Easy to read yet powerful strategies – highly recommend!
If you want a proven method to improve your communication, this book provides a clear overview of how to do it and each chapter is full of concrete ways to put the ideas to use immediately. Great for speakers, presenters, coaches, leaders, and, yes, parents!
Before you say anything…
Having a hard time getting your voice heard in meetings? Does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide under the table? Do you dread difficult conversations or feeling put on the spot?
Learn the secret to unlocking confident and effective communication, whether you’re talking to one person or one thousand!
We have all had those moments that haunt us in the wee hours of the night: the times we could have spoken up and didn’t, and the times we spoke up and it went badly. It can feel like those experiences are inevitable, but communication coach Angie Flynn-McIver is here to share the time-tested three-part process she uses with her clients.
The communication scenarios we find ourselves in vary widely, but the process Flynn-McIver shares will apply no matter where you are: presenting a report to the C-suite, giving tough feedback to a colleague, or even negotiating a curfew with your teenager. Flynn-McIver and her team of coaches have honed this method over more than fifteen years of coaching thousands of clients in fields as varied as accounting, consulting, the ministry, education, politics, and the arts.
Before You Say Anything describes a new and innovative approach to connecting, creating results, and feeling confident about how you communicate. You’ll understand why you’re speaking, how to support your message with your body language and voice, and how to practice so that you’re ready for the big speech and the off-the-cuff opportunity.
This entertaining book gives you a speaking coach right in your pocket. Flynn-McIver’s light, warm style feels like she’s there cheering you on, offering timely advice on when, how, and why to speak up. The book is packed with stories, case studies, client examples, and direct suggestions on exactly how to improve your communication skills. No need to wait: you can test out each element of the process with specific exercises at the end of each chapter.
Buy Before You Say Anything today and get results from easier, more effective, more confident communication!
“An important outcome was having Angie ask the right questions about structure and flow from a listener’s perspective. Her feedback on our practice podcasts was invaluable and also helped us relax and have fun. She kept our feet to the ground with deliverables and timelines as we worked through the coaching sessions.”
– P. Koenig, executive coach and podcast host
“I love the concept of intention and being invited to explore it concretely. And, it was helpful to get feedback on how I am using my sentence structure and voice.”
M. Scholtz, coach and trainer
“One of the biggest insights for me was connecting intent to all aspects of the project. Keeping in mind the intent of each segment and the overall intent helped me be clear, concise, and keep me from wandering away from what I wanted to say.”
C. Silver, event planner
“Angie taught me how to listen. She did this by showing me how writing for reading is different from writing for listening. These insights forever changed how I approach podcasting.”
T. Marien, environmental educator and podcast host
“Having now attended this course I feel that, for the first time, I have the tools, information and confidence to overcome those old dreadful feelings about presenting from the past. I can now really make a concerted effort to be great. And if I can’t be great, I can at least feel less intimidated, show more confidence and work to be the very best I can be.”
Public Speaking Catalyst participant
“I am slowing my speech down which gives me time to better articulate my messaging and is building more confidence because I am not frantically searching for a word or phrase. I am very aware of the ums/ahs and can now use pauses and breaths to almost eliminate them in my daily conversations (as well as scheduled meetings and presentations)”
Public Speaking Catalyst participant
“Before this, my professional speaking was not aligned and put into question if I even wanted to do speaking anymore. This made me experience myself with greater intention and alignment to show up and connect in communication with consistency. It has also positively influenced the refining of my key presentations with enthusiasm and eagerness.”
Public Speaking Catalyst participant
“I learned that it’s OK to pause or even stumble a bit in a presentation. Showing humanity pulls folks in, it doesn’t push them away.”
Public Speaking Catalyst participant
“I always thought I was self-aware but this experience made me reflect on another level. I was able to form my own, detailed story just by talking it out loud with someone else.”
Fundamentals of Storytelling participant
“I was shocked at how the Ignite CSP staff in a short time was able to identify grand improvements to a presentation I have been giving for 3 years. Wish I had this training sooner!”
Presenting with Impact participant
About the Author
Angie Flynn-McIver is a leadership coach and theater director. The common thread is what she calls “being a detective of human behavior.” In both professions, you have to know what makes people tick. Angie’s coaching specialty is communication skills: how do we create communication that leads to the desired outcome? When communication goes wrong, how can we fix it?
In 2007, Angie founded Ignite CSP: Coaching/Speaking/Presenting. Ignite CSP coaches leaders to get great results through their ability to inspire followership, ensure people feel heard and valued, and effectively communicate their vision.
Ignite CSP coaches individuals and leads workshops all over the United States and internationally. Clients include Big Four accounting firms, consulting companies, banks, nonprofits, and healthcare systems. Angie’s individual clients include scientists, doctors, innovators, politicians, clergy, C-suite executives, professional public speakers, authors, musicians, and more.
Angie holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University and a BA in Theatre with Honors from Smith College. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Now Available
“Before You Say Anything…”
Having a hard time getting your voice heard in meetings?
Does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide under the table?
Do you dread difficult conversations or feeling put on the spot?
Learn the secret to unlocking confident and effective communication, whether you’re talking to one person or one thousand!
What Readers Are Saying
Actionable advice on improving communication skills
Angie is a smart and talented communicator. If you are seeking to improve your communication skills, her book is a wonderful place to start. She offers actionable tips and advice.
Learn From Someone Who Has Spent a Lifetime on this Craft
I do “some” public speaking from time to time and am not terrible. But it’s a whole other thing to get tips (and lots of great examples) from someone who does it for a living. And who teaches it for a living. This is an affordable way to get training from a pro. Highly recommend!!
Witty, wise, wonderful!
Angie is witty, wise and wonderful at her work.
Expert advice, highly recommended!
Angie Flynn-McIver is an expert in her field. Her advice is clear, insightful and easy to implement. Whether you’re afraid of public speaking, or a seasoned communicator ready to up your game, this is a great book!
