One of the things SpeakEasy really delves into – or at least we did in the last cut – is how closely strong leadership is tied to good public speaking skills. Yesterday, two pioneers, if you will, were in front of audiences to sell themselves and and push their agendas: Barack Obama and Steve Jobs. Obama’s State of the Union address showcased many of the trademarks of an Obama speech – strong posture, an air of authority, a booming, confident voice – regardless of his policies, he’s an excellent speaker to study just in terms of physical presence. Steve Jobs, on the other hand, has a physical condition that has left him weak, so he relied on humor, charming nerdiness, and confidence in his product – I thought his content was stronger than his delivery (he effectively ripped on the Kindle, for example). And he looks relaxed, casual, and friendly. It’s engaging. Either way, here are some clips from their speeches – a big day in presentation and public speaking.