Confidence rules

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Two recent political events on either side of the Pacific have emphasised the importance of presentation to success in life and business. Senator Barack Obama won the Democratic Party nomination not only on his youth and charm, but very much also on his ability to communicate in a dynamic and inspiring way. When commentators speak of his charisma, much of that quality comes from the confident and relaxed way he comes across to his audience.

Australian Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has been accused at times of being arrogant, but one quality he has in spades is confidence. This confidence gives his communication a gravitas that his predecessor could never achieve. Confidence has been a vital element in enabling Turnbull to have three successful careers in the law, business and politics.

Where does this confidence come from? From knowledge of the subject?  Well yes, but everyone can acquire that. Indeed, when you get up to pitch you are the expert in the room. From passion for the topic, well presumably if you didn’t believe in the product or service you are trying to sell you wouldn’t have got so far as having to speak about it in public. So what’s left? The answer is fear.

Some people fear death less than having to get up and make a speech in public. Apart from the fear of failure, I suspect it’s the fear of not being in control that spooks people, along with the threat of public humiliation. The stocks really were an exquisite punishment.  There’s nothing more intimidating than a hostile crowd, particularly when you don’t even have the option of running away!