Should I read Speak So Your Audience Will Listen?

Speak: So Your Audience Will Listen by Robin Kermode is the best book I've read on Public Speaking. Written for practising leaders, not students of theory. Toby's rating: 9/10 — read it.

Who is Speak So Your Audience Will Listen for?

Practising leaders, coaches, and anyone doing the work — not students of theory.

Speak So Your Audience Will Listen Summary by Robin Kermode | 9/10

Should you read this?

According to Amazon, I first read this book in 2015! I have recommended it countless times. Countless pages are folded over and notes scrawled across almost every page. Speak: So Your Audience Will Listen by Robin Kermode is the best book I've read on Public Speaking. Why I like it so much is that it's focused on practical exercises. Improving your confidence, clarity and content of your talk. This book isn't at the top of every reading list, and you've probably never heard of the author. Don't let this put you off, this is an excellent book. Perfect for new public speakers or those looking to get better.

Toby's takeaway

My brother is getting married and he asked for this advice.

How do I deliver a groom's speech?

Earlier this year, I did the same. And clearly, I wowed the audience so much, he thought to ask me how to do the same.

So what advice did I have?

Clench your buttocks

Not what you were expecting….

This tip comes from Speak: So Your Audience Will Listen by Robin Kermode

It’s the best book I’ve read on mastering public speaking.

Why buttocks? Well, Robin shares that it lowers our sense of gravity which can make us appear powerful and confident.

The Power Pose from Presence by Amy Cuddy is a similar idea.

Adjusting your body can lead to a more confident and clear message.

This week my buttock clenching was put to the test. I was speaking at the Data and AI conference, on AI Coaches.

Now I think my talk went splendidly (I’m biased)

But I noticed several speakers did something I hate.

I hate it so much I’ve spent years eradicating it from my talks

Filler words.

Um....Err.....Erm

As an audience member, no matter how good your content is, I just cannot listen to your message.

I’ve spent years eradicating this from how I speak. It comes back now and then, but through practice, it is rare.

As a result, I speak with credibility and clarity. I make it easy for the audience to listen.

How can you remove these filler words?

Pause.

Replace every erm with a pause.

This takes a lot of practice and repetition.

Grab your camera and record yourself speaking over and over again.

Eventually, these annoying filler words will disappear from your talk.

You’ll speak with confidence and clarity.

And your audience will love you.

What are your biggest fears around public speaking?

🤖 Turn This Book Into Action

Despite reading this book, I still have a problem. I’m not converting the knowledge into action. To solve this problem, I’m turning to the solution everyone is looking for at the moment: artificial intelligence. I’ve developed a set of AI tools to turn knowledge into action.

3 Exercises I Loved From Speak: So Your Audience Will Listen by Robin Kermode

EXERCISE 1 - Become Confident

Stand facing a wall and focus on a picture or a light switch.

Imagine you are going to give a talk. Start by saying:

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is ..., I have some exciting news for you.'

Say it directly to the picture or the light switch.

Now say it again, but before you say it, tighten your buttocks or your thighs. Really clench them tight. Stick with me on this one - it does work.

Now say the sentence again, but this time without tightening your buttocks or your thighs.

And once again with them tightened.

Do this a few times, with and without clenching.

Do you feel any different either way?

Most people say that with their buttocks or their thighs Clenched and tight, they feel stronger and more 'centred?

What is happening is that by clenching those big muscles, you are lowering your centre of gravity. And if you lower your centre of gravity, you will both feel and appear more centred and confident.

EXERCISE 2 - Pace

Let's see what pace of delivery works best for you.

Read the summary above. It contains 350 words;.

Time yourself as you speak this section out loud.

If you spoke for two minutes you would have been speaking at 175 words a minute.

Two and a half minutes would have been at 140 words a minute.

Three minutes would have been at 116 words a minute.

Now try this exercise again and record yourself when speaking. Just record your voice, don't be tempted to use video. It will be easier to listen to your pace if you are not distracted visually.

As you listen back, think about your audience.

Were you speaking too fast?

Or were you speaking at a comfortable rate for them to hear and process your words clearly?

Experiment by trying this exercise several times.

EXERCISE 3 - Try different openings

Using your speech idea from the last exercise, try out some different openings with the Headline Method.

Write down five different openings that could start your talk with:

The Hook
The Tease
The Quiz
The Shock
The Three Way Opening

Now read them each out loud.

How did they sound and feel?

Does one work better than another in this particular situation?

Best quotes

“On thing we do know is that we are human, and that our audience is human too. It is human to have insecurities and imperfections."

“I want you to be the best possible version of yourself when public speaking."

“Having a low center of gravity can make us appear powerful and confident."

Speak So Your Audience Will Listen: book summary