Conversational Style at the 2012 Convention Whatever your political views, the 2012 Democratic National Convention was a feast for students of great public speaking. Michelle Obama’s speech proved that fiery is feminine, and that women can exude power and poise, even while playing a traditional role. Then there was Bill Clinton. He’s probably the only Read More
Celebrities and Real People Speak
Michelle Obama: Public Speaking Poise
To understand the phrase “own the room,” you don’t need to look any further than Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The First Lady gave a stunning display of being fully and calmly in charge of herself, her words, and all that she surveyed as she knocked her opening night presentation over Read More
Rick Perry’s Public Speaking “Senior Moments”
NOTE: This post was originally written in 2011, when Texas governor and presidential hopeful Rick Perry forgot the name of a federal agency he planned to eliminate. In December of 2016, Perry was nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to head that agency, the Department of Energy. You can’t make this stuff up! **** We all forget things. And even Read More
Public Speaking Courage: Troy Davis’s Final Words
How many of us would have the presence of mind and strength of character to say something coherent, let alone inspiring, just minutes before being put to death by the state? Troy Davis managed it. According to witnesses who were present, He looked directly at the members of the family of Mark MacPhail, the officer Read More
Rupert Murdoch’s Apology Demonstrates How to Say You’re Sorry (Not!)
Rupert Murdoch’s “Apology” for Hacking British Journalists’ Phones If you’re interested in delivering a non-apology, you can learn a lot from Rupert Murdoch, the man who’s arguably done more than anyone except Grover Norquist and the Koch Brothers to shape our public discourse in the U.S.. After his newspaper, News of the World, was caught red-handed hacking into Read More