Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction

Part 1: Who Are These People at the Top?
Clueless
Life at the Top

Part II: Survival Tactics at the C-Level
The Seven Deadly Challenges
Time Cut: A $30,000/Hour Investment
Disengaged Executives: It’s You or the Smartphones
Food Fights: You Are Not the Referee
Decision Maker Leaves: Reading the Room
Topic Change: Time to Improvise
Side Talk: Keeping Your Poise
The Energetic Discussion: Less Talking and More Listening

Part III: Creating Winning Executive Presentations
Content + Facilitation + Listening + Improv = Success
Public Speaking Unplugged
Delivery Style
I Really Did Give a Damn!

PART IV: Career and Personal Advice From the Top
Parents, Mentors, and Role Models
Career Challenges
Career Advice
Legacy
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Glossary
References
Endnotes
Index
About the Author

About the Author

Frederick "Rick" Gilbert is founder and chairman of PowerSpeaking, Inc. He has personally coached more than 200 senior-level leaders. Before opening his firm, he held management positions with Hewlett-Packard and Amdahl Corporation in Silicon Valley.

Reviews

“I wish I had access to these insights when I was on the other side of the table. Now I will recommend this book to my entire management team.”
—John Kispert, CEO, Spansion

“Speaking Up is to presentations what the Boy Scout motto is to life: be prepared.”
—Todd Lutwak, Partner, Andreessen Horowitz, and former Vice President of Seller Experience, eBay

“Impressive in its breadth and yet very much ‘on point.’”
—Don Eilers, Managing Director, Vanguard Ventures

“Speaking Up has outstanding insights for successful presentations not only in the boardrooms of corporate America but also in the briefing rooms within the Department of Defense.”
—Winston Copeland, Jr., President, WWC Consulting, and Rear Admiral, US Navy (Retired)