Great classic example of "Think on your feet" and "Public speaking"

While most of the attention were focussed on Julio, the student and part-time worker @ McD's, the real winner here is Obama demonstrating a classic example on how to "Think on your feet" while responding to questions during a public engagement.

This video has great potential to become one of the most used course materials by consultants doing corporate trainings. I've been to enough of those sessions to guess - and even if they don't, I will, the next time I get assigned to do some public speaking.

For starters, notice how he chose the person asking the question - profiling. I don't know who had asked him questions before Julio, but from appearances, Julio fits the profile of a young student who is old enough to start out working, and is aware of the impact of the economy.

If she had been there, and is a guy, my friend Jules instead of Julio might have been chosen.

Next, after listening to the question, Obama bought himself a little time to think before answering the question *directly*.

His first response was an affirmation of what the young chap did - doing work that is, implied, beneath his full potential and capability, and at a wage lower than many other jobs.

There is nothing wrong per se of course in commending Julio's willingness to work *hard* (*hard* is a term introduced by Obama, not Julio), to take on a job that is not the most ideal in terms of job satisfaction, career prospects or pay.

In fact, it is a good thing to do, and in some scenarios, that could be the best message or consolation he could give if he actually had nothing concrete to offer the person.

But there is denying the benefit the 20-25 seconds "extra time" gained by Obama before he actually tried to answer the question.

When Obama actually answered the question - there is nothing to actually confirm whether his plan would actually benefit Julio directly.

The tax break is more directed at the employers, the health care is something subjective and many weary Americans are sceptical whether it could materialise in a form that benefit student workers, and the tax rebates for education again may only be to Julio under certain circumstances.

But Obama was able to link his overall plan in 3 areas - employment, health care and education, to the answer, even though in actual implementation, Julio may not be in a position (satisfy some criteria or otherwise) to benefit from it.

Julio will have to do some homework to know for sure.

But for now, at least both sides got something out of this exchange.
Obama got to promote his plan and looked good for assuring the student.
Julio got some praises (or consolation), (vague) promises, and as it turned out, job offers from this exposure.(http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/62687523/1?se=yahoorefer)

Great training material!