Impromptu: Leading in the Moment

Be Prepared to Lead in the Moment: Assess, think, and respond on-the-spot Impromptu shows leaders how to think on their feet and respond eloquently in every situation. Never have there been so many opportunities to inspire and influence in everyday situations -- elevator chats, corridor conversations, networking gatherings, meetings, and ceremonial events. Indeed, today the most iconic leadership moments are spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment events that reveal the inner workings of the leader's mind. When these impromptu opportunities arise, leaders must be able to listen, think, and respond within seconds. They don't read a script from a page, they convey the narrative that is already in their mind. They can tailor a message—in a meeting, in the corridor, or in a tweet—to influence and inspire any audience. Those who shine in that moment are remembered for their leadership. Those who stumble are remembered for their gaffes, mixed messages, or insensitivity. Nobody remembers the leaders who retreat to their office, formulate a strategic plan, and distribute a memo the following week. Guided by her entrepreneurial success as founder of The Humphrey Group and her firm's work with tens of thousands of leaders over the past 30 years, Judith Humphrey makes clear the importance of preparing to be spontaneous -- as counterintuitive as that may sound! Drawing upon the best impromptu moments from the Greeks to the present, the book looks at every aspect of impromptu speaking. You will learn how to: Think like an impromptu leader Quickly read an audience of one or a thousand Collect your thoughts and craft a persuasive message 'Script' yourself within seconds for any occasion Avoid 'um's' and 'ah's' and use the right words at the right time Discover improv techniques that will enable you to shine Deliver your message with clarity, confidence, and conviction. The ability to speak on the spot is often seen as an innate gift, a talent of 'natural-born' leaders. The truth is, it's a skill that can be learned—a skill that is quickly becoming a must-have for anyone in a leadership position. Impromptu provides clear, actionable guidance to help you reach your full leadership potential. It will enable you to influence and inspire followers on the many 'small stages' that define our daily lives.

Table of Contents:
Prologue: the Soul of This Book xi Introduction 1 Part I The New World of Impromptu 9 1 The Rise of Impromptu Speaking 11 2 Power of Spontaneity 23 Part II The Impromptu Mind-Set 33 3 Be Intent on Leading 35 4 Be a Listener 45 5 Be Authentic 55 6 Be Focused 65 7 Be Respectful 71 Part III The Leader’s Script 79 8 Lay the Groundwork 81 9 Read Your Audience 89 10 The Scripting Template 97 11 Commit to a Message 103 12 Make a Compelling Case 111 13 Beginnings and Endings 119 Part IV Impromptu Scripts For Every Occasion 125 14 Meetings 127 15 Job Interviews, Networking, and Elevator Conversations 135 16 “Just the Big Picture” 145 17 Toasts and Tributes 151 18 The Impromptu Speech 159 19 Q & a 165 Part V The Impromptu Stage 175 20 Rehearse Your Remarks 177 21 Choose Your Words 187 22 Use Improv Techniques 195 23 Find Your Voice 203 24 Master Body Language 211 Conclusion: Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared 219 Endnotes 225 Acknowledgments 239 Index 243

About the Author :
Judith Humphrey is founder of The Humphrey Group Inc., one of North America’s premier leadership communications firms. Over the past 30 years The Humphrey Group has coached tens of thousands of leaders who wish to influence and inspire when they speak. The firm’s pathbreaking program for women has reached over a half million individuals around the world. Humphrey is a keynote speaker and author of three books (Speaking as a Leader, Taking the Stage, and Impromptu). She is also a regular columnist for Fast Company. She lives with her family in Toronto. For more on the author and her books, see www.judithhumphrey.com and follow her on twitter @judith_humphrey.