Speak Like a CEO: Secrets for Commanding Attention and Getting Results Hardcover – March 31, 2005

Bates does a good job of explaining the mannerisms and presentation of an effective leader and communicator for organizations both internally and externally minus the fluff. This is a no-nonsense guide on how to become a leader or improve upon your existing leadership and communication acumen. As the Group CEO of Brier & Thorn, effective communication across our numerous markets, communicating risk to our clients, as well as when presenting at conferences is vital to my role in the firm. I recommend this not only to all of you, but also to the partners in our firm as recommended reading.

This book is about developing confidence and skills in speaking. The author encourages using coaches to develop the skills better. If you cannot get a help from a coach for some reason, you will also find useful methods and checklists how to develop your skills by practicing in front of a video recorder and then evaluating your presentations using the given checklists.The author sets the following goals to the reader:- keynote speaking goals: write and speak with clarity; learn to use stories to make points; develop humor and be comfortable with it; make better eye contact; appear completely comfortable and relaxed in front of the audience; use voice more effectively; speak more conversationally;- presentation skills goals: develop confident, relaxed presentation style; present technical material so everyone understands; show relevance of solutions to audience needs; learn techniques for persuading an audience; stand in front without a podium, with confidence; use hands and gestures effectively; improve professional appearance;- media training: develop confidence speaking to reporters; present ideas clearly and concisely; manage interviews with confidence; develop new strategies to prepare for interviews; speak in sound bites with energy and enthusiasm; deliver opinion effectively; know how to handle tough questions; show more on-camera pose for television; stay on message and deliver key points without wandering- presentation, speech, media: speak with clarity about vision; appear comfortable and confident with board of directors; fine-tune answers to tough questions from unhappy customers; deliver strong message to media; speak conversationally to employees; motivate and inspire people to overcome a difficult solution.There is a references and further reading section in this book . Besides the list of books that the author suggests, I can recommend "The Articulate Executive: Learn to Look, Act, and Sound Like a Leader" by Granville N. Toogood and the famous classic titles by Dale Carnegie: like "The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking" and "How to Develop Self-Confidence And Influence People By Public Speaking".

This book need to be shelf of every ambition person who wants to be something in his future Regardless of career

This is one book I would recommend to those who are looking for specific, practical advice on how to communicate more effectively. The topics are wide enough to encompass the typical environment an executive (not just a CEO) navigates -- from leading meetings to presenting, to making speeches and to speaking to the press. Sure, no one comes out a better speaker just by reading about it, because effective communication, like any skill, requires practice. But the book will give you enough actionable suggestions to start the journey.

Speak like a CEO will set you apart. After reading this book I was able to present clear and concise information to our Exec team without feeling that I was winging it. I have applied many of the tips to my everyday life and recommend them to my friends and family.

After reading this book, I am certain no one can improve their communication skills by reading a book. Great communication, as this book states, takes a lot of practice, preparation, and strategy. This book offers some helpful advice on how one can improve communication, but none will help unless the reader practices effective communication techniques with a communication coach or with organizations such as Toastmasters (also recommended by the author).The single most important concept of this book is that communication is critical and central to a C-level executive. Nothing is more important than communication when running an organization. In fact, C-level executives spends a substantial portion of their time, if not most of their time, communicating (listening, questioning, answering, motivating, explaining etc) with other people. A C-level executive cannot be successful without having great communication skills.Since effective communication is important, the author suggests few ways, such as hiring a speechwriter and a communications consultant, for most CEOs. At a minimum, every C-level executive should have a communication improvement plan.I would like to give this book 3.5 stars. This isn't a bad book. It is just that books can't possibly make anyone a better communicator. Books can only enhance one's knowledge of what makes a good communicator, which is like understanding what makes a good chess player, but such understanding will never turn anyone into a good chess player himself.

Being a CEO involves many complicated tasks, one of them it's about sharing your vision with all of your employees. How can it be done without great communication skills.This books is easy to read and offers great advice on how to improve your communication skills. One of my favorite chapters is the one dealing with meetings. Meeting are a corporate blackhole and Bates has some guidelines for making the most out of them.Buy this book and practice!!!

This definitely inspired me and helped me feel like I wasn't alone when it came to public speaking. The book lays out a nice history and examples of people and situations real world where being able to "speak like a CEO" came in handy. I also enjoyed the quotes throughout which are nice precursors to what you will be learning in the chapter.