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dan_cumberland's review
4.0
Some helpful advice for public speaking of all sorts. I found many of the tips to be rather basic, but there were quite a few helpful ideas for certain scenarios. I'll likely return to it in the future to brush up on my work.
sprucetree520's review
3.0
This book had a lot of good information in it but it was a little preachy at times. However its held a lot of information that coached you on what to say and how to say it with subject that hold a lot of anxiety for me such as someone passing.
composed's review
4.0
Books about "effective communication" - i.e. getting people to respond in the way that you prefer - often come across like sneaky tricks for manipulation. Being genuine and vulnerable is an important part of how I present myself ideally, and if anything I'd like tips on how to do that in a way that isn't off-putting. Because unfortunately I've found myself in many situations when in an effort to be open and genuine I've either come on too strong or crossed some social boundary I didn't realize existed. This is due in part to having been homeschooled.
This book was both more helpful and less obnoxious than I would have expected. I appreciate that the author encourages you to practice in order to improve the skills mentioned, while pointing out that no one can or should be "on" all the time, and that it would be downright odd to suddenly start trying to manage everything you're saying to your family.
The writing was concise, and he presented most of the ideas fairly early, rather than dragging it out to keep you reading. I was pleased to find that some of the things I've thought of as personal flaws are apparently effective (like telling the same story in different ways to different people to see what people respond to best). I began formulating a more specific strategy for a difficult upcoming career-related conversation, and will actually practice instead of assuming that I'll figure it out in the moment.
Downsides: gendered language/lack of awareness of different genders. He's pretty good on the feminist front overall, but could acknowledge power dynamics more. It still does feel over the top to try to be "pitch perfect" in so many different situations, but at least it's as much from the perspective of making people happy and comfortable and not just smarmy advertising.
I'll probably read it again at some point.
This book was both more helpful and less obnoxious than I would have expected. I appreciate that the author encourages you to practice in order to improve the skills mentioned, while pointing out that no one can or should be "on" all the time, and that it would be downright odd to suddenly start trying to manage everything you're saying to your family.
The writing was concise, and he presented most of the ideas fairly early, rather than dragging it out to keep you reading. I was pleased to find that some of the things I've thought of as personal flaws are apparently effective (like telling the same story in different ways to different people to see what people respond to best). I began formulating a more specific strategy for a difficult upcoming career-related conversation, and will actually practice instead of assuming that I'll figure it out in the moment.
Downsides: gendered language/lack of awareness of different genders. He's pretty good on the feminist front overall, but could acknowledge power dynamics more. It still does feel over the top to try to be "pitch perfect" in so many different situations, but at least it's as much from the perspective of making people happy and comfortable and not just smarmy advertising.
I'll probably read it again at some point.
giftsintogold's review against another edition
3.0
Useful information. McGowan seemed more than a little enamored with himself.