Special Delivery Part 4: Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
This is part of a series on special delivery, answering a reader question from Spencer. Read the previous posts here:
Special Delivery Part 1: Universal Skills
Spencer, in the last article we talked about the universal skills of likeability, credibility, approachability, and sincerity. Today, we’ll talk about how to diagnose your last tournament to identify weaknesses.
Look back over your ballots and see if you’re getting negative comments about the universal skills. Sometimes judges make it easy for you, saying things like: “I didn’t find you credible.” But more often, the comments need to be decoded. Simply track every comment to you as a +1 for a positive comment or -1 for a negative comment.
Negative comments
Likability: “Pushy in cross-examination.” “Your dentist joke was tasteless.”
Credibility: “For your information, here’s something you probably don’t know.” “You need evidence if you’re going to say that.”
Approachability: “The orphan story in your intro didn’t relate to your speech.” “Got too close in the rebuttal, just stay behind the podium.”
Sincerity: “Seemed to be arguing for the sake of arguing.” “Not sure why I should care about your second point.”
If you get two or more negative comments in a single tournament, it’s something to look at. If you get three or more, it needs work.
Positive comments
Sympathy: “So funny.” “Thanks for lightening the mood in cross-ex.”
Gravitas: “Clearly know a lot about the topic.” “Very well researched.”
Rapport: “Thoughtful, winsome presentation.” “Touching story about your grandmother.”
Passion: “Discussing a very important issue.” “People need to know about this.”
If you get two or more positive comments in a single tournament, it’s a potential strength. If you get three or more, you’re doing great and should avoid big changes to your approach.
Spencer, your question suggests that you’re not getting negative comments about likability. Instead, you’re noticing that your opponents are getting positive comments where they’re more sympathetic than you.
We’ll discuss that more in the next post.