Comments on: Why Obama Fails As A Communicator

By: Teleprompter Software

Teleprompter Software — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:01:05 +0000

I do teleprompter training for clients . . . and I don’t mind saying that even I learnt something new from this article.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:22:50 +0000

That does it for me. Thanks Stephen.
Now to find the internet gremlin (or WordPress, or our typing finners) that did away with the originals.
Bert

By: Stephen Bloom

Stephen Bloom — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:33:56 +0000

Sure. I think I said “You nailed it, Bert” or something like that. Close enough?

By: Bert Decker

Bert Decker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:53:15 +0000

We had a comment problem, and lost (or hopefully misplaced) them all from today. If you left one, or want to leave another, please do so – we love comments of course.
Bert

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:40:37 +0000

I think you make some fair points with this post Bert and I found it interesting and thought-provoking. However, I would suggest that we also need to recognize the context in which Obama is communicating – i.e. extremely volatile and complex issues – and the audience to which he is speaking – the entire world.

Given the way the press, opponents and general public pounce on the slightest misstep from politicians these days, I cannot fault the president for giving substantial thought and time to what he really wants to say, and making certain those thoughts come across properly. I also think it is only fair to recognize that while Obama does employ writers, it appears that a majority of the things he says come from HIM with assistance and collaboration from his writers. To me that displays an honesty and openness that makes me willing to forgive some “gaffes”.

While I agree that the president could take some of your advice and adjust his speaking style, particularly in using the teleprompter more invisibly, I think that it is unfair and a little inflammatory to say he “fails” particularly so early in his presidency. Certainly, he can make improvements to his manner of communicating, as can all we all.

But I would argue that not only are his messages and his manner of communicating what got him where he is – which you note – but his continuing to be who he is demonstrates that what he said and did to get elected, which presumably a majority of the population responded favourably to, is who he genuinely is. I don’t necessarily believe that because someone’s approach to communicating is careful and controlled that it isn’t authentic.

By: Bert Decker

Bert Decker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:37:07 +0000

Susan, I appreciate any posting that you do. Thanks.
Bert

By: Bert Decker

Bert Decker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:34:37 +0000

Thanks Stephen and Susan. Sharon too!
And Sharon, I try not to let my politics show – and please note that President Bush was #1 on my Worst communicators list last year.
It’s unfortunate that our country is more divided now than ever before, and I didn’t even mention that I think it is critical for a President to unite the country, not divide it – and communicating (content AND behavior) makes that happen, or not. President Lincoln ultimately united a country even far more deeply divided than ours. I hope Obama can do the same. Bush couldn’t.
Bert