Free the Hidden Speaker Inside is a ‘business book’ with a difference. A guide on public speaking, the book addresses one of the most basic ingredients for success in business: how to communicate successfully. Both inspirational and insightful, Richardson’s work is causing the business world to sit up and take notice of the importance of effective communication in building a business. Little wonder it was a finalist for the 2021 Business Book of the Year in the UK.
It is said that the fear of public speaking is the most common phobia, ahead of spiders, heights and even death. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety arising from public speaking, or glossophobia, affects about 73% of the population. To address this issue head-on, Richardson arms her readers with tools on how to confront their insecurities, and challenges them to employ these in real-life situations.
For me, the book’s success lies in its personalisation and practicality. The author entertains the reader with humorous anecdotes and instances from her own life, all the while imparting valuable tips and an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to become an excellent public speaker.
As an accomplished public speaker with a prestigious background in stage, television and coaching, Richardson compresses decades of experience and industry secrets into easily-digested, invaluable nuggets.
Free the Hidden Speaker Inside is divided into three parts, each focusing on one of her ‘three easy rules’, namely: 1. Get the Look; 2. Don’t Talk, Entertain; and 3. Don’t Walk, Stride.
The first part is everything aspirants should know in order to look, think and act the part of a speaker. It covers diet, teeth, style, stance, body language and the technique of presenting on camera.
Secondly, ‘Don’t talk, entertain’ means if you want to stand out, you need to be memorable, different, and able to engage people’s emotions. Make them laugh; shock, scare or frustrate them; and if you can elicit a tear, so much the better, says Richardson.
The last section is all about confidence and presence, and how to make the fear of public speaking your ally instead of your enemy.
It is a delightful read and the reasons I can’t recommend it highly enough are two-fold. Firstly because, unlike any of the countless self-help tomes on the subject, this one is easily absorbed and genuinely entertaining with several snort-laugh moments. And secondly because it offers a bona fide compact training manual brimming with valuable information.
Free the Hidden Speaker Inside is not only aimed at aspiring public speakers, but is of value to all of us. As Richardson says: ‘If you speak and if you go out in public – you are a public speaker.’
