Business Presentation Lessons from Josh Shapiro vs. Gretchen Whitmer
Why did Josh Shapiro’s big speech fall flat?
At the Democratic National Convention, Governor Josh Shapiro was seen as a rising star and potential future presidential candidate. Yet his six-minute speech disappointed. The issue wasn’t politics but presentation. He relied on one strident tone throughout, talking at the audience rather than with them.
Mini-summary: Flat delivery without modulation or connection diminishes even high-profile speeches.
What do experts often get wrong about presentation research?
One so-called “speech coach” misquoted Albert Mehrabian’s research, claiming only 7% of impact comes from words, while 38% comes from voice and 55% from appearance. This is false. Mehrabian clarified those numbers only apply when content and delivery are incongruent. When aligned, the message itself matters most.
Mini-summary: Congruency between message and delivery is critical — not a false formula of percentages.
How did Gretchen Whitmer outperform Shapiro?
Whitmer varied her voice — sometimes soft, sometimes strong — using modulation to keep her audience engaged. She wove in personal stories, humor, and relatable examples, creating warmth and connection. In contrast, Shapiro delivered motivational exhortations without stories, humor, or tonal variation, leaving his audience fatigued.
Mini-summary: Modulation, stories, and warmth create connection; monotone exhortation drains audiences.
What lessons can business leaders take away?
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Use variety in delivery: Mix strong emphasis with softer tones, pauses, and even whispers.
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Tell stories, not just share numbers: Audiences remember narratives better than statistics.
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Guide, don’t lecture: Provide context and let the audience reach conclusions with you.
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Project calm and warmth: Smiles, humor, and relaxed presence put audiences at ease.
Mini-summary: Business talks must combine substance with personal stories, modulation, and a calm presence.
Key Takeaways
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Congruency of content and delivery drives credibility.
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Voice modulation energizes audiences; monotone drains them.
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Personal stories and humor create lasting connections.
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Guiding beats lecturing — context persuades better than commands.
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Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.