National Elections

We are heading towards another step in our democracy. Next week on the 22nd of April 2009 South Africans will once again be making their X for a better future.

Most of the main parties have stayed the same, with on major new addition. Perhaps this will make a big difference for the country but I doubt it. We will all make our mark and hope that our party wins, and maybe this time things will work out a little differently.

One of the major parties had a crisis of identity a little while ago, and while I think that their split away party has taken some of their supporter base with them to the new party, I do not see it weakening the major party to any great degree. Perhaps I will be proven wrong, let history be the judge of that.

Some things in this country have changed and some of them for the better.

I do not trust the people who are true politicians i.e. the ones who are in it just for themselves, for the money and the prestige.

I have read some articles lately on the best way to influence people. The singularly most important tool that stands out amongst all the others is public speaking. The ability to get your ideas across clearly and with purpose. There are only two figures that are currently involved in politics in any major way that have the ability or the skill, because it can be learned, to speak very well to their followers. The other players would do well to take notice of their example, and emulate it. Please do not copy their style or their speeches, for while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it only makes the imitator look worse than before.

Most of the current leaders are people who do not understand the importance of good communication. If you look back over the history of the world all of the great leaders that we have documentation for have been great speakers, either though talent or hard work or both.

So my message to those "leaders" out there is this: Learn how to speak effectively. Take lessons or personal coaching, get an image consultant. Whatever it takes.