Originally published by Steve Knight on LinkedIn: Is President Trump a Good Public Speaker?
Over the past few weeks, not surprisingly, many of my clients and course participants have asked me that question and it's usually followed by, "I guess he falls down on all the oral communication skills and methodologies that you teach and coach?"
I will confess here, that surprising as it might seem for someone in my profession, I had deliberately chosen not to ask that question of myself. However, I continue to be asked by others, so here goes.
As a coach, I have developed the skill of not reacting in the moment, but pausing to think and when ready responding (rather than reacting... there is a difference of course).
I was surprised by my thoughts as already possibly hundreds of examples of the new President's speeches, press conferences and spoken words in various contexts ran through my mind.
When I am considering the skills and competencies of a client or a participant on one of my courses, one of the key questions I am asking myself is this one... is the person delivering their message in a way that is congruent with the words they have chosen? So, if they are delivering joyful good news are they conveying that message in a way that represents the content... i.e. not with a poker face, a monotone and flat voice, with no energy or passion. Likewise if they are delivering alarming or sad news to do so with a huge grin on their face, brimming with happy passion and energy and a joyful voice would just not be right. Not congruent.
For the record, I am not expressing political views or opinions here... I am simply sharing with you the delivery mannerisms that were running through my head (not the message per se, but the messenger). I am also not including the way President Trump handles questions during press conferences... that's another story!
So here goes
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Voice... clear and strong, grabs attention, varied intonation, holds the room.
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Enunciation... words clear and stretched, being mindful of each syllable.
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Speed of Delivery... very good, pausing to plant points, easy to take on-board.
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Facial Expression... congruent with the words chosen and the overall message.
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Body Language... commanding, strong, powerful, Captain of the ship.
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Hands... using them congruently with the message being delivered (let's put aside the pinching gesture... thumb and forefinger).
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Eye Contact... five to eight words per person, connecting with people.
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Handling Questions... ooops, sorry, I said I wouldn't go there!
So, having been asked the question, "Is President Trump a good public speaker?" I found myself responding (I confess surprisingly) with the answer that actually he is doing all of those things I mention above very well. He is, after all, not delivering joyful, good news, he is delivering tough messages (regardless of one's political views) and as such his delivery is congruent with his messages.