Out Front: How Women Can Become Engaging, Memorable, and Fearless Speakers

Description

Every Woman Has a Voice-Now, Make It Heard Now, more than ever, the business, social and political landscape is ripe for women to accomplish their goals. Women are entering law, medical, and graduate school in equal numbers to men. Women are steadily showing up in powerful positions, and better communication and public speaking give women the ability to develop their full potential, seize every opportunity, and realize their aspirations. Whether pitching for new business, delivering a talk at a conference, raising money for a non-profit, or communicating one-on-one with coworkers, women can become effective, powerful communicators when they learn to speak with authenticity and confidence. Deborah Shames, a veteran speaker and master trainer, invites women to step up and be heard. Out Front is an operating manual with compelling anecdotes and applied performance techniques. Noting the perfection syndrome and negative self-talk that plagues many women, Deborah delivers a how-to for battling these demons and identifies women's special talents-from high emotional intelligence and leadership skills to storytelling. She guides readers in the mechanics of constructing talks efficiently, even with pressing deadlines. A former film and television director, Deborah co-authored Own the Room: Business Presentations that Persuade, Engage and Get Results. For 15 years, she has trained and coached thousands of top-level executives, celebrities, and professionals at major U.S. corporations and non-profits. After only a few sessions, her clients generate more revenue, advance in their careers, and often receive the highest evaluations when they speak. Out Front is the definitive book for every woman who wants to realize their potential, engage an audience and expand their influence, whatever the venue or challenge.

Prior to cofounding Eloqui, Deborah Shames was an award-winning director of film and TV. She founded the only female-owned production company in the San Francisco Bay Area--Focal Point Productions, which she ran for 15 years. On camera, Deborah directed luminaries including Wendie Malick, Rita Moreno, Danny Glover, and Angela Lansbury. To launch three of her independent films, she formed the video distribution company Deborah Films. Now, Deborah specializes in coaching CEOs and executives to improve their communication and presentation skills. She especially enjoys mentoring young people. And with David, she is frequently engaged as a keynote speaker or trainer for national firms including OneAmerica, Mattel, TD Ameritrade, and law firms such as Sheppard Mullin and Epstein, Becker & Green. Deborah speaks pro bono at educational institutions like UCLA's Anderson School of Business, the USC Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Pepperdine graduate level classes, and Cal Lutheran to give young people a boost and confidence at the beginning of their careers. Deborah has led a prominent business group in Calabasas for ten years and was honored as Consultant of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

"Deborah walks you through the often debilitating fear of public speaking, while handing you the keys to confidently share your authentic voice!" --Demi Moore "With a focus on motivating action, women in sales or climbing the management or partner ladder will find a treasure trove of information and anecdotes that spur real change in the way they address an audience... This book is not only for emerging women professionals, but for those of us with 20 years experience in front of an audience. Deborah's sage voice is in my head every time I create a presentation or update tested material." --Karen L. Cates, Ph.D, executive coach, leadership development consultant and adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University "Hooray for Deborah for creating a great book - an easy read filled with lots of good tips for speakers at every level of experience. It's wonderful to find a book that is not only filled with practical tips but one that also tells you it's essential to be yourself. Quiet or quirky, there's a place for you out in front of the room. If you read only one book about speaking, this must be the book. It's overflowing with practical advice ranging from how to craft your talk to what to do the ten minutes before you step in front of the audience." --Lanie Denslow, author of World Wise Deborah's latest book continues to motivate me to push myself. Even if you think you're a good public speaker, you'll be hard pressed to not find something in here that inspires you... Each time you flip through this book, you'll pick up a new perspective and insight. This isn't the kind of book you read once and then loan to a friend. This is a book you buy for all your friends and continue to go through your own copy." --Eden Gillott Bowe, president of Gillott Communications LLC "Out Front is an experiential guide to what all professional women need to know about public speaking. Deborah is a great coach to help women bring their personality and perspective to deliver truly memorable presentations." --Harriet Welch, partner at Law Firm of Squire Patton Boggs "The invaluable counsel Deborah gives in her book Out Front, and her Eloqui sessions, has greatly improved my speaking as a 'seasoned veteran' in front of audiences of both genders, across the country. I will definitely give this valuable book to executive candidates as well as women who aspire to serve on corporate boards of directors." --Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, author of The Board Game--How Smart Women Become Corprate Directors and co-owner of Berkhemer Clayton Retained Executive Search, Los Angeles "Having been in several of Deborah's sessions I gained confidence to prepare, practice and present for more powerful presentations. Every time I see Deborah or read this book, I learn more to help me become a better speaker." --Lauren O'Donnell, global general manager and vice president of Life Sciences Industry, IBM "Deborah, the tiny woman who fills up every room she enters, centers and calms the reader by sharing her power tools that give us both the courage and confidence to find our voice within and to delivering our messages with the impact that makes them stick." --DeeDee DeMan, chairman & CEO, Bench International "Out Front is the definitive guide for how women can 'lean in,' be memorable and be graciously and gracefully formidable without becoming the 'B' word." --Dr. Mark Goulston, author of Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting through to Absolutely Anyone, cohost of NPR's It's your Health, and cofounder of Heartfelt Leadership "Yes, this book is fabulous for women who do public speaking, but I would highly recommend it to women who are in career transition. Deborah's advice and words of wisdom relate directly to job interviews, potentially some of the most important 'presentations' you will make in catapulting your career to the next level." --Caryn Siebert, vice president of claims at Knight Insurance Group "Out Front is a call to professional women to speak authentically and powerfully. Deborah Shames compellingly speaks deep truths that support us in overcoming the obstacles that block us from engaging our audiences." --Sharon Rich, founder and CEO of ThinkBusinessGrowth, Inc. "Filled with illuminating tips, tools, and real-life examples, Out Front by Deborah Shames is an exceptional guide for any woman desiring to be a more engaging and powerful presenter." --Dr. Lonnie Barbach, author of For Yourself "I couldn't put [Out Front] down; it is a pleasure to read, and I believe every woman should read it! Truly life-changing, inspiring, and honest." --Margaret Bayston, CEO and president of Laura's House "Out Front made believers out of us that YES, there is a way to breathe Beingness unto our Language." --Habib Sadeghi and Sherry Sami, cofounders of the International College of Spiritual Nutrition "Once you read Out Front, you don't need to read any other book on public speaking... Deborah created a perfect down-to-earth public-speaking guide offering hands-on tools, techniques, and personal stories to convey her wisdom." --Ada Deer, former assist secretary of Indian Affairs, Department of Interior