Barack Obama is arguably one of the best speakers in the world today, and in my opinion, he is the master of the pause. We witnessed this again during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he outlined the steps world leaders should take against violent extremists such as the Islamic State militants.
The Opening
Obama began with a powerful opening:
“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen: we come together at a crossroads between war and peace; between disorder and integration; between fear and hope.”
In this brief and impactful introduction, he paused four times for two to three seconds each.
“Around the globe, there are signposts of progress. The shadow of World War that existed at the founding of this institution has been lifted; the prospect of war between major powers reduced. The ranks of member states has more than tripled, and more people live under governments they elected.”
Once again, he spoke fewer than 50 words and paused four times.
The Power of the Pause
Why these pauses?
This was Obama’s pivotal moment to rally the world against ISIS, while also addressing pressing issues like Ebola, Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and climate change.
“Today, I ask the world to join in this effort. Those who have joined ISIL should leave the battlefield while they can.”
He didn’t just pause for emphasis in the opening minute; his entire address was mindfully paced with strategically placed pauses to underscore his points. He ensured that every word was not only heard but understood and reflected upon.
The power of the pause is profound. When you have something significant to say, the pause is your best friend.
Engaging Imagery
Barack Obama knows how to create vivid imagery with his words. He makes statements that resonate deeply:
– “The cancer of violent extremism that has ravaged so many parts of the Muslim world.”
– “Hundreds of millions of human beings have been freed from the prison of poverty.”
– “Today, whether you live in downtown New York or in my grandmother’s village, you can hold in your hand more information than the world’s greatest libraries.”
– “Iraq has come perilously close to plunging back into the abyss. The conflict has created a fertile recruiting ground for terrorists who inevitably export this violence.”
The Close
In closing, he states:
“The people of the world look to us, here, to be as decent, as dignified, and as courageous as they are in their daily lives. And at this crossroads, I can promise you that the United States of America will not be distracted or deterred from what must be done. We are heirs to a proud legacy of freedom, and we are prepared to do what is necessary to secure that legacy for generations to come. Join us in this common mission, for today’s children and tomorrow’s.”
Embracing Authenticity
We live in an age defined by speed and information, with ideas and data flying at us from all corners of the globe. Many people are eager to speak rather than truly listen, and this sometimes leads professionals to deliver their messages too quickly.
The key to being a great and memorable speaker is to be authentic. We don’t all need to mimic Barack Obama, but we can learn from him by slowing down and embracing the power of the pause.
Watch the full speech here:
If you need help developing your public speaking and presenting skills:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
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