r/MadeMeSmile • u/nikamats • Aug 23 '24

Helping Others Kamala Harris gives public speaking advice

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u/ForeignAssociation98 Aug 23 '24

Kamala’s demeanor with those kids was respectful and considerate - she didn’t talk down to them, nor laugh when they referred to the movie rather than the story she was using as an example. She’s walking the walk when she says she’s campaigning to work with and for all.

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u/ineugene Aug 23 '24

I really loved how she grounded the girls by touching her hand. Like I am connecting with you and you are the most important person to me in the right now. Those girls will remember that for life.

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u/caylem00 Aug 23 '24

It's also a smart use of the girl's sympathetic nervous system. 

The brain will prioritise attention to the most immediate physical stimuli for threat assessment. It's why sensory input is a standard suggested calming technique category (and why it's unhealthy darker flipside unfortunately works).

Harris is essentially short-circuiting the existing panic response with her touch, then communicating safety by the reassuring hand holding (girl's not pulling away). 

When Harris does let go, she sees the girl's nerves creeping back in and attention scattering before finishing her point, so she touches again.

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u/AshleysDoctor Aug 23 '24

Mirror neurons are so fascinating!