Simon Lancaster first started writing speeches in the late 1990s for members of Tony Blair's Cabinet. He has since gone on to write speeches for the CEOs of some of the world's biggest companies. He is an Executive Fellow of Henley Business School and lectures on Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge. Simon regularly appears on BBC and Sky News discussing speeches and has written articles for the Guardian, Daily Mail, Spectator, Prospect and GQ. He frequently makes keynote speeches at major conferences around the world and his social media videos attract hundreds of thousands of views. His 2016 TEDx Talk 'Speak like a Leader' has had more than three million views. He lives in the Brecon Beacons with his wife, two daughters, a dog, two cats and several chickens
Like everything the incredible Simon Lancaster does - whether it's in speech-writing, books or music - this is erudite, interesting and, above all, entertaining. * Alan Johnson, author and Former Home Secretary of the United Kingdom * In a world filled with division and anxiety, Simon Lancaster unlocks a treasure trove of advice on how we achieve meaningful and lasting connections with others through our written and spoken communications. And he makes it all sound fun and easy - which is exactly how it should be * Viv Groskop, author of How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking * One of the world's best speechwriters unveils the arts of persuasion with the help of some brain science. A racy, engrossing read. * Professor Ian Robertson, author of How Confidence Works: The New Science of Self-Belief * A rollicking read, jammed full of inspiring insights and examples, showing how we can all use humour and playfulness to become better communicators. Great fun! * Neil Mullarkey, comedian and author of Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills * In this highly entertaining guide to communication, Simon Lancaster provides rich insight into how to instantly connect with audiences. His anecdotes and familiar cultural reference points ensure that he always practises what he preaches, and so his ideas connect with readers * Jonathan Charteris-Black, Emeritus Professor of Linguistics, University of the West of England * Simon Lancaster dives into the language that dominates public debate to argue that the opinions many of us assume to be instinctive are actually the product of others manipulating words and phrases to provoke the reaction they desire. A thoroughly entertaining and highly relevant read. * Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive, NSPCC *