Convention Conversation with Robby Mook

The Wall Street Journal invited me to participate in a discussion they sponsored titled “Convention Conversation with Robby Mook.” The main conversationalists were Mook, Campaign Manager of Hillary for America, Gerard Baker, WSJ’s Editor in Chief, and Gerald F. Seib, the paper’s Washington Bureau Chief.

My first thought upon receiving my invitation was “how cool.” My second was “why me.” And my third was “no way am I going to brave the traffic and security to get into the Democratic Convention area for a two hour conversation with these three gentlemen…as cool as it would be.

Upon further thought, and after I realized that the site of the event, the Bellevue Hotel, was far from the actual Convention site, I accepted. After all, how often do you get invited to such things?

I figured I would be witnessing an enlightening discussion from three insiders about the presidential election. Since it was a small gathering, I thought they might get into deep detail about the campaign and possibly share a few things that weren’t splashed across the media already.

While waiting for the discussion to begin, Glenn Hall, the Wall Street Journal’s U.S. editor, and I chatted over lunch about the state of the US economy and the world situation. I was pleased to see that his assessment of how we’re doing in the US and mine are about the same. While there are many having problems, as a country we’re actually doing pretty well with a growing economy and low unemployment.

The discussion itself was interesting, more interesting than most of what I’ve heard this election season, but it was a set piece. Knowledgeable attendees asked great questions that were met with reasoned and detailed answers.

But the questions fell along the same lines they always do. The answers, while somewhat more detailed, offered up the same things I’d heard before. I didn’t hear a single thing that seemed off-key or not right out of the playbook.

I don’t think I learned anything new about Clinton’s ideas or what she and her people think about Trump. However, I did come away with respect and admiration for the professionalism and preparation of the conversationalists.

They were skilled speakers with a strong command of the facts, a sense of humor, and an agility for fielding curve ball questions. Perhaps more importantly, they had a presence that enfolds and draws in their listeners.

As I reflected on their performances, I compared them to similar ones I’d seen from a variety of senior people. Some have done as well, most have done worse, and a few were stellar.

The stellar ones have a confidence, a passion, an inclusiveness, and a self-effacing manner that leaves you wanting to be involved in their cause, be it ending poverty or building a great company.

In the political arena it’s the skill that great statesmen have. In the corporate world it’s the skill that exceptional CEOs have. It’s the skill that great leaders have wherever they sit in their organization. They know how to bring us together for the greater good.

Fortunately, it’s a skill that can be learned. Study the great speakers. Notice how they speak and move. Practice the things you notice. Use them always. Before too long you too will become a more powerful speaker able to enfold your audience and draw them into your ideas and vision.