Watching President Obama in the first months following the election, I’m impressed by how much more confident and clear he is in his communication. Without question, the election cycle helped him rediscover his voice. He was decisive and bold this week, for example, in explaining his strategies to reduce gun violence. Perhaps he took a moment during the campaign to discover his Straight Talk® mojo.
Straight Talk® mojo? What’s that, you say? It’s what happens when you put yourself into perspective – and appreciate who you are, how you like to communicate, and how to be more effective in your communication. Straight Talk® mojo means you’ve discovered both your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator – and done something about it. Straight Talk® mojo comes with using Straight Talk® and getting your Straight Talk® in-depth profile.
Here’s what I might suggest to Obama: I’d urge him to tell every member of Congress to learn Straight Talk®. It will help them appreciate each other’s positions. It will help them communicate with more self-awareness. It will help every member of Congress be more effective in explaining their differences – and finding points of common ground. I’d counsel him that it would help him communicate more sensitively with his enemies. And be more confident in asking favors of his friends. Ultimately, I’d say that it would help him be a better President, and Congress be a better representative of the people.
People often ask me why we call it Straight Talk®. The answer is: Because it enables you to be more confident and direct in your communication. Because once you know your style, then it’s easier to say (as a Thinker would say): “I need to take a bit more time to process the information and talk about it before making a decision. I appreciate you want quick turnaround. But that’s not how I like to get things done.”
Okay, fine, you say. But let’s get back to the President. What’s his Straight Talk® style? If I were to guess, I’d say he’s a Persuader – a combination of Director, Thinker and Harmonizer. If you’re reading this blog and have access to the President, urge him to take the survey and let us know about his style. His country wants to know!Straight Talk® doesn’t mean shooting from the hip. Straight Talk® means letting people know where you’re coming from, so you can be more direct and effective. Taking the survey, reading about one’s style, comparing styles and learning how other people like to communicate – that’s the Straight Talk® prescription. It takes a few minutes – and of course once you dive into the online system, you can spend hours inviting people, reading profiles, and comparing notes. But if the net effect is the ability to be more effective and strategic in your communication, isn’t it worth it?
