Tag Archives: speaking

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494: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot with Matt Abrahams

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It’s probably no surprise to you that I appreciate effective communicators. Well, that’s just one of the many reasons I am excited to present to you today’s guest, who’s written a wonderful book on an aspect of presenting not often covered. Impromptu Speaking!

matt abrahams

His name is Matt Abrahams, and his brand new book, out today, is called Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put On the Spot.

In the book, Matt provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously.

He also included science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable.

Drawing on stories from his clients and students, Matt offers best practices for navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others, and handling other impromptu speaking tasks.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Matt and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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476: Choosing Greatness and Achieving Exceptional Outcomes with Christina Curtis

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Today’s guest is not only a podcast guest, she’s also the first guest expert inside the new premium tier of my online Read to Lead Community called Read to Lead+.

christina curtis

Her name is Christina Curtis, and she’s a thought leader on motivation and goal attainment, and regularly contributes to the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Psychology Today.

Her new book, released earlier this month, is called Choosing Greatness: An Evidence-Based Approach to Achieving Exceptional Outcomes.

I read it from cover to cover and nearly ran out of ink in my highlighter while doing so.

Christina asks questions like, “Do you yearn to achieve more? Do you want to make more? Do more? Well, you are not alone. We are all drawn to the irresistible sensation of accomplishing great things and succeeding mightily.

Yet despite our best efforts, ultimate success and joy can seem so elusive. Why? All too often we are running on autopilot, repeating past behaviors, and achieving the same results.

In Choosing Greatness, Christina combines her decades of practical experience in business psychology and her conversations with some of the greatest leaders of our generation—Richard Branson, CEO of the Virgin Group; Javier Rodriguez, CEO of DaVita Inc.; Jonathan Johnson, CEO of Overstock.com; Teena Piccione, executive at Google; Lara Merriken, founder of LÄRABAR®; and more—to teach you how to unlock the full potential of the greatest change agent imaginable: your own mind.

In the space between instinct and outcome, between reflex and reflection, between ordinary and extraordinary, lies choice, she says. Her book provides clear, easy direction on how to live more consciously in that space so you can push your brain to operate with peak efficiency and precision.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Christina and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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472: Arguing for the Good in Bad English with Valerie Fridland

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If you’ve ever wondered if I geek out over anything besides books, today you get your answer.

valerie fridland

It’s a related topic, as it involves a form of communication. Language.

Mind you, I was not a particularly strong language student in school (though I could diagram a sentence pretty well). But I scored a measly 405 on the language side of the SAT (okay, so I also got a 405 on the math half). Yep, a whopping 810. Yikes!

But my love for language, or at least learning about it as an adult, dates back at least 20 years when I read a book by John McWhorter called Doing Our Own Thing.

I remember thinking to myself at the time, “I don’t personally know a single other person who would enjoy this book the way I have.” 🙂 Us language nerds are weird that way, I guess.

But if you’re anything like me—and I’m guessing you because you enjoy this show—you’re in for a real treat today. My guest is Valerie Fridland. She’s written a book called Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.

Language change, Valerie argues, is natural, built into the language system itself, and we wouldn’t be who we are without it. Her book celebrates the dynamic, ongoing, and empowering evolution of language, and it will speak to anyone who talks, or listens, inspiring them to communicate dynamically and effectively in their daily lives.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Valerie and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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465: What to Say to Get Your Way with NYT Bestselling Author Jonah Berger

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At the beginning of this year, in Episode 456, I highlighted the six books I’m most looking forward to in the first half of 2023. I hope to feature all six here on the podcast. The first was featured in late January (Attention Span by Dr. Gloria Mark).

jonah berger

I’m excited to share that the second book on that list is being featured today. It’s from Wharton Professor Jonah Berger and is called Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way.

In Magic Words, Jonah gives you an inside look at the new science of language and how you can use it. Technological advances in machine learning, computational linguistics, and natural language processing, combined with the digitization of everything from cover letters to conversations, have yielded unprecedented insights.

You’ll learn how salespeople convince clients, lawyers persuade juries, and storytellers captivate audiences; how teachers get kids to help and service representatives increase customer satisfaction; how startup founders secure funding, musicians make hits, and psychologists identified a Shakespearean manuscript without ever reading a play.

This book is designed for anyone who wants to increase their impact. It provides a powerful toolkit and actionable techniques that can lead to extraordinary results. Whether you’re trying to persuade a client, motivate a team, or get a whole organization to see things differently, this book will show you how to leverage the power of magic words.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Jonah and his new book.

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404: A Proven Plan for Leading Successful Meetings, Dynamic Workshops, and Effective Training Events with Paul Maltby

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Over the years, I’ve definitely read my share of books on the topic of public speaking. It’s a skill I believe I will never stop improving upon. As leaders, I think that goes for all of us.

Paul Maltby

Being able to effectively communicate one’s ideas – one-on-one or to a group – is critical to our success as leaders.

However, in my 20-plus years as an avid reader, I don’t remember ever coming across a book that delves into the topic of public speaking from the point of view of a trainer or meeting or workshop facilitator.

In that this skill is one I’ve been given the opportunity to flex now more than ever myself (what with my own book releasing last year), today’s book and guest could not be more timely.

I’m excited to welcome to today’s episode Mr. Paul Maltby. He’s the author of The Fearless Facilitator: A Proven Plan for Leading Successful Meetings, Dynamic Workshops, and Effective Training Events.

This book is a field guide for anyone who wants to ensure success in any type of meeting setting.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Paul and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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