The internet is abuzz over Obama’s recent news conference regarding spending cuts, specifically, the malapropism he used to describe his communication with House Republicans:

“I know that this has been some of the conventional wisdom that’s been floating around Washington: That somehow, even though most people agree that I’m being reasonable, that most people agree that I’m presenting a fair deal — the fact that they don’t take it, means that I should somehow do a Jedi mind-meld with these folks and convince them to do what’s right,” he said. “Well, they’re elected. We have a constitutional system of government.”

To the pop culture literate, this was a crime as it conflated terms from two pop culture classics, “Star Wars” and “Star Trek”. Can it be considered a gaffe? Perhaps. But I think the root of Obama’s speaking problems lies a little deeper. Namely he’s getting defensive during Q and A’s. Bad news.

It’s really hard to stay calm during Q and A’s if the questions are getting irritating or hostile, but it is absolutely necessary. Obama comes across as defensive and somewhat petulant in the clip above (full disclosure, I’m an Obama supporter). Of course, he has ample reason; he is rebuffed at nearly every step of the way by his adversaries. But conflict is never a reason to lose your cool in the speaking arena.

So how do you handle a hostile or irritating question? First, breathe. Take a moment before you respond. Let the irritation pass. Then remind yourself that you are in a professional setting, and that there is no need to take things personally (depersonalize). Then answer firmly. There is no need to waiver if you disagree, state it, but do so without snark. I think Obama would have been better served if he left out the bit about how he is not a dictator, and the whole star trek reference, and simply pointed out that he had done all he could to create a compromise. It might have been a little less interesting, but we’re not going for creativity when it comes to Q and A’s, we are looking for accuracy and professionalism.

Are you having trouble with Q and A sessions? Give me a call and we can set up a free twenty minute in person or Skype consultation.

This entry was posted in Speech Preparation and Anxiety Reduction , Video Analysis of Contemporary Speeches
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