Impromptu
Subtitle: leading in the moment
By: Judith Humphrey
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Published: 2018
Language: eng
Number of pages: 253
ISBN-13: 9781119286752
Subjects: Business communication; Leadership; Extemporaneous speaking; Communication in management
Description: "Impromptu shows leaders how to think on their feet and respond eloquently in every situation. Never have there been so many opportunities to inspire and influence in everyday situations -- elevator chats, corridor conversations, networking gatherings, meetings, and ceremonial events. Indeed, today the most iconic leadership moments are spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment events that reveal the inner workings of the leader's mind. When these impromptu opportunities arise, leaders must be able to listen, think, and respond within seconds. They don't read a script from a page, they convey the narrative that is already in their mind. They can tailor a message--in a meeting, in the corridor, or in a tweet--to influence and inspire any audience. Those who shine in that moment are remembered for their leadership. Those who stumble are remembered for their gaffes, mixed messages, or insensitivity. Nobody remembers the leaders who retreat to their office, formulate a strategic plan, and distribute a memo the following week. Guided by her entrepreneurial success as founder of The Humphrey Group and her firm's work with tens of thousands of leaders over the past 30 years, Judith Humphrey makes clear the importance of preparing to be spontaneous -- as counterintuitive as that may sound! Drawing upon the best impromptu moments from the Greeks to the present, the book looks at every aspect of impromptu speaking."--Amazon.com.
Notes: "Prepare to be spontaneous"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Part 1. The new world of impromptu. The rise of impromptu speaking; title: Power of spontaneity; title: Part 2. The impromptu mind-set. Be intent on leading; title: Be a listener; title: Be authentic; title: Be focused; title: Be respectful; title: Part 3. The leader's script. Lay the groundwork; title: Read your audience; title: The scripting template; title: Commit to a message; title: Make a compelling case; title: Beginnings and endings; title: Part 4. Impromptu scripts for every occasion. Meetings; title: Job interviews, networking, and elevator conversations; title: "Just the big picture"; title: Toasts and tributes; title: The impromptu speech; title: Q & A; title: Part 5. The impromptu stage. Rehearse your remarks; title: Choose your words; title: Use improv techniques; title: Find your voice; title: Master body language; title: Conclusion: Don't be scared, be prepared.