As a student on the first day of Professor Mankad’s Arts of Communication course at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, I was, like many students in my position, quite nervous. Part of that nervousness could be attributed to Professor Mankad’s stature, as a former anchorman for a major news network, his reputation preceded him. Another aspect of my nervousness had to do with my incredible discomfort speaking in front of large audiences, the reason that I chose to take the course in the first place. As the class filtered in on that first day, Professor Mankad, a man that I had never met before, strode up to me and exclaimed “You must be Evan!”, and shook my hand. 

I would come to learn that this experience was not an anomaly, Professor Mankad went to incredible lengths to make himself accessible and personal to his students. Sometimes this meant memorizing the names and faces of all his students before the class even began. At other times, it was dedicating hours each week to meeting with students, finding ways to connect with each and every person he encounters, whether a military officer from Florida, or a journalist from Afghanistan.

One of the themes that underlies Professor Mankad’s communication style is the premise that public speaking can and should be fun. While this might seem like an impossible task for many aspiring public speakers, he has shown time and again through transformed students that it is not only possible, but highly likely that students who put in the hours will come away from his course able to enjoy the act of speaking in front of large groups. My own speaking trajectory is a testament to this possibility. 

Before taking the Arts of Communication course, I sometimes had a difficult time getting through interviews. I would get so nervous that my throat with begin to tighten, making the very act of communication difficult. Six months after entering the classroom that first time, I delivered a 4-minute speech without notes in front of over a hundred students, faculty, and staff members. What was more remarkable, was that I was calm and collected, and enjoyed the experience immensely. This transformation would not have been possible without the skilled guidance of Professor Mankad. 

After taking the course, I had the opportunity to serve as a Teaching Assistant the following semester. In that position, I was afforded another perspective on the impact and value of the class. When students take a public speaking course, there’s often a (mis)perception that they need to change themselves fundamentally in some way- perhaps to become more like one of the slick TED speakers that proliferate on almost every conceivable subject. A slightly unexpected lesson for many is that learning to communicate effectively can be more about uncovering one’s own unique style of delivery than trying to fit your personality into some perfect public speaking mold. 

As a part of this process, many students embed aspects of their personal experiences in their speeches. Sometimes these experiences are intimate, others are funny, sometimes you learn about a time catastrophe struck or a lesson was learned, but every time a student chooses to share part of their story, you’re left with a deeper insight into the complexities that have shaped the people around you. We all have stories. The Arts of Communication course taught us how to speak compellingly about any subject by bringing our whole selves to the topic and the stage. In doing so, a bond with audiences is created – one that I hope you’ve felt as you read the speeches in this book. 

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[Fletcher School, Fall 2015, Teaching Assistant: Spring 2016]