Obama & Charisma

By David Willis 

What makes Obama charismatic? 

What is it about Obama?

 I’ve had endless conversations over the last couple of weeks all around the same question. We are even being asked to put ‘inspiring’ days together using Obama as an example. What is it about Obama that makes him so charismatic? At a time of economic woe and international strife why has America put an unknown, untested, inexperienced, quantity into the White House? It surely can’t be just because he speaks well - can it?

Well from my perspective here is the obligatory five point list:

1.     He is passionate about what he is talking about and he is able to communicate that passion. I find it really interesting that with Obama you don’t have the whole ‘is it him, or is it the words?’ debate. Which is it that we are enthralled by? Well, it’s both.

2.     Having said that the words are good, in fact very good, in fact crafted; he owns them. Obama loves using rhetorical techniques, especially three point lists and contrasts but they’re not something he just puts on for a speech. Read his books. They’re written in the same style that he speaks in, with the same techniques. That is real authenticity.

3.     He enjoys rising to the occasion when speaking in public. This is a big part of what makes him charismatic. Audiences want to be engaged by a speaker. When someone stands up to speak the audience expects something significant. They might want to know that their lives matter, that this moment in time matters. Can you honestly think of any audience that sits in front of any speaker, anywhere, hoping that today will be really boring. Please don’t inspire me!

4.     His technical delivery is excellent. Listen to the pauses. He really knows how to pause. He keeps the sentences short and he holds his head up high and often keeps it still while speaking. These are strongly charismatic behaviours.

5.     His body language is a lovely mix of high status and empathetic approachability. Notice how easily and often he smiles. He has good steady eye contact and speaks a lot of the time with easy open gestures. 

It is often said that we get the leaders we deserve. I hope in this case that it’s true. 

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