Serve, Learn & Lead with Raymond Tay

Speaking like President-elect Obama

It has been sometimes ago but it is always on my mind to learn & write about the charismatic leader, President-elect Obama. I have also read about an article, “How Do the Candidates Communicate?“ by Linda McGurk and she has provided an in-depth analysis on Mr. Obama’s art of communication. We must learn & model from the experts in order to be a better person. 

The Message or Words

Obama has started off his campaign on these two broad words, “CHANGE” & “HOPE” and it turned out to be an ingenious move. Although they are vague, Obama later explained further in his speeches. One of his strengths is his ability to match his conversational style to his audience. When he was speaking to college students, he used slang and casual phrases. Furthermore, Kathleen K. Kendall, a research professor in the University of Maryland’s department of communication, said, “Obama uses a lot of words like you, us, our troops, and all of us, and that makes people identify with him.”

Personally, I like these words that Obama used:

• “Not a collection of Red States and Blue States, we are and always will be the United States of America.”
• “We can’t solve every problem but I will always be honest with you on the challenges that we face, I will listen to you especially when we disagree“
• “Above all, I will ask you to join in the remaking of this nation…“.

They truly reflect the value & role of leadership.

The Delivery

Republican media consultant Alex Castellanos on CNN’s The Situation Room: “He is the guy who can stand on top of the mountain top and say, ‘We’re going to go over here.’ And he lifts people that way.” He is skillful in using pauses to give people a chance to digest his message, applaud and sometimes passionately chant one of his slogans. Also, his energy and friendly appearance captivate thousands or millions of followers. Obama won as he has a more enthusiastic voice and has more vocal variety than McCain. Obama knows how to move gracefully, comfortably and confidently, and even showed off some dance moves.

Also, I like his voice tone because it helped him to portray very well as a Firm, Respected and Commanding Leader for Great CHANGE.