When the general election is upon us the campaigns are gearing up. Four years ago, a confluence of events provided some of the best competitions in primary politics in decades. The epic battle between Senator's Clinton and Obama were some of the best display of wit and eloquence to be found anywhere. Off course, then the primary season ended and the Obama/Biden ticket was faced with the likes of a war hero and a northern belle. The Political Speech then descended a few notches as the content of the rhetoric was not as intellectually provocative as the Obama/Clinton debates.
The Objective
The base objective of any politician seeking office is to gain the trust his constituents. To do this he needs to be able to connect with them at a very personal or real level. He must appear to understand their plight and be able to solve what they need. The politician has become the greatest symbol of a socialist society because; it is in the politician that most mobs look to seek the solution to all that ails their lot in life. The shrewd politician knows this. So he needs to find a way to satisfy all they need and all they are looking to solve. As such, every public speaker must remember that the only thing a person needs to do on the podium is to harness the trust in the room – that is the objective.
The Task
If the objective is to garner the trust, then what is the message about? That is the task. The task of the speech is to convince or drum to action a certain set of actions. If you want the constituents to tell their friends about you, or if you want them to vote for you or if you want them to drop the other guy, you can do whatever you have to once you have completed the objective of getting them to trust you. The task now is delivered in a way that can be emotional and driving. However choose one simple phrase that will go a long way and keep the person motivated until the task they have to do is complete.
The Reward
No instruction is complete without the actor being rewarded for their trouble. If a person believes the speaker, then is motivated to take action as instructed, there is one element that stands in the way of that intent and the required action. That is the motive to profit that is inherent in all humans. The lingering question - “What's In It for Me?” must be solved and satisfied before the actor does his job.
With the three issues in place. The job is almost certain to get done. It is never a guarantee, as much as anything in life is never a guarantee. Bu the way to be a top speaker and to get crowds to do what you will them, is to follow a plan that clearly lists your objective, the task and the reward that will await the person who performs your task exquisitely.
About The Author:
Carolyn Stewart teaches in public speaking seminars and coaches speakers.
