The Motivated Speaker

Master the mindsets and practices of the world's best public speakers

A team of veteran communication and speaking coaches delivers a groundbreaking new framework to becoming a great communicator. Thanks to the authors' decades of experience, readers will discover the six essential threshold concepts needed to give talks like the best TED speakers and Fortune 500 leaders.

Their practical and accessible approach will help you establish powerful habits in your speaking practice. You'll understand what's preventing you from being influential and persuasive, and build a new foundation toward being a highly effective communicator.

This trailblazing book goes beyond cliches like “overcome your fear” and obvious advice like “don't read your speech.” It dives deep into the transformative, integrative, and challenging ideas that will enable you to level up your speaking.

Included here are:

• Deep explanations of what it takes to become an effective communicator
• Insights into the dispositions, behaviors, and skills that great speakers consistently demonstrate and how to develop them in yourself
• Expert guidance on how to use the latest technologies to augment your public speaking development

A comprehensive framework for learning public speaking, The Motivated Speaker is the perfect resource for working professionals and leaders who want to learn to speak persuasively, confidently, clearly, and compellingly.

The Spark 1

About Us 8

The Threshold Concepts for Public Speaking 10

Principle 1 Speaking Is Habitual 11

Know What You Did to Be an Effective Communicator (Then Make It Your Habit) 15

Your Changing Audience Requires Continuous Learning (and New Habits) 20

Habits → Trust = Confidence 23

Principle 2 Speaking Is Messy 33

Effective Public Speaking Starts With Organizing the Mess 35

There Are Multiple Starting Points and Structures 38

Working on a Talk Takes Many Iterations 42

Writing and Speaking Are Different Messes 45

The Messiest of Them All: Speaking Always Has a Time Limit 48

Speaking Requires Adaptability to Drive Through the Mess of Actually Speaking 51

Principle 3 Speaking Is Social 65

Speaking Moves an Audience Toward a Goal 68

Communicating Verbally Is Inherently Risky 72

Words Fade 77

On Silence 80

Listen While Speaking 82

Principle 4 Speaking Contains Multiple Genres 89

A Genre Has Multiple Parts and Norms 90

A New Genre Will Require Study and Iteration 94

Genre Rules Can Be Broken 97

Principle 5 Speaking Is Embodied 103

You Must Decide to Stop Talking About the Talk and Deliver It 108

Narrative Transitions Usually Only Happen When the Talk Is Delivered 112

Performances Aren’t Just for Theater 113

Dress Rehearsals Are the Final Inning of Embodiment 117

Principle 6 Successful Speaking Requires Feedback 125

Useful Feedback Aligns the Goal of the Speaker with the Perspective of the Audience 128

You Are Your Best Source of Feedback (Really) 134

The Timing and Format of Feedback Matters 138

Environments Must Be Safe for Feedback 141

Threshold Concepts Summary and Integrations 149

Your Speaking Toolkit 159

Advanced Skills 177

Technology and Speaking 179

Speaking Personas 189

Conclusion: On Practicing 199

You’re a Motivated Speaker Now What? 203

Our (Speaking) Origin Stories 205

For More Study 213

TED Talks 215

Notes 217

Acknowledgments 223

About the Authors 227

Index 231

RUTH MILLIGAN is the founder of Articulation, a communications training and coaching firm. In her over 35 years of wide-ranging experience, she also founded and curated TEDXColumbus, one of the longest running TEDX programs in the world. She is a proud mom, quilter, and pickleball player.

ACACIA DUNCAN has coached thousands of speakers to captivate their audiences with purpose, precision, and passion. She is a theatre director, writer, and actor; an avid hiker and baker; and a life-long Trekkie.

BLYTHE COONS is a communications coach who uses her experience as a business leader and professional actor to help clients uncover their powerful stories. She loves running, baking, and supporting the arts.

Public speaking and communication are two of the most challenging aspects of professional life for millions of people. And much of the advice available to managers, executives, entrepreneurs, founders, and other professionals remains mired in overused and general platitudes. But what if you’re looking for a resource containing deep and practical explanations of how to become an effective, real-world speaker?

In The Motivated Speaker, a team of veteran speaking coaches deliver an exciting and inspiring new approach to becoming a memorable communicator. The authors draw on their decades of combined experience to demonstrate the six essential threshold concepts you need to understand to give talks like the best TED speakers and Fortune 500 leaders.

The book provides an accessible and practical approach to help you establish powerful habits in your speaking practice, diving deep into the transformative, integrative, and challenging ideas that actually enable you to elevate your speaking.

You’ll learn what’s keeping you from being influential and persuasive and discover how to build a new foundation for effective communication.

Perfect for working professionals and leaders who want to learn how to speak persuasively, confidently, and clearly, The Motivated Speaker is the comprehensive framework for public speaking that we’ve all been waiting for.

Praise for
THE MOTIVATED SPEAKER

“A refreshingly approachable and empowering guide to public speaking, this addition to the literature combines actionable strategies with emotional intelligence to create a utilitarian playbook for speakers of all experience levels.”
— MATT VANDENBERG, President, Ohio Wesleyan University

“In any organization, leaders need exceptional presentation skills, but teaching these skills can be a significant challenge. For over ten years, we have partnered with the Articulation team to assist our leaders in succession in delivering effective and actionable communication. The Motivated Speaker sheds light on what sets their coaching and training apart. They go beyond teaching mere skills; they foster a transformative mindset shift within leaders.”
— NICHOLE KNEEDLER, Chief Talent Officer and EVP, The Huntington National Bank

“As someone who spends every day in the professional speaking world, I can tell you my trajectory to this place would have been a lot faster had I read this book years ago. Ruth, Acacia and Blythe have finally explained why someone becomes a better speaker over another. Assuredly a must-read for anyone trying to improve their speaking skills at any level.”
— JON PETZ, Amazement Artist™, National Speakers Bureau Hall of Fame Member

“I call on this team when I have smart leaders who need to communicate with greater impact. This book demonstrates why their training is so effective. They go beyond simple dos and don’ts and make you think differently every time you speak.”
— BARBARA KELLEY, Vice President People, Safelite

“Everyone benefits from speaking well, whether they are talking with a colleague informally or presenting in a high-stakes setting. But most of us have never had any training on how to speak well. And the books that are out there tend to provide tips and tricks instead of principles that change our approach to speaking. Finally, we have a book that explains transformative concepts for speaking that is accessible for all of us. The three talented coaches and trainers have used the threshold concepts framework to invite all of us into effective and successful verbal communication.”
— ELIZABETH WARDLE, Director, Roger and Joyce Howe Center for Writing Excellence, Miami University

"A refreshingly approachable and empowering guide to public speaking, this addition to the literature combines actionable strategies with emotional intelligence to create a utilitarian playbook for speakers of all experience levels." —Matt vandenBerg, President, Ohio Wesleyan University

"In any organization, leaders need exceptional presentation skills, but teaching these skills can be a significant challenge. For over ten years, we have partnered with the Articulation team to assist our leaders in succession in delivering effective and actionable communication. The Motivated Speaker sheds light on what sets their coaching and training apart. They go beyond teaching mere skills; they foster a transformative mindset shift within leaders." —Nichole Kneedler, Chief Talent Officer, EVP, The Huntington National Bank

"As someone who spends every day in the professional speaking world, I can tell you my trajectory to this place would have been a lot faster had I read this book years ago. Ruth, Acacia and Blythe have finally explained why someone becomes a better speaker over another. Assuredly a must-read for anyone trying to improve their speaking skills at any level." —Jon Petz, Amazement Artist™, Business Inspirational Speaker, Conference Emcee, National Speakers Bureau Hall of Fame Member

"I call on this team when I have smart leaders who need to communicate with greater impact. This book demonstrates why their training is so effective. They go beyond simple do’s and don’ts and make you think differently every time you speak." —Barbara Kelley, Vice President People, Safelite

"Everyone benefits from speaking well, whether they are talking with a colleague informally or presenting in a high stakes setting. But most of us have never had any training on how to speak well. And the books that are out there tend to provide tips and tricks instead of principles that change our approach to speaking. Finally we have a book that explains transformative concepts for speaking that is accessible for all of us. The three talented coaches and trainers have used the threshold concepts framework to invite all of us into effective and successful verbal communication." —Elizabeth Wardle, Roger & Joyce Howe Distinguished Professor of Written Communication Director, Roger and Joyce Howe Center for Writing Excellence, Miami University (Ohio)

“The Motivated Speaker is a transformative guide for anyone eager to unlock their communication potential. Ruth, Acacia, and Blythe masterfully introduce six threshold principles, offering fresh insights into learning the art of effective speaking. Packed with relatable stories and practical wisdom, this book inspires and empowers readers to become confident, impactful communicators. The lessons and speaker stories felt extremely familiar and are a great motivator!”—Sarah Milks Bethel, Head of Global Supply Chain, Paula’s Choice Skincare/Unilever

“We turned to the expertise of Articulation to enhance the posit::conf() experience for our 1,500 attendees. Over the past four years, their talents have helped our annual 90+ speakers (no matter their experience level) really upskill their presentations and meaningfully improved the overall conference experience. The Motivated Speaker offers a rare chance to learn from these coaches and apply their techniques to elevate your own speaking engagements.” —Hadley Wickham, Chief Data Scientist, Posit

“In my years working with Ruth Milligan, both as a speaker coach and co-curator of TEDxColumbus, I’ve witnessed firsthand her expertise in helping speakers find their voice. The Motivated Speaker distills the Articulation team’s wisdom into an insightful, practical guide for anyone seeking to become a more effective communicator. Many of the tips I learned from Ruth I use to this day!” —Nancy Kramer, Founder, Public Board Director, Chief Evangelist, IBM

“For those without access to a coach, The Motivated Speaker is a gift. My work with Acacia taught me to be comfortable in the ‘messy’ process. The experience had such an impact that I brought Articulation in to help my entire team. I anticipate my copy of the book will be dog-eared and a staple in my speaking tool kit for many years to come.” —Dennis Garbarino SVP and GM Global Downstream Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company

“My coaching from Articulation dramatically changed my entire approach to practicing and presenting my science and making it accessible to any audience. I brought them into my institution, excited for my colleagues to learn the same impactful skills. It’s a delight to see so much of their experience now accessible to everyone through this book and these concepts—in the same way we’ve been enjoying it for the last decade.” —Lara McKenzie, PhD, MA, FAAHB, Principal Investigator Center for Injury Research & Policy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

“Practical and endlessly engaging, reading The Motivated Speaker felt like being coached by a team of the most compassionate and insightful mentors in the field. The authors have accomplished something remarkable: they’ve distilled the challenges and joys of public speaking into six transformative concepts that anyone can grasp and apply.” —David Staley, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of History, The Ohio State University

“I reached a point in my career when I realized that continued growth was not just about being an expert in my domain, but also my ability to compel others to believe in an idea, strategy, vision, opportunity. Working with Ruth on the principles outlined in this book not only helped turn my words into ideas worth telling, but her insight moved my words from just being heard to being remembered.” —Stephanie Domas, Speaker, Author, and Chief Information Security Officer, Canonical

“This book is a must-read for anyone looking to conquer the public speaking stage—whether you’re a rookie finding your voice or a seasoned speaker who’s maybe just a little too confident (like I was before working with these amazing authors). Packed with sharp insights and practical tips, it’s a fast track to unlocking your full potential and truly owning the spotlight.” —Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN, President, Raderstorf Consulting

“Accessible to both novice and experienced speakers alike, The Motivated Speaker clearly and succinctly highlights what makes speaking before an audience a challenging yet rewarding adventure. It delineates the individual elements of preparing and presenting speeches and offers practical advice to increase one’s aptitude and influence. The text is punctuated with scores of authentic examples of the troubles and triumphs experienced by speakers. Short of taking a college course in public speaking, this book will get you closer to your speaking goals.” —Paul Mongeau, PhD, Professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University

“Having worked and collaborated with the Articulation team for nearly two decades, I continue to be blown away by their versatility, creativity, and relentless spirit of innovation. The art of communication is ephemeral and ever shape-shifting. This book offers a needed road map for anyone navigating today’s communications.” —Laurie Kamerer, Former VP of Communications, Victoria's Secret

“An engaging, accessible, and informative look at what it takes to be an effective speaker—so relevant as we seek to retain human communication and connection in a world increasingly driven by technology. The stories ‘from the trenches,’ culled from the authors’ years of experience, bring the concepts alive and help ground the reader’s understanding. If you’re interested in delivering better, more compelling presentations, The Motivated Speaker is a must-have resource.” —Betsy Allen, Writer, Editor, and English Instructor, James Madison University

“Ruth and her team have proven that you can learn to be a great speaker no matter when you start in your career. This book gives you a front row seat to how they draw the best out of anyone wanting to be an impactful communicator.” —Edward O’Reilly, Partner, Citadel

“The Motivated Speaker, which realigns the mindsets and practices of becoming a great communicator, should be required reading for any speaker. I’ll put it on my shelf between Dale Carnegie and Chris Anderson. I can also celebrate the origin of this work on our campus from a chance connection between Dr. Wardle and the authors, two of whom are enthusiastic alums. For all of them and this brilliant manuscript, I can only add a resounding … love and honor!” —Mackenzie Rice, President, Miami University Foundation

“While I wish I had this book for the younger me, it couldn’t be more relevant and useful. With less time than ever to convey ideas and responses or make connections, these threshold concepts are essential for any speaker.” —Geraldine Weiser, Executive Director Client Solutions and Programs, Global Corporate College

“Working with Ruth and her team at Articulation to prepare for a TEDx event transformed the way I approach public speaking. They helped me distill my core message, ensuring it would resonate with the audience. Together, we restructured the presentation into a compelling narrative that made the message more impactful from my opening breath until I exhaled to the sounds of the audience clapping wildly. My time with Articulation not only changed the most important speech of my life that day but every speech that followed.” —Larry Smith, Author, Speaker, and Founder of The Six-Word Memoir Project

“In my role, I invite physicians, scientists, and scholars to translate their leading-edge work to broad audiences of potential supporters and advocates. I’ve been a longtime client and champion of Articulation’s work in helping with this effort, and this book allows me to keep their thinking and counsel at close reach.” —Patty Hill-Callahan, VP for Advancement Mount Saint Mary’s University

“This is a powerful and brilliant guide for all who seek to communicate and be communicators. Effective speaking is not necessarily natural—just like anything of substance, it is a craft to be honed through habit and intention. The authors have created a framework from their extensive experiences that should be read and re-read.” —J. Nwando Olayiwola, MD, MPH, Physician, Author, and Speaker, Senior Vice President, Advocate Health