Her unique voice suggests a shift in what best resonates with people today.
The internet has truly changed the game when it comes to public speaking.
This new medium—full of TED talks, snappy messages and viral videos—has fundamentally shifted the style of speech that engages us most.
One person who encapsulates this new style right now is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“AOC,” as many affectionately call her, is an outspoken, mold-breaking U.S. Congresswoman (D-NY) who is gaining loyal supporters—especially young people, in large part thanks to her bold social media presence—by the masses.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of many leading the charge for change in 2019. And most interestingly, her unique voice suggests a shift in what best resonates with people today.
So let’s examine the powerful message and voice of this inspiring individual.
A new-age politician with charisma and conviction.
Why does AOC’s straightforward speaking style work so well today? Well, for the same reason we’re no longer expected to wear ties to every single business function. Society, as a whole, has become less formal in regards to how we speak and dress.
Think about how different AOC’s personality is from Hillary Clinton’s. When Clinton ran against Trump in the most recent U.S. presidential election, she stuck with a very refined, old-school approach in how she spoke. That approach probably would have resonated with people better 10 or 20 years ago.
Comparatively, Trump’s no-holds-barred, shoot-from-the-hip speaking style gained a surprising level of support. The way we communicate has shifted from lengthy hand-written letters to fast tweets, texts, and social posts. His style matched this era.
A voice that stands out in a crowd.
When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks, she doesn’t complicate things.
She just says, “Look, I’m just a girl from the Bronx and this is how we say things.” As she recently mentioned, she has been tasked with teaching other people in Congress how to use social media. Her first lesson? Don’t be something you’re not. Be your true self.
And when communicating with other members of Congress, she doesn’t use high-level, jargony language. She knows any interaction could end up on social media, and she wants to resonate with people at scale.
She also uses this strategy the other way around, too— explicitly asking Congresspeople to explain things to her like she’s five. Not because she doesn’t understand, but because she wants the public to be able to understand when Congressional meetings wind up on YouTube. She wants people to be made fully aware of what different policies really mean—especially the ones she sees as unjust.
Arguably the most powerful piece of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s overall style is her punch.
She generally uses short words and feisty statements. And to compliment that speaking style, she’s expressive in the sense that she uses strong body language. Her entire face and body are committed to every word that she speaks. With this approach, she comes off as passionate, powerful, and genuine.
AOC’s transparency, tell-it-like-it-is attitude, and powerful expressions are winning her supporters en masse.
AOC is a highly effective communicator and appears incredibly passionate about her message. And in 2019, society is clearly ready to embrace new voices—including an impassioned, intelligent young politician from the Bronx.
So perhaps it’s time for you to re-think your communication style and bring your messages to life with greater conviction, authenticity, and passion.
If you would like to learn more about improving your communication at work, you can listen to my new podcast ‘Born To Speak’ on many podcast networks like iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Or connect with me on Linkedin.
Here are a few other articles you might find helpful:
How Do You Measure Human Emotion? World-Renowned Psychologist, Dr. Paul Ekman, Shares What Led To His Most Famous Discovery
8 Small But Powerful Ways To Make Sure Your Next Presentation Leaves A Lasting Impression
How To Drop Your Clark Kent Disguise And Be Your Superman Self
