You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard, Updated Edition: The Complete Book of Speaking . . . in Business and in Life! [Hardcover]

Bert Decker (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 16, 2008

      Are you uncomfortable—even afraid—about the prospect of speaking before a group of people? Do you have trouble getting your message across? When you speak, do others listen, or can you feel their attention wandering?

      Effective communication is essential in business and in everyday life. The most powerful communicators reach not just our minds but our hearts: They win our trust. You can learn to impress and persuade other people by following Bert Decker’s program in You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard.

      In this revised and updated edition of his bestselling book, he distills his expertise into a fresh new approach to speaking, with examples and how-to exercises that anyone can follow. Decker rounds out the behavioral focus of the first edition to include his powerful tool to organize content. Now you can learn to create focused, listener-based messages in half the time. Spend a few evenings with this complete book of speaking, and you will discover how to win the emotional trust of others—the true basis of communicating in any situation.

 

You’ll learn:

·        How to conquer “stage fright”

·        How to inject dynamic energy into your voice

·        Why eye contact helps win trust

·        When and how to use humor to make a point

·        A proven technique to eliminate “Umm” and “Ahh” from your speech

·        A process to quickly organize your thoughts into a focused message

·        How to move your communications from information to influence

·        How to make an impact and be yourself—to an audience of one or one hundred

·        Eight steps to transforming your communications experience

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise For You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard

“The Decker program is a real winner. [Bert Decker has] developed a truly unique method for brainstorming and quickly ordering ideas. I find that I can put a series of thoughts together into a coherent whole—and then easily deliver them to any size audience. I only wish I had learned this system as a young person in school!”—Charles Schwab, chairman of Charles Schwab & Co.

“Bert Decker’s patience and professionalism enabled me to create a message that was from the heart with a confident vision of the journey for the organization. Because he helped me rid my mind of following the script and helped me speak my mind, I actually enjoyed giving the talk.”—Phil Harriman, president of Million Dollar Round Table

“Any professional manager needs to communicate well. The principles and insights of Decker Communications are outstanding—I use them every day.”—Bob Geren, field manager for the Oakland Athletics

“I think what the [process] did at Siemens was to help us quickly frame our thinking into listener-relevant messages. Now we have a consistent template for communicating that starts with a point of view, tells everyone what needs to be done, and gives them reason for doing it. As we have incorporated this incredible tool into our normal process for communicating any message, our people have reacted very positively. It answers the human questions: What? Why? What’s in it for me?”—Susan Schramm, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Siemens

“At a time when public figures can often be creations of their handlers, Bert Decker gives a refreshing view. You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard demonstrates how you can be real and still succeed.”—Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

“At a time when American companies desperately need to communicate well and energize their people while producing leaders at all levels, Bert Decker provides an empowering guidebook for communicating well to succeed in business.…A perfect blend of wisdom and practical experience.”—Charles Garfield, author of Peak Performers and Second to None

“Bert Decker is to communicating what Tom Peters is to management. Whether you’re connecting with an audience of one or one of thousands, You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard must be your partner. Bert’s book is the definitive work on mastering communications. Buy it, own it, write in it…and don’t loan it out!”—Judith Briles, author of The Confidence Factor and Woman to Woman 2000

“Great book! Lots of practical, easy-to-use, and invaluable information—tips and techniques that will enable anyone to maximize their communication skills. Everyone should have a copy on their desk.”—Robert J. Kriegel, author of If It Ain’t Broke…Break It!

About the Author

Bert Decker is chairman and founder of Decker Communications, Inc. For more than a quarter of a century, he and his associates have trained and transformed hundreds of thousands of executives, managers, and salespeople, for corporate clients such as AT&T, Charles Schwab & Co., HP, Pfizer, State Farm Insurance, Wells Fargo, and many others.  Currently Decker spends much of his time speaking to associations and corporations across the country. He graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Yale University, is a past director of the National Speakers Association, and is chairman of the San Francisco Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He lives with his wife in San Francisco, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; Revised edition (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312374690
• ISBN-13: 978-0312374693
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

' Founder and Chairman of Decker Communications, Inc., a leading communication training company for over 20 years.
' Coach to Charles Schwab, Hon. Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader, former Mattel CEO's John Ammerman and Jill Barrad, Olympians Bonnie Blair and Tom Dolan, SF 49er all pro Brent Jones, and dozens of other executives and leaders
' Consultant to Million Dollar Round Table, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Principal Financial Group, Seimens, State Farm, Sullenger Financial Group and many others
' Communications Expert, appearing on the NBC TODAY Show several times, commentator on Presidential Debates, and featured on ABC's 20/20 and dozens of other print and broadcast media
' Professional Speaker and Best Selling Author of 'You've Got To Be Believed To Be Heard,' 'Creating Messages That Motivate,' 'Speaking With Bold Assurance' and other books and media
' Businessman and Entrepreneur, founder of seven companies and organizations, Founder of Bold Assurance Ministries, and Vice Chairman Advisory Board The Salvation Army and others
' Co-producer of an Academy Award Documentary, the 20th Century Fox release, 'Fillmore: The Last Days'
' Filmmaker of over 150 movies, commercials and documentaries

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Yale University

About Decker Communications, Inc.
An executive development company, Decker Communications, Inc. specializes in coaching executives and leaders. Over the past 25 years, the firm has continued to evolve and enhance its signature programs to help individuals create for their listeners the most effective communications experience possible.

Biography

Office: 415-543-8100
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.DeckerCommunications.com

575 Market Street, Suite 1925
San Francisco, CA 94105

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 50 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive and a bore! May 2, 2001

By Walk Softly

Format:Paperback

The main premise of this book is that you, as a speaker, must speak in such a manner that the listener will believe you on a subconscious level, that is, with their "first brain," the primitive brain consisting of the brain stem and limbic system and opposed to the "new brain," that advanced, intellectual, conscious part developed later in our evolution and known as the cerebral cortex. This is accomplished by speaking naturally, comfortably, and with animation, speaking the truth. Unfortunately, the author takes the first 70 pages to establish this premise, something that could easily have been done in 10 pages. He provides example after example of speakers who do and do not speak to the first brain.

I could not finish this book because it was so dreadfully boring, repetitive and annoying! The editor should have slashed through half the text and tightened it up. An example of unnecessary writing follows: "If one is telling the truth there is nothing to be nervous about. And confidence will show. And listeners will see it. The continuous mind chatter of the listener will tell him or her about the behavior of the communicator. And what will be believed and trusted. Or not..." (Two paragraphs later) "So we need to establish trust immediately if we are to be believed. In your first meeting with a huge potential client in a selling situation-you need to establish trust. When you are in a seemingly compromising situation that is perceived erroneously-you need to establish trust. When you are the leader of a new group-you need to establish trust. You must get to trust, or you get nowhere." What's that again? Trust, you say? This type of writing goes on for PAGES!

If you, as a speaker, stand behind a podium, move very little, speak in a monotone voice, and recite facts from a piece of paper, then this book could not hurt you. If you are already adept at speaking to an audience from your heart with animation, then pass this up. It will be painful. I tried for several days to finish this book and just couldn't. And for me, that is rare.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bert Decker Knows How to Talk March 21, 2000

By Bill F.

Format:Paperback

This book provides the reader with a wonderful series of insights about how public speaking works. There are none of the old stereotypes -- and there is none of the usual advice (ie seeing the audience in their underwear). This is fresh information, delivered by a master. The kind of book that will make a difference in your life if public speaking is occasionally important to you.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent how-to guide to persuasive public speaking November 24, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

One of the greatest fears the average person has is public speaking.Most people end up reading presentations,voices racing in a monotone,sweaty hands gripping a podium. This book gives both a conceptual and practical guide to persuasive public speaking.It explains why certain techniques are more interesting to listeners and how to adapt those techniques to develop your own style. The authors don't have any magic, no effort tricks.Like most things,to look effortless in public speaking requires practice,practice,practice.BUt the time spent will reap immeasurable returns.