I am releasing the full 'Introduction' to my book, '#StrategyOfSpeaking'.
Introduction
I have always envied those with a talent for speaking.
People who were bright and in the spotlight wherever they went were always good speakers.
In contrast to them, I was a serious and ordinary person who lacked any sparkling dexterity in my speech.
Stopping during an interview because I couldn't think of an answer, being disliked for giving a speech with sharp, abrasive words, or giving up on speaking in conversations for fear of conflicting opinions.
I have constantly been fed up with my own lack of speaking ability.
It is an ability that cannot be acquired just by living a normal life.
For the me of the past, 'speaking talent' was something I wanted more than anything.
Years have passed, and I now run kaeka, Inc., a startup that provides a 'speaking training' service combining AI diagnosis and trainer guidance, primarily for business professionals. As a speechwriter and trainer myself, I have clients who are executives and politicians, and I have improved the speaking skills of over 5,000 people to date.
I began Japanese speech competitions and debating at the age of 15, won the national speech tournament three times, and received the Prime Minister's Award. At DeNA, where I worked as a new graduate, I launched the company's first speechwriter/trainer project, taught speaking skills to members including the president, executives, the HR department, and the sales department, which led to the founding of my current company.
The reason why I, an ordinary person who was originally unrelated to speaking talent, was not only able to achieve results by making my own speaking style a strength, but also able to build a system to improve the speaking styles of those around me.
It is because I have thought about and practiced the 'strategy of speaking'.
Nice to meet you. My name is Kaori Chiba, and I am the representative of kaeka, Inc. Thank you for picking up this book from the many choices available.
In this book, based on the experience, knowledge, and track record that I and kaeka, which runs a speaking training service, have learned and cultivated, I will explain the strategy of speaking that will dramatically change your life.
Some people may feel uncomfortable when the word 'strategy' is added to the warm human activity of 'speaking'.
The word strategy often conjures up cold impressions, such as lying, psychologically cornering people, or trying to manipulate others as one pleases.
However, this book is by no means of that kind.
'Developing a strategy for speaking' refers to determining the purpose of speaking and thinking through the words, voice, and movements in order to deliver what you want to convey to the listener.
This is a very important mindset for maximizing the effectiveness of 'speaking' as you advance along your own career path and challenges, for involving those around you and making them allies to move toward the future together, and for realizing a better world.
Strategy is never cold; it is something that gives enthusiasm and vitality to life.
You don't need 'talent' to speak well
I first became conscious of the strategy of speaking when I was a first-year high school student. It was triggered by my encounter with 'benron' (oratory).
Oratory is a Japanese speech competition.
You stand on a podium alone and state your argument for seven minutes. You write the manuscript yourself, devise ways to speak, memorize it, and present it in front of people.
It is often confused with 'debate', but it is different from debate, where you compete by dividing into pros and cons on a given theme. It is characterized by continuing to 'speak' in one direction toward the audience.
I joined the oratory club because I admired the cool appearance of the seniors who spoke confidently without being nervous in front of people, but for me, who had no particular argument to convey and no confidence in my own way of speaking, it was a shocking environment.
Regardless of competition experience or seniority, whether a person's speech was easy to understand, whether it remained in the heart, why that was, and if it was no good, why it was no good and how to improve it—these things were actively discussed.
Starting with basic vocalization exercises, writing manuscripts, receiving criticism from both seniors and juniors, and then neglecting homework to refine the manuscript.
Rewriting it more than 20 times, and after finishing something I could be satisfied with, memorizing all 1,600 characters, and practicing for three hours every day to speak in a way that conveys passion to anyone and sounds clear, and finally participating in the tournament... repeating this process.
Trained in such an environment, I was able to achieve the results of winning the national oratory tournament three times and receiving the Prime Minister's Award.
Having experienced speech competitions through oratory, I realized that in order to make what you really want to convey resonate in the hearts of others and to involve people, you must weave words with a strategy.
And I learned clearly as a 'primal experience' that speaking ability is not an innate ability, but like sports or music, it improves by grasping the method and making course corrections.
If I had a talent for speaking, I would have been able to get the results I wanted just by speaking as I pleased, without thinking or making any effort.
That was not the case at all.
And, like me, I think most people do not have a talent for speaking.
That is precisely why, if you can have the mindset of 'speaking with a strategy', your way of speaking will change, and you will be able to open up your life.
'Strategy of speaking' can be used in any scene
The contents delivered in this book are as follows.
In the prologue, I will explain what kind of features the strategy of speaking has, focusing on the keyword 'systematization'. To help you understand, I will also introduce recent examples I have been involved in as a speechwriter and trainer.
The explanation of practical mindsets and methods will start from Part 1, but I think that by reading the prologue, you will be able to gain deeper learning after sharing the premises.
Beyond that, it is composed of three main parts.
In Part 1, I will explain the 'three principles' for developing a strategy. I will convey the fundamental way of thinking that applies to all speaking.
In Part 2, I will take up the 'strategy of words'. Based on the principles, I will touch on specific methods such as what expressions to choose, in what order to speak, and what content to include.
Part 3 is about the 'strategy of voice and movement'. I will break down the elements of voice and movement one by one, such as how to speak with feeling, how to express clearly and easily, and how to move your body to make your words stand out, and explain them carefully.
Strategy is also cultivated by imitating good examples. In this book, I have included and analyzed numerous real-life examples of the speaking styles of prominent business leaders, politicians, entertainers, and athletes.
Although they are mostly quotes from speeches and addresses, the speaking strategy learned from here is premised on being utilized in various situations in daily life.
From business negotiations and presentations with business partners, 'reporting, communicating, and consulting' with superiors and subordinates, meetings, job interviews, to wedding congratulatory speeches, it is useful in all scenes where you try to accomplish something through the act of 'speaking'.
Even if the situation changes, there is no change in the foundation of 'speaking' as speaking with one's own body.
I would like people who have a苦手 (dislike/weakness) consciousness about speaking like I did in the past, or who have been pointed out for deficiencies in their speaking style in the past and have felt frustrated, to read this book.
I am also convinced that it is useful for people who are confident in speaking. You should be able to push your speaking style to a further strength.
For those who have been doing it their own way and want to deepen their theoretical understanding, or those who wish to become more professional, it can also serve as a self-analysis role to reflect on their own speaking style.
If you can learn the way of thinking and know-how of 'developing a strategy for speaking', you can shine a spotlight on your life.
As a person who has been pursuing the single theme of 'speaking' for my whole life, I will deliver it with all my heart, leaving nothing out.
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If you have read this far and are even slightly interested, please consider picking up a copy of the book.
To commemorate the publication of the book, we have decided to hold a launch event. It will be an opportunity for me to meet you all in person, so I would be delighted if you could attend.
[Offline/Online Hybrid Event] 5/31 (Fri) 19:00 - 'Strategy of Speaking' 1-Day Mastery Course
At this event, I plan to perform a live speech. While breaking down the speech, I will introduce the strategies of speaking hidden within it.
I hope to share stories that take advantage of the unique venue of Tenro-in Bookstore, so please join us.
Venue: Tenro-in Bookstore (RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK South 3F, 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
[Recommended for those who:]
・Are interested in Kaori Chiba's serious speech.・Want to deepen their understanding of speaking strategies through workshops.
[Offline Event] 6/3 (Mon) 19:00 - 'Strategy of Speaking' (President Inc.) Publication Commemoration! Kaori Chiba x Takahiro Miura Talk Event
"Mr. Miura from GO, won't you invest in speaking training?"
A public presentation to execute the 'Strategy of Speaking'!
I will be holding a talk event with Takahiro Miura in the large classroom at Aoyama Book Center.I will conduct a public presentation to Mr. Miura, who is involved not only in the advertising industry but also in VC business, calling for investment in my own business!
After the presentation, I will 'reveal the tricks' behind the 'speaking strategies' included in it and explain tips you can imitate starting today. You will also learn about the commonalities with the communication techniques practiced by Mr. Miura, who has authored books such as 'The Power of Verbalization'.
Venue: Aoyama Book Center (Cosmos Aoyama B2F, 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
[Recommended for those who:]
・Want to hear from two language professionals about what the 'speaking power' required today is.Want to hear from two language professionals about what the 'speaking power' required today is.
・Want to hear directly from Kaori Chiba or Takahiro Miura.