A good Orator can change the World

Let me take you back in time. Almost 2.000 years ago the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonius said: "Be not confused in words, nor rambling in thought." Obviously he was talking about the importance of concise communication.

And in todays Media age it has become more important than ever because we can reach millions simultaneously.

A few years ago I saw a discussion between the German Chancellor Schroeder and the opposition leader Edmund Stroibel. Poor Stroibel could not string more than 5 words together without a disruptive fill word. He must have had at least a hundred Ahm and Ahs and he really struggled to get his points across. Unfortunately his lack of speaking skills distracted the listeners completely from the contents.

At the same time Schroeder came across as if he knew all the answers.

Not because his content was better but because he was more expressive, more fluent and therefore more convincing. And as we know today Schroeder won that election by the fraction of a %. I think he won because he is a good orator.

Before the last election in the United States there was another political debate on Television that could well have decided who became the most powerful man in the world. The live debate of Bush and Kerry was seen on TV all around the globe. It was considered to have once again changed the course of the election which in the long run could have changed the world as we know it.

How is that possible? We are only talking about words.

Can a few words strung together have such an impact?

I believe they can. With words we can hurt and with words we can inspire – not only one person but millions.

We have plenty of examples in recent history. In a negative sense Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin. On a much more positive note Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, J.F. Kennedy - remember the speech he did in Berlin which ended with "Ich bin ein Berliner" The Germans loved him for that. He gave them hope – on both sides of the wall. - or Martin Luther King: "I have a dream…"

A few words that inspired the thoughts of generations.

Words are very powerful and we should use them with care.

Not only in politics, also in business, schools, church and social groups - the person who can get her points across in the most credible way, is the one we will go for.

Last year I practiced a 3 Minute presentation with my friend Leonardos 12-year old daughter Stella. She wanted to be head girl in school. At the election she only came second but she told me that was ok because the girl that won had been very passionate about some things the kids wanted changed at school. In her speech that girl had conveyed that she will really fight for them. And with that she had won. Because she was passionate about the subject and well prepared in her speech, she had not only used the right words but also vocal variety and strong body language to convince her peers and it had worked.

Remember Susan B. Anthony who in 1873 asked: "Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens and under the constitution have the right to vote."

or Bill Clinton when in 1999 he asked the American Nation: "Please, forgive me, I have sinned"

Let me give you an example of everyday diplomacy:

Imagine your wife coming out of a dressing room looking gloomy and asking: "John, am I fat?" Do you think it is better to say: "So what? I love every pound of you" or "Who said that? Come on, tell me Darling. I want to set them straight. How dare they!"

If you are aware how communication between the genders works, you will use the second version and your wife will love you for defending her and you didnt even have to lie, did you?

Easy, isnt it? It is called diplomacy but you got to know how it is done. And it all has to do with communication – on different levels.

As you might know, I am a passionate Toastmaster and when people tell me they dont need Toastmasters because they dont speak in public, I know I have failed. I did not communicate the positive impact Toastmasters can have on their lives in general. I did not communicate how concise and to the point communication can influence those around us.

So I still have to practice. And that is fine with me.

I am learning – day in, day out. That is why, I stay with Toastmasters.

Brian Tracy said "To be more, you must learn more" Here is the opportunity.

I challenge you all to make the best use of your time!

Barbara Hofmeister

www.trainingvisions.com

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