Book Review - The Quick & Easy Way to Effective Speaking

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"The Quick & Easy Way to Effective Speaking" 

By Dale Carnegie

Introduction

I took advantage of last month's Amazon Prime Day to buy a few books, and this was the first of those I decided to read.  I do a significant amount of public speaking on a volunteer basis in my community.  I have read somewhere that eloquent speech is like casting a spell on your audience ... and I'm hoping one day I can reach that level :-)

Theme 

Dale Carnegie maintains that public speaking is most effective when it is done naturally, no different from a chat with family on the dinner table.  Notice how, at the dinner table, your enthusiasm increases when the topic touches on something you are most passionate about, and then words just come out naturally with great fervor. 

For a formal talk, you still need some pre-planning (to ensure your thoughts are not scattered), but if you are knowledgeable and passionate about a topic, then you've won 90% of the battle.

Favorite Quotes

"Think as wise men do, but speak as the common people do"

"All our lives we have been speaking spontaneously.  We haven't been thinking of words.  We have been thinking of ideas.  If our ideas are clear, the words come as naturally and unconsciously as the air we breathe."

"You will generate excitement and interest in your talk in proportion to the amount of excitement you put into it.  Don't repress your honest feelings."

Learning Points - How to apply them in real life

Know the type of talk you're giving.


  • Is it a talk to convince (eg a sales pitch)?

  • Is it a talk to inform (eg a class lecture)?

  • Is it a talk to get action (eg a fundraiser)?

  • Is it a talk to merely entertain (eg story-telling)?


Each has a different tone to it, so make sure you know the purpose, and what the audience is expecting.

Overall 

Overall, this book takes you back to the basics of speaking skills.  If you're in the public sphere (teaching, speaking, or just leading board room meetings) or wish to get there, this is a very useful book to have as a reference.

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