Nick Morgan, one of America's top communication and speech coaches, shows how anyone can be an effective speaker by presenting an image of authenticity and respect for their audience, whether in a group presentation or a one-on-one conversation.

Introduction 1 Every communication is both a verbal and a nonverbal conversation We are all unconscious experts in each other’s body language 1 Leaders Need Both Charisma and Authenticity 7 You need charisma and authenticity to lead effectively Gesture can convey meaning independent of words Our most important dialogues with others take place nonverbally 2 Aligning the Two Conversations Will Make You a Powerful Communicator 21 Communications that align both the content and the nonverbal conversations can be powerful We unconsciously ascribe intent to the gestures we see The paradox of leadership today is that you have to practice to look spontaneous 3 Being Open, Part One: How to Master the Verbal Conversation 35 The verbal aspect of openness involves clarity of intent The content of an open communication begins with clear framing To conclude an open communication, reach agreement about what has been said 4 Being Open, Part Two: How to Master the Nonverbal Conversation 43 Trust is the essential goal of an open, nonverbal conversation When you communicate, you create a persona that other people unconsciously decode If you work on the conscious control of intention, your gestures take care of themselves 5 Being Connected, Part One: How to Master the Verbal Connection 59 Connected communication deals with the audience’s concerns Connected communication is direct and simple Connected communication is reciprocal 6 Being Connected, Part Two: How to Master the Nonverbal Connection 71 Connection is first and foremost about closeness Everything significant between people happens in personal space or intimate space You can signal your intent with your posture 7 How to Be Passionate with Content 79 Label the emotion Tell an uncomfortable truth Verbal restraint can be a more powerful indicator of depth of feeling than excess 8 How to Be Passionate Nonverbally 93 The first place people look to find passion is in the voice A good voice needs resonance and presence Focus on your emotional attitude toward your meeting, topic, or event 9 Listening, Part One: How to Listen Verbally — and Charismatically 101 At its most basic, good listening offers feedback The most powerful kind of listening is empathic and analytical Identify the emotion and state its underlying causes without trying to solve the problem 10 Listening, Part Two: How to Listen Nonverbally — and Charismatically 111 Listen with your whole body Listening is at the heart of real charisma You must learn to read others’ emotions consciously 11 How to Read Others 121 Openness is expressed through the face and torso Your unconscious evaluation will be more accurate than your conscious one (at fi rst) Look for overall body orientation to determine the state of your alliances 12 Principles of Persuasive Content 143 Phrase your arguments so that your listeners can hear them Persuasive rhetoric has a clear goal in mind and is usually transparent about it Authenticity and charisma in content require self-revelation in a confessional age 13 Principles of Persuasive Nonverbal Communication 161 If the two conversations are aligned, you can be an effective communicator Decision making is largely an emotional, and therefore a nonverbal, process Authenticity and charisma derive from becoming open, connected, passionate, and listening with and to your audience 14 Conclusion: Leadership Is Communication 173 Control your body language by controlling your intent Watch for unconscious betrayals through your body language Repetition is the key to the unconscious Notes 189 Acknowledgments 197 The Author 199 Index 201

In this book, acclaimed communications coach Nick Morgan shows how you can become an effective, charismatic speaker by communicating with authenticity and respect for your audience. Trust Me presents a four-step process (which Morgan perfected while teaching at Harvard) that enables you to find your own best personal communication style to maximize your persuasiveness and presence. This proven process works whether you’re speaking to a group or in a one-on-one conversation. As Morgan explains, we are all unconscious experts in reading each other’s body language. When words and body language are in conflict, we believe the body language every time. This makes conscious efforts to change our unconscious behavior difficult. Even momentary lapses are perceptible to the audience. The key to success is to train your body language to unconsciously align with your message. Trust Me outlines the four steps to communication success: OPENNESSCONNECTIONPASSIONLISTENING In addition, the book offers an in-depth analysis of the research that underlies the four-step process and includes tips for controlling fear when communicating. At a time when there is little tolerance for hype and spin, this book offers a practical, clear guide for becoming a persuasive and authentic communicator.

"Nick Morgan’s Trust Me approaches corporate and executive communication from a new and different perspective, that of the professional performer. His approach acknowledges the realities of modern business and, once you get beyond the first few uncomfortable steps where you’re thinking of a thousand things at once, you will communicate more openly, authentically, and charismatically." —Technology & Society (www.techsoc.com/trustme.htm )