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What have been White House Press Secretary Psaki's major strengths and weaknesses as a professional communicator?

What have been White House Press Secretary Psaki's major strengths and weaknesses as a professional communicator?

 

  1. She knows the "Core Message" of the White House and speaks with respect for Biden and Harris.
  2. She is always prepared for questions that will be top of mind and are very prepared for the "Whopper" antagonistic questions.
  3. She responds very quickly and succinctly without a lot of pauses and backtracking. She gives just enough detail.
  4. She is excellent at "Bridging" to the core messages.
  5. She listens well and, for the most part, doesn't interrupt or talk over the journalist.
  6. She may talk fast, but when it's an important message to get out, she is very good at slowing down and talking in an even modulated voice to make sure the point she is trying to make is critical and true.
  7. Her hair gets in her eyes, and there are some interviews where I begin to count the time she pushes it back. She does have Gorgios hair, and It does make her look younger and sexier as it's a flirtation cue, but it affects her credibility, and I long to tell her to push it behind her ears!!!
  8. Her best and worst attribute is that she does not suffer fools gladly. You can tell that she dislikes certain questions and certain reporters. If she gets a question, she doesn't like. She may give micro facial cues of aggression or disgust. She gives "sour face" cues to many questions and shows "Lip suppression" and "Tongue Thrusts" cues to indicate there a few things she would like to say to them or where she would like them to go!
  9. She has a great sense of humor, and I would coach her to have a little more fun and pause and play in response to light questions. I think it would increase her likeability. I coach on the Four First Impression Factors, "Credulity, Likeability, Attractiveness and Power and the one she needs to work on the most is Likeability.
  10. She controls the meeting very well.

 I am a body language expert and media coach. I have been interviewed by national and international media 2 to 14 times a week for over 20 years and used to be a regular on Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew, CNN, and FOX. I have written several books, including SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma.


Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.