Like her or not, Sarah Palin knows a thing or two about public speaking, sure as shootin'!  She demonstrated that well in the Vice Presidential Debates, and prior to that at the Republican National Convention.  
 
Joe Biden, on the other hand, missed some key elements of effective public speaking, despite his vast knowledge and his many years of speaking as a member of the United States Congress.
 
He failed to look directly at the camera, and thereby at the viewing public.  Most of the time, he focused instead on the Moderator. From the podium this is a natural inclination. But it too often gave TV viewers a side shot of his face rather than the direct eye contact that makes people feel trust and connection.

Depending on the eye of the beholder, a lack of eye contact can make a speaker appear distracted, shifty or unresponsive – regardless of their interests or capabilities. 

In a TV forum, keeping sight of the fact that the camera is trained on presenters non-stop is also key since facial expressions have such an important impact.  In the Senator’s case, his constant broad grin seemed inappropriate at times and could have detracted from his goal by appearing superficial rather than sincere (regardless of the person’s sincerity).

In our Public Speaking Boot Camps, we always teach “know your environment”.  That’s one of many steps in preparing for a public presentation. The Senator is well experienced in speaking on the Floor of the Senate but he or his team missed this fundamental: look into the camera.

Palin got it dead on right.  That helped, too, in what she otherwise does well, conveying a strong sense of confidence.

Looking straight at the voters is also important in conveying sincerity – a basic ingredient to trust.

Of course, sincerity can be communicated by an effective public speaker who is not necessarily sincere. Effective speakers learn techniques to project an image, to get a message across, and to inspire feelings or actions on the part of audiences.

Unfortunately, studies have shown for years that audiences tend to pay more attention to body language and tone of remarks than they do to the actual words spoken.

Hopefully that won’t hold true in the upcoming elections where substance is the name of the ultimate game … what the candidates know, what views and beliefs they hold, what positions they will take (and have taken -- their track records), what skills and experience they bring to the table, their attitudes, their ability to work effectively with others, and their values and character as individuals (among still other criteria and qualifications).

Our comments on the VP candidates have nothing to do with our individual positions in this election.
 
They have everything to do with the power of public speaking (and the importance of careful attention to words and substance).
 
We teach public speaking skills and how to be extraordinary.

Through powerful public speaking comes the power to excel and to serve the greater good. Using speaking skills to help others and to make the world a better place is integral to our corporate mission.

They are skills that enable leadership at all levels.
 
On the political scene, Sara Palin and Barack Obama both are gifted public speakers.
 
In the case of Sara Palin, this skill (in its many elements) has helped catapult her to a national and international platform in the course of five short weeks. 
 
Public speaking skills are learned.  We should know – we’re masters at public speaking, and at teaching the skills for empowered speaking.

To find out more, check out www.Creative-Pursuits.com.