Impromptu: Leading in the Moment

220 Pages·2017·1 MB·English

by  Judith Humphrey

Table of Contents
COVER
TITLE PAGE
PROLOGUE
INTRODUCTION
What You Will Learn from This Book
History's Great Impromptu Speakers Were Made, Not Born
The Power of This Book
Part I: The New World of Impromptu
1 The Rise of Impromptu Speaking
The Glory Days of the Formal Speech
The Three Reasons for the Rise of Impromptu Speaking
Notes
2 Power of Spontaneity
Abundant Opportunities
Collaborating—Up, Down, and Across the Organization
Faster, Better Decision-Making
A New Way to Get Close
Being Real, Being Trustworthy
Some of Your Best Lines
Charismatic Leadership
Notes
Part II: The Impromptu Mind-Set
3 Be Intent on Leading
Pick the Right Time and Place
Collect Your Thoughts
Have Your Audience's Full Attention
Have Something Valuable to Say
Build a Relationship
Be Face-to‐Face
Be Politically Sensitive
Realize the Mic Is Always On
Notes
4 Be a Listener
Use Your Body—Listen Physically
Use Your Head—Listen Mentally
Use Your Heart—Listen Emotionally
Notes
5 Be Authentic
What Is Authentic Leadership?
Strategies for Showing Authenticity
Notes
6 Be Focused
Information Overload in the Internet Age
Focusing and the Art of Impromptu
Notes
7 Be Respectful
Respect Your Organization
Respect Your Management
Respect Your Colleagues
Respect Yourself
Notes
Part III: The Leader's Script
8 Lay the Groundwork
Great Speakers Prepare for Impromptu
The Starting Point: Know Your Stuff
Keep Leadership Messages in Mind
Notes
9 Read Your Audience
Reading Your Audience—In Advance
Reading Your Audience—As You Speak
Reading Your Audience—Afterward
Note
10 The Scripting Template
The Leader's Script Template
Illustrating the Template
Using the Leader's Script
Scalability of the Leader's Script
Notes
11 Commit to a Message
Why Have a Message?
Characteristics of a Message
The Power of a Message: An Example
Notes
12 Make a Compelling Case
The Role of Structure
Patterns of Organization
The Power of Structure: Two Examples
Notes
13 Beginnings and Endings
Open with a Grabber
End with a Call to Action
Part IV: Impromptu Scripts for Every Occasion
14 Meetings
Project Updates
Briefings
Sharing Ideas
Collaborating
Notes
15 Job Interviews, Networking, and Elevator Conversations
Job Interviews
Networking Events
Elevator Conversations
Note
16 “Just the Big Picture”
We're Out of Time—What Not to Do
Create Your Micro Presentation on the Spot
Note
17 Toasts and Tributes
Creating Winning Toasts and Tributes
Robert Kennedy's Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr
Notes
18 The Impromptu Speech
One Compelling Idea
A Perfect Example—Lou Gehrig's Farewell to Baseball
Creating a Successful Impromptu Speech
Notes
19 Q&A
Getting Ready
Developing Your Answer
Two Examples
Avoid the Traps
Notes
Part V: The Impromptu Stage
20 Rehearse Your Remarks
Client Pitches
Job Interviews
Networking Events
Q&A Exchanges
Impromptu Speeches
Difficult Conversations
A Marriage Proposal
Notes
21 Choose Your Words
Be Clear
Be Conversational
Be Confident
Be Collaborative
Notes
22 Use Improv Techniques
Why Improv Techniques for Leaders?
Learning to Be “In the Moment”
What Happens When You Are in the Moment?
Cocreation—Improvising in the Moment
Notes
23 Find Your Voice
Begin by Breathing
Ground Your Voice
Strive for the Right Volume
Adopt a Warm, Committed Tone
Pace Yourself
Notes
24 Master Body Language
Stand and Sit Tall
Lead with Gestures
Use the Power of Your Eyes
Put Your Best Face Forward
Notes
CONCLUSION
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
A Little Help from Our Unconscious Mind
Notes
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INDEX
END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
IMPROMPTU
Leading in the Moment

Judith Humphrey
Copyright © 2018 by Judith Humphrey. All rights reserved.
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Published simultaneously in Canada.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in‐Publication Data:
Names: Humphrey, Judith, 1943– author.
Title: Impromptu : leading in the moment / by Judith Humphrey.
Description: Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., [2018] | Includes bibliographical references
and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2017029464 (print) | LCCN 2017040994 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119286769 (pdf) | ISBN
9781119286776 (epub) | ISBN 9781119286752 (cloth) Subjects: LCSH: Communication in management. |
Business communication. | Extemporaneous speaking. | Leadership.
Classification: LCC HD30.3 (ebook) | LCC HD30.3 .H8569 2018 (print) | DDC 658.4/092—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017029464
Custom cover typography by Fang Yu and Ben Egnal
Cover Design: Wiley
To Marc
For all the impromptu moments that have
made our life together so joyous