Table of Contents

Preface ix Introduction: Speaking as an Act of Leadership 1 STEP 1: THINK LIKE A LEADER 9 Chapter 1: Begin with Vision 11 Chapter 2: Think beyond Hierarchies 17 Chapter 3: Move from Information to Inspiration 27 Chapter 4: Move from Negatives to Positives 35 Chapter 5: Speak with Conviction 41 Chapter 6: Listen, Listen, Listen 49 Chapter 7: Commit to Communicating 59 STEP 2: SCRIPT YOURSELF AS A LEADER 69 Chapter 8: What Is a Leader's Script? 71 Chapter 9: Open with a Grabber 77 Chapter 10: State Your Subject 87 Chapter 11: Lead with a Message 91 Chapter 12: Develop a Persuasive Structure 101 Chapter 13: Close with a Call to Action 113 STEP 3: USE THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP 121 Chapter 14: Speak with Clarity 123 Chapter 15: Take the "Jar" out of Jargon 131 Chapter 16: Be Conversational 137 Chapter 17: Be Personal 145 Chapter 18: Be Eloquent 153 Chapter 19: Don't Be . . . Um . . . Tentative 161 Chapter 20: Take the "Numb" out of Numbers 167 Chapter 21: Jokes Are Not for Leaders 173 STEP 4: ACHIEVE A LEADER'S PRESENCE 177 Chapter 22: Bring Your Script to Life 179 Chapter 23: You Are the Best Visual 187 Chapter 24: The Eyes of a Leader 191 Chapter 25: Suit the Action to the Word 203 Chapter 26: Find Your Leader's Voice 215 Conclusion: Always Leading, Always Influencing 225 Endnotes 231 Index 243

About the Author

Judith Humphrey is Founder and President of The Humphrey Group, one of North America's premier executive communications firms. For over 20 years The Humphrey Group has been coaching thousands of senior business people who wish to lead every time they speak. The firm's training programs, such as Speaking as a Leader and Taking the Stage , have been delivered globally to over 100,000 people directly and through train-the-trainer programs. The Humphrey Group's clients include blue chip companies around the world. Judith has published articles in the Harvard Management Communication Letter , Vital Speeches of the Day , and Presentations That Persuade and Motivate (Harvard Business School Press). The Humphrey Group has offices in Toronto and Vancouver and its website is www.thehumphreygroup.com.