Unlike Most Presidential Couples, the Obamas Actually Listen to Each Other

[struggle4progress]

By Kathlyn Hendricks and Gay Hendricks
Huffington Post
Posted December 5, 2008

... Michelle and Barack communicate with each other in a way that is rare among presidential couples: when Michelle Obama is speaking, Barack makes eye contact with her and listens with interest to what she's saying ...

The host said, "When your wife is talking, you actually appear to be interested in what she's saying! You look like you're really listening when she's talking." He paused for a moment then asked, "How do you do that?" It became clear that he thought it was some sort of technique, designed to give the appearance of keen interest, and he wanted to learn how to do it.

Gay said, "Well, it's pretty easy to do, because I'm actually interested in what she's saying."

"Oh," the host said, his eyes glazing over as he backed away. Apparently the idea of genuine interest either didn't appeal to him or seemed too alien a concept to grasp ...

http://www.alternet.org/sex/109616/unlike_most_presidential_couples,_the_obamas_actually_listen_to_each_other/

Nice little nonpolitical commentary

[NJCher]

1. highly recommended

Thanks so much for posting this. It is really a very important article that shows what a different kind of person Barrack Obama is.

It is significant because it shows he is a listener.

Now think about dumbya. I just saw him with Laura last night on TV. While she talked, he rolled his eyes to the ceiling and looked away.

As a communications scholar, I am fascinated with the way Obama has used communication to achieve his goals.

I've sent this around to my fellow communication teachers and my students.




Cher