Introduction 13 Speak Up! Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communicating. No person is good at it all the time, and most people fear it altogether. In fact, public speaking is the num- ber-one fear of Americans--rated higher than dying, divorce, and bankruptcy. But whether you're addressing one, 10, 100, or 1,000 people, you still have to do it, so you'd better find a way to do it right. How? As esteemed PR pro Art Stevens, managing partner of StevensGouldPincus, once told me, you have to "grab them by the shoulders" and never let go. You want your boss to focus on your pet project. You need your college professor to write a glowing recommenda- tion for your summer internship. You'd like your neighbor to prune back an unruly tree blocking your view. You want an airplane employee to get you on a flight. Loud & Clear will help you get your voice heard. Why You? Because it's high time you became a better communica- tor. Remember: how you communicate is a direct link to professional--and personal--success. And who deserves these more than you? Why Me? ...because I've been at this for more than 20 years, helping all kinds of people, from the executive to the entry level. Whether it's NASA astronauts, engineers at think tanks, ce- lebrities, authors, politicians, and even regular folks trying to save their local park or sway their PTA, I've helped thousands tailor and deliver effective, results-driven messages. For the