Book Title: Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln

Author: James C. Humes

Genre: Public Speaking

Sub-Topics: Leadership

Rating: Good

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I was recommended this book by a friend of mine during a mutual friend’s birthday party.  I thought to myself any book with both Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln in the title has to be at least worth a read.  And with that thought, I pulled out my smart phone went to Amazon and purchased the book right there on the spot.

A few days later the book arrived and I put it on the shelf.  Because I have a list of about 100 books to read I thought I would get to it much later but only a month later I found myself drawn to pull it off the shelf and put it into the rotation.

I was pleased that I did because I found that at the core of this book is a leadership drive and initiative, with practical tips on how to verbally convey thoughts more effectively.  I also found wonderful one-liners such as these.

• “Leadership is selling. And selling is talking.”
• “Leadership sometimes means surprising your audience”
• “Don’t dull the impact of leadership by droning on”
• “Real leaders don’t have to speak long”
• “Good communication spells the difference between a leader and a manager”
• “Leaders know they can’t turn their voice over to visuals”

One assumption I believe, that in reading this book, a strong principle based leadership core must be present before applying these techniques.  The methods alone without the principles can be quite destructive.  I am not sure if it was ironic or divine that I happened to be reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People during the same time frame as reading this book.

Humes outlines 21 “tips” or methods in which to deliver a memorable and powerful speech.  Rather it be a board meeting, sales presentation or state of the union address, the fundamentals written in this book will apply.  Listing the 21 tips without context would not do them justice but I will summarize to say that Humes touches on all elements including vocal, visual, vocational and even the vanguard ideas.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it was an easy read that yet invoked thought and self-examination.  I recommend it to anyone already seeking strong principle-centered leadership education.

To Purchase Speak Like Churchill Stand Like Lincoln Follow the Link Below

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers