Colin Powell executed the most incredible example of communication that I have ever observed. I have studied the I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King. I have listened to FDR’s Fireside Chats, Winston Churchill’s late-night radio talks to the UK during the London Blitz, and read the Gettysburg Address.
Colin Powell’s interview trumped them all because I got to see it as it unfolded instead of old footage. This is a review of Powell’s communication style, not the endorsement, not the substance.
Just the way he communicated the message he wanted America to hear. So you might wonder what made this interview so outstanding. His use of what I identify as the Seven C’s of Communication:
1. Clarity
2. Confidence
3. and 4. Comprehensive and concise
5. Belief
6. Comfort
7. Charisma
1. Clarity me talking on the scalpel of clarity; Colin Powell proven how it sounds to speak clearly. In this interview she took the most complex questions and answered them in what I call the time it takes to walk across the room. She answered the question about Sarah Palin’s qualifications for vice president with a clarity that surprised even veteran political pundits. She clearly stated, the only job a vice president has is to be prepared to be president. Do you respond in the time it takes to cross a room?
2. Confidence Confidence is defined as believing in yourself and your abilities. Powell commanded a calm and seemingly unshakable confidence in himself and in the decision he made. Senator Joseph Lieberman is another example of a well-known figure who switched parties to support a presidential candidate. Lieberman announced his endorsement of McCain in front of a larger live audience, and he did so with more words and a bigger stage. Powell communicated his support more confidently. Confidence isn’t necessarily about drama or a big stage. The most powerful trust is an inner trust. Do you communicate with the inner confidence to move things forward?
3. Comprehensive and 4. Concise Powell’s comprehensive approach to answering all the unasked questions about his endorsement was mind-boggling. In moments, he verbalized his logical reasoning for why he voted for Obama. He was thorough but concise as he identified McCain’s Supreme Court nominations, Barack’s intellectual curiosity, assertiveness, ability and desire to be inclusive. Did you know that you can be complete and concise?
5. Belief Brokaw asked Powell some challenging questions, particularly towards the end of the interview. Whatever the question, Powell gave his answer and his backing with a calm, strong, determined and focused conviction. It wasn’t a fire and brimstone approach, it wasn’t professorial, and it was simply said with quiet conviction.
6. Comfort Powell was so obviously comfortable in his own skin. Too often throughout the debates, McCain has not looked comfortable. It’s interesting, in the last debate McCain didn’t look comfortable, but later that night he was a guest on Letterman and he looked comfortable and he was a great guest. Even admitting that he had screwed up a few weeks earlier when he reneged on Letterman’s invitation that he had previously accepted. Visuals are very important to any speaker, and how comfortable a speaker looks with themselves becomes an important factor. If the speaker is comfortable, the audience is comfortable. When the speaker is uncomfortable, the audience is uncomfortable and will seek comfort by avoiding the source of the discomfort. Do you communicate that you feel comfortable in your own skin?
7. Charisma Charisma has been defined as “the ability to develop or inspire in others an ideological commitment to a particular point of view.” Powell told a story, so effective that tears rolled down my cheeks. By using this story, I was able to inspire an ideological commitment.