There is a very unflattering picture of Sen. John McCain in this morning’s edition of The New York Times.

Before you jump to any conclusions … This is not a political blog. And the picture in the paper was chosen intentionally - to illustrate a specific point:

Sen. McCain is not a natural orator. His speaking technique is below average. He should avoid standing behind a lectern whenever he delivers a speech.

His “off-the-cuff” candor when speaking is a closed setting was enough to get him to this point in the campaign.

His stiff, under rehearsed, forced style of speaking in larger settings will not get him to where he wants to go - to be elected President.

In my opinion.

The NY Times article by Mark Leibovich is an excellent case study about the realities of speaking in public today - in the real world of “YouTube” moments. A world where every mistep and every malaprop is monitored, magnified, and memorialized.

What is a candidate to do? What should you do - to minimize the possibility of a “YouTube moment” sabotageing your career?

Practice, practice, practice!

“Every great shot you hit, you’ve already hit a bunch of times in practice.” - Martina Navratilova

Make you mistakes during your practice sessions. Speak your key phrases aloud. Over and over again. To the point that you, personally,  can no longer stand listening to your speech. That’s how much you have to practice if:

• you want to become a natural speaker
• you want your audience to respond favorably to your speech
• you want to avoid a “YouTube” moment like the one that Sen. McCain created for himself

To quote from Mark Leibovich’s NYT article:

“But when Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, came to the intended sound bite of his speech — the part about reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil — he hit a slick.

“I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lex-eegton Project,” Mr. McCain said, drawing a quick breath and correcting himself. “The Lex-ing-ton Proj-ect,” he said slowly. “The Lexington Project,” he repeated. “Remember that name.”

In a town meeting in Cincinnati the next day, Mr. McCain would again slip up on the name of the Massachusetts town, where, he noted, “Americans asserted their independence once before.” He called it “the Lexiggdon Project” and twice tried to fix his error before flipping the name (“Project Lexington”) in subsequent references.

Mr. McCain’s battle of Lexington is part of a struggle he is engaged in every day. A politician who has thrived in the give-and-take settings of campaign buses, late-night TV couches and town meetings, he now is trying to meet the more formal speaking demands of a general election campaign.”

Unless Sen. McCain seriously commits himself to a program to improve his public speaking … Well, let’s just remind him of how President George W. Bush’s continued  mispronunciation of the word “nuclear” has solidified his image - and it is not a image that I would want for myself.

Practice is not fun. Nor is it fun to watch or listen to a recording littered with “awkward speaking moments.”

Especially, when you are the one who did the speaking!

Related Articles:

“Practice your responses” 

“Why do politicians fumble Q & A sessions?”

As I continue to develop content for The Company Rocks I am creating specialized blogs to meet your specialized needs.

Introducing the new PowerPoints blog - http://www.thecompanyrocks.com/powerpoints

The focus for this blog is to offer tips that help you to improve your communications skills.

Yes, I will share tips and techniques to help you get the most our of MS PowerPoint. But, this is not a blog that is limited to MS PowerPoint.

MS PowerPoint is just one tool that you may use to help you craft and deliver a powerful message.

Remember these PowerPoints:

Your MS PowerPoint slides are not your message

MS PowerPoint does not deliver your message. You do!

Therefore, the tips and techniques that I share with you to get the most out of MS PowerPoint have a unified message:

“How will this tip help me to make a Powerful Point?”

Click here to visit the PowerPoints blog.

I have posted my first video lesson on the blog. Check back frequently for new articles and video demonstrations.

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask, what you can do for your counrty.”

- John F. Kennedy

By now, you must realize that I love to collect quotations. I use them often in my writing and public speaking. I like the “rhythm” of certain quotes.  Expescially those that juxtapose a key word. For example, the quote from President Kennedy’s Inaugural address that open up this posting.

Here is another example from President Kennedy:

“Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate.” - John F. Kennedy

Now, I find out that speechwriters have coined a term to describe this type of literary device. They call it the “reversible raincoat.” I love it! It is so descriptive.

And when it is used judiciously, this device vividly describes a concept. For example:

“People never care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - John C. Maxwell

“An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.” - Winston Churchill

So how did I discover this rich term - the “reversible raincoat?” In the current issue of Business Week magazine, columnist Carmine Gallo uses some exceprts from Theodore Sorenson’s new book, Counselor as the basis for his article. Sorenson was President Kennedy speechwriter. Read Carmine’s article it is a good one!

I admit to reading a few excerpts from this book but had never discovered the “reversible raincoat” terminology. Now I must buy the book! I need to know more about this term and I want to gather some more “insider” information.

In doing some research on the Internet I came across this article. The formal term to describe this literary device is “Chiasmus.” Yes, that is a descriptive term. But it paints a different picture in my mind. One involving a visit to my physician.

I prefer the “reversible raincoat.”

And now I have another story to share with my audience. Thank you Messers. Sorensen and Gallo!

Don’t point your finger at me! I don’t like it. I especially don’t like it when you “wiggle”your finger” in my face.

Most people share my feelings. Who likes to be publicly scolded?

Why do I  - and others - have such a strong reaction to this gesture? According to Carol Kinsey Goman in “The Nonverbal Advantage: Secrets of Body Language at Work,”

“… I’ve often seen politicians and executives use this gesture in meetings, negotiations, or interviews for emphasis or to show dominance. The problem is that rather than being a sign of authority, aggressive finger pointing (with one or four fingers) suggests that the person is losing control of the situation, and it smacks of playground bullying.”

• Losing control of the situation
• Smacks of playground bullying

These are hardly signs of strength and authority! Certainly not what the speaker intended. What about the “finger-pointer-in-chief” - former President Bill Clinton? What is he actually communicating, non-verbally - when he wags his index finger at a reporter or at someone in the audience?

That he is losing control of the situation. That he is trying to be overly aggressive; trying to intimidate; trying to regain control of a situation that is quickly deteriorating.

It is not a gesture of strength. And… once we realize what this nonverbal communication is really telling us, how do we feel about the speaker who is wagging their finger at us?

Well, what did the playground bully do once you called him or her on their actions? They immediately backed down. They demonstrated that they had lost control and that they never had the power to intimidate you.

Unfortunately, most of us never call a “powerful” politician or business executive on their actions. Why not? Perhaps this is because (unfortunately) few of us ever called a schoolyard bully on their actions.

We may suspect that this is just a “fit of anger.” That is just an “act.”

It is an act - an act of desperation!

Once we understand and learn to correctly interpret a person’s “body language” we can turn this “acting” to our advantage. We can gain leverage during our negotiations. We can gain the “nonverbal advantage!”

Of course, we must look at the context of the gesture. An isolated instance of finger pointing does not signal “losing control.” However, combined with a flushed face and an elevation in the pitch of the voice and the use of deliberate language… Now that is telling us something about the “finger pointer.” It is quite revealling about their real feelings. About their loss of control. About their bullying behavior.

Certainly, he is not the only “finger-pointer,” but why doesn’t former President Clinton take steps to minimize his finger-pointing?  Why doesn’t one of his close aides or family members “point this out” to him? (Pun intended!)

Why do playground bullies persist? Why do business executives seem to get away with this kind of behavior? Why do so many parents lose control of a situation when talking with their children?

Why?

Now that you have gained some insight into how to interpret this angry gesture, will you react differently the next time?

Maybe yes. Maybe no. Even if you do not react differently - by calling them on their finger pointing, at least you now know that “finger pointing” is just a mask for someone losing control of the situation. Someone who is possibly hiding something. Someone who is afraid.  If you react properly, you can turn this to your advantage. You can gain the upper hand - not just the fingers!

To read a related article that I published on this subject, click here.

Please share your comments about “finger pointing” with our readers. Add your comments below.

“Practice doesn’t make perfect, nor is it supposed to. Practice is about increasing your repertoire of ways to recover from your mistakes.”

- Joan Gutin

Mistakes happen. And… they will continue to happen in the future. But… it is a huge mistake if we fail to learn from our mistakes. Especially in the way that we respond to our mistakes.

What can we anticipate? What is likely to occur? How will we respond when it does occur?

Have you thought about your response? Have you practiced your response? If not, why not?

Originally, I planned this post as a follow-up to my previous one - “Why do politicians fumble Q & A sessions?  But then, I thought about this in a broader sense. I am constantly amazed to observe the number of people who:

• Fail to anticipate sales objections - and to prepare their response.
• Fail to address risk factors for their projects - and lack a Plan “B” to go forward when they do occur.
• Fail to offer coaching and feedback to their staff - and wonder why they don’t achieve better results.

It is one thing to anticipate events and to prepare a plan to address to address them. It is quite another to actually practice the words that you will say during your response. To articulate them. To speak them aloud - and with confidence and conviction!

Words alone are insufficient in getting our message across. How we speak the words - our tone of voice - is the key to how our words are received and acted upon.

When I hear a politician - or any speaker - stumble over their words during a Q& A Session, I question their sincerity. I question their truthfullness. I question them.

Why? Because I get the feeling that they are “making it up as they go along.” That their response will be different the next time that they are asked this same question.

It is not what you say but, rather, how you say it that counts.

Let me give you an example. I am a musician. I can play a piece of music on the piano - hitting all of the correct notes. But, the performance will be flat and uninspired if I have not practiced - and internalized - my interpretaion of those notes. I need to practice not just hitting the correct notes, but also striking the right tone - for that piece and for my audience.

Speaking is no different. Sales is no different. Asking your staff to change is no different.

Learn how you can be different. Practice your responses!

Related Articles

“It talke a lot of practice to become a natural speaker”

Senator Hillary Clinton does it. Senator Barack Obama does it. Many people - not just politicians - do it.

What do they do? They stumble and fumble their answers during debates and Question & Answer (Q & A) sessions.

Why? Well, one easy answer is that they fail to make time to:

1. Anticipate the questions that they will be asked.
2. Formulate their answers to these questions - especially the “sticky” ones - the ones that will be repeatedly played on the 24-hour cable news stations and on the Social Media internet channels.
3. Practice their answers - articulate them - speak them - master them - comunicate them.

As I write this, I have been packing my suitcase and listening to MSNBC repeatedly replaying Sen. Clinton’s crude, clumsy, possibly inflammatory response, ina USA Today interview, as to why she appeals to a broad-based coalition of voters. I lost count of the number of “Ahs,” “Ers,” and “Uhs” in her response.  (Click here to read the interview and also access the audio portion.) Why? Is this the image she really wants to project?

And, Sen. Obama also deserves criticism - why doesn’t he put more time into preparing for his debate performance? Why does he come across as “defensive” or “offended” when he is questioned about his core beliefs? Why does he find it so difficult to articulate his response to difficult questions? (Click here for a linkto an excellent video analysis of Sen. Obama’s weak spots during questioning.)

Surely, Sen. Obama knows that these questions are coming. Why doesn’t he put more time into preparing for them?

Surely, Sen. Clinton must know that her answers will be replayed constantly on TV, on YouTube, on the radio. Why doesn’t she put more time into crafting her response?

Why do they continue to fumble and stumble with their answers during Q & A?

It makes me uncomfortable when I listen to their answers. I have to turn away from the “train-wreck” that is about to occur during the debates - I see their blank stares forming, I feel their cold sweat soaking their shirts and blouses… Why? Why? Why?

Why do they make me feel so uncomfortable during their Q & A sessions? Why do I doubt what they say? Why do I question their core beliefs?

Which candidate am I to believe? The candidate who masterfully delivers their stump speech? Or the candidate who appears completely lost and confused when answering a direct question?

It’s the stumbling and fumbling that they go through trying to get the words out that causes me to feel so uncomfortable. And… I do not think that I am the only one who feels this way. How do you react?

Why don’t their trusted advisors take them aside and say, “Senator, it is time to prepare your responses. It’s time to rehearse. It’s time to practice voicing your answers- forming the words and speaking them out loud.”

Don’t fall into this trap! 

• Anticipate the questions that you expect to be asked; especially the difficult ones!
• Gather your thoughts and formulate your response. Put it in writing first if necessary.
• Practice articulating your response. Say the words - speak them aloud. Record your response if at all possible.
• Ensure that you have reserved enough time for these practice sessions.
• Work with a speech coach or a trusted advisor.

Q & A usually comes at the end of a presentation. Make your last impression a favorable one. You never get a second chance to re-do your LAST impression. Make your LAST impression a positive, LASTING impression!

“Music is the shorthand of emotion.”

- Tolstoy

I started working out of my home office two years ago, The greatest benefit that I have received from this change is that I am now able to play my piano for 45 minutes each day that I am in town. I’ve played the piano more often in these last two years than at any time since I gave up my professional career thirty-one years ago.

Certainly, playing the piano each day helps to reduce my stress level. But there are numerous other benefits:

• My listening skills improve
• My speaking skills improve
• My reading skills improve
• My story-telling skills improve

Daniel Pink has an interesting post on his blog - “A whole new reason to hit the keyboard.”  Here’s a snippet from his very short article:

“I may be the least musical person you’ve ever encountered.  And that’s something I’ve long regretted.  Now comes evidence deepening that regret, but offering a way for my kids to become more whole-minded than their dad.”

He refers to a new study - “Music Builds Bridges in the Brain” - that proves that children who take music lessons - and practice diligently - show dramatic improvement in the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain.

There are two points that I would like to make:

1. Notice Mr. Pink’s regret that he did not take/continue his music lessons. However, he now realizes how much his children will benefit from the study of music - and diligent practice. And he wants this for his children. Wouldn’t you? Don’t you yearn for a society populated with more whole-minded citizens?
2. What steps will Mr. Pink - and you, too - take to help make it possible for your / our children to have the opportunity to take music lessons? To become more “whole-minded?” How can we encourage them to want to practice?

The first step that you can take is to gather information. Start here - Click this “Link” to go to the Support Music website. This is a “grass roots” website. It is designed to enable each member of your community to access the pertinent information, tips, talking points and scientific data to make the case for music education in your community. You can make a difference. We can help to shape a society that has more “whole-minded” citizens. Take the first step today. Go to www.supportmusic.com!

Mr. Pink - thank you for writing about this scientific study. You have a very prominent public personna. Your articles reach many people. Thank you for sharing your desire to see that your children “become more whole-minded than their dad.” Thank you for sharing your regret that you are not currently making music.

Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. According to recent public opinion polls, 82% of the people who do not currently play an instrument wish that they did.

Why not start now? What is holding you back? I am addressing anyone who wishes that they and their children were actively making music. “Wanna Play?”

Now, I am going to go play my piano. Now, I am going to have some fun!

I’m back posting after a few days hiatus. As I wrote in my last post, I was asked to substitue for the keynote speaker at a conference last week. Unfortunately, the scheduled speaker’s father passed away the day before the conference opened.

The audience was pleased with my talk. The board of directors of the conference was relieved - and pleased- that I was able to come through for them. I, too, was pleased with my talk.

Even though I did not have much time to prepare for this talk, I had plenty of material pre-planned for several talks. I have been an emergency substitue speaker before so I always have a few talks ready to go. So, it was simply a question of selecting the appropriate material, asking enough questions about the audience, and putting it all together. And then I could concentrate on delivering the keynote address.

Sounds easy? It is - for me. For most people - no, they would run away - as far and as fast as they could.

So many people live in fear of speaking in public. They are paralyzed by this fear. They do not realize how this fear is holding them back - from advancing in their careers and from developing relationships.

You can learn to face your fears. You can make a decision. You can decide to remain a prisoner of your fears. Or you can decide to face your fears head-on and take the first step towards conquering your fears.

Last night, at the closing banquet, a good friend and colleague of mine was honored for his years of service to our association and our industry. Great choice! Well deserved. And, a great model for the message of this post.

Early in his career, Kevin was paralyzed with fear of speaking in public. I vividly recall meeting Kevin more than thirty years ago, when he could barely say “Hello” to someone he was meeting for the first time. Some of my colleagues muttered, “He won’t last. He doesn’t have what it takes. He’s too shy”

Kevin must have heard those comments. He realized that he had to face his fear of speaking in public if he was “going to last.” He knew the steps that he needed to take in order to prove that he had what it takes to be successful in his business - and in our industry.

His first step was to enroll in a Dale Carnegie Training class. He enjoyed the experience so much that he now is a Dale Carnegie certified trainer. His is a story of success. And he is a real role model for anyone who wants to learn how to overcome their fear of speaking in public.

Thank you Kevin! Thank you for showing us that it is indeed possible to  face your fears - and conquer them.

You never know when to expect the unexpected. But you should be prepared. It is not a question of “if.” It is a question of “when.” When will the unexpected happen? When will I be called on to respond to something unexpected.

I got that call yesterday. Actually, I got 5 or 6 frantic calls yesterday. As soon as my plane landed in Boston, my cell phone rang and rang. The unexpected had happened. They wanted to know if I could respond?

“Yes,” I said, “I will. I am prepared.”

Unfortunately, the keynote speaker for this conference had a sudden death in the family. Of course he left town immediately. Wouldn’t you? I would have.

So… I will deliver the keynote today. I am confident that it will be successful. I am always prepared. I am always ready.

I’ll let you know more tomorrow….

I did not watch the debate last night. And, based upon the news reports I read this morning, I will not search for a replay. Perhaps I should. If only to observe Sen. Clinton’s and Sen. Obama’s body language.

This photo caught my eye. And it is not a pretty picture! Notice their hands. This position is called the “Fig Leaf.” Remember the biblical story of Adam and Eve? How they used a fig leaf to cover their “private parts” after they took a bite of the forbidden apple? They look weak, defensive and vulnerable.

So do Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama in this picture. They look weak, defensive and vulnerable. They do not look “Presidential.” They do not project power, confidence or authority. They appear timid.

“Listen with your eyes!” Body language is quite telling. What message do you receive from this photograph? What message do you project with your body language? What will your audience believe - your words? Or your body language?

If you want to learn more about the importance of body language, I recommend “The Exceptional Presenter,” by Timothy J. Koegel. I particularly like his illustrations of proper and inappropriate hand positions and gestures.

So, what is the proper position for your hands when you are speaking? What change should Sens. Clinton and Obama have made before this photograph was taken?

Use the basic”hands at your side” position. It will relax you because it takes no energy to stand with your hands at your side. Practice this yourself. How does this make you feel? How does your audience react when you stand to speak with your “hands at your side?”

They feel comfortable listening to you. They “listen with their eyes.”