History was made November 4, 2008. Barack Obama was elected president. Political campagains aside, what made him stand out? His oratory. Leaders must be able to inspire an audience and that requires excellent speaking skills. Passion, poise, and a consistent message inspire trust. The ability to handle challenges and attacks without getting flustered conveys a sense of confidence. Delivering a message to a crowd is only part of the process. A good leader must be able to connect one-on-one. How many times have we seen a dynamic speaker who shares an exciting vision and then quickly exits the stage bypassing the handshake? Obama successfully used social media as well as making contact face-to-face.
When is comes to leadership there is a relationship between speaking and leading. To the victor belong the spoils. And to the leader belong good communication skills.