Say It Like Obama: the Power of Speaking with Purpose and Vision

Includes Obama's historic acceptance speech from the Democratic National Convention

In speech after speech, Barack Obama has “fired up” millions of enthusiastic supporters with his inspiring vision, rousing rhetoric, and charismatic presence His outstanding communication skills gave rise to an unprecedented political movement and fueled Obama’s success in becoming the first African American presidential nominee of a major U.S. political party.

But inspiring and persuading millions isn’t simply a product of innate ability—Barack Obama honed techniques that made him a highly effective speaker before audiences numbering thirty to 200,000. These techniques are vital not only in the political arena, but also for business executives, managers, and leaders from all walks of life.

This book is about the art of persuasion, the power of presentation, and the most effective techniques of communication. From building strong arguments and facing tough issues to inspiring a team or workforce to new levels of innovation and productivity, Say It Like Obama gives you the tools you can use to instill positive change at every level of your organization by learning how to:

• Make a strong first impression
• Use body language and voice
• Establish common ground
• Gain trust and confidence
• Win hearts and minds
• Drive your points home
• Convey your vision through imagery and words that resonate
• Build to a crescendo and leave a lasting impression

Whether you’re a manager, executive, or public speaker, a teacher, business owner, or community leader, Say It Like Obama will provide you with presentation techniques that have inspired and mobilized audiences of every size.

Shel Leanne is President of the Wishel Corporation, a leadership development firm whose clients include Fortune 500 businesses across the world. Prior to launching her company, Leanne gained experience working for McKinsey & Company and for Morgan Stanley in New York and London. She subsequently served as a full faculty member at Harvard University from 1997 to 2001, where she taught courses on social entrepreneurship and organizational design. She is also the author of How to Interview Like a Top MBA.