If you’re a Republican, you are probably not as excited as the Democrats, but just about everyone agrees that our new President is a formidable communicator.  What are his secrets?  In my blogs this week, I’m going to break them down and discuss them one by one. 

President Obama communicates powerfully and persuasively for several specific reasons and one overall factor:

1.  Use of the voice  
2.  Posture
3.  Facial gesture

The overall reason is authenticity.  Although it’s still early in President Obama’s tenure, he has begun well on a number of the issues that he campaigned on, and he’s given us an overarching impression that he is sincere, that he will keep his campaign promises to the best of his ability, and that he will tell us the truth. 

His inaugural address brilliantly conveyed that honesty and realism and helped make the case for his authenticity:

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

Giving us an unvarnished reality like that was absolutely necessary for President Obama during his first communication to us as president, because we already knew all of it to be true.  Audiences are usually way ahead of their speakers in this regard, which is why it’s so important for speakers to tell the truth to their audiences.  If you don’t, you lose your standing in front of the audience, in real time.  If you do, you get to continue, and you’re authentic.

President Obama has begun well; he’s powerfully authentic with his audience.  Next time, I’ll talk about how he uses his voice to convey authority and sincerity. 

In my last blog in this series, I'll talk about some of the things President Obama could do better. 

 

Comments

[Presentation Trainer]

It's good to note the importance of truthfulness in a public speech. So often we associate the reverse with public figures. Being seen to be truthful helps a speaker to appeal to the collective hearts of the audience.
Peter
http://www.timetomarket.co.uk/effective-public-speaking.htm