It’s not about age, friends.
It’s about breath.
I started writing this note before last night’s presidential debate. My topic was “returning to the basics of public speaking style and delivery.” Oddly enough, since COVID, we’ve seen a resurgence in interest in these skills and related workshop, and we love it. Nothing says I want to be heard like someone willing to listen to themselves in a recording—and work in real time to make improvements. Even the most skilled speakers have something to work on.
But then I watched the debate. I won’t share my political leanings here, but suffice to say neither candidate would have my vote based on “one night.”
Whether they excelled or failed.
But digging into their performance in their style and delivery, I promise you it wasn’t age. It was breath.
If you listen to one minute of Biden, he pulls his breath from his chest. He ends up with the hoarse overlay and short spurts of words, sometimes disjointed like a broken sprinkler. Maybe he had a cold, maybe he didn’t. Either way, he couldn’t access the all-powerful diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing also can help prevent and manage stuttering, which Biden is affected by. In contrast, Trump has a deeper tonality since he can pull from his diaphragm, but he never takes a pause—or breath—which makes his content style feel like a fire hose.
Oddly enough, when I watched a bunch of high school juniors deliver a mandatory, six-minute speech, they had the same exact issues. Humans 60 years apart in age not being able to control their breath for smooth delivery of thoughts and words. Sometimes it may be stress and anxiety driving the lack of breath, or just lack of practice knowing how to mechanically control your body.
(If you are curious, watch the anchors/hosts for how it’s done.)
In the meantime, know that we have your back—and breath—as you and your teams develop a more effective, resonating public speaking style and delivery.
May the breath be with you.
Ruth Milligan
PS – Learn more about our Presentation & Delivery Class here, or contact Kim for details at kim@articulationinc.com.