Donald Trump Gestures – What do we learn?
Highest Paid Speaker To President

Before stepping into the white house, Donald trump was probably the highest paid speaker in the world!

Why?  This was predominantly because of his wealth and status, along with the fact that his speaking was in a corporate environment, speaking to wealthy investors and entrepreneurs who wanted lessons and tips to increase their wealth. Business Expos, ticketed events with huge investments and sponsorships from large corporations meant that these events could pay big money for Big names.

But is he a good speaker?  And what lessons can we learn from this highly controversial President?

This article will cover the ‘Top Trump’- his most noticeable bad public speaking habit.

Donald Trump Gestures.

Compare videos from throughout his presidency and you will see 3 things.

1- A Pinch

2- A Push and

3- A Point

These gestures are incredibly repetitive, and can become very annoying to a viewer.  Rewind a year or so to his paid speaking events and you see a different Trump.  His gestures are freer and more varied.

Let’s hope that coaching has not brought about this change.

Why the difference and what do we learn?

Here are 2 potential reasons.

1 Topic –

Beforehand, Trump was talking about topics he loved, like Money, Real estate and business.  Things he really knew about and things he had a passion for.  As a consequence his speaking and whole demeanour was more relaxed and ‘authentic’.  That buzz word in speaking that simply means natural!

Since his move into the Whitehouse he now has to talk about, and be an authority on a huge variety of subjects where he may not feel as confident and comfortable. This has had an impact upon the way he composes himself.

2 Pressure –

Imagine feelings involved in the run up to speaking to a room full of business people who largely respect you and want to hear you speak about your long term successes.  The feelings you would feel may include nerves but more likely would include emotions that would engender confidence.

Contrast that with the pressure of having to please a completely diverse audience, many of whom dislike you, question your authority, doubt your ability or even have unrealistic expectations of you? Your objective is always to win people over and satisfy people’s questions and concerns.

Then add in the knowledge that your role is one of the most prominent in world politics.  These factors are bound to have a huge impact on any speaker.

Lessons –

Very few of us are ever likely to hold a role of such magnitude, or even deliver speeches on such a diverse number of topics, but for any speaker, gestures are a part of the ‘performance’ or delivery of a presentation.

1 –Know your Topic

Make sure you are well prepared for a presentation. You need to get to the point where you are comfortable that you know your subject well.  This will really help in allowing you to be more comfortable and authentic.  Practice it until you love it, and are happy with it.  Few people are able to just get up and speak in a relaxed and poised way, even if it is scripted on autocue. When we are comfortable and confident our body language and gestures will be more free and natural.

2 – Prepare your delivery

Your gestures need to be varied and meaningful in order to add visual interest and reinforcement to the content of your presentation.  Give thought to the gestures you will use and when to use them, you can add much impact and appeal to your presentation.  Gestures vary slightly from one person to another, but using them is a must.  Different gestures are good in different situations, so, using some descriptive gestures can add colour to the delivery, and using emphatic gestures help to convey the feelings you have about your subject. If your audience readily see how you feel, you will likely affect how they feel.

When you are sure you look and sound authentic and you are confident in your personal skill set, then you will be happier to deliver it despite the audience or pressure of the situation.