CD of rare and well know quips and statements from President Reagan
If you want public speaking tips, what are the ten insights you can learn from former US President Reagan who was known as 'The Great Communicator'.
The news of the death of former US President Reagan at 93 in June 2004, has again focussed the world's attention on both his achievements and great communication skills.
So what can we learn about life, business and success from President Reagan?
Well, after reading the tributes that have poured in for the man they called 'The Great Communicator', here are my 10 insights.
1. YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD
While most people are enjoying retirement, others are just reaching the height of their power and influence. At the age of 69, Reagan was the oldest person ever to become president of the United States.
What do you plan to do at that age?
2. THE 'NANCY FACTOR'
There's a saying that behind every great man, there's an even better women. President Reagan knew his strengths and importantly his weaknesses, such as a lack of attention to detail. His wife Nancy made up for this and they became an 'unshakeable and unbreakable couple'.
This highlights the power of a good relationship with a life partner.
3. A RICH AND VARIED LIFE
Reagan had a rich and deep well of life experiences on which to draw from. The shoe salesman father, the economic reality of the 1930s Depression and at 25, the excitement and drama of being a slick sports broadcaster.
All these experiences helped shape his values, beliefs and ability to communicate with audiences.
4. HUMOUR AND HUMILITY
Despite the early success and attraction to Hollywood as a B-grade actor, Reagan never forgot his roots.
On the assassination attempt on his life in March 1981, he turned to his wife in the emergency room afterwards and said, "Honey, I forgot to duck."
5. INSTANT LIKEABILITY
Like many people with charisma and charm, President Reagan had that rare ability to build instant rapport with people he met. He connected with people on a personal level and people liked him for that.
6. SIMPLE CONCEPTS
While many have criticised his lack of detail and intellectual rigour, Reagan's great gift as a communicator was to take the complex, like a solution to the Cold War, and make it appear simple to the masses.
7. HOLLYWOOD STYLE
President Reagan know how to dress, network with the right people and manage his image. Skills learnt early in the cut-throat world of the Hollywood movie industry.
8. ATTENTION TO DETAIL
There are reports that Reagan's reign as President was tightly managed and scripted. So what if there were chalk marks on stage outlining where to stand and his use of cue cards as memory joggers prior to important meetings. His background had taught him the importance of attention to detail. Sports broadcasters around the world are meticulous to their approach to big matches. Reagan approached presidential duties no differently.
9. THE RARE ABILITY TO MOVE PEOPLE TO ACTION THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD
Out of the millions of presentations given every day, few achieve this goal. Yet, I believe it should be the outcome of every speech.
Reagan had it. An online biography from 'The New Book of Knowledge' takes a deeper look at this rare skill.
10. UNFALTERING OPTIMISM
Research shows that optimism is a learned skill and optimistic people achieve more from life.
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