TJ’s Insights

It happens every so often, after I have finished conducting a presentation training session with a number of clients. After the first post-training cocktail has been consumed, one of my student’s will meekly put forth this question in hushed, apologetic tones:

“TJ, what do you think of Adolph Hitler as a public speaker?”

At first blush, it is hard to think of Hitler in any terms other than psychopathic mass murderer and the personification of evil. In fact to speak of Hitler under any circumstances other than across-the-board denunciation is seen at best as insensitive and at worst as NAZI sympathy – something most people, me included, don’t want to be a part of.

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In Al Gores’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, he shows that, once again, he is an excellent speaker. Why, many people ask, was Gore considered such an awful speaker in the 90s and in 2000, and now is considered a great speaker?

It all comes down to two words:

“Stop yelling!”

Old Gore used to show enthusiasm and passion (normally good things) by yelling during his speech. This made him seem harsh, monotone, condescending, and tiresome.

President George W. Bush has been the worst thing to ever happen to the presentation skills training industry. For the last 7 years, those in my profession have looked like fools when we said things like “public speaking skills are integral to success in business and public life.”

People could and would just say “Ha. Then explain George Bush!” And that usually ended the discussion.

Post Debate Discussion to Air on the Speaking Channel following the debate.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2007

Watch the Presidential debate and participate in a post debate analysis of the Republican Candidates.

Get the latest TJ Walker video tutorials at the Speaking Channel homepage, or add to your arsenal of speaking tips and tools at the Media Training Worldwide Store

I am a big believer that if you prepare your message properly, if you exercise great discipline in answering questions and you deliver perfectly crafted sound bites through out your interview, it does not matter one wit whether the reporter grilling you is smart, stupid, lazy, hard-working, friendly or hostile. If you really do what you need to do and focus on your part of the game, it is virtually irrelevant what sort of reporter you end up with. You will come out ahead.

Abe Lincoln is still getting good press for his Gettysburg Address; can the same be said of your most recent board meeting presentation?

You might not be keeping the United States together as one Civil Union, as Lincoln did, but that doesn’t mean you can’t borrow some of Lincoln’s skills, as demonstrated in Gettysburg, for your own next business or civic presentation.

Here are seven key tips you can take away from Lincoln’s most well-known address:

Get the latest TJ Walker video tutorials at the Speaking Channel homepage, or add to your arsenal of speaking tips and tools at the Media Training Worldwide Store