About the Book

The Myth Of Public Speaking demystifies many of the goals of business communication. You will learn:

• The 5 neurological behaviors of authentic executive presence.

• 3 common communication errors that exist in every language and culture.

• It’s not eye contact, it’s mind contact that is the essence of connecting to a listener or audience.

• 10 characteristics of great communicators.

• How to create riveting content and stories.

• Speaking is not about presenting information—it’s meeting other people through their minds and inspiring them to take action.

This ground-breaking book offers a wealth of stories from recognized executives in every industry, plus intriguing scientific research on talking, processing and retention.

Most important of all, you will grasp that success in business communication is how your teams, colleagues and customers process and retain what you say.

Praise for The Myth of Public Speaking

 “At Salesforce, effective communication is a critical skill we expect in all of our top leaders. Danny’s teaching and mentorship have been crucial to giving them the skill and confidence they need to get there.” 

— Parker Harris, CTO & Co-founder, Salesforce

“Through highly relatable stories, Danny combines brain science with clear, actionable advice. He flips the script on conventional wisdom, focusing not on tired formulas but on what matters most to your audience. If you’ve been wanting to become a more confident, effective communicator, The Myth of Public Speaking offers a transformative approach to up-leveling your impact.”

— Ritu Bhargava, President & Chief Product Officer, SAP Customer Experience

“I will never forget the day I met Danny. As a newly minted CEO, I was presenting on stage at my first all-staff gathering. Danny was our keynote speaker, and I followed his inspiring and engaging talk with a disaster of my own making, creating a sea of blank stares. Thankfully, Danny showed me how to face my mirror and learn to communicate. He spun me 180 degrees, then gave me the confidence, vision, and ability to captivate an audience and have real impact, whether it is one or a thousand listeners. Great mentors teach you how to learn and evolve. Danny has changed my life, sending me on a path that had previously terrified me. Now I love every minute of public speaking.” 

— Tiger Shaw, CEO Emeritus, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Teams

“Danny’s coaching has helped me and many of our ServiceNow executives be more authentic communicators in all of our business situations, from Knowledge global sessions for thousands of customers to more intimate communications with our teams. This book gives deep insights into how to be great communicators and truly impact your stakeholders. It’s a must read.” 

— Chirantan CJ Desai, Chief Operating Officer, ServiceNow Inc.

“We spend so much time perfecting the content of our presentations, and conversely so little time on practicing how to deliver this content. If you take nothing else away from this book, remember that content is nothing if the presenter isn’t able to influence the minds of the listeners. This book explains how to ensure your message lands — and changes minds — every time.” 

— Hilary Gosher, Managing Director, Insight Partners

“I have worked with different speaking coaches and communication frameworks over 25+ years. The Slomoff Method moves you from being self-absorbed with what you think you should say to being fully in service to your listener. You center around the meaning you want to create for the audience. It is a synergistic approach to unlock the most compelling way to transfer ideas to the audience, impact them and reach your desired outcomes for the presentation. The Slomoff Method not only improves the experience for the listener, but also for the presenter. As a presenter, you feel yourself, relaxed and connected with your listeners.” 

— Stephanie Buscemi, CMO, Confluent, Former CMO, Salesforce 

“A wonderful guide for anyone wishing to achieve confidence, a repeatable approach, and connection with audiences. Slomoff’s clear presentation of concepts in the context of relatable stories leaves the reader wishing they could turn back the clock to influence long lost audiences. Apply the principles from this book. Your customers, team, or students will thank you for it.” 

— Mark Mader, CEO, Smartsheet

“I have had the privilege of working with Danny for over 10 years. The Myth of Public Speaking is a great reference and step-by-step guide for leadership communication. We have to impact, inspire and communicate with all of our stakeholders in meetings, all-hands and conferences. What a gift that Danny is sharing some of his amazing tools on the art and craft of speaking. Thank you, Danny.” 

— Grant McCargo, CEO of Urban Villages and Bio-Logical Capital 

“For anyone looking to improve their communication skills, The Myth of Public Speaking is a must read. Danny’s best practices are not your run of the mill public speaking advice. His coaching is based on current neurological research and is highly insightful. Everyone can learn something — whether you are just starting out or a seasoned executive. As someone who used to be terrified of getting on stage, I can say 100% that Danny’s system just works.”

— Sara Varni Bright, CMO, Attentive 

“Danny elegantly breaks down communicating with impact based on the fundamentals of neurology and psychology. With his unique approach you understand the why while focusing on the how. It’s the type of book you’ll go back to many times to fully integrate all of the learnings.” 

— Mark Groden, PhD, CEO, Skyryse, Inc.

“When I read Danny’s book, I re-experienced so many of his lessons and saw myself in his stories. Since working with Danny, I have taken incrementally bigger risks as a speaker to be fluid and less stiff. I have found a balance between impact and pure data methods. Now I only think of how the audience should feel. This book gives you the same vocabulary and measuring stick I use for my own communication and for coaching others.”

— Ryan Hinkle, Managing Director, Insight Partners

“This book recounts so many executives and their journey to excellence. Reading The Myth of Public Speaking reminded me of mine. With Danny’s coaching I became confident speaking to gatherings of thousands, as well as more compelling in one-on-one meetings. He taught me the effectiveness of focusing on relevance to the listeners, and the impact of storytelling. This book will help so many who want to be great communicators.” 

— Liz Arky, Former Global Managing Director, Government Relations, Accenture

“The lessons I learned from Danny in my very first coaching session have never left me. He taught me the greater impact I could have in every speech and presentation and indeed in every conversation. This book gives us the science behind Danny’s method and in the process reveals again why Danny is a compelling force as a communications coach. Anyone at any point in their career will benefit and be forever changed by this book.” 

— William Anderson, Chairman & CEO, Anderson Holdings

“Over the years, I’ve watched Danny transform from a psychotherapist to a communication expert. This book combines the neurology of speaking with the insights of psychology. An excellent, clearly written guide. A must read for any speaker motivated to master business communication.” 

— Lonnie Barbach, PhD, Author of For Yourself and For Each Other

“As the CEO of a hyper growth unicorn startup, the most important part of my job is communicating with my employees, customers, and board members. Danny’s insights on how to effectively get my ideas to be understood by those groups has been game changing for our company. This book gives any executive aspiring to elevate their global communications the framework to achieve true impact.” 

— Sam Gutman, CEO, OwnBackup

“During my professional career, I have experienced dozens of speaking training sessions and coaches. Danny made me realize everything I learned were techniques to mask the symptoms of ineffective communication. Danny brilliantly helped me re-learn how to communicate from the inside out. Whether in a one-on-one setting or in front of an audience of thousands, the Slomoff Method allows me to make a connection and ‘transfer’ my key messages in a way they can absorb them.” 

— Pascal Yammine, CEO, Zilliant

“Danny and the Slomoff Method changed my approach and mindset about communicating. He coached me to move minds rather than just share what I know. The Myth of Public Speaking is an insightful and practical guide for any executive who wants to explore what it takes to be a great communicator onstage and in a meeting room.” 

— Lynne Zaledonis, EVP Marketing, Salesforce

“Our executive team went through Danny’s two-day Impact Leadership Communications program. We saw dramatic changes in our communication skills. As a female CEO, connecting with others and creating a sense of belonging are critical. This method helped me tap into my natural ability in new ways and has significantly enhanced my impact with individuals and groups. In fact, our entire team is stronger. This book provides the insights and application methods of these very powerful ideas.” 

— Darcy Horn Davenport, CEO, Bellring Brands

“I have always struggled with speaking, especially to large crowds, but as a CEO, I was determined to get better at it. I love Danny’s simple, listener-focused, common sense communication strategy. It has demystified speaking for myself and many leaders at our company. This book is the perfect guide to starting your leadership communication journey.”

— Daniel Yanisse, Co-Founder & CEO, Checkr

“Very few people in your life can help make you better, both personally and professionally. In my coaching sessions with Danny, I get insightful direction and practical advice on how to communicate in a way that creates true success for me, my team, my customers, and investors. Now that I can get so much from his book, The Myth of Public Speaking, I won’t have to disturb him as often. Read this book and grow.” 

— Rajan Bajaj, Founder & CEO, slice