Speak with Confidence

Speak with Confidence

by Mike Acker
Released December 2022
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781394159741

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Book description

Build your communication confidence and master the ability to inspire your audience

In Speak with Confidence: Overcome Self-Doubt, Communicate Clearly, and Inspire Your Audience, keynote speaker, author, and executive communication coach Mike Acker delivers a practical and hands-on playbook to building the confidence you need to nail your next presentation, speech, virtual talk, or social media post. In this proven pathway to becoming a capable and confident speaker, you’ll discover how to combine your identity, message, and skills into one persuasive package.

The author explains how to uncover your identity, define your message, and develop your skills and techniques to become a master communicator. From overcoming imposter syndrome to eliminating a victim mentality, you’ll explore concrete methods for improving your presence and ability to take command of a room. You’ll also find:

  • The elements of a confident message, including a personal investment in the topic you’re discussing
  • Strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs that hold you back and artificially reduce your ability to lead
  • Ways to understand your audience and learn to hone in on the place where your purpose intersects with your audience’s needs

An essential new strategy guide for anyone seeking to improve their ability to speak to a group, Speak with Confidence is the public speaking blueprint you’ve been waiting for.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Read First
  5. Introduction
  6. Chapter 1: The Big Three
    1. The Sources of Confidence
    2. Heart, Head, and Hand
    3. Proven Paths to (False) Confidence
  7. Part I: DETERMINE YOUR IDENTITY
    1. Chapter 2: You Are the Message
      1. Setting the Foundation
      2. To Thine Own Self Be True
      3. Personhood or Persona?
    2. Chapter 3: Determine and Discover
      1. Strengths Disguised as Weaknesses
      2. It's All about Personality
      3. You Aren't Perfect
      4. Improve or Accept?
      5. Confidence in Weakness
    3. Chapter 4: Your Anchors: Values and Mission
      1. Your First Anchor: Values
      2. Your Second Anchor: Mission
      3. Live by Design, Not Default
      4. Identity Sway
      5. Deeper than Shoes
      6. Note
    4. Chapter 5: Navigating the Obstacles, Part I
      1. 1. Imposter Syndrome
      2. 2. Victim Mentality
      3. 3. Limiting Beliefs
      4. Notes
    5. Chapter 6: Navigating the Obstacles, Part II
      1. 1. Your Verbal and Mental Tracks
      2. 2. Comparison and Competition
      3. 3. Rejection
  8. Part II: DEFINE THE MESSAGE
    1. Chapter 7: The Elements of a Confident Message
    2. Chapter 8: The What: Your Content
      1. Something to Say
      2. Find the Purpose
      3. Clarify Your Point
      4. Be the Authority
    3. Chapter 9: The Who: Your Audience
      1. The Audience Isn't There for You
      2. Running Recon
      3. Points of Connection
      4. Talking to Individuals, Not a Crowd
      5. What Do They Really, Really Want?
    4. Chapter 10: The Power of Systems
    5. Chapter 11: Standard Speech System
      1. Getting Started
      2. Notes
    6. Chapter 12: Spontaneous Speech System
      1. 1. The Spelling Bee System
      2. 2. The Sniper System
      3. 3. The “Once Upon a Time” System
      4. 4. The Three Bucket System
      5. 5. The Sticky Note System
      6. Practice Systems, Not Spontaneity
    7. Chapter 13: Rambling‐Reduction Systems
      1. Types of Rambling
      2. Rambling Reductions
      3. Note
  9. Part III: DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
    1. Chapter 14: Increase Skills, Increase Confidence
      1. Humility and Confidence
      2. Awareness and Practice
      3. Lifetime Learner
      4. Notes
    2. Chapter 15: The Power of Pauses
      1. Pauses Are Magical
    3. Chapter 16: Voice and Clarity
      1. Can I Change My Voice?
      2. What Did You Say?
      3. Clarity Killers
      4. An Extra Articulation and Enunciation Exercise
    4. Chapter 17: Vocal Variety
      1. The Vocal Variety Grid
      2. Moving Around the Grid
      3. The Z Factor
      4. Avoid Uptalk
    5. Chapter 18: Nonverbals
      1. Three Principles of Nonverbal Communication
      2. 1. Facial Expressions
      3. 2. Hand Gestures
      4. 3. Posture and Body Movement
      5. Direct, Not Distract
      6. Notes
  10. Conclusion
    1. 1. Your Knowledge
    2. 2. Your Starting Point
    3. 3. Your Commitment
    4. Note
  11. About The Author
  12. Index
  13. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Speak with Confidence
  • Author(s): Mike Acker
  • Release date: December 2022
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781394159741