Praise for Out Front
“Deborah walks you through the anxiety, terror, and often debilitating fear of public speaking, while handing you the keys to break free and confidently share your authentic voice in a meaningful and memorable way! With practice, Out Front might even make speaking in public actually fun!”
—Actress Demi Moore
“Deborah debunks public speaking myths and will have you wondering how she got into your head. You won’t be able to make excuses any longer.”
—Eden Gillott Bowe, President, Gillott Communications LLC
“Every time I see Deborah or read this book, I learn more to help me become a better speaker. I gain confidence to prepare, practice, and present more powerful presentations.”
—Lauren O’Donnell, Global General Manager and Vice President, life sciences industry, IBM
“Through my work with Deborah I have completely transformed as a public speaker. I’ve stopped apologizing—in speech, in body language, in cues—for stating my position and I now have a tool kit to achieve my goals.”
—Julie Cordua, CEO, Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children
“At some point, I forgot what I was reading because it was so personal and conversational. Out Front has changed me. Reading this book convinced me that I didn’t need to be PERFECT. I hope this book inspires many women who are experiencing the same anxiety I did.”
—Ellen Lee, Human Resources Manager, Lotte Advanced Materials
“After reading Out Front I realized that I should embrace my individuality and utilize it as a competitive advantage.”
—Debra Gentz, Vice President, Bank of the West
“Deborah, the tiny woman who fills up every room she enters, centers and calms the reader by sharing her power tools that give us both the courage and confidence to find our voice within and to deliver our messages with the impact that makes them stick.”
—DeeDee DeMan, Chairman and CEO, Bench International
“As Out Front says, if we are to become successful, we need to constantly go outside our comfort zone. As I transitioned into a new leadership role at a multibillion-dollar organization, Deborah’s book was spot on! I used some of the pointers when meeting my new colleagues with an air of confidence that was critical in a male-dominated industry.”
—Caryn Siebert, Vice President of Claims, Knight Insurance Group (a Hankey Group company)
“Deborah’s book changed the way I think about, prepare, and deliver presentations and speeches. Out Front gave me the confidence and courage to just be me and tell my story, and I believe this book will empower many women to go out front and do the same.”
—Julie Fleshman, President and CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
“Out Front is the definitive guide for how women can ‘lean in,’ be memorable, and be graciously and gracefully formidable without becoming the ‘B’ word.”
—Dr. Mark Goulston, Author of Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through toAbsolutely Anyone, Co-host of It’s Your Health on NPR, and Co-founder, Heartfelt Leadership
“Are you looking to own the room like Beyoncé? Go for it with Out Front! This is a must-read for the businesswoman on her path to brilliant success on and off the speaking stage.”
—Lolita Taub, Vice President of Sales, Glassbreakers,Millennial Tech Intrapreneur and Social Entrepreneur
“If you’re ready to stop abdicating to the boys being consistently ‘out front,’ you hold in your hand the book that will give you new insights and tools to exponentially increase confidence in speaking. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, this is a must-read.”
—Elizabeth Bishop, Executive Senior Vice President, Heffernan Insurance
“As someone who loves to speak in public, but still gets anxious, reading this book is like a private coaching session with Deborah. I appreciate the heartfelt support she gives her readers and the encouragement to overcome their fear.”
—Cheryl Bame, Principal of Bame Public Relations
“Every woman executive who might feel uncomfortable being ‘out front’ will gain confidence, effectiveness, and perhaps for the first time, actually enjoy speaking before audiences—as I now do, thanks to the invaluable counsel Deborah gives in Out Front.”
—Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, Author of The Board Game: How Smart Women BecomeCorporate Directors and Co-owner of Berkhemer Clayton Retained Executive Search
“Out Front changed my entire perspective about public speaking. It went from something I used to dread to something I get paid to do! I am buying copies for all my employees—women and men—because I want to see them go through the same transformation I did.”
—Liz Davidson, CEO of Financial Finesse and Author of What Your Financial AdvisorIsn’t Telling You: The 10 Essential Truths You Need to Know About Your Money
“If you read only one book about speaking, this must be the book. It’s overflowing with practical advice from how to craft your talk to what to do in the ten minutes before you step in front of the audience.”
—Lanie Denslow, Author of World Wise: What to Know Before You Go
“This book is not only for emerging women professionals, but for those of us with twenty years’ experience in front of an audience. Deborah’s sage voice is in my head every time I create a presentation or update tested material. I may just wallpaper my office with the pages of Out Front.”
—Karen L. Cates, Ph.D., Executive Coach, Leadership Development Consultant, and Adjunct Professor ofExecutive Education at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
“Out Front is a call to professional women to speak authentically and powerfully. Deborah Shames speaks compelling truths that support us in overcoming the obstacles that block us from engaging our audiences.”
—Sharon Rich, Founder and CEO, thinkbusinessgrowth powered by IMPAQ
“Filled with illuminating tips, tools, and real-life examples, Out Front by Deborah Shames is an exceptional guide for any woman desiring to be a more engaging and powerful presenter.”
—Dr. Lonnie Barbach, Author of For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality and other books
“Out Front is an experiential guide to what all professional women need to know about public speaking.”
—Harriet Welch, Partner, law firm of Squire Patton Boggs
“This book is much more than how women can become engaging, memorable, and fearless speakers—it’s about how women can reach inside themselves and bring out their authentic voice to any job or situation.”
—Carla Hatley, Producer, Fratelli Bologna
“Truly life changing, inspiring, and honest. I was cheering at the end for myself and every other little girl who shuffled to the edge and jumped—all because you believed and showed us how, Deborah!”
—Margaret Bayston, CEO and President, Laura’s House
“Deborah clearly understands the issues many professionals face, both internally and externally. She strikes a balance between sharing personal experiences