Customer Reviews

Be Heard Now!

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book because of an article I read about a year ago. When I first started reading it, I thought, "Eh. I know this already." But as I continued to read, the power of the book opened up for me.

Mr. Glickstein's numerous examples and excellent choice of chapter topics led me to want to create and be a part of a Speaking Circle. In fact, I went so far as to contact him to find out about training opportunities.

My experiences in other stuctured group settings in which one's wonderful human qualities are affirmed have given me enough evidence to trust that Speaking Circles can do what they purport to do. Be Heard Now is the key to the door of your true voice.

I heartily recommend this book to you if you wish to learn how to "come home" to yourself as you speak. It is an easy, but oh-so-powerful, book to read. By recommendation of other individuals, I have also just purchased the companion tape; I hear it dovetails well with the book.

I'm writing this review to disagree with another reader's review which states in part, "...However, [the Speaking Circle Process] does not work if you just read the book, which consists of a lot of touchy-feely material that may be appropriate for people preparing inspirational speeches, but is worthless for those making business presentations or operating outside the realm of group therapy." This is like saying that a book on aerobic exercise does you no good unless you exercise. Hardly an insight.

When I read "touchy-feely" I'm guessing the other reviewer would prefer a book that deals less with emotion. Since public speaking often stimulates fear in the speaker, I found this book's exploration of related emotions to be extremely helpful. Business presentations where people don't fall asleep are often the result of a good mix of personal connection and information. If this wasn't so, business people would simply review written reports.

Read this book and practice the process. All you need are one or two other people to listen. You'll build self-confidence for ANY presentation. I've used the book and the process, and have since spoken to scores of groups including tough minded business groups, and large and small public audiences. It helped me connect with authenticity and ease.

I ran across this book while looking for another book...the subtitle was so captivating I had to pick it up, look at it, put it back, go back to it and than start browsing through the book. Was I glad I did, because I bought it---and was lucky enough to than be able to participate in a Speaking Circle (covered heavily in the book) that the author gave just days later at the Bookstore. The earlier written review about the book pretty much sums up the overview of the book itself and the authors approach to new ways to view speaking...I'll share my story: scared, self conscience, overprepared for every talk I have done---and in my work I've done many, but always taken the "it wont be good unless I hurt and suffer" before the talk itself with painful memorizatons, negative projections and self doubting mental gymnastics...after the book and the Speaking Circle experience as well as listening to the audio version of the book, I can honestly say; this stuff has worked for me..it may seem hokey to you at first, but thats because it is so ground breaking---give it a shot, take a chance---what do you have to lose but your fear and doubt---there is much to be gained. I am hoping to use the principals from the book in not only my approach to speaking, but in all areas of my relationships with other people when communicating in any form.

Nice work, easy reading, practical to implement..go for it gentle reader, you will gain much, I surely did.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend, who had just finished it. She was using it as a springboard into a new aspect of her Nurse Practitioner job. For me, I needed a new way to teach weekend intensive training programs for Music Practitioners-to be. I read it in the NY airport waiting for the first flight, continued reading once I boarded and throughout the next flight to California. By the time I arrived, I had a new approach to teaching the class, by story telling and used a great many of the techniques in the book. The class went very well over the weekend and I feel it was due to Lee's suggestions. This book will be read and recommended often,as I teach many weekend intensives.

Lee Glickstein offers a unique approach to public speaking. No more canned, "polished" acts in front of a group! Who likes to memorize, anyway?? BE HEARD NOW involves becoming more connected to your audience, which in turn creates an authentic, fresh message each and every time you speak to a group. Yes, there are preparations to be made before you speak but it doesn't work to copy someone else's style or words. The idea in this book is to bring out your own creative, genuine style when you speak. And, by weaving personal stories and anecdotes from your own life into a message you truly feel compelled to talk about, you can draw rapt attention from your audience. It's a wonderful, refreshing approach to speaking from the heart. I loved this audio tape. I've listened to it a dozen times. I used the techniques in a recent promotional opportunity at work and was chosen hands above the other candidates. It works!

Like many people, I always found the prospect of getting up and talking to a group of people rather daunting, raising fears of embarrassment, a blank mind and a pounding heart. In Be Heard Now!, Lee Glickstein manages to make the usually intimidating subject of speaking in front of groups both engaging and inspiring. His approach is straightforward and practical -- simple steps to learn to be comfortably yourself, whether nervous or not. And his style is conversational, accessible and reassuring.

I read an earlier, self-published version of this book a couple of years ago. I was so encouraged by the possibility of speaking comfortably and effectively to any size group that I began attending Lee Glickstein's Speaking Circles. The results were exactly as described in the book. Not only do I now enjoy speaking, but I have found it to be an extraordinary tool for personal transformation. This new, revised edition is even better - full of rich content and a compelling read.

Glickstein contends that genuine personal presence rather than a polished, highly prepared delivery captures an audience's attention. Developed from his own desperate attempts to overcome stage fright, he offers what he calls "Transformational Speaking" as an alternative to traditional public speaking techniques.

Glickstein not only provides advice and encouragement about how to feel more at ease and win the support of the audience. With chapters on how to prepare yourself, how to structure a talk and the perfect opening, Be Heard Now! helps out with what to say once you're up there. It's a great reference for beginners and experienced speakers as well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who speaks in front of any sized group, from giving a toast at a friend's wedding to business meetings to speeches. It might just improve your life as it did mine.

I have been speaking professionally for 3 years. Prior to that, I spent years speaking in Toastmasters and other non-paid forums. I speak to groups as small as 10 and as large as 300. In the process, I have read numerous books on public speaking, but by far my favorite is Lee Glickstein's Be Heard Now! The tape also complements the book very well.

Once you get beyond the nuts and bolts of public speaking, you are ready for learning the art of this craft. Lee Glickstein takes you to there. Although there are still a few nuts and bolts (he gives what I think is the best formula for structuring a speech, especially how to make your opening remarks), most of the book goes to the subtleties of great speaking-building rapport with your audience. He also makes the profound observation that rapport comes more in the silence between spoken words than the words themselves. You can read the connection in the eyes of your audience. Lee Glickstein shows you how. Finally, he talks about the concept of "Speaking Circles" - similar to Toastmasters in some ways but with an even more of a supportive slant.

The concepts presented work well whether you are doing a powerpoint show or a key note speech. This book can take you from being a good speaker to a great one.

The audio tape is the perfect companion to the book of the same title...I read the book and have now been able to reinforce the approach and concept that "Be Heard Now" introduces by listening to the tapes. What one normally hears about learning something new---the more senses you can utilize in the learning process the deeper the learning occurrs---the book and the tapes have done that for me. I usually listen to a portion of the tapes every day, even if only for a couple of minutes to re-trigger this whole new approach to public and one on one speaking. The main learning from the Book and with reinforcement from the Tapes is---listen, listen, listen to what your audience or group or person you will be speaking with is telling or showing you...you'd be amazed by the difference for me just listening to a couple of minutes of the tape while heading to the office or a customer place of business has had on me as a Sales Manager---whether dealing with my own group of employees, a business meeting, a customer presentation or just a conversation with another manager or even my own boss. The tape itself is done in a non traditional approach to that awful concept of "public speaking"----there are no memorized openings, gesture reinforcements, or the typical acting type approaches books/tapes in this category usually preach. The book is excellent, and the tapes have helped me with the reinforcement of Lee Glicksteins approach to the tapping in to your inner speaker.

One Mans Opinion---but its worked for me folks...

This tape augments Glickstein's book and provides a comprehensive roadmap for turning fear into a joyful strengh for those who want to be more effective in communicating - whether to small groups or to large audiences. He clues you in to the power of your own essence when you use it to to both receive and give as you interact with the audience. Also great tips on structuring your talk.

This tape is a wonderful work that will help you connect with your audience. You might find some of the techniques far removed from the beaten path of traditional speech coaches, and that's okay. Lee Glickstein has figured out how to really build a personal bond with audiences that transcends the traditional rules of thumb. Read the book. Listen to the tape. You'll be amazed with the results.