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

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: new communicator, sub points, eye communication, First Brain, New Brain, Bill Clinton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"this is a breakthrough book, with new important ideas. After reading it you will be a believer...that success and fulfillment are achievable only if you're an effective communicator. And it shows the way." --W. Pendleton Tudor, Chairman, AdWeek

"Bert Decker makes communicating come alive...A must read!" --Coauthor, The One Minute Manager

"The sentences are alive and vital. Bert Decker says something and says it powerfully." --Dr. Normal Vincent Peale

"The Decker Method is a must for anyone who truly wants to succeed." --Charles Schwab, Chaiman Charles Schwab & Co.

"If you want to get ahead read Decker's masterpiece. It's a great book." --Al Ries, Coauthor, Positioning

"Bert Decker is to communicating what Tom Peters is to management." --Judith Briles, Author, The Confidence Factor

"Enjoyable, easy-to-read, informative...This book is going to help a lot of people." --Ben Sotille, Chairman and CEO, Gibson Greetings, Inc.
-- Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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!

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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: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Walk Softly "Walk Softly" (Roseburg, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: Reach the First Brain to Communicate in Business and in Life (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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Bill Flemming (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: Reach the First Brain to Communicate in Business and in Life (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.

8 of 9 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

This review is from: You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: Reach the First Brain to Communicate in Business and in Life (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.