Customer Reviews

Speaking As a Leader: How to Lead Every Time You Speak...From Board Rooms to Meeting Rooms, From Town Halls to Phone Calls

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Few assignments can cause as much dread as taking the podium. This book can greatly reduce that fear. Full of useful tips drawn from years of coaching corporate executives and studying memorable speeches and speakers throughout history, Speaking as Leader by Judith Humphrey, emphasizes the necessity of projecting and communicating a powerful vision and sense of purpose that will inspire trust and respect among audiences. Preparing a positive message, gauging the audience, making eye contact, asserting one's presence, avoiding pitfalls like trite humour--the essential ingredients of a successful presentation are all here in this densely packed but highly readable guide. Any leader or manager will benefit from having this book at or near his desk when called on to communicate.

The author, Judith Humphrey does an excellent job of teaching you how to be an authentic leader in your organization.
The book will inspire you to reach your full potential as a leader. It will empower you to truly connect with others in your organization and beyond. The book includes many real world examples of common pitfalls drawn from the author's 20 plus years of coaching senior business leaders. The book is comprehensive, covering all aspects of thinking and communicating as a leader.
The book is suitable for all levels in an organization, from people just starting their careers to experienced CEOs.

I would buy this book, if you wish to be an effective leader, inspire others with your vision and learn to give yourself a voice that will actually be heard.

Excellent book - not the best but this ranked one of the best inspirational book. I am reading it and liking it more and more. As for Amazon. Excellent opportunity to purchase at reduced price and fast delivery to my door.

I thank Judith for writing "Speaking as a Leader". This book has literally changed my approach to communicating both at work and at home FOR THE BETTER! This book will be a 'must read' for my teenagers as well. I am now on my second read of the book and taking notes while I do so.

Judith Humphrey's work is a good concise overview of public speaking. It touches on various topics that leaders need to be cognisant of when they are speaking in public. However, I was expecting more. I did not find that it helped me as a leader understand what my audience seeks from strong leaders compared to what they get from weak leaders or those leading companies to demise.

Speaking as a Leader is a good book on the topic of public speaking. Three and a half stars for doing this well. She does break down public speaking into styles, conversational, personal, eloquent... and articulates these. I did appreciate her general rules of thumb about keep the numbers to the high levels (don't dive into the mind numbing details as is often done in corporate presentations), don't joke (good suggestion), and take a firm position when speaking rather than a waivering one (which we see too frequently).

Overall, I gleaned a number of good tidbits on presentation style. However, I was really seeking a deeper view of what really counts in making a leader a powerful and compelling speaker. Good book for what it addresses. Some solid refinement points for public speakers. However, I did not get any significantly deeper insight into strengthening my Leadership speaking skills.

I am deeply inspired by the book and commit to turn it into a way of life to seize each moment to influence & inspire. It deals with the very essence of being a leader. Every chapter is filled with nuggets of gold for instance "be the visual not the aid", "speak to the audience not the slide", which appears to be common sense but often forgotten when you are speaking. Other insightful advices, "love the sound of your voice", "mental listening involves building bridges", and most of all "listening with your heart!"

Thank you Judith for writing this book! It is a gift to all who have the wisdom to read it.

Sharon Tan, OD Professional, Singapore