‘This book is disturbingly good. It simplifies the complex challenge of the Spoken Word into an entertainingly compelling sequence of easy-to-use golden nuggets. McGee is yet again doing his very best to put me out of business.'
Graham Davies – Bestselling Author of The Presentation Coach
‘Paul McGee has the ability to present practical and effective advice in a very accessible and humorous way. Research shows that speaking in public is one of the biggest fears for so many people, yet it is a skill we need to call upon in both our professional and personal lives. Paul's tips will help you not only overcome those nerves, but present your ideas and yourself in the most powerful way possible. Whether you are standing on stage giving a keynote presentation in front of hundreds of people, or aiming to make the best impression one-to-one, this book is an essential read.'
Andy Lopata – International Speaker and Author of three books on Networking and Referrals, including … and Death Came Third!
‘A wonderful book that is both practical and fun to read. The style of writing, use of stories and the fact that it is bursting with tools, tips and techniques will take your ability to communicate and engage with others to a new level.'
Sue Atkins – Speaker, Author and ITV This Morning Parenting Expert
‘Paul writes in a wonderful down-to-earth style, which is punchy, poignant, and packed with brilliance. Delivered in a fun, practical way this book will be invaluable to anyone wanting to speak with greater impact –
whatever their experience.'
Geoff Ramm – International Speaker and Author on Celebrity Service and OMG Marketing
‘Paul McGee provides an insightful and practical guide to the world of speaking and communicating with maximum impact. What makes the book unique is the wisdom of over twenty-years' public speaking that Paul brings to life with personal stories and experience. If you are ever required to present, sell, or pitch a deal, or are about to be interviewed for your next big role in life, then you must read this book. Why? Because…
You will learn simple and practical tips that will increase your confidence, your impact, and will motivate your audience to take positive action.'
Steve Head FPAS PSAE FISMM – Professional Speaker, Performance Coach, and Author
‘This book is down-to-earth, gritty and oozes experience. I've been speaking for over twenty years… trust me, I've learnt from this book. Paul McGee is clearly a skilled helper.'
Kriss Akabusi MBE
‘Communication within your organization is critical to your image and success. This book is full of wisdom and sharp one liners that will help you do your job better.'
Molly Harvey – Speaker, Executive Coach, Author
‘Talk is cheap. Being listened to is priceless. And this book tells you how. Brilliantly.'
Andy Cope – Conference Speaker and Bestselling Author of The Art of Being Brilliant
‘This book is riveting – revealing so many home truths. If you are serious about wanting to communicate more effectively, make sure you read it.'
Julie Fadden – Chief Executive South Liverpool Homes, Sunday Times ‘Number One Best Not-for-Profit Company to Work For' for three consecutive years
‘Paul McGee speaks around the world – not because he is famous – but because he is one of the best. I know, I've seen him at work. This book reveals nuggets of wisdom that will help you to communicate in a way that engages your audiences and moves them to action. And he does it in a fun and practical way. I'm proud to recommend this book.'
Lee Jackson – President of the Professional Speaking Association in the UK and Ireland, and Author of PowerPoint Surgery
‘Learning a critical skill -- like how to speak -- from a bad source not only stops you achieving the success you deserve, but sets in bad habits that are then difficult to change. Reading this book will do two things. One, you will be learning from a world class source: a guy who has travelled the globe as an international speaker for decades. Two, you will be taught by a masterful bestselling author who knows how to bring across powerful ideas in an inspirational, motivational, and, most importantly, fun way. This book will change your life.'
David Thomas GMM – International Speaker, Sunday Times #1 Bestselling Author
‘Here's the deal: this book will definitely help you to be a more effective communicator. Warm, waffle-free, practical, and insightful, it's brilliant stuff, an investment that will pay massive dividends. So just buy it.'
Jeff Lucas – International Speaker, Bestselling Author and Broadcaster
‘I have nearly a hundred books on public speaking and this is a refreshingly different take on all of them. You'll read it in hours but the messages will stay with you for years. It's clever, insightful and packed with takeaway tips.'
Jeremy Nicholas – Writer and Broadcaster
This edition first published 2017
© 2017 Paul McGee
Registered office
John Wiley and Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom
For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com.
The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademark or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with the respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978-0-857-08720-1 (pbk)
ISBN 978-0-857-08722-5 (ebk) ISBN 978-0-857-08724-9 (ebk)
Cover design: Wiley
In memory of Vicky Taylor.
Well lovely lady,
you certainly left a legacy.
You communicate all the time.
So you might as well be brilliant at it.
But it sure is hard to do well, isn’t it? After all, people have different priorities and personalities to you. They might not like what you like. So, for you to be a good communicator, it’s important to adapt your mindset and messages so they resonate.
Paul’s book will help you do this. He’ll challenge your thinking about how you communicate. He’ll then explore loads of strategies to improve how you do it.
In fact, you’re only a few hours away from communicating better than you ever thought possible …
I have a thought for you …
Imagine that, every time someone communicated with you, it turned part of your body bright green – the body part they’d had the biggest impact on.
So, if someone taught you something new, you’d be cleverer than before. So you’d have a bright green head.
Or if someone told you an emotional story that made you feel differently, it’d be a green heart communication.
I find most business books are one of these two – green heads or hearts. You know the sort of thing – you read them, learn stuff, enjoy them …
But this isn’t enough.
After all, what’s the point of us becoming cleverer/happier if we don’t do anything differently as a result?
No – instead, the best books give you green hands. They cause us to do things differently.
Which brings me to this book …
Paul has used all his experience – and that’s a lot – to give you green hands. To improve how you communicate. You won’t just learn stuff. You’ll read one of his tips, then be able to use it immediately.
The whole thing’s written so you can adopt his techniques easily. Even better, each chapter ends with Paul challenging you to focus on the one key action you’ll take after reading it – what he calls ‘My One Thing’. And with twenty chapters, by my maths, you’re about to have twenty new things. How many business books can you say that about?
My advice – as you read it, have three things with you:
I’ve read countless books on communication. I’ve written a few myself. But this one stands out as something that will make you communicate better.
Its sole purpose is to give you green hands.
And it will.
Andy Bounds
Communication expert, author and award-winning consultant
www.andyboundsonline.com