Michael Deaver--Tribute to a Hero

Vicar of Visuals, Media Maestro, Master of the Photo Op. (One example of his planning, left, Pres. Reagan speaking on the cliff above the Normandy Beaches on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day.) All titles given to Michael Deaver, Reagan's communication guru, who died this afternoon of pancreatic cancer. (NY Times) (Washington Post)

Mike's understanding of the power of visuals to convey messages-and his understanding of Reagan himself--transformed news coverage of the presidency. And in the process, he impacted all of us who create messages for media coverage and media train those who will deliver those messages.

Mike and I met in the mid 90s. Since then he has brought me in as a media trainer and/or speech coach for clients. He's also had me provide critiques of the communication skills senior U.S. House and Senate Republicans. I was looking forward to working with him next month for an overseas executive. Tragically, pancreatic cancer moves rapidly.

In my three decades as a media and speech coach, I've worked with hundreds of some of the finest PR and communication consultants in the world. I have great respect for many of them. But I have very few heroes. Mike Deaver was, and still is, one of them.

He was acutely observant and perceptive. He was a master of his craft. He was an innovator. More than that, Mike had the courage to tackle the dark side of Washington, to fight through his alcoholism and regain his innate love of life, love of family (he missed not being able to see the grandkids more often), and appreciation for others. He was much too young to die.

As to his impact on history, perhaps former first lady, Nancy Reagan, summed it up:

I think every president can point to one particular aide who knows him so well that he becomes indispensable. Mike was that man for Ronald Reagan.

Comments

[Tom Magness]

Thanks for the reminder of how it is possible to be a great leader without necessarily being front and center - like Michael Deaver. I enjoyed this post...and the others before it. Hooah!