Taking the Stage: How Women Can Speak Up, Stand Out, and Succeed

Taking the Stage: How Women Can Speak Up, Stand Out, and Succeed

by Judith Humphrey
Released October 2014
Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9781118870259

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Book description

Many women today wonder: what will it take to get that seat at the boardroom table? Earn that coveted promotion? Or simply have their voices heard? Taking the Stage provides a comprehensive, proven approach that enables women to come forward into the spotlight and speak up, stand out, and succeed.

Based on a program from the Humphrey Group that has been delivered to over 400,000 women worldwide, Taking the Stage shows women—no matter their age, rank, or profession—how to communicate with courage and confidence in every situation, from formal speeches to brief hallway conversations. Judith Humphrey provides the inspiration and practical advice for women to "take the stage" mentally, verbally, vocally, and physically. Women can make the most of every opportunity by understanding how best to:

  • Speak up confidently, even when others don't agree;

  • Convey their accomplishments without self-doubt;

  • Be assertive but not aggressive;

  • Deliver clear and convincing messages;

  • Move beyond "minimizing" language and apology;

  • Find their own powerful and authentic voice;

  • Achieve confident body language and a leadership presence.

    • By applying these techniques and others to every communication— whether making a presentation, speaking at meetings, conducting an elevator conversation, or selling themselves in job interviews—women will be recognized as the leaders they are and attain positions of influence.

    For women at all stages of their career, and for managers and executives committed to supporting and guiding women on their leadership journeys, Taking the Stage is the practical, broad-based solution that will allow women to speak up confidently, gain respect, earn the promotions they deserve, and secure their places at the boardroom table.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Series Page
    3. Title Page
    4. Copyright
    5. Dedication
    6. Preface
    7. Introduction
    8. Part One: Choose to Take the Stage
      1. Chapter One: We Have Been Taught to Fit In, Not Stand Out
        1. Girls Are Taught to Fit In
        2. Women Are Reluctant to Stand Out
        3. If We Don't Stand Out, We Can't Be Outstanding
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      2. Chapter Two: Silence the Inner Crow
        1. What the Inner Crow Says
        2. How Can You Silence Your Inner Crow?
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      3. Chapter Three: Develop a Center Stage Mindset
        1. Step 1: Know You Deserve the Spotlight
        2. Step 2: Seize Opportunities to Shine
        3. Step 3: Don't Retreat to the Wings
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      4. Chapter Four: Speak Up Confidently
        1. Show Up
        2. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
        3. Listen…to Others and to Yourself
        4. Speak with Substance
        5. Develop a Political “Sixth Sense”
        6. Be Direct
        7. Advice for Leaders of Women
      5. Chapter Five: Be Assertive, Not Aggressive
        1. Assertive Women Are Often Perceived as Aggressive
        2. Don't Worry About Being Called Bossy
        3. Avoid Aggressiveness; It Doesn't Work for Women or Men
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      6. Chapter Six: Promote Yourself
        1. An Appetite for Humble Pie
        2. How to Promote Yourself
        3. Learn to Brag
        4. Promoting Yourself in Every Situation
        5. Advice for Leaders of Women
      7. Chapter Seven: Be Courageous
        1. Courage to Put Your Hand Up
        2. Courage to Challenge Others
        3. Courage to Take On a New Role
        4. Courage to Break Into the Boys' Club
        5. Courage to Be Yourself
        6. Advice for Leaders of Women
      8. Chapter Eight: Hold Your Ground
        1. If Someone Interrupts You
        2. If Someone Takes Your Idea
        3. If Someone Challenges You
        4. If Someone Blindsides You
        5. If Someone Is Sexist toward You
        6. If Someone Bullies You
        7. Advice for Leaders of Women
    9. Part Two: Create a Strong Script
      1. Chapter Nine: Portray Yourself as a Leader
        1. We Focus on Our Flaws, Fears, and Foibles
        2. Create Your Leadership Profile
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      2. Chapter Ten: Strengthen Your Language
        1. Weak Language Patterns Women Use
        2. Edit Your Language
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      3. Chapter Eleven: Structure Your Script
        1. Design of the Script
        2. Advice for Leaders of Women
      4. Chapter Twelve: Master Meeting Scripts
        1. Formal Meeting Talks
        2. Informal Meeting Remarks
        3. Off-the-Cuff Meeting Remarks
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      5. Chapter Thirteen: Craft Career Conversations
        1. Networking Conversations
        2. Conversation with a Sponsor
        3. Conversation with an Employer
        4. Conversation with Your Manager
        5. Advice for Leaders of Women
      6. Chapter Fourteen: Elevate Your Elevator Scripts
        1. Focus Your Thinking
        2. Create Your Script
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
    10. Part Three: Unlock the Power of Your Voice
      1. Chapter Fifteen: Begin by Breathing
        1. The Importance of Breath
        2. Why We Lose Touch with Our Breath
        3. Finding Your Breath
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      2. Chapter Sixteen: Find Your Full Sound
        1. Surrendering Vocal Power
        2. Regaining Your Full Vocal Power
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      3. Chapter Seventeen: Develop Your Leader’s Voice
        1. Our Many Voices
        2. Your Authentic Leadership Voice
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      4. Chapter Eighteen: Pace Yourself
        1. Why We Talk Too Fast
        2. Owning the Room
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      5. Chapter Nineteen: Be Expressive
        1. Down with Upspeak
        2. Mind Your Monotone
        3. Don't Get Stuck in the Upper Registers
        4. Vary Your Sound
        5. Advice for Leaders of Women
      6. Chapter Twenty: Articulate Clearly
        1. Why A-R-T-I-C-U-L-A-T-E?
        2. The Art of Articulation
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
    11. Part Four: Stand Out on Stage
      1. Chapter Twenty-One: Understand the Power of Presence
        1. Advice for Leaders of Women
      2. Chapter Twenty-Two: Be Fearless on Stage
        1. Why Do We Fear the Stage?
        2. Becoming Fearless on Stage
        3. Advice for Leaders of Women
      3. Chapter Twenty-Three: Sit Tall, Stand Tall
        1. The Incredible Shrinking Woman
        2. Sit Tall
        3. Stand Tall
        4. Advice for Leaders of Women
      4. Chapter Twenty-Four: Strengthen Your Body Language
        1. Head
        2. Eyes
        3. Mouth
        4. Arms and Hands
        5. Advice for Leaders of Women
      5. Chapter Twenty-Five: She's Smart . . . but She Doesn't Look It
        1. Rule 1. Dress for Your Corporate Environment
        2. Rule 2. Dress for the Job You Want
        3. Rule 3. Dress for the People You'll See
        4. Rule 4. Shun Sexy If You Want to Get Ahead
        5. Rule 5. Beware Bangs and Bangles
        6. Rule 6. Follow the First Five Rules—but Develop Your Own Style
        7. Advice for Leaders of Women
    12. Conclusion: The World Is Your Stage
    13. Acknowledgments
    14. About the Author
    15. More from Wiley
    16. Index
    17. End User License Agreement

    Product information

    • Title: Taking the Stage: How Women Can Speak Up, Stand Out, and Succeed
    • Author(s): Judith Humphrey
    • Release date: October 2014
    • Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
    • ISBN: 9781118870259