Leila B. Alson, co-author with Douglas Kalajian of the new book “Say It Again!” a guide to keep smart people from sounding dumb
The book, published in August 2009, can be bought for $12.95 at Amazon.com
The book says, “If you make a mistake, you’ll be the last one to know.”
Age – Never tell
Activities – Works out five days a week
Loves the theater, art and opera
She teaches the Alson Power Speaking method to her clients - www.alsonpowerspeaking.com
Born – In New York but spent more time in Philadelphia
Lives now – Boynton Beach
She coaches executives, attorneys, senior leaders and even Miami Dolphins on speaking.
She has taught at such schools as the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and the University of the City of New York.

How did you get into this line of work?

“In college, I wanted to be a journalist and I was looking for a minor. I took a speech class and said this is what I love.”

What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

“I love looking at people and seeing what they are capable of doing. People usually see their own faults but I see their strengths. The faults we can easily fix.”

What is your book about?

“Clients would come in to see me saying the wrong words. I had a client who had a perfect score on his PhD but nothing was ever good enough because his pronunciation was not correct. I got him to say subsidiary and he said, 'Is that all I have to do?' I developed a way to help with pronunciation and got together with Doug in 2004. David Blasco came in and took care of the details.”

How was it working with Doug?

“It was a pleasure working with him. We think alike. We are both verbal, one oral and one written.”

Any future books from you two?

“I would love to make a bigger, fuller speech book with a subsection for people who speak Spanish as a first language. I’d also like parts of the book to focus on grammatical errors, how to prepare for a presentation and how to make the listener give you what you want.”

Any tips on how to read the new book?

“Definitely start from the beginning. The rest of the book won’t make sense if you don’t.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“I used to write for a law journal. I was talking to a judge one day and he told me about a case where a juror was put to sleep by a lawyer. It is my job to help these professionals keep that juror awake in the future.”

Say It Again! is available on order from any bookseller, Amazon.com, direct from the publisher at www.sayitagain.org or by calling 800-882-9098.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.