perfect starting point.
Well.
This book is the perfect cocktail -- equal part inspiration, wisdom, and resources -- that will start transformational conversations. Gail Larsen guides a speaker through a self-discovery of her/his own depth and power, which is where she explains our core message or "original medicine" lies. Once we access this "home zone", we are on the path to communicating with authenticity, confidence, and power.
Bottom line: If you ever have something you REALLY want to say, this is a perfect starting point.
June 4, 2012
This book helps you develop your "voice" as a speaker, but it has also helped me with my copywriting and other written communications. It encouraged me to be really clear about who I am and shows how that is most compelling way for me to really connect with people. Rather than a formula of how to create a great speech, it helps you use your communication strengths more fully. There are plenty of concrete steps to help prepare for your speaking engagement though. I've booked a couple of speaking engagements for the Fall so I'll have more opinions on this whole concept after that!
September 27, 2019
Great tips for "getting in the mood" for public speaking, and some great ideas on the mechanics. The last third of the book becomes quite new-agey and hurt the value of the book. I listened to this as an audio book. I think it would have been easier to follow had I read it. There were a number of long lists in the book that I would have preferred to see instead of hear and try to remember.
January 8, 2017
I read this a few years ago, and it completely changed my relationship to public speaking. This book, and forcing myself to first present at a local Ignite event (5 min speech), led to my current love of public speaking and presenting professionally! Who would have ever guessed?
March 7, 2024
A great book that combines ideas of passion and purpose with the art of professional speaking. Highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to make a difference in the world and persuade others to do the same.
May 21, 2009
WHile this book has some good advice, I found most of it too new age for my liking.
September 20, 2012
If you ever want to get on stage and inspire an audience, this book is for you.
It is full of wisdom, down to earth insights and presented with care and lightness.
It is full of wisdom, down to earth insights and presented with care and lightness.
September 10, 2014
So... This was not what I was expecting but I did glean some useful thoughts from it.
July 13, 2016
This was a class text book. It was an interesting read. Not something i would have picked up on my own, but it wasn't bad.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews