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Three Lessons Leaders Can Learn from the Palin-Oprah Interview
Akron, OH
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The long awaited Sarah Palin interview on Oprah finally took place.
Sarah Palin fans clamored for Oprah to interview her when she was first added to the ticket. Oprah held her ground: first she held her ground that she would not interview any more candidates until after the election, and then she held her ground and did interview her. What did we learn from watching the uncomfortable interview?
Three Lessons Leaders Can Learn from the Palin-Oprah Interview
1. When you have to swallow a bug, do it quickly
Oprah did promise to interview Palin after the election. She waited twelve months. Perhaps if Oprah would have conducted the interview more promptly after the promise, she would not have looked so uncomfortable. This just goes to prove the old adage, when you have to swallow a bug, do it quickly.
2. Look for commonalities
Palin did try to find common areas between herself and Oprah but Oprah was not biting. I give credit to Palin for trying. It looked like she thought it would be easier than it was to break through to the Oprah she thought would be conducting the interview. But a colder, more distant Oprah showed up and Palin struggled. Even at the very end of the interview, Palin was still trying to build a bridge, apparently it was to nowhere.
3. Look like you are enjoying it
Oprah is an award winning actress. Even she could not hide her discomfort during the interview. Palin tried and tried to connect with Oprah but Oprah was not having any of it. You can lead a horse to water . . . when you have to do something – do you have to look like you are enjoying it? Your audience gets their cue from you. If you look like you are enjoying your time in the spotlight, they will enjoy watching you. If you are not comfortable, the audience is not comfortable. You are a leader, lead through your verbals and non-verbals.
Political candidates give us teaching moments partly because they are so visible.
Sarah Palin fans clamored for Oprah to interview her when she was first added to the ticket. Oprah held her ground: first she held her ground that she would not interview any more candidates until after the election, and then she held her ground and did interview her. What did we learn from watching the uncomfortable interview?
Three Lessons Leaders Can Learn from the Palin-Oprah Interview
1. When you have to swallow a bug, do it quickly
Oprah did promise to interview Palin after the election. She waited twelve months. Perhaps if Oprah would have conducted the interview more promptly after the promise, she would not have looked so uncomfortable. This just goes to prove the old adage, when you have to swallow a bug, do it quickly.
2. Look for commonalities
Palin did try to find common areas between herself and Oprah but Oprah was not biting. I give credit to Palin for trying. It looked like she thought it would be easier than it was to break through to the Oprah she thought would be conducting the interview. But a colder, more distant Oprah showed up and Palin struggled. Even at the very end of the interview, Palin was still trying to build a bridge, apparently it was to nowhere.
3. Look like you are enjoying it
Oprah is an award winning actress. Even she could not hide her discomfort during the interview. Palin tried and tried to connect with Oprah but Oprah was not having any of it. You can lead a horse to water . . . when you have to do something – do you have to look like you are enjoying it? Your audience gets their cue from you. If you look like you are enjoying your time in the spotlight, they will enjoy watching you. If you are not comfortable, the audience is not comfortable. You are a leader, lead through your verbals and non-verbals.
Political candidates give us teaching moments partly because they are so visible.
Leslie Ungar
President
Electric Impulse Communications, Inc.
Akron, OH
330-668-6569
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