… this is the headline of the article in the FAZ of 26.9.2016 announcing the TV duel between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. A really interesting proposal is described by the editor Andreas Ross:
“… experts once again explain to Americans how they would have to watch the debate to judge who leaves the stage as the winner: without sound. ”
Try this yourself and just turn off the sound of a video of yours. This is the best way to learn your body language. Because just as it applies to the U.S. election campaign, it also applies to presentations, speeches and lectures: You can often score less with expertise or repartee than with control over your facial features and gestures.
TV debates in presidential campaigns have been around since 1960. John F. Kennedy was the first to rely on the effect of the image. Kennedy made a weary Richard Nixon sweat in a relaxed manner. Sixteen years ago, Al Gore grimaced in exasperation in a duel with George W. Bush and looked like a nerd. “Four years ago, Barack Obama mustered so little body tension in the first debate with Mitt Romney that some accused him of arrogance and others of resignation – regardless of his arguments.” (FAZ)
Uses presentation training, TV training, or debate training? I clearly answer this question in the affirmative. We’ll see how Clinton does tonight. Andreas Ross in the FAZ: “For the Democrat, the biggest challenge is coming across as personable and authentic. She has trained extensively for this. But whether she can earn affection in this way is an open question.”