Comments on: Obama Needs A Communications Coach, not a Speech Coach

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:07:06 +0000

Good observations. IMHO, the President’s reliance on teleprompters makes him less reliant and authentic – the opposite of a true statesman and memorable orator. I suggest he move away from his campaigning tone and develop more of a leadership approach. On the upside, his recent presentation with Former First Lady Nancy Reagan was spot on.

By: Susan RoAne

Susan RoAne — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:51:22 +0000

Bert,I always enjoy your insights on presentation skills. As for the use of the teleprompter, that’s a skill in and of itself. There is something refreshingly different from the last eight years about a president who actually takes the time to think about his answers.I will happily take a couple of ums…along with an intelligent answer.

By: PAUL SCHMIDT

PAUL SCHMIDT — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:56:21 +0000

One of the big falsehoods about Obama is his ability to connect with an audience. He does a poor job and have heard better speakers. Clinton did a good job, but lacked substance. Reagan had an incredible way to go over the media and connect with the listener.

By: thom singer

thom singer — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:42:13 +0000

I think he is a natural at giving a political talk, but like many who spend their life with a natural talent for speaking…. they coast on the history of everyone telling them how good they are. They stop trying to improve. The believe their own press.
In the book, OUTLIERS, Malcolm Gladwell points out that natural talent will take you far… but those who are really GREAT thousands of hours of practice.
I feel he just uses his “good” talent as a speaker and has never worked at making that talent “GREATNESS”

By: Dr. Jim Anderson

Dr. Jim Anderson — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:33:55 +0000

Good points all around. One thing that we all probably need to take into account is that every word out of the U.S. President’s mouth can move markets, start wars, and cause events to occur.
I would suspect that at the start of such a truly high-pressure job, Obama is probably just trying very hard to not make any mistakes.
It’s my guess that he’ll loosen up over time.
- Dr. Jim Anderson
http://www.TheAccidentalCommunicator.com
“Learn How To Calm Your Fears, Wow Your Audience, And Get Your Point Across”

By: Jeffrey Hurley

Jeffrey Hurley — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:09:58 +0000

Great post. I agree with your Teleprompter point; it does seem a bit distracting. Reagan and Clinton are both impressive and I believe Obama will reach their level, he is early into his Presidency.

By: Richard Becker

Richard Becker — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:27:13 +0000

Bert,
Excellent point, and I didn’t mean to detract from the intent of your post. Experience often distinguishes managers from leaders.
His speech writer does have skill, but I wonder, having meet and spoken with several White House speech writers who were also communicators, are his speech writers also communicators? While the substance might come from the men, the skilled speech writer also works as a communicator at that level, asking how will this substance impact those audiences.
Appreciate the compliment. I enjoy yours as well.
Best,
Rich