How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening ★★★★☆

This serves as a solid introductory guide to communication. The audiobook proved to be an appropriate format for the material. Don't skip the interviews at the end of the book narration.

Julian Treasure works as a sound engineer who creates audio environments and has given several TED talks. His professional background shapes the content of this book. He contends that being heard and being listened to are distinct challenges, and he asserts that most people concentrate only on the former.

The book splits the task into two sections: personal speaking skills and the speaking environment. The author offers steps to enhance both areas. Some of these steps involve physical actions. The posture and walking exercises resemble the advice my personal trainer gives me. Other techniques are drawn from theater and voice coaching. These warm-ups might appear unusual, yet they become effective when practiced.

The tips regarding tonality, pitch, volume, stressing key words, eye contact, and body language matched what I encountered in my work with the Blank Center for Stuttering Education & Research here in Austin. Seeing them presented for a general audience proved useful. His public-speaking etiquette is also practical: avoid turning your back on the audience, and use your notes as cue cards rather than reading from an unrehearsed script.

I appreciated that he views technical skills and soft skills as equally necessary. Neither skill set works effectively without the other.

Listening to the audiobook proved useful. A book about voice becomes easier to understand when you can hear it.

This is helpful for people who give presentations or speak publicly, even if they do so only occasionally.

PS: Try the voice exercises when nobody is home. They appear sillier than they actually are.

Edition Read

• Edition Type: Kindle Edition
• Number of Pages: 330 pages
• Date First Published: January 1, 2017
• Publisher: Mango Media
• ISBN10: 1633536726
• ASIN: B08RWKWPLV
• Language: English

Description

A leading Ted Talk speaker shares the secrets to being a better communicator in this accessible and informative guide.

Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Renowned five-time TED Talk speaker and author Julian Treasure reveals how to speak so that people listen--and how to listen so that people feel heard. As this leading sound expert demonstrates via interviews with world-class speakers, professional performers, and CEOs at the top of their field, the secret lies in developing simple habits that can transform your communication skills, the quality of your relationships, and your impact in the world.

How to be Heard includes never-before-seen exercises to help you develop communication skills that are as effective at home as in the boardroom or conference call. Julian Treasure offers an inspiring vision for a world of effective speaking, listening, and understanding.

Secrets of communication skills and tips discussed in How to be Heard - How to make sound work for you - Why listening matters - The four cornerstones of powerful speaking and listening - How to avoid the seven deadly sins of speaking and listening - How to listen and why we don't - The power of your vocal toolbox and tricks of great speakers - Exercises and methods to achieve clarity, precision and impact - How to deliver a great talk

Source: GoodReads