You Are the Message

I found this book filled with common sense and insight. Written in terms the common man can understand, even if you are not politicly savvy . It resonated with me. I found myself nodding yes, smiling, cheering. It's a feel good book on politics. If I must qualify this book in human terms I would say "sincere". I truly enjoyed it! It' a quick read, can't put it down. What an exciting experience!

Every time I direct a Presentation Skills seminar or provide communication coaching for executives, I recommend this book. I'll explain why.

Roger Ailes has strong credentials for writing a book about giving speeches. Prior to launching Fox News just over a decade ago, he had served as a speech writer and coach for the first President Bush, Ronald Reagan, Rudy Giuliani, and other public figures. Next, he became a talent scout for TV stations, helping them find anchors who could boost ratings.

I recommend You Are the Message for several reasons. First, the author's credentials I cited. Second, the book's straightforward approach, with clear, simple language.Third, Ailes gives readers a number of gems like these to keep in mind as they prepare speeches:

On being yourself: "You don't have to assume a phony posture. You just have to be you at your best. You already have the magic of communication in you, because nobody can play you as well as you can."

On composure: "If you are uncomfortable with who you are,it will make others uncomfortable too."

On style: "The best communicators I've ever known never changed their style of delivery from one situation to another. They're the same whether they're delivering a speech, having an intimate conversation, or being interviewed on a TV talk show."

On choosing your topic: "If you care, they care."

On energy: "I can correct fifteen communication problems with one ounce of energy."

On enthusiasm: "If the audience knows you care about what you're doing, you can forget about most speaking techniques."

If you're going to buy one book about preparing and delivering speeches, I recommend You Are the Message.

The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!

I had a lot experience with public speaking, but there are some very valuable tips, and he encourages you to refine who you are at the deepest level to exude confidence and charisma when speaking publicly. He also delves into the world of non-verbal communication. This book has excellent stories of famous actors, (albeit from the 50s and 60s) and presidents, with whom Ailes has worked, who had the gift of public speaking, and those who did not.

I especially like the chapter about charisma, and commanding the environment when you are around others. If you are interested in knowing what the best speakers in the world know, then you'll enjoy this book.

In a single short cassette, containing the bare essence of the book, Roger Ailes distills the advice he has given countless politicians and business people about communicating. His advice is not terribly complex: be yourself, be interesting, be likable. The book title tells it all: you -- the totality of who you are, speech, gestures, tone, persona -- is as important to the mesasge you convey as the words you utter. The book makes perfect sense. But the problem is that speakers often don't know what it is about theiemselves that makes their speech unpersuasive. That's why folks like Ailes are in buisiness, to provide the objective feedback that breaks through the curtain of self-denial that many of us weave around ourselves.

It's interesting to see how Ailes's techniques can be used by the self-interested. If you are the message, then he will teach you how to keep your enemies off balance, and to retain the message that you want to communicate. In Ailes's world, being likable trumps being right. True enough. Sadly, that advice is as useful for the honest business owner making a sale as it is for the crooked politician trying to outfox the media.

Give this book a listen, for whatever it's worth. You might recognize a couple of bad habits in your own style, or find an explanation for why you don't seem to be heard. But I suspect that those with deeply ingrained habits will come away from this book with very little. If it was as easy as Ailes says, we'd all be Great Communicators, like one of Ailes's old clients.

The book is very well written and the content are absolutely useful. A must-have to strengthen your communication and leadership skills.