Happy New Year!

Bert Decker is an American communications expert and national commentator on NBC's Today show. He is an author with a global audience. He is a professional speaker, blogger, and founder & CEO of San Francisco-based Decker Communications. So, when Bert announces his Top Ten Best & Worst Communicators of The Year, people listen.

In fact, of the over 600,000 savvy people who come to Rugged Elegant Living each month, last summer -- while I was on vacation -- our audience grew, thanks to Bert's 2004 list.

Throughout the entire month of August, his list was in the Top Ten of our most searched stories.

And that story was published last December!

So after a challenging 2005 around the world, Bert asks us ...

What entrepreneurial leader is #1?

Is George Bush on the best or worst?

And how does the cast of FEMA stack up?

This year's List of Top Communicators highlights the best and worst from business, politics, entertainment, and sports.

Bert invites us to take a look and see how communications skills helped make or break his list of notable individuals.

Let's start with Bert Decker's worst communicators of 2005.

As always, we can learn from both the worst and the best.

The Ten Worst Communicators of 2005

Michael Chertoff

#1 - Michael Chertoff

The Secretary of Homeland Security is number one this year and only partly for his role in the FEMA incompetence during Hurricane Katrina (after all, he is the boss.)

His primary problem?

He does not inspire, and never has.

It's not just because he is always backing and filling in what he says about FEMA's problems, but he does not inspire confidence in how he says it.

He was never a good communicator, and in appearance alone, is aquiline in feature and harsh of tongue.

No warm or fuzzy feelings here, and the things that come out of his mouth do nothing to counter his uncaring appearance.

The experience of Chertoff is not positive.

To learn more about Chertoff's background, please explore:

#2 - Jeannine Pirro

In August, she announced running against Hillary Clinton for her New York Senate seat, and as she read her announcement she lost a page, asked "does anyone have page 10?" and then left a 30-second excruciating pause while she fumbled around.

Maybe her campaign didn't end with that major error, but she dropped out of the race a few weeks ago.

First message: Don't read speeches!

Second message: When you lay an egg, acknowledge it, and move on.

#3 - Michael Brown

The ex-Director of FEMA took most of the heat for the messed up operation, and deservedly so.

At least from what he communicated.

He was not forceful or direct, lacked eye communication and had little animation.

Which probably reflected his leadership – although we don't know that for sure, we always infer the experience of the leadership of a person from the experience of their communication.

#4 - Mark McGuire

Poor Mark McGuire.

If only he had been more prepared and coached for his Senate testimony in the steroid hearings.

Eyes moving like a scared rabbit, he stiffly invoked the Fifth.

Perfect example of how we believe what we see, and not what we hear.

If he was that uncomfortable at the plate he wouldn’t have hit even one home run, much less 70 in one year.

This was a strike out.

#5 - Martha Stewart

Despite a banner year for Martha – out of jail, two new television shows, and a new magazine – she's among the worst.

Though not quite as stoic as she was pre-incarceration, her mannerisms and lack of expression result in a communications experience that is aloof and tedious, rather than warm and engaging.

And when you contrast her version of The Apprentice with that of Donald Trump's, it's easy to see why she was cancelled, while he's casting his next season.

#6 - Lee Raymond

CEO of Exxon/Mobile gives us another strike out in televised Congressional hearings.

Mr. Raymond is symbolic of the stonewalling that has been unfortunately forthcoming from the oil companies in the wake of outrageously high gas prices.

We all want someone to blame, and it is so easy to blame the Oil Companies when we have CEOs testify in a stiff, unanimated and obfuscatory way.

They could use some expert training for such an important performance.

#7 - Angie and Markus

These two finalists from Seasons 3 and 4 of The Apprentice were fired by The Donald because of their lack of communication ability.

Angie was just unfortunate -- her nervousness did her in as she stumbled and umm'd and ahh'd through an executive presentation.

Markus was totally unfocused, and unfortunately for him hilarious in the process. Here are two people who beat out hundreds of thousands to get on the show, and when the pressure was on, did not know how to communicate.

Harriet Miers

#8 - Harriet Miers

Another case of where we are saddened when one's shining moment is eclipsed by a lack of communication ability.

The time to learn and practice is before the spotlight is on.

In stark contrast to preceding and successful candidate John Roberts, poor Ms. Miers seemed lost in the process of her nomination for Supreme Court Justice, and left almost no choice but withdrawal.

The image that is symbolic of her short campaign is one of sitting almost orphan like at the end of a couch while waiting for an interview.

We want and respect more confidence, force and energy from our leaders to be.

#9 - Tom Cruise

A perfect example of overdoing it (a la couch jumping on The Oprah Winfrey Show).

Though well regarded as one of Hollywood's most talented and successful actors, he takes his profession to the extreme, and remains a thespian off camera.

His every word, movement and laugh appears methodically contrived and rehearsed (see Washington Post 5.26.05) -- even in candid interviews.

There is nothing natural or trustworthy about him.

#10 - President George Bush

The problems of the President would not go away if he was a great communicator, but they might be at least cut in half.

President Bush continues to be inconsistent in his communications (see posts from 12/18-19), and only adequate in the informal and casual.

In the formal settings (which are when we most often see him) he is formal, and does not connect with the listener through eye communication and smile as past presidents have.

On the contrary he continues to appear awkward and stiff, and he does not read teleprompters well.

Not good for a President.

It's been a tough year for President Bush.

In 2004, he ironically made Bert's Top Ten Best Communicators.

This year, the President of the United States was not so lucky.

And now, "The Ten Best Communicators of 2005" ...

The Ten Best Communicators of 2005

Steve Jobs

#1 - Steve Jobs

A unique, energetic and dramatic business presenter - his MacWorld announcements have become an anticipated experience, with this year's unveiling of the video iPod a classic Jobs job.

Unless you live in a cave, you know exactly who Steve Jobs is. The CEO of Apple has driven the creation of products and technologies which include the iPod family and iTunes.

On December 31st, 2005, Jobs was named "Radio Person of the Year" by RadioDailyNews.com.

The recognition is awarded annually to leading individuals in the radio industry who have not only shown remarkable leadership skills in 2005, but who will have a profound, positive effect on the radio industry in 2006.

Jeffrey Smulyan, CEO of Emmis Communications, said in early 2005:

Despite the buzz surrounding satellite radio, I believe iPods are a bigger threat, because you have a larger number of people with an alternative source of music ...

The iPod has surely been a competitor for radio, but it also has provided radio stations, talent and programmers with a unique and valuable distribution channel -- the Podcast, a common addition to radio station Web sites all over the world.

Christmas 2005 in Portland, Oregon was music to our ears -- thanks in great part to Steve Jobs' company.

Out of sixteen people, four received iPod Nanos. Two received Bose SoundDock System for their iPods. Two received a new Apple iMac G5, and one (moi) is looking forward to receiving a new G4 PowerBook Notebook tomorrow. (Bring on more Rugged Elegant Living stories in 2006!)

Thank you Steve Jobs and Co.

Oprah Winfrey

#2 - Oprah Winfrey

She has had her own TV show since she was 21, and has never been better.

Open, vulnerable, funny and compassionate, Oprah has become a conglomerate largely because of her communication ability and larger than life presence (even when she lost weight).

She also launched Dr. Phil, an outstanding communicator who wasn't on this year's Top Ten list only because he was #1 on last year's list.

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005)

#3 - Pope John Paul

The Pope has departed, but not his memory, nor his dramatic impact on the world.

Although infirm in his later years, his forceful and energetic speaking and travels changed millions, and left a legacy that will be remembered.

Condoleezza "Condi" Rice

#4 - Condoleezza Rice

She didn't rise to the top just because of her advice to George Bush.

This Secretary of State has always been a great communicator -- articulate, firm, smiling in adversity and animated.

And she plays classical piano to boot.

Patrick J. Fitzgerald, JD, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

#5 - Patrick Fitzgerald

This prosecuting attorney did an outstanding job in well over an hour of announcing the indictment of Scooter Libby. He did not use a teleprompter, but he talked without a non-word in detailing a lot of details!

Very impressive (see Bert's post from 10/28).

And although controversial, because of his powerful and persuasive performance, not one peep of commentary attacked him.

Patrick J. Fitzgerald's father, also a Patrick, would be proud. Fitzgerald Senior worked as a doorman in Manhattan. His son received his JD from Harvard Law School in 1985.

According to Patrick J.'s Wikipedia profile:

After practicing civil law, Fitzgerald became an Assistant United States Attorney in New York City in 1988. He handled drug-trafficking cases and in 1993 assisted in the prosecution of Mafia figure John Gotti, the boss of the Gambino crime family.

In 1994, Fitzgerald became the prosecutor in the case against Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman and 11 others charged in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

In 1996, Fitzgerald became the National Security Coordinator for the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

There, he served on a team of prosecutors investigating Osama bin Laden.

He also served as chief counsel in prosecutions related to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.

On September 1st, 2001, Fitzgerald was nominated for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois on the recommendation of U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald (no relation), a Republican from Illinois.

On October 24th, 2001, the nomination was confirmed by the Senate.

On December 30, 2003, Fitzgerald was appointed to continue the investigation into the Plame affair.

Fitzgerald was named by Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey after then-Attorney General John Ashcroft recused himself from the case due to conflicts of interest.

On October 28, 2005, Fitzgerald brought an indictment for 5 counts of false statements, perjury, and obstruction of justice against Lewis "Scooter" Libby, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff.

In his first press conference after announcing Libby's indictment, Fitzgerald was asked about comments by Republicans such as Kay Bailey Hutchison, who said "I certainly hope that if there is going to be an indictment that says something happened, that it is an indictment on a crime and not some perjury technicality..."

Fitzgerald responded, "That talking point won't fly... The truth is the engine of our judicial system. If you compromise the truth, the whole process is lost ... if we were to walk away from this, we might as well hand in our jobs."

Helen & Charles Schwab

#6 - Charles Schwab

"Talk to Chuck" is their new ad campaign, and there's a reason for it.

Chuck Schwab is likeable and trustworthy -- the key marks of a person who connects at the emotional level. He is all of that, and for his consistent display of values and success, he deserves a spot on the Top Ten Best.

"Feeling lukewarm about your investments?" reads the question on the cardboard sleeve of the paper coffee cup.

"Talk to Chuck" is the response in a caption balloon pointing to the name "Charles Schwab."

To take a chapter out of Schwab's diversification book called "Spreading Your Risk" go to:

Ski enthusiasts are invited to Ski the world, compliments of Schwab.

Add cooler to cool, Chuck's company is the official investment firm of the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding.

They are also the proud sponsor of Bode Miller.

Deposit $750,000 or more by March 16th, 2006, and Schwab will pick up the tab for 4 complimentary ski lift tickets at a major resort (see a sample of locations below), a Suunto watch, a ski lesson, and 2 nights at any participating luxury hotel up to $750.

(Participating resorts include: Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley in California, Mount Bachelor and Mt. Hood in Oregon, Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride and Vail in Colorado, Sun Valley and Tamarack in Idaho, Big Sky Resort in Montana, Alta, Deer Valley, Park City and Snowbird in Utah, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Killington and Stowe in Vermont, Whistler in British Columbia, as well as Austria, France and Switzerland -- to name just a few.)

Mr. Schwab is definitely speaking our language!

Charles R. "Chuck" Schwab is the founder and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation. He was born in Sacramento, California in 1937. He earned a B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1959 and an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1961.

The sixty-eight year-old discount stock brokerage entrepreneur is listed as #58 on Forbes 400 Richest Americans list. According to Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Schwab have an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion.

After retiring as CEO to play more golf and focus on his philanthropic efforts, Chuck recently returned to the helm of the San Francisco-based corporation he founded over thirty years ago. He promises to remain CEO of the company, in which he holds a 20% stake, until January 2007.

Mr. Schwab and his wife, Helen, live in Atherton, California. The Schwabs have five children.

Bono

#7 - Bono

A true rock star both in and out of concert venues.

Direct, charming, and endlessly energetic – he is known for bringing world leaders together (from the right and the left) to make philanthropic miracles happen.

Time Magazine took notice and noted him as a Top Person of 2005.

On December 19th, we witnessed Bono live, in action, as a passionate performer and a man with a cause.

While he recently admitted to taking flack from his bandmates, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, for focusing much of his stage time promoting his cause, we found their "concert with a purpose" to be refreshing.

We also found Bono & Company to be the most charismatic entertainers we've ever experienced.

As a result, we're now prepared to chase U2 to Mexico City, Australia and/or New Zealand in 2006 -- before heading to Africa to do our own minor entrepreneurial part to help wipe out poverty.

In a recent Forbes.com poll, the following question was asked, "With whom would you most like to have a conversation?" Bono was the only one on Bert's Top Ten Best Communicators list who made the Forbes list. Others included: Neil Armstrong, George W. Bush, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie, Abraham Lincoln, William Shakespeare, Jon Stewart and Yoda.

The clear winner?

God -- with 41% of the vote.

Go to Forbes.com to see what percentage of the audience would most like to have a conversation with Bono?

#8 - Janet Parshall

Talk show radio host of Janet Parshall's America is quick thinking and glib, yes, but more.

Parshall takes controversial issues and communicates with respect, power and grace.

Having seen Parshall speak at conferences, she is even more animated and energetic in person.

If you get the chance, don't miss her.

There's a reason Talker's Magazine listed her as one of the all time Top 100.

We loved her BeyondtheNews.com December 20th, 2005 Commentary entitled "It's OK to Say 'Merry Christmas'."

#9 - Nido Qubein

A remarkable success story, Nido arrived in America as an 18 year old with $50 in his pocket.

He worked to go to High Point University in North Carolina, where now he is President.

He has had a remarkable first year, while also working as Chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company, and several other organizations.

A major philanthropist, Nido rose to success from speaking, both professionally and in business.

To learn more about a man who has given more than 5,000 presentations, who has received every award in professional speaking and is represented by the best speaker bureaus, and who has written more than a dozen books on leadership, sales, communication, and achievement, go to:

Malcolm Gladwell
Photo Credit: Brooke Williams

#10 - Malcolm Gladwell

Although known for his books The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference and Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Malcolm is also a great communicator in person.

A storyteller with a wry wit, he is in demand continuously for corporate business conferences, and at very high fees!

He also deserves a place on this list because of the profound importance and impact of his book Blink on the unconscious communication process.

And it's a good read.

In November 2005, American actor Leonardo DiCaprio bought the Blink book rights from Gladwell for $1 million. Gladwell is reported to be a part of DiCaprio's new film as an advisor. Another writer is scheduled to write a screenplay on the basis of this intellectual adventure story.

In 2005 Gladwell was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

To learn more about this fascinating Canadian journalist of British and Jamaican descent, who has been living in New York City since he became a staff writer for the The New Yorker in 1996, after a stint with The Washington Post, please explore:

And there you have them! Bert Decker's Top Communicators of 2005.

Who knows? Maybe next year, you'll make the top ten!

To increase your chances, I encourage you to explore:

I attended a two-day workshop of his last year, and could not recommend it more highly.

His next seminar in San Francisco, we'll take place on February 6th and 7th.

About Bert Decker

Leadership Communications expert, Bert Decker has over fifty years experience in coaching, teaching, and communications.

Decker has coached business leaders like Charles Schwab, athletes like Olympians Bonnie Blair and Tom Dolan, and 49ers All-Pro Brent Jones.

He has been the NBC TODAY Show's communications commentator for the Presidential Debates.

Decker is also an author and entrepreneur who has been featured in the New York Times, Business Week and 20/20.

One of his five best selling books include You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: Reach the First Brain to Communicate in Business and in Life.

About this book, Ken Blanchard, author of The Secret: What Great Leaders Know -- And Do said, "Bert Decker makes communicating come alive - a must read."

Last year, Bert authored two new books.

In April, he wrote Creating Messages That Motivate: How To Use and Master The Decker Grid System.

And in September, Communication Skills for Leaders: Delivering A Clear And Consistent Message (Crisp Fifty-Minute Series) was published.

Decker and his wife, Dru Scott, live in San Francisco, California.

For further leadership communications skills, no-spin analysis and links to additional stories which support his 2005 choices, please go to:

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "learning from the best and the worst" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

The Top Ten Best Communicators of 2004 - Selected by Communications Expert, Bert Decker