7 Steps to Fearless Speaking [Paperback]

Lilyan Wilder (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471321591 | ISBN-13: 978-0471321590 | Publication Date: April 26, 1999 | Edition: 1

"Lilyan Wilder has trained more broadcasters, politicians, and business executives than anybody." - Charles Osgood, Anchor, CBS News Sunday Morning.

When people say they'd rather die than address an audience, they're not kidding. Fear of public speaking has even topped death in some surveys. But now top communications consultant Lilyan Wilder offers some sound advice on how to overcome the crippling inhibition of public speaking. Her clients have included media icons Oprah Winfrey and Charlie Rose, former President George Bush, John Sculley, and Katharine Graham. 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking will teach you how to cope with the panic, avoidance, and trauma of speaking as you give the gift of your conviction and experience your voice for the first time.

"Lilyan Wilder is the industry's undisputed grand dame of broadcast coaching." -The New York Times.

"Lilyan Wilder understands how to make the essential connection between a speaker and an audience. In this book, she tells you how to do it as she has told so well to so many famous communicators." -Charlie Rose.

"7 Steps to Fearless Speaking has helped me to speak with persuasion and conviction....Follow Wilder's sage counsel, and you'll find your public speaking much improved and more rewarding." -Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO, Bell Atlantic.

"Lilyan Wilder is simply the best. I continue to use many of her exercises on a daily basis. They're wonderful." -Dr. Bob Arnot, Chief Medical Correspondent, NBC News.

"Lilyan Wilder is simply awesome, personally and professionally." -Maria Shriver, Correspondent, NBC News.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Wilder, a veteran communications consultant and author of Talk Your Way to Success, arrives with her second book and an impressive list of clients, including Maria Shriver, Oprah Winfrey, and George Bush. Of the many titles available on public speaking, this is one of the better ones, offering concise, practical information. Since 45 percent of Americans are more afraid of public speaking than anything else, Wilder starts there, describing the five fears of public speaking. She then moves through the complications of vocalization and the need to get the audience involved. Some of the other subjects covered are creativity, persuasion, speaking with conviction, and preparation. Wilder even includes an emergency kitAan excellent outline for those without much time to prepare. The appendixes include a section on voice work, selected readings, and medical organizations for those truly traumatized by earlier life events. This title will be helpful to all and is recommended for public, academic, and health collections.ALisa S. Wise, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Lilyan Wilder is the industry's indisputed grand dame of broadcast coaching."-The New York Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; 1 edition (April 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471321591
• ISBN-13: 978-0471321590
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This will become the definitive reference book for speakers., April 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking (Paperback)

We are living in a world where we are all expected to communicate as effectively and (seemingly) effortlessly as media stars. There is no better way to learn how to do this than to follow the instructions of the woman who has taught so many consumate communicators to do their jobs. Some people can afford to pay thousands of dollars to speach coaches to improve their public speaking. If you can't, this book is the best substitute. It's clear, action-oriented and contains principles to incorporate into virtually any oral presentation - from second grade teachers to corporate officers. A Must Have for anyone who cares about their public speaking.

64 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bunch of useless tips for fearful speakers, November 10, 2000

By 

"v323" (the United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking (Paperback)

I purchased this book expecting a book that would ease my anxiety of public speaking, and Ms Wilder certainly "claims" in her introduction that this book is to help you become less fearful, but the tips actually are for speakers who are ALREADY fearless but just need to improve their speech skills: For example: Get immediate response from audience. You know, the last thing I want to do in a presentation is further prolong it by asking what they think of it. My plain goal, Ms Wilder, is just to complete a mediocre if dull presentation WITHOUT anxiety, not get responses from my audience and so forth. I can hardly find any good books on stage fright. They either don't help at all or are off the subject.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Only Theoretical Help in Public Speaking - Not Practical, June 25, 2005

By 

B Plus Plus (So Cal, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking (Wiley Audio) (Audio Cassette)

The first few tracks of the audio CD does an excellent job of identifying all of the fears of public speaking, HOWEVER the majority of advice given in this book is theoretical. The book goes into stating the individual step (the theorectical help) then gives pseudo-testimonials of how her steps have been implemented by former students towards giving a great speech.

There are seven primary steps, followed by several sub-steps. As you attempt to follow along you begin to forget what step you are on. I felt that the organization of the book was not effective and the advice given was based on theory. When it came down to it, there were only a few practical steps on getting over the fear. This book would be the equivalent to a book on Getting Rich which states "make wise investments that will only double your money" but neglecting to spell out what type of investments to make. I would not recommend this book as a way to overcome the fear of public speaking. Just my $0.02.