I have been asked two questions during my coaching and training sessions over the past month: What do I think of Presidential hopeful, Donald Trump, as a public speaker, and have I seen the video clip that went viral of the Swiss President, Johann Schneider-Ammann?
Fortunately I have views on both and they fit into one of my key mantra’s – make sure your three V’s are in line.
Let me explain.
If you want to convey your message effectively so that people remember it and act upon it, you must match your verbal, visual and vocal channels of communication. If one or more of these is out of synch, it can have disastrous results as the Swiss President found to his cost when his video message went viral.
I know you want to check this out, but bear with me for a couple of paragraphs and you can watch the video for yourself.
Back to the Swiss President.
He became a laughing stock when, during his speech on Switzerland’s annual day of the sick, he got it all wrong. He failed to match his tone and body language to his message. He wanted to say, that laughter is important for your health.
His delivery was so humourless that he was about as funny as a funeral director. When I showed the video to someone I was coaching, who does not speak French, he thought the President was announcing the end of the world; he looked so depressed.
Presidential wannabe, Donald Trump, has no such problems. His use of the three Vs is masterly. He emphasises the right words, varies his pace and tone and uses his hands to underline his message.
And his message is clear and simple. He uses words of mostly two syllables, short sentences and lots of repetition. It’s a message that may not be going down too well in Europe, but it is certainly resonating with many Americans and the American media.
Still, my top prize for using the three Vs goes to the incumbent President, Barack Obama. He connects emotionally with his audience through his vocal variety, purposeful body language and compelling storytelling.
The Swiss President could do no worse than look across the Atlantic and take a few tips. Or, of course, invest in some presentation training with many of the coaches, who must now be beating a path to his door.
Judge for yourself. Here are the links to the Swiss President and to Donald Trump.
The annual day that the Swiss President would rather forget.