The first presidential debate is over, and the political pundits have weighed in on both candidates’ performance.
Most of you reading this probably watched the debate, or at least read/heard about it.
So much of endless conversation following the debate had little to do with substance – and much to do with presentation style.
On one hand, this saddens me – and on the other hand, this is no surprise.
I see this regularly as I coach and train people on their presentation skills. We work on the message and the flow, but even with a great message, it can be ruined by poor delivery.
Here are four questions that presenters need to ask themselves (take note Senators McCain and Obama for your next debate):
1) Is my delivery congruent with my message?
2) Do I have good eye contact?
3) Do I have an executive presence (good posture, animated face, open gestures?)
4) Am I credible, believable and authentic?
There will be more presentation skills to analyze this Thursday, as we see the first Vice Presidential debate.
These are certainly interesting times!
Showing posts with label September 26. Show all posts
Showing posts with label September 26. Show all posts
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ancient Rhetorical Concepts Relate to the Presidential Election
As a communications expert and coach, the whole Presidential election process has been fascinating to watch and listen to.
During the upcoming presidental and vice presidential debates, I urge all of you to think about the principles that the great Greek philosopher and father of all public speaking -- Aristotle -- identified. They are: Logos, Pathos and Ethos. And, think of how you are personally responding to each concept.
Logos is the Greek word for Logic. That means how the candidates (president and vice president) are structuring their messages. Keep in mind that facts and figures, which we think always should be logical, are often manipulated or partial truths.
Do your due diligence, so you’re getting more than clever sound bites. Look at their voting records, backgrounds, etc.
Pathos translates into emotional appeals – information that hits close to your heart and gut. Clearly, your values come into play here. The goal of the candidates and their front teams is to hit those hot buttons (like terrorism, the economy, government involvement and health care) -- so you’ll take action, ie. vote for them.
The third concept Aristotle identified is Ethos, which loosely translates into credibility. We tend to believe the person who we perceive to be the most credible, ethical and shares the same values.
The question is do they really share those values? Are they just espousing this, or do their actions demonstrate them?
The candidates are using Aristotle’s three speaking principles in their commercials and public presentations.
So, as you watch and listen to the first Presidential debate next Friday, September 26th, and subsequent debates, pay attention to how these three principles are relevant even today and note how you are being influenced by them.
During the upcoming presidental and vice presidential debates, I urge all of you to think about the principles that the great Greek philosopher and father of all public speaking -- Aristotle -- identified. They are: Logos, Pathos and Ethos. And, think of how you are personally responding to each concept.
Logos is the Greek word for Logic. That means how the candidates (president and vice president) are structuring their messages. Keep in mind that facts and figures, which we think always should be logical, are often manipulated or partial truths.
Do your due diligence, so you’re getting more than clever sound bites. Look at their voting records, backgrounds, etc.
Pathos translates into emotional appeals – information that hits close to your heart and gut. Clearly, your values come into play here. The goal of the candidates and their front teams is to hit those hot buttons (like terrorism, the economy, government involvement and health care) -- so you’ll take action, ie. vote for them.
The third concept Aristotle identified is Ethos, which loosely translates into credibility. We tend to believe the person who we perceive to be the most credible, ethical and shares the same values.
The question is do they really share those values? Are they just espousing this, or do their actions demonstrate them?
The candidates are using Aristotle’s three speaking principles in their commercials and public presentations.
So, as you watch and listen to the first Presidential debate next Friday, September 26th, and subsequent debates, pay attention to how these three principles are relevant even today and note how you are being influenced by them.
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