Steal the Show

From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life

By: Michael Port

Narrated by: Michael Port

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

An inspiring program full of essential advice for spotlight lovers and wallflowers alike that will teach listeners how to bring any crowd to its feet

Every day there are moments when you must persuade, inform, and motivate others effectively. Each of those moments requires you, in some way, to play a role, to heighten the impact of your words, and to manage your emotions and nerves. Every interaction is a performance, whether you're speaking up in a meeting, pitching a client, or walking into a job interview.

In Steal the Show, New York Times bestselling author Michael Port draws on his experience as an actor and as a highly successful corporate speaker and trainer to teach listeners how to make the most of every presentation and interaction. He demonstrates how the methods of successful actors can help you connect with, inspire, and persuade any audience. His key strategies for commanding an audience's attention include developing a clear focus for every performance, making sure you engage with your listeners, and finding the best role for yourself in order to convey your message with maximum impact.

Michael Port is one of the most in-demand corporate speakers working today. His presentations are always powerful, engaging, and inspirational. And yes, audiences always give him a standing ovation.

©2015 Michael Port (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

More self-absorbed than authentic

Firstly, I was a big Michael Port fan. To an extent still am. This book is just... Hmmm, I wouldn't say it's too practical, because it isn't, really. It just feels as if Michael has all the answers, and he's eager to tell you how to do things.

Problem is, his method (practicing a lot) is:

1. described well in other books, like Carmine Gallo's books.

2. quite formulaic.

The latter can be okay, if only authenticity didn't suffer, and I think it does in this book. Michael is too enthusiastic, too upbeat, too great, too... full of... himself, or his approach.

To supplement Carmine Gallo's books, I highly highly highly recommend Caroline Myss' Your Creative Soul: Expressing Your Authentic Voice. Truly remarkable. Maybe too spiritual/intuitive for some, but damn I love that book.

Another promising book (haven't finished it yet) is Todd Henry's new one Louder Than Words. It's surprisingly good.

Presentation tips for beginners

There is good advice in this book, but it has two problems for me: too basic and not enough value for almost 8 hours. I kept pushing the 'forward button' until I gave up. A lot of what I heard was presentation 101.

The rest was filler, as if the author had been advised an audiobook must be at least 7 hours to be worth the price. I simply did not find it engaging. I can see how this could be a very useful book for someone who has never given a presentation with 8 hours to spare.

I tried these tools and the work

Each step is easy to test so you can practice A biz book for private-life.

Great book with immediate actionable content

The was an awesome book. The content is something you can apply immediately to your work, wether it's to become a better sales person, land your dream job or launch a speaking career.

Great advice to become a better performer in life.

Very good

Michael doesn't just give tips for public speaking. This is a comprehensive plan of how to prepare and present in public and private situations. Well Done!

About as much substance as this short review.

This book has ONE point that gets bludgeoned to the lowest depths of hell for its entirety.

The skills used in acting are applicable in all kinds of speaking/ persuasion/ negotiation/ sales scenario. For example, when I didn't feel confident I just acted the part when I...

That's it. Now get yourself books like The Way of The Wold by Jordan Belfort, and Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss. These are books that will teach you practical skills and explain the psychology of what you should do and why. That way, you are better prepared with what to do and can discern the best plan of action depending on the task at hand.

Learn how to rock every one of your life's performances

The word "performance" has a kind of oily overtone: think of someone "performing" in conversation or a presentation, and you probably think of someone who's faking it. But as Michael Port points out, performance can be profoundly authentic—and in this book, he draws on the actor's toolbox to equip you to deliver convincing, powerful, honest performances.

The emphasis is on public speaking, but much of what he covers applies to everything from crucial conversations to that make-or-break job interview. And he provides examples that cover the full gamut of life's performances.

I'm glad I bought both the audiobook and the Kindle version. I know I'll be referring back to the text often, but there's no substitute for hearing Michael's examples—especially around voice work and delivery.

I've been writing and delivering speeches, and coaching public speakers, for well over 20 years, and I learned a lot. I hope you'll find this just as useful.

The First Audible book to disappoint

What would have made Steal the Show better?

The information was below average at best and not his area of expertise. When he started talking about his acting career (?) I knew I was listening to the wrong person. Don't waste your time or money. I am more upset about the time wasted than the money.

How could the performance have been better?

He performed it and it was below average. Have a real voice over artist do it.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

diappointment

Any additional comments?

Do Not Buy.

not exactly all situation

Good content if you are giving a TED talk. Less so if you present scientific studies or are going to job interviews.

best practical book on public performance

this is by far the best book on public performance/speaking I've read so far..it's very practical, especially for beginners to intermediate, this is a book I would study..the author's narrative is second to none, demonstrating his experience and knowledge in the field and gives confidence to the listener/student..great job Mike..I've read quite a few other books on the subject and they all seem to have good yet different perspectives, but reading these helped me to see the value in this one..I am rarely moved to write a review, but I couldn't help myself on this one..I have a hard time believing that the few bad reviews on this book were even allowed to be posted, they were not helpful,, they were not practical in any way...

Nothing to learn here

Lacks to convey any meaningful learnings on the topic. Writing style is too wordy and the case stories are uninspiring. After two hours of listening, I dropped this title and wrote this review to lower the average rating to something more close to that it should be

Like hearing a boring smelly person try to teach me stuff

Annoying speaking voice firstly. This has got to be one of if not THEE most blah blah blah book I’ve ever heard. SUPER NERD AUTHOR, terrible waste of 4 hours. I only listened to half.

Actionable and inspiring

Great read and actionable from the first minute.

A true pleasure to listen to Michael’s voice and a study in its own right - I learned a lot from that.

I can’t wait to bring these ninja tools to the stage!

Thank you so much Michael 🙏

Amazing

Thank you Michael, this is a book I’ll read and listen to over and over again. It’s my reference and study guide, whilst I create and deliver amazing speeches.

Yes, and


Dominic

Valuable confidence building info

The narrator had just the right energy to keep me interested even when the book became a bit redundant. I definitely picked up a few points on leading a conversation or presentation. I'd recommend others to listen to this book as part their everyday soft skills development.

Fantastic

Loads of useful tips for any type of performance.....from a product demo to speed dating, loads of material here to help make a difference!

Great listen and some top tips.

Worth a listen to start or improve public performances. Some great advice and top tips to follow.