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Political Talk
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posted Feb 1, 2008
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Let's take a trip down the campaign trail
and answer some of your questions this time in Zipline.
Like Zipline? Please  .
Now, let's get going.
Ty Boyd
Political
Talk
Before TV, America met its presidential
candidates in a different way. Candidates talked directly to us from the back of trains, from raised platforms outlined with flowers
and at state fairs. They punctuated their points with large,
sweeping gestures. With no sound systems, they had to project their
voices to carry far above the din of the crowd.
Hey, it sounds like they may have attended the Excellence in Speaking Institute.
Today, we're stuck with attack ads and soundbites which provide little insight. Now, that's not to say the old-timers didn't go after their
opponents, too. William Taft called Theodore Roosevelt a "dangerous
egotist" and a "demagogue." Roosevelt countered by referring to Taft
as a "fathead" and a "puzzlewit."
I've been thankful for the recent debate formats. It is not the perfect way to meet the candidates, but it is the best we have at the moment. These are the only chances we have to see our future president in action. One debate is worth all the attack ads and soundbites combined.
As the campaigns continue, you can see the confidence
building in those left standing. Romney and Huckabee have been
stronger platform presenters than McCain, but the Arizona Senator's performance has been buoyed by his recent wins and hastened the exit of Romney.
Hilary Clinton has found a softer side, including
some warm smiles and all just in time. Barack Obama has gained
stature in his approach to issues and conflict. Their styles are
different but each is more effective than when the debates began.
Each party's nominee will be formidable down the long campaign trail. This exposure can't help but be good for America. Do you have thoughts on how the candidates are doing from a presentation standpoint? Drop me a note.
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Looking For Answers
By Molly Boyd Hunt
We often
get questions from our one-on-one coaching clients about presentation-related topics. So, we thought we'd share with the class. Also, if you have specific questions about your upcoming crucial presentation, drop us a note.
Question: My biggest fear is not getting the audience engaged right from the beginning of
my presentation. Do you have any tips that can
help?
Answer: My suggestion would be to make your
presentation more interactive. Get them thinking from the start.Remember the opening of your presentation is often the most
critical. Spend time crafting something they will never forget. You could ask a question, make a startling statement, or drop in an
interesting fact. And, remember there is no substitute for practicing. You have to practice often and out loud.
Question: Sometimes during Q&A I don't know the
subject matter as well as I'd like. How do you help someone work
through that?
Answer: One thing that we teach in the Excellence in Speaking Institute is "take your mission seriously,
but not yourself." Even if you have rehearsed countless times, you
can't know everything and have all the information at your fingertips.
If you feel like you still can't answer a question to the fullest, tell the audience that you appreciate the question and state that you would like to take some time to do some research on that question and get back to them a.s.a.p. Make sure you follow up when you say you are going to follow up. If you try to bluff or you don't get back to them with an answer, your credit is blown and that is hard to recover in the business world.
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