Speechmakers: make the podium disappear.

AuthorLeanne, Shel
PositionLEADERSHIP

From Say It Like Obama by Shel Leanne. Copyright 2009 by the author. Published by McGraw-Hill (www.mhprofessional.com).

WHEN FULLY HARNESSING the power of speaking with purpose and vision, outstanding orators can win hearts and minds, eliciting responses such as, "That was a powerful speech." "He understands." "She addressed all of my concerns."

Barack Obama has shown a notable ability to sway the hearts and minds of audiences. He knows how to wield communicative power in ways that move people and motivate them to follow his lead. He has inspired young generations of voters and reinvigorated older generations, spurring a historic grassroots campaign that has trumped political wisdom about traditional divisions around racial, class, gender, and religious lines. His ability to sway a broad swath of the American public has spurred new self-named cadres: Obama Mamas, Obamacans, adherents of Obamanomics. What allows Barack Obama to connect so well with his audiences and makes oration one of his greatest strengths?

It is possible to glean important lessons from Obama's keen ability to adapt his remarks to the audience and topic at hand. He makes sure to know his audience, recognize their prevailing mood, and speak meaningfully to them about issues they most care about. Several other...

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