Table Of Content“Even for seasoned business and scientific presenters, David and Aaron
have ideas to make you even better and more effective. We use all the tools
that are in this book on a nearly daily basis. Read this book. Use the tools
that are in it. They are simple to do and yet more effective than any other
ways I know. You won’t regret it!”
—Ryan Ehrensberger, PhD, FACHE, Chief Growth Officer,
United Network of Organ Sharing
“When it comes to ‘presence,’ lots of people think you either have it or you
don’t. Not true. You hold in your hands all the skills you need to be unafraid,
and unforgettable. Anderson and Leong deliver an effective resource for
established and emerging leaders alike. Their innovative strategies set the
stage for transformative leadership development.”
—Nakeina E. Douglas-Glenn, PhD, Director,
The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute
“Aaron Anderson and David Leong have been leading our communications
class sessions for many years. By leveraging their books with in-class
exercises, they have developed hundreds of MBA students’ speaking skills
over the years. Their books are designed to give practical tips for every
speaking format, ranging from one-on-one with your supervisor to the
formal Board of Directors presentation. I make copies of their worksheets
and tips and then draft out my presentations. My copies of their books are
well used! I recommend their books for any business person looking to
improve their communication skills.”
—Butch Mohan Sarma, U.S. Product and Marketing Leader,
Director, Executive MBA Program, School of Business,
Virginia Commonwealth University
“Their 25+ years of teaching theater allow Aaron and David to bring a
unique approach to this training. They taught me and my team the art
of storytelling, how to target the presentation to fit the audience, and the
importance of body language during a presentation. Over the years, the
tools that I learned from them have been valuable assets, as I communicate
complex scientific information to non-scientific audiences.”
—Yezdi B. Pithawalla Sr., PhD, Director,
Center for Research & Technology,
Altria
“Anderson and Leong’s work helped train me and my staff to help us hone
our storytelling skills. They provided the key ingredients to write and tell
a good story, and because of them, we can effectively tell a meaningful and
engaging story to our supporters and thus connect more people to our
lifesaving mission.”
—Lindsey Jennings, MNS, CFRE, Senior Philanthropy Officer,
United Network for Organ Sharing
“Their work increases participants’ esteem to perform at all levels and
leaves them ready to emerge as a leader in whatever their capacity. Their
strategies consistently receive high ratings from participants in both our
Leadership Development Program and Higher Ground Women’s Leadership
Development Program. Their training style and information provided are
invaluable resources.”
—Grace E. Harris, PhD, Distinguished Professor,
The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute
“Our residents quickly became engaged and actively involved in their
learning. They continue to comment today on how their information
sharpened their awareness of tools and skills which have improved and
enhanced their interactions with other members of the healthcare team.”
—Brian J. Kaplan, MD, Program Director, General Surgery Residency,
Department of Surgery,
Virginia Commonwealth University
“The ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and a vast
array of other health care professionals is an essential skill for nurses. Their
skill at providing engaging yet evidence-based training with measurements
for effectiveness of instruction is second to none.”
—Nancy F. Langston, PhD, Former Dean,
School of Nursing,
Virginia Commonwealth University
“To a person, each participating resident in our Orthopaedic Department
identified new communication tools as a result of this work that enhanced
their professionalism. For example, one Chief Resident noted how he
changed his behavior in the outpatient clinic. Instead of trying to leave a
difficult patient in the outpatient clinic as quickly as he could, he sat down,
listened carefully, empathized, and bonded. He did nothing else. And both
the patient and he felt better when they parted.”
—Wilhelm Zhuelzer, MD, Professor and Vice Chair,
Department of Orthopaedics,
Virginia Commonwealth University Health Services
“The material is well organized, innovative and well substantiated by
research data.”
—Susan Haynes, Surgical Simulation and Skills Coordinator,
Department of Surgery,
Virginia Commonwealth University
“Anderson and Leong take any subject to the next level. These guys facilitate
and energize the entire group! I can only say, ‘These two individuals tell it
like it is’ and bring the energy to inspire everyone! I highly recommend
them to improve any skill set.”
—Anita C. Wynn, Academic Corporate Relations Events Director,
Office of the Provost
Virginia State University
“You have a remarkable ability to train and measure enhanced communi-
cation skills, obviously related to your years in theatre. In my opinion you
have masterful skills, which I have witnessed directly in your teaching of
young residents in my Internal Medicine training program. These young
physicians have greatly benefited by your sessions in connecting strongly
with their patients in a positive fashion.”
–Richard P. Wenzel, MD, MSc, Emeritus Chairman and Professor,
Department of Internal Medicine,
Virginia Commonwealth University
“Anderson and Leong helped us improve storytelling for fundraising,
marketing, and outreach to prepare for our 50th anniversary year.
They provided practical, yet inspirational, advice that we put into place
immediately. Their report helped us develop fundraising materials that
allowed us to meet our $5 million major gifts campaign.”
—Sarah D. Pope, Vice President,
College Advancement & Marketing,
Rappahannock Community College
d
REAL-WORLD PUBLIC SPEAKING:
Dramatic Techniques to Strengthen
Your Message and Make It Stick
Aaron D. Anderson and David S. Leong
Copyright Page
© Aaron D. Anderson & David S. Leong 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods,
without the prior written permission of the authors, except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Acknowledgments
There are several people without whom this book would never have
happened. We first want to thank Dr. Shannon Mitchell, Associate Dean
of the VCU School of Business, who bravely reached into the artsy world
of theatre and asked a couple of theatre guys to design a public speaking
curriculum to help business students learn the art of presentations. It’s been
a wonderful ride from the very first day. We thank you and we salute you!
We also want to thank Jeff Karon, editor extraordinaire! His knowledge
and wisdom in digital book design and layout is the reason this book is so
easy to read. Thank you for your untiring dedication to this material.
Special thanks also go to Marisa Guida for her outstanding contributions
to an earlier version of this material and for her leadership as Unit Head
of Business Essentials and Lead Instructor for Winning Presentations. Her
enthusiasm and energy kept us focused on the end goal and saved us from
our worst instincts time and time again.
Thanks also to Darren LaCroix, Patricia Fripp, Craig Valentine, Ed Tate,
and Mark Brown who inspire us through their speaking, teaching, and
coaching excellence. You were the teachers and coaches who kept looking
over our shoulders and saying, “C’mon, guys, make it clear, make it simple,
and make it fun!”
We will always be grateful to our students and clients (both at the university
and in countless businesses) who provide us with the opportunity to hone
our craft and who challenge us to reach beyond what we already know.
Last and most importantly, thank you Jennifer, Koa, Kai, and Zoey; and
Patti, Jesse, and Marin. You are our whole world.
i
d
