He's no Barack Obama...

How many times have you heard someone described as "not" something or someone? How many times have you described yourself this way? "I'm no Ellen, but I'm pretty funny." "I'm no Mother Theresa, but I do love helping people." "I'm no Brad Pitt, but I get enough dates."

I've been reading articles that compare various politicians as speakers to President Obama -- unfavorably, of course. Guess what: No one is Barack Obama. There's only one. His speaking style, poise, voice resonance, cadence and use of rhetorical devices are all his.

You may not be comparing yourself to someone famous. You may be comparing yourself to a co-worker who always gets the audience laughing with his silly jokes or larger-than-life personality on stage. You may be comparing yourself to your friend, who always seems able to think on her feet and give split-second perfectly articulate responses to any question.

Well, there's only one of your co-worker, only one of your friend. Each is unique in her or his own way.

And guess what else: There's only one YOU. Instead of comparing yourself to others and finding yourself lacking, try acknowledging your own positive qualities for a change. You don't have to be Ellen funny or Obama articulate to make an impact on an audience.

Sure, you can play around with humor and rhetoric. You can learn how to use your voice more effectively. You can prepare better in order to think on your feet or speak off the cuff.

Just remember that you are still yourself. Incorporate your new skills but remain authentic. Stop comparing yourself to others or trying to become like someone else.

You just have to be the best you that you can be.

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Best and worst communicators of 2008

It's time again for Bert Decker's annual top ten lists of best and worst communicators. Barack Obama is at the top of the list of best communicators, while George Bush tops the list of the worst.

The comments are as fascinating as the post itself, as readers make their cases for and against Bert's choices. Fellow speaker Andrew Dlugan has posted his disagreements on his Six Minutes blog.

I applaud Bert's effort to narrow down his lists to only ten best and worst (some show up on both lists), when there are so many speakers and communicators to choose from, well known or obscure.

Read the post, watch the videos and see what you think.

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Two speeches

Yesterday, Barack Obama was a senator from Illinois. Today, he's our president-elect. A historic moment for our country, capped off by a historic speech.

Throughout his campaign, Obama's presidential demeanor was impressive. Sometimes I wished he could have let a little more humor and lightheartedness shine through in his appearances, but at the same time I understand the pressure he must have felt as an African-American candidate to appear more presidential and more serious than the other candidates. It's hard to be perfect and human at the same time.

Last night, Obama gave a powerful and presidential speech that had many of the elements we look for in a successful and engaging presentation.

He opened strong, saving his thank yous for later and not wasting any time getting to his core message:

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

He made it about the audience:

"But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you." And later, "This is your victory."

He told stories of his own experiences and those of Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old woman who turned 18 the year women were given the right to vote:

"She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can...

... And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can."

He used Cooper's story as a vehicle to repeat his mantra and rallying cry "Yes we can!" and this was where his speech really took off and found its emotional core.

He even used a little humor in referring to the new puppy his daughters will take to the White House.

His positive and uplifting words were memorable and quotable:

"To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."

And he gave a call to action:

"But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand...

...It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other."

This is the kind of speech that will be memorized in classrooms: powerful, positive, honest, direct, persuasive and emotionally engaging.

And a brief note about John McCain's concession speech. It was gracious, it was heartfelt, it was sincere. He came across as natural, comfortable and authentic. This moving speech, sadly for McCain, was possibly his best of the campaign. More of this style of communication might have helped him.

What a night.

(Full transcript of Obama's speech is here.)

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Another reason to avoid the lectern

Lecterns are already a bad idea most of the time, and they don't make anyone look good as a speaker. But here's one more reason I dislike them: Unless you're using an adjustable lectern, a short person is at a greater disadvantage than a person of average or above-average height.

An example: The presidential debate on Friday night. Did you see how high John McCain had to raise his arms for his gestures to be seen over the top of his lectern? He seemed uncomfortable having to use exaggerated arm movements (which were reenacted in the SNL skit the following night). While Barack Obama, several inches taller than McCain, looked relaxed and comfortable in his movements, because the lectern was at waist level for him. See photo here.

I doubt McCain would have been interested in standing on a step stool, so he was stuck trying to be seen over a too-tall lectern.

I would love to see the candidates wear wireless mics and have the freedom to take a few steps away from the lecterns. How much more natural might they look and feel without the big box in front of them? How much more of a connection might they make with their audience?

Then again, like many speakers, they might feel safer hiding behind the box...

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Answer or evade?

From the New Hampshire Democratic debate:

GIBSON: Tell me one thing you've said in those debates that you wish you hadn't said. And it's your chance to take...

(LAUGHTER)

GIBSON: ... and it's your chance to take it back.

CLINTON: You know, I feel like they've been good exchanges among us. You know, there have been one or two moments that I would have taken back.

But what's really most important about these debates is that the Democratic Party stands in such contrast to the Republicans. . .

. . .And, beyond that, I will leave it to the pundits to decide what I might or might not have said at any one of the debates.

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OBAMA: Well, I -- you know, there have been all kinds of aspects to my debate performance that I'd love to correct or sharpen.

But, overall, actually, here's an area where I agree with Hillary: that there has been a stark contrast, generally, between the four of us and those who aren't debating with us now but were previously. . .

. . . And I think the opportunity to bring the American people together and to push back those special interests, to actually deliver on meaningful differences in their lives, that's something -- that's a prospect that I think all Democrats should be excited about.

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Both Governor Richardson and Senator Edwards used the moment for some self-deprecating humor. Clinton and Obama chose to avoid the question.

Media consultants like TJ Walker would say to stick to your main points, repeat them over and over, and don't get off track - and that's what Clinton and Obama did.

Here's my question: Would you rather have heard them address the question and be human for a moment? I would.

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Barack Obama says "uh". . .

. . . and life goes on. The earth keeps spinning. The sun keeps shining.

Did anyone see his interview on CNN last night during election coverage? Did anyone count the number of times he said "uh?" Me neither.

My point is that many inexperienced speakers put a disproportionate amount of energy, not to mention anxiety, into "the fear of um." When a speaker is confident, engaging, and passionate, with a clear and concise message, an occasional "um" here or an "uh" there is not going to distract the audience. It's not going to take away from your story. Believe me.

I'm not saying that a speaker should just throw around filler words all crazy-like. But I am saying that there are much more critical issues in delivering an effective presentation, and I'd hate to see a speaker expend so much energy on eradicating fillers that the spontaneous, authentic, interesting person is buried under a rigid set of rules.

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