Yesterday the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, testified before the Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, and today before the Senate Banking Committee.

There were two very serious issues on agenda, the Bear Stearns bailout and the possibility of recession.

The Fed Chairman, regardless of who occupied the seat, has always had the power to move international markets dramatically with one statement. Communications and messaging skills are crucial for this position, as how you say it is sometimes, if not always, as important as what you say.

Watch the two clips from the past two days. Chairman Bernanke is clearly reading prepared remarks, making very little effort to make any eye contact at all.

The Chairman crossed his arms, uncomfortably, for the majority of his testimony. His voice is a flat line monotone, with absolutely no inflection in it at all.

The fact is if you listen to the testimony the news was not all negative. There was some reassurance in the words written before him; however the verbal and non-verbal cues were far from reassuring.

Imagine this same presentation, but rather than a monotone, there was inflection, solemn where necessary and upbeat where appropriate (and there were definitely appropriate times).

Rather than sitting with arms crossed, arms open, being a bit more expressive. If the Chairman made eye contact, took time in between thoughts, repeated key messages — such as ‘I remain confident in our economy’s long term prospects.”

To quote from a legend of public speaking success, Roger Ailes, “You are the message.” When you are sending a different message than the words you are speaking, you are not delivering the message you think you are.