Debate(less)
Sep 15, 2024Debate(less)
Hello Friends!
While watching the presidential debate between current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, I was in analysis mode on their debate, communication and speaking styles. I use the word "debate" loosely, as it was less of a debate and more of two people repeating their message (for the most part). In a debate, one must use facts, evidence and strong arguments to persuade the audience. You can be the judge on whether either candidate did that, or if one was stronger than the other. However, in reference to communication takeaways, there are many observations I made, and a few notable ones that I must be highlight. Rest assured, this is not a political article; I only want to help all of you become impactful speakers and confident leaders!
It's Okay To Be Nervous
At the beginning of the debate, Kamala Harris showed signs of being nervous, such as a quivering voice, dry mouth, frequent gulps, slight word stumbles and tense body language. Who can blame her? Although she's had so much experience being on various stages, including large rallies, the stakes were extremely high for her. I remember doing a keynote for a very well known, Fortune 100 conglomerate (which was a first for me on that type of stage). I exhibited the same nervous symptoms as Kamala.
So what helps one overcome nervousness in those types of scenarios? Simply put, it's pushing through. The more you continue, the more at ease you will begin to feel. You will start remembering all the preparation and training, while also feeling cool and composed once you get through the original discomfort.
Nervousness comes from fear of possibly not meeting an expectation we've set in our minds. It comes from fear of being negatively judged. It comes from fear of not being able to impactfully articulate a prepared presentation. It comes from a fear of something unfamiliar (such as a first presidential debate). Are you beginning to see a common theme here? Essentially, nervousness comes from fear, and facing it is the cure.
Reiteration Works
Both candidates reiterated their talking points throughout the night. They had their own message and repeated it over and over again. It's an impactful strategy, one in which you marketers will certainly agree with. Whether the information is factual or not (something you must judge for yourself), stating a central theme or plot of your "speech" is a must. In a recent keynote I did for the MBA students of Bentley University titled The Skill of Standing Out, a core point I reiterated throughout the talk was "Putting Yourself Out There". I not only repeated it, but used many anecdotes and stories to get the point across.
You may have noticed during the debate, Harris uses this statement quite often: "I have a plan!", followed by talking points on her plan. In other words, she was emphasizing that she is prepared and charting her own path than current President Joe Biden. Throughout the night, Trump's common message was that Harris has been in office for 3.5 years and hasn't done anything, and therefore will be ineffective in office.
PSA Break:
At this point, if your blood is boiling, please take a breath, go out for a walk or watch some TikTok. Remember, this article is about tactics to build your speaking skills and nothing else.
Speaking Style Matters
Donald Trump's speaking style is extremely well known. There are countless impressions found online or in TV shows. Whether you find it positive or negative, his supporters love it. Common feedback you will hear about his speaking style is that it relates to the "everyday" person. Even when Trump goes off on tangents, and what some may call rambling, his supporters find it comforting. In contrast, Kamala embodies a more eloquent approach. There were moments where it seemed as if she borrowed some mannerisms from Former President Barack Obama. Her supporters believe her speaking style is an advantage and use that argument against Trump's supporters.
Speaking style has an emotional element to it. An audience can resonate with a speaker on a personal level because "style" can feel as if the candidate is speaking to the supporter directly. In fact, those that are impactful speakers intentionally work on their style because they know how important it is to landing a message. Think about your favorite comedians. The great ones have a very unique delivery, elevating their message on an emotional level.
Think Before You Speak
Taking pauses and slowing down are central to my communication teachings. Impactful speaking must never be chaotic. However, when one doesn't take a moment to think, it's a high probably chaos will come out of the speaker's mouth. There were some things said during the debate that raised eye-brows or made the audience laugh because it sounded absurd. There were also moments when irritation resulted in quick reactive responses displaying anger. All of these can turn the audience off, even supporters. Therefore, taking a moment to get your bearings on stage and putting some thought into the next words coming out of your mouth can do wonders.
Parting Words
What I wrote about in this article are not just strategies for debates, but lessons to be used in all "speaking" scenarios. That includes networking, interviewing, corporate presentations, sales pitches and so on. As you continue on your journey to become a confident leader and an impactful speaker, remember that there are steps you can take to shine. Most importantly, always recognize that it's a process and therefore the only way to get better is to put yourself out there!
Have a great beginning of the week!
If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here.
Thought Of The Week
A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
- Desmond Tutu
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