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

Praise for Taking the Stage

"Speaking with strength and confidence is a vital skill for both men and women. Judith Humphrey′s book, Taking the Stage, is a must–read for women who wish to achieve this goal."
Elyse Allan, president and CEO, GE Canada

"Judith Humphrey puts forward important ideas that are necessary for women′s advancement, and Taking the Stage includes a set of clear guidelines for individual change. This is a welcome first step in the shift from a ′fitting in′ male model to an ′organizational fit,′ male–and–female model where both leadership styles are valued and rewarded."
Judy B. Rosener, professor emerita, Paul Merage School of Business, UC Irvine, and author, America′s Competitive Secret: Women Managers

"Taking the Stage focuses on one of the most significant skills women can have: the ability to project a strong, clear, and compelling voice. I have found in my career that this ability to speak up confidently, clearly, and with substance has been a defining quality for those who get ahead both women and men. Judith Humphrey presents a template for doing so."
Sue Spradley, senior vice president and general manager, network and service enablement, JDSU

"I have brought Judith Humphrey′s brilliant program ′Taking the Stage′ into three companies on five continents. The results have been extraordinary. Women all over the world have discovered as readers will how to express themselves with courage and confidence, whether on the shop floor or in the executive suite."
Kate Bishop, executive vice president, HR (Europe), CEVA Logistics

"Finally a book that shows women how to communicate powerfully, persuasively, and with presence. Women at TD have benefited tremendously from the program that inspired Taking the Stage."
Grace Palombo, executive vice president and head of HR, TD Bank, and member, Catalyst US Advisory Board

"If you manage a business and wish to support women in their pursuit of a successful career, Taking the Stage is an important read. I have seen women come back from the ′Taking the Stage′ program and be considerably more confident speaking in front of their peers."
John Montalbano, CEO, RBC Global Asset Management

Preface ix

Introduction 1

Part One Choose to Take the Stage 11

1 We Have Been Taught to Fit In, Not Stand Out 13

2 Silence the Inner Crow 20

3 Develop a Center Stage Mindset 28

4 Speak Up Confidently 34

5 Be Assertive, Not Aggressive 42

6 Promote Yourself 48

7 Be Courageous 59

8 Hold Your Ground 66

Part Two Create a Strong Script 77

9 Portray Yourself as a Leader 79

10 Strengthen Your Language 88

11 Structure Your Script 96

12 Master Meeting Scripts 102

13 Craft Career Conversations 109

14 Elevate Your Elevator Scripts 117

Part Three Unlock the Power of Your Voice 123

15 Begin by Breathing 125

16 Find Your Full Sound 130

17 Develop Your Leader′s Voice 137

18 Pace Yourself 143

19 Be Expressive 148

20 Articulate Clearly 155

Part Four Stand Out on Stage 159

21 Understand the Power of Presence 161

22 Be Fearless on Stage 167

23 Sit Tall, Stand Tall 175

24 Strengthen Your Body Language 183

25 She′s Smart . . . but She Doesn′t Look It 190

Conclusion: The World is Your Stage 199

Notes 205

Acknowledgments 213

About the Author 216

Index 218

JUDITH HUMPHREY is the founder of the Humphrey Group, a firm that teaches executives and leaders to influence and inspire their audiences. Clients include Deloitte, HSBC, IBM, Microsoft, TD Bank, and Walmart. Taking the Stage®, Judith′s pioneering program for women, has reached over 400,000 participants around the world. Judith is the author of Speaking as a Leader (Jossey–Bass, 2012) and she lives in Toronto.

For more information, please visit www.thehumphreygroup.com/taking–the–stage.htm