Nick Morgan shows how anyone can be an effective speaker by presenting an image of authenticity and respect for their audience, whether in a group presentation or a one-on-one conversation. He presents a four-step process, perfected in his teaching at Harvard, that enables the reader to use their own personal speaking style while becoming a more persuasive and charismatic communicator and leader. The basis of this process is the fact that when words and body language are in conflict, body language wins every time. This isn't easy to overcome, because normally body language is immediate, while the words lag slightly behind, and even a momentary conflict is perceptible to the audience. The key to success is to train your body language to unconsciously align with your message.
The four steps:
- Form the attitude and intent to be open, and then let your body naturally express that intent. This feeling of openness will naturally affect the content of what you are saying, and it's that natural evolution that is at the heart of the process.
- Become connected to your audience. This creates a mutual energy, and you will naturally begin to think in terms of what the audience wants and needs in shaping your content.
- Ask yourself, what's my underlying emotion? Why does this matter to me? Becoming passionate about what you have to say naturally makes your audience care about it too.
- Really listen to the audience. Understanding their needs and reactions will enable you to direct your communication in mutually beneficial ways.
Trust Me
"Every communication is two conversations: the verbal one—the content—and the nonverbal one—the body language. If the two are aligned, you can be a persuasive, authentic communicator. You may even come across as charismatic. If the two are not aligned, people believe the nonverbal communication every time."—From the Introduction
In this book, acclaimed communications coach Nick Morgan shows how you can become an effective, charismatic speaker by communicating with authenticity and respect for your audience. Trust Me presents a four-step process (which Morgan perfected while teaching at Harvard) that enables you to find your own best personal communication style to maximize your persuasiveness and presence. This proven process works whether you're speaking to a group or in a one-on-one conversation.
As Morgan explains, we are all unconscious experts in reading each other's body language. When words and body language are in conflict, we believe the body language every time. This makes conscious efforts to change our unconscious behavior difficult. Even momentary lapses are perceptible to the audience. The key to success is to train your body language to unconsciously align with your message.
Trust Me outlines the four steps to communication success:
-
Openness
-
Connection
-
Passion
-
Listening
In addition, the book offers an in-depth analysis of the research that underlies the four-step process and includes tips for controlling fear when communicating.
At a time when there is little tolerance for hype and spin, this book offers a practical, clear guide for becoming a persuasive and authentic communicator.
