The Grace of Barack Obama's Victory Speech

The recent American election was a riveting event that garnered worldwide attention.

The months leading up to the election provided some of the best entertainment we had seen in years. Mud-slinging, accusations, gaffes, vicious commercials, mind-boggling choices, hilarious spoofs and SNL routines kept the world's eyes on this election, more so than any other in the past.

What's really interesting though is that this election was truly a battle between two good and worthy candidates. Still, with the intensity of the is contest, you might have expected the winner to step forward with pomp and circumstance, fireworks ripping the evening sky, fists pumped in the air, dancing a victory dance.

This is not what happened...

First -

John McCain delivered a very gracious concession speech. He spoke from his heart with honesty and sincerity. He took firm control of his audience and presented his support to the President-elect. He went back to who he really is - the man that originally appealed to American people. I think that, if he had run his campaign the way he delivered this speech, he would have been much more of a contender in this election. Here was the man, the hero and the leader. Unfortunately, he lost his connection to these things during the campaign and he lost the election as a result. Poor communication can really cost...

Second -

Barack Obama delivered his 'victory' speech. I'll never forget his face when he walked out to the podium - intelligent, sincere, humble and truly honoured. No fireworks, no fist-pumping. He walked out and all his expression said was "Thank you". Then he began to speak - from the depths of his heart. He expressed gratitude, he took control, he reached out to unite all Americans - whether they had voted for him or not. He did not rant like a cheerleader and whip people up - he focused on inspiration and teamwork. He delivered a truly great speech - a speech that was consistent with everything else he had said during his campaign. His communication style is that of a true leader - honest, consistent, galvanizing, clear, concise, motivating, sincere and heartfelt. He delivered his speech with grace. This is why so many people voted for him. Great communication can really win the game...

Even Obama's unspoken messages were strong - the humble facial expressions, the sincere wave, the open body language, the people he brought up on stage with him for recognition, his body contact with his family - everything was congruent with the words he spoke and the messages he conveyed. Truly magnificent to observe.

Watch the whole thing again here...




There is a lot to be learned from watching a great communicator in action. Keep your eye on Obama - this is a great opportunity to observe and learn from a master.

In the meantime - keep your communication sincere, honest, heartfelt and gracious. The benefits are great.

the communication guru

The Human Connection

"Communication--the human connection--is the key to personal and career success."
Paul J. Meyer (Author and founder of SMI International)

There you go. It is nice to hear someone else carry the banner as well!
the communication guru

The most basic and powerful way to connect...

"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words."
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

Exactly! Beautifully stated.
the communication guru

Don't dump on me, baby!

Have you ever been completely exhausted after talking to someone?

I was talking to a colleague today and, after about 5 minutes of conversation, I felt as if the life had been sucked right out of me. She had barely said hello when she launched a tidal wave of the minutia of her life at me - the problems, the trials, the issues that others were causing her. She hardly took a breath the whole time and seemed to look right through me as she spoke. She finally finished, took a quick breath, turned on her heel and said "Well, I've got to go. See ya later!" (I certainly hope not. I'll be heading the other way the next time I spot her coming.)

Conversations are about connecting and you are not connecting if you are the only one who speaks, if you never make genuine eye contact and if you never ask a question of the other person. When you don't do these things, you are inflicting a kind of torture on the other person.

Please remember:

1. Conversations should be about equally balanced between talking and listening. Don't completely dominate a conversation; no-one will thank you.
2. If you have so much to say that you don't have time to breathe, you are saying way too much far too quickly. Take it easy on the rest of us...
3. We connect much more through our eyes than we do through our words. Make good eye contact and watch your conversations improve.
4. Finally, take the time to ask some questions. Questions build rapport and help us understand more about another person. Questions help us connect. Try it - you'll see...

So, please, no 'dump and run' conversations. You don't want people taking off when they see you coming...

the communication guru