Steal the Show audiobook cover - From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life

Steal the Show

From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life

Michael Port

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Communication SkillsCareer & Success

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Steal the Show
The Core Concept+
Harnessing True Voice+
Mastering Adaptability+
The Art of Listening+
Overcoming Anxiety+
Actionable Delivery+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
According to the text, why is acting NOT considered the 'enemy of authenticity'?
  • A. Because actors are taught to completely erase their own personalities to embody a character.
  • B. Because true authenticity requires sticking to a single, rigid personality regardless of the situation.
  • C. Because the best performers bring their own unique experiences and personalities into their roles.
  • D. Because audiences prefer a polished, artificial performance over a genuinely flawed one.
Question 2 of 6
How does the author suggest you avoid the 'perfection trap' when trying to find your true voice?
  • A. By scripting every word of your presentation to ensure there are no mistakes.
  • B. By remembering that how you communicate your authentic self is more important than being completely original.
  • C. By exclusively sharing personal secrets to prove your vulnerability to the audience.
  • D. By mimicking the exact speaking style of successful leaders like Sheryl Sandberg.
Question 3 of 6
What is a major drawback of having an overly rigid 'self-concept'?
  • A. It makes it difficult to transition into new life phases or adapt to different professional contexts.
  • B. It forces you to constantly change your behavior, making you seem untrustworthy to colleagues.
  • C. It causes you to rely too heavily on the techniques of your peers rather than your own instincts.
  • D. It leads to an over-reliance on power posing and other physical confidence tricks.
Question 4 of 6
What does neuroscientist Seth Horowitz mean by 'whole brain listening'?
  • A. Anticipating your conversation partner's arguments so you can respond more quickly.
  • B. Only paying attention to the logical structure of the words being spoken.
  • C. Being fully present and using all your senses to observe the speaker's physical and emotional cues.
  • D. Memorizing your talking points so thoroughly that your brain is free to listen.
Question 5 of 6
According to psychologist Amy Cuddy, what is the physiological effect of 'power posing'?
  • A. It increases heart rate and adrenaline to prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response.
  • B. It boosts the stress hormone cortisol while lowering testosterone levels.
  • C. It shifts neural activity entirely to the logical left hemisphere of the brain.
  • D. It increases testosterone, linked to power, and decreases the stress hormone cortisol.
Question 6 of 6
What actionable advice does the author give regarding the pacing of a public speech?
  • A. Speak as slowly as possible throughout the entire presentation to ensure clarity.
  • B. Maintain a constant, rapid pace to keep the audience's energy levels high.
  • C. Use bursts of quick speech punctuated with strategic pauses to create an attention-grabbing rhythm.
  • D. Avoid pausing completely, as it makes the speaker appear forgetful or unprepared.

Steal the Show — Full Chapter Overview

Steal the Show Summary & Overview

Steal the Show (2015) is a practical guide designed to help performers scared of the limelight to settle their nerves and up their game. Drawing on author Michael Port’s experience as a professional actor, these blinks are packed with tips and hacks to help you persuade, inform and motivate. Whether you’re presenting your company’s latest figures in a meeting, pitching a new business idea or interviewing for a dream job, these strategies are guaranteed to help you make an impression. 

Who Should Listen to Steal the Show?

  • Anyone who wants to become a better public speaker
  • Anyone who’s struggling to find their true voice and needs some help
  • Anyone who wants to live more honestly

About the Author: Michael Port

Michael Port is a writer, speaker and consultant. He studied acting at New York University and appeared on popular television shows such as Sex and the City, Law & Order and The Third Watch. Port is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur magazine and the founder of the School of Heroic Public Speaking. He’s also the author of The Contrarian Effect and The Think Big Manifesto. 

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