Well, she’s all over TV, the internet and on the cover of the national magazines – time to post on why Nancy Pelosi is a winner.
50% communications and 50% strategy, tactics and grit - that’s my take!
Although I don’t necessarily agree with her politics, I’ve always admired her charm and determination. I met and coached Nancy years ago when she was just beginning her run at elected office. She was a learner, smart, and knew the importance of not just framing a message - but communicating it with power. (The Democrats have Bill Clinton, the master communicator, and now Pelosi - maybe the Republicans should look at how important the communication process is. Where are the up and coming great communicators like Ronald Reagan? Is there a message here about what party is paying attention to what counts?)
The new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has raised $110 million dollars for Democratic candidates, campaigned in 60 congressional races just this year, and continually has been on message in front of the cameras and press. That takes communication excellence to succeed at that. Why? -take a look at a few of the reasons:
The smile:
Nancy Pelosi is almost always smiling. She doesn’t have a face with a natural smile, but has made it a habit to smile as she talks. It makes her much more approachable – and that is a great asset when you are continuously giving strong messages.
The eyes:
Nancy used to have a wide eyed look - a little as if she’s surprised to be there. No longer - she has toned that down to have an open look, and shows through her face that she is not at all surprised to be there - but expected to be!
Quick wit:
As a matter of fact, her confidence is brilliantly expressed in her quick wit. When she was asked a few months ago whether she needed to gain seats in this election to even return as a Democratic leader, she said, "I fully intend to be standing here as speaker of the House next year. Any other questions?"
SHARPS:
She uses colorful and memorable language, what we call the SHARP principles in our programs. In her lunch with President Bush at the White House yesterday, she was lauded for breaking the marble ceiling, and genteelly said, "We’ve made history, now we have to make progress." Her calm and measured demeanor will continue to be a communication asset in her success putting forth a strong message.
Focus:
People who know Nancy Pelosi say how focused she is, on the details as well as the 30,000 foot level. That shows up in her messages. On point.
Dress:
Nancy Pelosi always dresses and acts conservatively, which is a great asset as well, since she espouses the opposite message. One is always more effective communicating a heavily weighted message by using both hands.
Voice:
She has a calm and cultured voice. Again, a good counterpoint to her message. (Do you think if Ms. Pelosi had a shrill, nasal or whiny voice that she would have gained the money or friends or votes with her attack message - I doubt it.) Actually, she still has a nice touch of an accent which adds the spice of her Italian American heritage in her communicating persona.
Pause:
And perhaps one of her most important technical communicating skills is her use of the pause. She is comfortable with the pause (which many public figures are not,) and so has no non-words. And she effectively uses the pause to collect her thoughts, and for dramatic effect.
Of course, this is just the communications side. The world of politics at the level Nancy Pelosi is now playing, and the world of business at the top levels, is a very complex and pressured environment that has a lot more than just the behavioral communications involved. Intelligence, strategy, tactics, timing, circumstance - all that and more comes into play.
But communications makes it happen.
The new House Speaker would not have gotten where she is - and be breaking the marble ceiling if she wasn’t one of the new master communicators.