What will I learn about: Identify and avoid the five common communication mistakes, like overanalyzing your content and lacking self-awareness, to ensure your message truly resonates?

Identify and avoid the five common communication mistakes, like overanalyzing your content and lacking self-awareness, to ensure your message truly resonates.

What will I learn about: why modern challenges like shortened attention spans and skepticism toward authority require you to combine inspiring content with genuine authenticity to be heard?

Discover why modern challenges like shortened attention spans and skepticism toward authority require you to combine inspiring content with genuine authenticity to be heard.

What will I learn about: the Communicators Road Map to pinpoint your current speaking style and successfully transition into a speaker who actively inspires action?

Understand the Communicators Road Map to pinpoint your current speaking style and successfully transition into a speaker who actively inspires action.

What will I learn about: the art of crafting an impactful message by striking the perfect balance between establishing an emotional connection and delivering highly relevant information?

Master the art of crafting an impactful message by striking the perfect balance between establishing an emotional connection and delivering highly relevant information.

What will I learn about: Leverage the undeniable power of non-verbal communication, such as holding deliberate eye contact for five seconds, to immediately foster warmth and trust with your audience?

Leverage the undeniable power of non-verbal communication, such as holding deliberate eye contact for five seconds, to immediately foster warmth and trust with your audience.

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Communicate to Influence

How to Inspire Your Audience to Action

Ben Decker & Kelly Decker

★ 4.2 / 5(184 ratings)

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Categories:

Communication Skills

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Have you ever wondered why some speakers can turn a dry information dump into a movement, while others lose their audience in minutes?
💡What if you could pinpoint the exact communication habits that are silently undermining your leadership and authority?
💡What's the secret to structuring a message so effectively that your audience feels compelled to take action the moment you stop speaking?

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Key Takeaways from Communicate to Influence

✓Identify and avoid the five common communication mistakes, like overanalyzing your content and lacking self-awareness, to ensure your message truly resonates.
✓Discover why modern challenges like shortened attention spans and skepticism toward authority require you to combine inspiring content with genuine authenticity to be heard.
✓Understand the Communicators Road Map to pinpoint your current speaking style and successfully transition into a speaker who actively inspires action.
✓Master the art of crafting an impactful message by striking the perfect balance between establishing an emotional connection and delivering highly relevant information.
✓Leverage the undeniable power of non-verbal communication, such as holding deliberate eye contact for five seconds, to immediately foster warmth and trust with your audience.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Communicate to Influence

Mind Map

Communicate to Influence

Common Communication Mistakes+

Modern Communication Challenges+

The Communicators Road Map+

Visual Communication+

Vocal Delivery+

The SHARP Method+

Audience Framing+

The Decker Grid+

The Influencer's Mindset+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 11

What is identified as the first common mistake people make when trying to communicate with an audience?

A. Failing to use visual aids
B. Placing too much importance on content and information
C. Speaking in a monotone voice
D. Relying entirely on humor to engage the audience

Question 2 of 11

According to the text, what two factors have put a significant strain on modern communication?

A. Information overload and a lack of technological skills
B. Remote work environments and poor internet connectivity
C. Shortened attention spans and a distrust of authority
D. Over-reliance on visual aids and decreasing literacy rates

Question 3 of 11

Which communication style from the Communicators Road Map is considered the ultimate goal for moving an audience to action?

A. Informing
B. Directing
C. Entertaining
D. Inspiring

Question 4 of 11

How should a speaker handle eye contact when presenting to a large audience?

A. Scan the back wall of the room to appear thoughtful
B. Pick at least one person in each section to create a 'halo effect'
C. Look at the floor occasionally to show humility
D. Maintain eye contact with only the most senior person in the room

Question 5 of 11

Why should speakers avoid using 'up talk' (ending sentences on a high pitch)?

A. It strains the vocal cords over long presentations
B. It comes across as too aggressive and demanding
C. It makes every statement sound like a question, projecting uncertainty
D. It distracts the audience from the visual aids

Question 6 of 11

What does the acronym SHARP stand for in the context of connecting with an audience?

A. Structure, Humor, Anecdotes, Rhythm, Pacing
B. Sincerity, Honesty, Authenticity, Reliability, Purpose
C. Statistics, History, Analysis, Research, Proof
D. Stories, Humor, Analogies, References, Pictures

Question 7 of 11

According to the book, what is considered the safest kind of humor to use in a presentation?

A. Satirical humor
B. Self-deprecation
C. Observational comedy
D. Slapstick physical humor

Question 8 of 11

When choosing visual elements for a presentation, what are the 'three B’s' you should keep in mind?

A. Bright, Beautiful, Balanced
B. Big, Bold, Basic
C. Brief, Broad, Branded
D. Background, Borders, Bullets

Question 9 of 11

What is the purpose of a Point of View (POV) statement in a presentation?

A. To briefly sum up the entire message and provide an obvious reason for the audience to act
B. To explain the presenter's personal background and qualifications
C. To provide a detailed, step-by-step agenda for the meeting
D. To list all the sources and statistics used in the presentation

Question 10 of 11

In the Decker Grid structure, what should the first box of the top row (the beginning of your presentation) contain?

A. A specific action step
B. An opening SHARP, such as a quote or humorous anecdote
C. A detailed statistical analysis
D. A comprehensive list of three Key Points

Question 11 of 11

What mindset do great communicators possess that allows them to erase limitations and eliminate fears of not being good enough?

A. A fixed mind-set
B. A competitive mind-set
C. A growth mind-set
D. An authoritative mind-set

Communicate to Influence — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Communication often breaks down because of five common mistakes.
32 — Shorter attention spans and distrust of authority are straining communication today.
43 — Use the Communicators Road Map to identify your style and inspire more effectively.
54 — Visible warmth, confidence, and trust help you connect with your audience.
65 — How you use your voice and pauses is essential to effective communication.
76 — Engage your audience with stories and humor.
87 — Analogies, references, and pictures make your content more engaging.
98 — Understand your audience’s wants and desires to inspire them to act.
109 — Use the Decker Grid to create focused, consistent messages.
1110 — Great communicators keep an open mind-set that encourages humble confidence.
1211 — Final summary

Communicate to Influence Summary & Overview

Communicate to Influence (2015) is a detailed guide to being an effective communicator. This covers everything from choosing the right voice to knowing how to structure and deliver your message. Gain a better understanding of the pitfalls of public speaking so that you know what to avoid, and discover some fantastic tools that will help turn your information dump into an inspiring call to action.

Who Should Listen to Communicate to Influence?

CEOs, managers and anyone in a leadership role
University students who want to improve their public speaking skills
Anyone who wants to be better at pitching ideas

About the Author: Ben Decker & Kelly Decker

Ben and Kelly Decker are leading experts in business communication. They have vast coaching experience with ambitious startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. Together, they are the brains behind Decker Communications, a firm that has helped countless individuals improve their communication skills.