The Reluctant Presenter
Forget everything you thought you knew about speaking
Portico founder + CEO Meghan Dotter shares her best thinking on what holds speakers back and how to become a compelling presenter.
Have you ever left a meeting wishing you had said something different?
Do you wonder why speaking seems to come so easily to others, but not to you?
Meghan Dotter has made a career of helping clients tell their stories. In her book The Reluctant Presenter: Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Speaking, Meghan reveals the science and art behind creating and giving a compelling presentation. She challenges some of the biggest assumptions you’ve been led to believe, including:
- Don’t fake it ‘til you make it; use confidence as a guide
- The success of your presentation has very little to do with PowerPoint
- The real potential of storytelling goes beyond entertaining
- Great speakers aren’t naturally charismatic; they do the work to connect to audiences
Through storytelling and research, Meghan shows you how to do the work (and avoid steps that aren’t worth spending time on). By reading this book and putting new approaches into practice, you’ll do more than transcend from being a reluctant presenter; you might even enjoy speaking up.
For media interviews:
“Meghan’s superpower is helping others communicate so they’re heard. As a result, this book is packed with realistic strategies to help you address all different kinds of speaking situations. The prose is gentle and elegant, and truly a joy to read. It feels like Meghan crawled into my head, looked at all my insecurities and information gaps, and put together a communication plan designed just for me! The Reluctant Presenter is the book we all need, and Meghan is the cheerleader we all deserve.”
— Echo Swinford, PowerPoint MVP and best-selling Co-Author, Building PowerPoint Templates
“If you want your team to speak confidently and deliver better business results, read The Reluctant Presenter. It’s a great resource for both novice and seasoned speakers. Meghan walks you through barriers for speakers while giving actionable, practical advice on preparing and giving presentations. I will recommend this book to all my new leaders!”
— Stephanie Mango, President, CGI Federal
“Meghan is always my go to expert who coaches me in messaging, communication and presenting to boards, investors and customers when starting a new business. The Reluctant Presenter beautifully captures the essence of her approach and how it can help you become the presenter that will command the room and make you successful in achieving your goals.”
— Mo Vargas, President and CEO, BayoTech
“If you are serious about presenting well, Meghan Dotter’s book is a must-read. I simply cannot put a price tag on what I’ve learned from her; it’s been invaluable.”
— Jennifer R. Farmer, best-selling Author First and Only: A Black Woman’s Guide To Thriving at Work and In Life and Extraordinary PR Ordinary Budget:A Strategy Guide