BookLook June 2015

Debbie Balzotti

“Talk Like TED: The 9 public-speaking secrets of the world’s top minds” by Carmine Gallo

Author Carmine Gallo published this great book for TED talk addicts like myself. Talk like TED? I’d sure like to try. I also know some guys that have to speak once a month in church that could use some TED technique for their talks.

Gallo spent more than 150 hours analyzing more than 500 TED presentations and condensed his findings into nine common elements. He also interviewed speakers to discover what made their presentations so compelling.

If you haven’t ever watched a TED talk, you need to load the app on your phone immediately. While you wait in line at the DMV you will have time for several talks that are 18 minutes or less. There are hundreds to choose from on ted.com. Big names like Steve Jobs and Al Gore are available, but the lesser known (at least to me) have been those most fascinating.

For example, Mark Bezos gave a talk titled “A life lesson from a volunteer firefighter.” If you get bored saving seats for graduation listen to his advice including this quote:  “Don't wait. Don't wait until you make your first million to make a difference in somebody's life. If you have something to give, give it now. Serve food at a soup kitchen. Clean up a neighborhood park. Be a mentor. Not every day is going to offer us a chance to save somebody's life, but every day offers us an opportunity to affect one. So get in the game. ”

Or how about watching beautiful CEO Stacey Kramer talk about “The best gift I ever survived” while you are in an office waiting room.  Kramer talks about a mysterious gift that changed her life for the better. As she flips her shoulder-length hair you see the scar left by her brain tumor.

The book explains the origins of the TED talks which began in 1984 and have now become an international phenomenon in more than 130 countries. It contains stories, photos and examples to inspire readers to become great speakers.

According to Gallo, the nine common elements that make a great talk are: Unleash the Master Within, Master the Art of Storytelling, Have a Conversation, Teach Me Something New, Deliver Jaw-Dropping Moments, Lighten Up, Stick to the 18-Minute Rule, Paint a Mental Picture with Multisensory Experiences, Stay in your Lane.

I really enjoyed reading Talk Like TED. I doubt I will be invited to give a TED talk, or give a talk that will be viewed 1.5 million times, but I did find several ways to make my next lesson or talk better.