Decker has said, "The effectiveness of your communication determines the effectiveness of your life."
For Decker the turning point in his life came early in his career, when he was an accomplished film producer pitching a half-million dollar proposal to investors. A crackling voice and two sweaty palms later, he lost the deal. An insider said, "Your ideas were good ... they just didn't have confidence in YOU." At that point, his life changed.
Decker taught himself to speak, to lead, and to influence. For over fifty years, he has taught others what he has learned, and what he continues to learn.
Now, Decker shares both his choice for the Top Ten Best Communicators, as well as the Worst Communicators of 2004.
Here is Bert Decker's analysis of the Best Communicators of 2004 -- and the Worst.
We can learn ...
The Best
1. Dr. Phil
Phil McGraw has made his syndicated TV show one of the fastest growing, and done it largely on his communication skills.
He is fast, articulate, funny, often profound, often mischievous, and deserves his following.
He communicates pop (and sound) psychology with presidential power.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gets political ambitions.
2. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Who would have thought a weight lifter with no political experience could be elected Governor of the United States' largest state - and he can't even pronounce "Caleefornia" correctly!
Never mind -- his energy and optimism communicating has given people hope -- and given him amazing popularity ratings more than one year later.
3. Reverend Billy Graham
Perhaps in his last year of preaching, his consistency, voice and vivid blue eyes accentuate his always clear message.
He is a communicator for the decades.
Although his energy may be diminished, he was forceful and effective in several Crusades this year.
Perhaps his last Crusade is coming in June, 2005 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
It might be the last chance to see and hear a communicating legend.
4. Activist Michael Moore
Controversial and effective, his speaking is confident and strategic.
Whether you like him or not, his communicating is probably more effective than his movie making.
And he is the poster child for the concept "forward lean."
5. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
Number 5 with a bullet.
This young, attractive new mayor would never have made the national impact he did with his same-sex marriage initiative back in February without having great communication skills.
And having a glamorous TV reporter wife in Kimberly Guilfoyle-Newsom doesn't hurt.
He emulates the Kennedys, and has the same kind of spontaneity and sense of drama so necessary in the fast moving political world.
6. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
The first woman U.S. Speaker of the House is only one achievement of this dynamic and smiling woman.
Her impact also brought her leadership recognition as one of the rising Democratic stars in this year when it didn't pay to be a Democrat.
She is a great example of how good communication rides high energy.
7. President Bill Clinton
No top communicators list would be complete without Bill Clinton.
Like him or not, he is a master at speaking and connecting with people.
He always looks, talks, smiles and moves forward - and not even heart surgery could keep him down.
A best-selling book and new "life" put him in prominence again, even though in the end he couldn’t transfer his charisma to John Kerry.
8. Hewlett Packard (HP) CEO, Carly Fiorina
Using to her advantage the looks, walk and posture of a winning woman, she almost single-handedly has turned Hewlett-Packard around. She handled the merger well (actually saving it) and then moved on to become a business media star. Good branding strategy, and she has the speaking power to pull it off.
Olympian Michael Phelps
9. Olympian Michael Phelps
His smile is as bright as the Gold medals he won swimming in the Olympics.
He was the most articulate and personable of all the young athletes, and even though he lost some luster with his DUI run in [on Wednesday, December 29th, 2004, Phelps was sentenced to 18 months' probation after pleading guilty to drunken driving], his candor and honest humility served him well.
We will see more of him.
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