The husband and wife duo Carmine and Vanessa Gallo, gave a guest speech covering the topics of effective verbal and nonverbal communication expressed in his book “Talk like TED” Wednesday, Oct. 26 in L-109.

The Los Medanos College department of communications, LMC Innovations Grant and the honors program put on this event.
Assistant Professor of Speech Communication Marie Arcidiacono began the event by welcoming everyone to the event.

“To say that we are blown away by the turnout would be an understatement,” said Arcidiacono, gesturing to the people standing at the back of the room and those sitting on the floor at the front.

She then introduced author and keynoter Carmine Gallo.

“The ability to communicate persuasively is the single greatest skill … that will help you stand out in every access of your career,” said Gallo.
He explained not everyone begins as a great public speaker, and that many of the great speakers people know did not possess a natural skill and had to practice.

“Great public speakers are made, they’re not born,” he said.

In a story told to Arcidiacono’s class prior to the presentation, he explained the story of a man he knew who because of his communications skills landed a job. His employers expressed that his communication skills are what made him a commodity.

Later in the presentation, he showed a clip of Warren Buffett emphasizing the value in the ability to be able to communicate effectively.
“He mentioned ‘Dale Carnegie course’ … it’s a public speaking course. He dropped out twice because he was too afraid to get up in front of people,” said Gallo.

Following the example he told the three key things to being a persuasive speaker and communicator.
“Every inspiring conversation has to be emotional, novel and memorable,” he said.

In order to get people to listen, he explained that ideas that catch on are often linked to good stories, so it’s important that people master the art of storytelling as well.

“Credentials alone are not enough. It doesn’t matter what your credentials are, you need to be able to tell a good story to stand apart,” said Gallo. “Here’s the best part storytelling is already in our DNA.”

There are two stories people can tell, stories about themselves and about others.

According to a conversation had between Gallo and persuasive speaker and American lawyer Bryan Stevenson, narrative and telling personal stories are key.

“The brain craves meaning before detail,” said Gallo. “ A great leader is able to strip things down to their essence.”
He concluded his presentation and helped introduce body language expert Vanessa Gallo who spoke to the crowd about nonverbal communication.

“In order to have really strong body language … you have to be authentic,” she said.

She explained the science behind what our body language expresses and what we express verbally. If what your words and your body language don’t match, then it often comes across as insincere.

Three things they focus on to help create great speakers is an acronym they’ve developed called AMP. It focuses on natural Ability, the delivery of a good Message and Practice.

“Don’t worry about your hands, your gesture, your posture worry about your story,” she said. “If you can do that your body will follow suit.”
Then, after the conclusion of her speech, both speakers stayed to answer audience questions.

Following the discussion, people had the opportunity to have copies of the book signed and receive ask the speakers any other questions they had.