Boring Is Beautiful
I was invited to sit in on a conference call with some political speechwriters this week. As we discussed President-Elect Biden’s rhetoric, I said something that annoyed some of the …
The America in our heads: A suggestion for leaders wondering what’s left to say
Written a couple of weeks ago and published on my personal blog Writing Boots, with instructions for people charged with writing something meaningful for CEOs and other institutional leaders: “Break …
Communication coaching for communication coaches
Not long ago, a speechwriter friend of mine sent a video to her CEO client, a woman, and the CEO told her the video was sexist. The speechwriter sent the …
FDR, Orson Welles, and “the Fala speech”
““It was a great show,” FDR told his prominent speechwriter after a speech that helped him win the 1944 presidential election, “in which you played a great part.”
Leadership, now: An interview with Freeman Hrabowski
Last Friday at a Professional Speechwriters Association conference for folks who help higher-ed leaders communicate, University of Pennsylvania speechwriter Mike Field interviewed Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, …
A Stunning Note of Grace
Speech by First Lady Melania Trump, August 25, 2020. Republican National Convention, Second Night. First Lady Melania Trump faced a low bar for her speech. At the last GOP convention, in …
An American experiment
This exchange began this week on my personal blog, Writing Boots. I thought to move it to Pro Rhetoric, to bring the professionals into the conversation. —DM A lot of …
Two truths, self-evident: Why people are protesting violently, and why they should stop
The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah eloquently explains why people are protesting violently after the murder of George Floyd. African Americans “watch time and time again how the contract that they …