We have a tendency, at least in casual conversation, to sometimes equate "acting" with a lack of authenticity.
So you might feel wary about the notion that the craft of acting might can help us to communicate with more honesty and authenticity.
You might be worried that accepting Port’s world view would mean that rather than communicating and connecting — you’ll *just* be performing. As a shell. As someone other than yourself.
Don’t.
It’s exactly the opposite.
Michael Port has written an important, compelling, potentially life-changing book — and it’s perfect for those of us who care about communicating as whole, honest, real human beings.
It’s not about being slick or sleazy, and it’s not about using artifice to sway your audiences or your colleagues — it’s about finding ways to strip away the habits, artifice, and distractions that we often pile on to our communications when we’re anxious about the stakes. So yes, those types of communications -- speeches, job interviews, pitches, hard conversations, first conversations.
Port shows us that the actor’s craft — the true actor’s craft — is _not_ about relying upon artifice, but rather, about finding ways to communicate and present in a way that keeps you wholly present and connected to your audience. It’s really about creating the strength to be open, honest, and vulnerable, and developing the communication and perceptual skills that will help us be compelling, engaging, and persuasive in ways that matter.
I received a pre-publication galley of this book as part of a pre-publication purchase incentive, and I’m glad I opted to purchase the book early. It’s a terrific read, full of insight, and full of practical yet often unusual tips for becoming a better communicator — and yes, a better public speaker.
Sure, as part of it all, he tells you about the importance of story, the usefulness of the 3-act structure, and the importance of being prepared — all of which I think we’ve come to expect from books about public speaking. (Like we should all know this now, right?…even if we’re not doing it.). But he also teaches you to stay present for your audience, even when you feel your mind going blank, and how to see your own communications from an audience’s point of view. By providing his own analyses, he helps you understand why what you say may not always connect with those you are trying to reach, and how you might address the gap. Port is especially good at this: seeing communications from the receiver’s point of view — and he’s great at articulating the likely undercurrents in way that’s clear, while also providing some concrete suggestions for his readers.
Stuff I loved and found especially helpful:
-his description of the actor’s rehearsal process — and why adopting it will make your presentations, pitches, and speeches an order of magnitude more engaging than a typical presentation (and why isn’t just about repeating your written speech over and over again in your hotel room or the shower…or please please please no [as he so rightly advises against]…in front of the mirror)
-his argument for rehearsal — even for those of us who feel like we’re pretty good on our feet…and who think we’re getting away with “winging it”
-his argument that the best actors — and the best speakers — are the ones that are willing and able to strip away all artifice and allow themselves to be fully in the moment, fully present, and fully vulnerable to their audience
-his advice about *listening* to your audience, so that you can respond to people in the moment
-his info on the process of content mapping: the process of taking a speech and mapping the content and meaning onto the delivery
-his insight that many of the core principles of theatre and acting are in fact principles of effective communication — because ultimately it is about engaging and connecting with other human beings on multiple levels (i.e., not merely intellectual, but emotional, visceral, aesthetic, sensory, kinaesthetic, and associative levels)
-his focus on taking the reader on a journey from the inside out, because ultimately, you can’t communicate honestly and authentically unless you understand your own internal barriers to doing so, and doing the work.
I think his description of the rehearsal process and content mapping alone are worth the price of the book for experienced public speakers.
And for all of us who just want to communicate more effectively — Port’s advice on the internal work of communication, and his ability to show us (and remind us) how we respond to speakers when they do certain common things — is reason enough to buy and read this book. Even if you only get halfway through. :)
I also love the fact that if you really, really want to master the art of communication, you can approach the ideas in his book from multiple angles, and consume the information in the way that works for you. I used to feel a little stupid about the fact that I had started consuming certain books in multiple formats (e.g., audiobook, Kindle edition, and hard copy!) — but now I realize that I learn better when I can access the same material in multiple ways. I don’t do it for everything — only the stuff that’s really, really rich and really, really good. And Michael Port’s work is that rich and that good — at least for me. Consuming information in multiple formats engages more of my senses, more of my memory, and for the stuff that matters — the extra effort (and yes, investment) is totally worth it.
Port does have a freely available podcast of the same name, Steal the Show (http://stealtheshow.com/podcast). If you’re on the fence, it’s is an excellent take on the same material, presented in a slightly different manner while also modelling exactly the same behaviours that Port recommends in his book. I think you’ll find it an excellent complement to the book — whether you take the book in as either an audiobook or a text, or even both. There are some free videos online, as well as paid courses and training through his speaker training business, Heroic Public Speaking.
This is not your usual public speaking advice, nor the kind of advice you’ll see in business books with strained acronyms and presumably proprietary “systems” with superlative-ridden product names.
I’ve heard Port say that this will be his last book — but I hope it’s not true. What I’d like to see? A follow-up to this book, similar to Book Yourself Solid illustrated. Because I think an illustrated complement to this book — perhaps with diagrams and photographs that help to reinforce some of his descriptions of theatrical concepts — would be enormously helpful as a teaching resource.
So Michael Port — if you’re listening…don’t stop at this book. If you don’t want to do all the work of birthing yet another tome…I think you already have your logical co-author on your team.
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About the author
The Speaking Coach with Whom I Want To Work
Speaking is not a new endeavor for me - I've been sharing my Olympic pursuits and adventures from the stage for the past 25 years. I picked up Michael's book prior to attending a live event which he was hosting, In short, Michael's ideas, concepts, and principles are already helping me take my speaking and presenting skills to another level. The book is fantastic.But, there's more. The value added that Michael gives with you as a "bonuses" alone are worth 10x the price of the book, A course, podcasts, worksheets - etc - Michael has gone more than the extra mile to create value in this book purchase.Next up for me will be working towards more live events with Michael. And referring back to Steal The Show frequently.Thank you for this book, Michael!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2015
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Top reviews from other countries
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- Ryan MillarReviewed in the Netherlands on August 8, 2022
Great read, packed with useful tips
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