For my final blog on the secrets of President Obama’s impressive communication skills, I’ll look at the few things he doesn’t do well.  It’s a short list, but typified in the following news clip: http://tinyurl.com/d9r8cf. 

In the talk, delivered a few days ago to Democratic lawmakers, President Obama takes on his critics concerning the stimulus bill that’s currently wending its way through Congress.  He ratchets up the volume, the rhetoric, and the tone of voice – all conveying real passion and indeed anger at those who would get in the way of what he says is vital legislation to avoid economic Armageddon. 

It’s an impressive performance except for one thing:  his gestures – what he does with his hands – don’t support the intensity of his words and voice.  He uses three gestures, mainly, and two of them especially are quite ineffective. 

First, he uses the admonishing forefinger.  While expressive, it’s not effective simply because no audience likes to be scolded.

Second, he uses a sweeping gesture of the hand, like a sideways karate chop.  This one is a little better, but it’s basically dismissive.  If you hold the palm up to your audience, that’s a very powerful and basic gesture that says ‘stop’.  So putting the palm down weakens the gesture, leaving it ambiguous and less effective.

Third, he puts his thumb and forefinger together like he’s rubbing some salt to test its coarseness.  It’s reminiscent of the gesture that some cultures use to mean ‘pay me some money’.  As Obama does it, it’s weak, even prissy.  He needs to lose it.

Much of Obama’s charisma and expressive power comes from the control and self-awareness he exercises over his voice, face, and rhetoric.  But his hand gestures, when he’s controlling his passion, remain curiously unconnected to the rest of him. 

Revealingly, about 12 minutes into the 14 minute link above, Obama goes off script for a minute, then reins it in again, saying “I get carried away.”  Right around that point, his gesture suddenly become natural, real, and expressive.  Then, once he gets himself back under control, the artificial gestures return.  He should stick to natural gestures to improve what is otherwise one of the most effective public speaking styles around today.