How Does She Do It?

Michelle Obama, 2012 Democratic National Convention.

     On September 4, 2012, Michelle Obama gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention.  Since September 4, this You Tube video has received over 2 million hits!
     When I started thinking about people whom I know are good communicators, my first thought was- Not Me!  The exception, I suppose, would be when I communicate with my girls, and when I communicate in the classroom with my students.  The next person, that came to mind, as someone I really do recognize as a good communicator, was my U.S. History Professor at Indiana University.  The hall in which he taught could seat 400 students.  Often times, however, there was standing room only in the hall, because other students not enrolled in the class would sit/stand in on his lectures.  The third person I thought of is the president of the high school at which my daughters attend school.  I have complimented, President Marcia Sullivan before on her speeches- even those impromptu speeches she often finds herself giving to parents, alumni, faculty, community members, or students.  Then I asked my 16 year old daughter what she thought about the topic-  Who do we know, or know of, that seems to have good communication skills?  Without hesitation, she suggested I take a look at the speech given by Michelle Obama at the 2012 National Democratic Convention.  Like many people, apparently, who watched this speech, I was moved at times to tears or near tears.  Why is that?  Sure the content of the speech was meaningful, but there had to be something in the delivery as well.  After all, a well written speech that is poorly given immediately becomes an example of poor communication.  So... in regard to the people mentioned above: my history professor, Marcia Sullivan- President of St. Michael's High School, and Michelle Obama- First Lady of the United States; what is it about the way in which these people communicate that makes them good communicators?  What is the common factor?  Well... I think it is that they are all easy to listen to.  In the case of Michelle Obama, her words are spoken at a natural and conversational pace.  Her body language and eye contact correspond well with what she is saying.  The inflections in her voice rise and fall in very natural way.  She uses silence at all the right moments, to contrast important points she is making.  The sincerity in her voice, even the slight quavering when she spoke of her daughters, made it seem like she truly was passionate about what she was saying... believable.
     I would love to be able to articulate my thoughts and ideas as well as Michelle Obama did in her speech- where there is no loss for words, the message is unmistakably clear and delivered in a natural, believable, and easy to listen to way.  Hmm... I think I need a lot of practice.

Resources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPdKUA9Ipg