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Maybe um Toastmasters will aahhh help?

I have done a lot of public speeking in the past. Both as a member of Toastmasters and the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). The ability to speak in both a prepared and impromtu manner is valuable for anybody in a customer relations business. We build our business by talking!

The ability to give an impromtu speach and/or answer a question with using the word "ah" or "um" is a basic skill that any public speaker would seek to master. In toastmaster there is even an "um counter" at each meeting. it's not viscious or anything. It's really just a polite way to bring those unconscious "ums" and "ahs" to our attention so we can do better.

So I'm not a big fan of David Letterman, especially today, but like any good comedian he see's humor every where and at least tries to be an equal opportunity offender. This is just too funny.

It honestly confuses me how a person can be one of the most skilled orators I've ever heard in a prepared speach and can be sooo bad "off the cuff". I sincerely hope that his handlers are working on that before the debates.

I, uh, don't, um, know, if I , uh could really, listen, to um ah, any point, that he, uh, is tying to, um, make. Just say it!

Posted by Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate on 09/25/2008 06:45 PM

Comments (8)

toastmasters, um, ah, obama

Post is included in group: Blatant Politics
Post is included in group: Real Estate Professionals for John McCain
Post is included in group: Silent Majority

8 Comments on Maybe um Toastmasters will aahhh help?

Bob, it amazes me that both those in office and seeking office fail to learn a few of the critical rules of public speaking. It's interesting that Obama can't speak off the cuff and McCain has trouble reading a speech. Then we had both Jimm Carter and our present President who can't seem to pronounce the simple word, nuclear.

09/25/2008 06:57 PM

by John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com)

The ability to write clearly is also a plus in our customer-related business. public speeking? answer a question with___ using 'ah' 'um', see's humor?... Just write it!

09/25/2008 07:12 PM

by John Morrison - Boston area real estate - Exclusive Buyer Agent, CBR (Buyer's Choice Realty)

John Morrison - Boston area real estate - Exclusive Buyer Agent, CBR (Buyer's Choice Realty) - Thanks for pointing those out. I made the corrections. No excuses really but the kids were in a hurry to go and I was rushing to get done. Thankfully I'm not running for president. :-) John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com) - NucUlar annoys me as well. Not as much though since it's just one word out of the sentence.

09/25/2008 08:00 PM

by Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate (Solid Source Realty)

Bob ~ The Barak Obama UH!!! count. This was too much. People say he is such an orator. But without a teleprompter?

09/25/2008 08:55 PM

by Nicholas Goglucci, CRS ~ CLHMS, e-PRO ~ Re/Max Professional in South Florida (RE/Max In Motion, Inc.)

W also says uhhh a lot, but what I find even more annoying is people always saying "ya know". No, I don't know, can you explain that? It's ok to end a sentence with it because then you're asking a question, but when it's used the most is not for questions but space filler in a run-on sentence. Our English teachers around the country should be so proud!

09/25/2008 09:04 PM

by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)

That is too funny- he isn't such a great speaker now, is he!? :)

Take a look at this one- I sure enjoyed this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-_cYjKD8TI

Thanks for sharing, Nicole Weidauer

The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle

10/02/2008 02:53 PM

by Nicole Weidauer (Keller Williams North Seattle)

Just had to comment here---love the suggestion about Toastmasters---I've been saying that for weeks! I'm a new member of a TM club here in Washington, and nearly anyone in my club, no matter how new, can give a more interesting speech than any of the two debates we've seen. Anyone else think the chosen format is really dull--the question and answer timing seems calculated to allow a few talking points but every time things start to look interesting, they have to stop to answer a different question. No wonder our political dialogue is so shallow.

10/03/2008 02:59 AM

by Frances Ann Ade (Choice Lending Inc.)

Bob, I belonged to Toastmasters for about 9 years and it is a wonderful organization. Why is it that folks who need to persuade--like politicians can't find the time to develop their skills-- On the other hand Obama seems more impressive as he delivers his speeches from a telepromoter--A guy who want to Harvard can't memorize a speech? gimme a break

Have a great weekend

10/03/2008 03:37 PM

by John March, Realtor / Broker (Keller Williams Realty )

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