Home
>
Public Relations
>
Three Communication Secrets of The Great Communicator

Three Communication Secrets of The Great Communicator

I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years, and experience has taught me that communication is an essential skill to master in order to be successful in all aspects of one's life. No one person can do many things without the involvement of other human beings; having superior communication skills, then, is a highly enviable quality, and those who manage such a feat serve as role models to the rest of us. Ronald Reagan, "The Great Communicator", exemplified this quality so well that people elected him President.

1. Confidence, such as Reagan had, is one of the essential non-verbal aspects of communication. Confidence can help one talk to others with ease and makes people want to listen to what one has to say. One way to gain confidence is to gain understanding. If one has a firm grasp of what it is one wants to say, one will have fewer reservations about speaking out. Reagan had confidence in what he was saying. He believed in his material and was familiar with it, which gave him the confidence to communicate well and be well received by his audience. Similarly, believing in one's own goals and ideas, communicating them without doubt, will gain them a better reception than an uncertain, mumbled communication would.

2. Reagan's confidently-delivered speeches were crafted to give his American audience hope and a sense of optimism. His 1984 re-election campaign slogan, "It's morning again in America," exemplified his vision of a better future for the country, especially after the traumas (Watergate, Vietnam, etc.) of the sixties and seventies. No one likes hearing bad news, and a positive attitude inspires one's listeners, improving their outlook on the topic and on the speaker. Reagan's use of symbolism- "morning"- is a particularly effective method of communication, as it solidifies an abstract concept in the listener's mind with an image, making Reagan's idea of a positive future more real. In communicating an idea, one would best be served by finding a positive expression for the idea, and finding an evocative symbolic form for the positive idea.

3. The third key to being a great communicator is wit. One must have a sense of humor and be able to tell stories, jokes and anecdotes. Telling a joke will help break the ice and get people interested in what one has to say, enabling a better connection with them. Doug Gamble, one of Reagan's speech writers said, "Unlike Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, whose use of humor often seemed less than heartfelt and somewhat mechanical, and George W. Bush, who is uncomfortable doing it, humor glowed from Reagan's very soul." Reagan expertly used his genuine sense of humor and excellent comedic timing to not only amuse his audience, but also to convey his political points. For example, Reagan illustrated a key principle of his political philosophy with the quip, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"

One effective manifestation of wit is the strategic deployment of self- deprecating humor. Making oneself come across as more human and down-to- earth will more readily draw people's interest in one's message. Returning to a Reagan example, the late President enjoyed poking fun at himself, not only for entertainment purposes, but also to disarm his opponents. When Reagan's opponent in the 1984 campaign, Walter Mondale, described Reagan's reign as "government by amnesia," the president reacted, "I thought that remark accusing me of having amnesia was uncalled for. I just wish I could remember who said it." Similarly, Reagan jested about his alleged tendency to fall asleep on the job, "I've given my aides instructions that if trouble breaks out in any of the world's hot spots they should wake me up immediately - even if I'm in a Cabinet meeting." Self-deprecating humor is a very effective communication tool.

With "The Great Communicator" no longer with us and with no role model to replace him, it remains up to each of us to become our own great communicator. Be confident, be witty, be optimistic, and you can interact effectively enough with others to realize your goals.

Michael Levine is the founder of the prominent public relations firm Levine Communications Office, based in Los Angeles. He is the author of 7 Life Lessons from Noah's Ark: How to Survive a Flood in Your Own Life. GuerrillaPR.net is a resource for people that want to get famous in the media, without going broke. http://guerrillapr.net

limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Creating an email alias can help clean up your inbox by organizing emails based on purpose, like creating different aliases for shopping, newsletters and work.

A multipurpose robotic system promises to transform how items are stacked onto pallets, aiming to maximize space utilization and reduce shipping costs.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.

A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.

Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.

It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.

Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.

A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.

Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.

Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.

A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.

Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.

The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.

Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.

Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

Three Communication Secrets of The Great Communicator

Public Relations