Examples

Leadership Speech

how to write a good speech about leadership

Leadership is a character a lot of us wants yet only a few can master. Being a leader entails great responsibility. Speech writing could be a challenge for some but for a leader, it is more of a necessity. It requires both the mind and the spirit to come up with a powerful speech.

A leadership speech could be likened to a keynote speech because it stirs emotions among the audience. However, a leadership is more of an encouragement message. It should be filled with words of unity, camaraderie, and trust. Let us discuss in great detail what a leadership speech is.

Short Leadership Speech

Short Leadership Speech

Size: 66 KB

School Speech

School Speech1

Size: 55 KB

What Is  a Leadership Speech?

A leadership speech is a particular kind of speech that is used to deliver a strong message with the purpose of influencing others and providing inspiration when necessary. It is a composition designed with the objective to motivational speech others, lead them in the right direction, and drive them towards a common goal.

Although most speeches require to use proper language to deliver a message, a leadership speech takes more than that. The language to be used should be easily understood by the audience yet able to convey a strong and powerful effect.

Leadership Conference

Leadership Conference

Size: 392 KB

School Captain Speech

School Captain Speech

Size: 543 KB

How to Give a Leadership Speech

In order to give an inspiring leadership speech, you need to have the spirit and heart of a true leader. Here are some tips for you.

1. Be Confident.

Confidence is the first thing you need to practice before delivering a leadership speech in pdf . If you do not sound confident, your audience will see as weak and an inefficient leader.

2. Show Enthusiasm.

If you happen to read some welcome speech examples, you will know that they have a common denominator, i.e., it is filled with energy and emotion. You should be able to convey the right emotion to your audience.

3. Use Body Language.

You cannot just stand in front o everybody and read your lines. You have to use hand gestures and other parts of your body to send your message.

Leadership Elevator

Leadership Elevator

Size: 113 KB

High School Speech

High School Speech

Size: 94 KB

Leadership Motivational

Leadership Motivational

Tips for an Effective Leadership Speech

When you write your speech , make sure to use proper language and style. Here are a few tips for you.

1. Start with a Strong Opening.

This is always an essential key in any speech. You have to start strong. Remember that you have to catch your audience’s attention.

2. Create an Outline.

When presenting speech make sure to prioritize the important ones. In addition to that, organize your thoughts for a clearer message.

3. Develop a Connection.

Always bear in mind that in order for your message to be understood, you need to have a connection with the crowd. You may also see appreciation speech examples & samples.

High School Graduation Speech

High School Graduation Speech

Size: 75 KB

Effective Leadership Speech

Effective Leadership Speech

Size: 10 KB

International Women’s Day Leadership Speech

International Women’s Day Leadership Speech

Size: 70 KB

Leader’s Breakfast Speech

Leader’s Breakfast Speech

Size: 71 KB

Benefits of a Leadership Speech

Delivering speeches has always been proven an effective way to send out important message. It can change the course of history. Graduation speech examples have always united the spirit of students although the celebration means they are separating their ways.

A leadership speech word in the same way acts as an instrument to ignite emotions and encourage others. People who do not have a voice in the society consider it an opportunity to be heard and acknowledge specially if the leader understands their sentiments. It is through the leader’s speech that the rest of the members’ thoughts are brought out in the open.

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Speech About Leadership and Responsibility

Ryan Lenett

Have you been called upon to give an inspirational speech on leadership and responsibility? But you are not sure, what to include in the speech, how to start or end the speech. Check the sample speech here and use it as your guide.

Motivational Address on Leadership & Responsibility

“Friends, respected guests, and fellow community members, I am here today to talk about something really important – being a leader and taking responsibility. In our fast-changing world, we really need good leaders who take their role seriously. Being a leader is not just about being in charge; it is about using honesty, kindness, and strong commitment to make our society better. Being a leader means inspiring and guiding people to work together towards a common goal. A true leader shows kindness, stays humble, and never gives up. They pave the way for society to grow and get better. We see many examples of great leaders in history who have made a big impact on so many lives through their dedication and taking their responsibilities seriously. Great leaders know that it’s not about showing off, but instead helping others to do the best they can. They present themselves as symbols of hope and positivity, motivating their group members to strive for the best. These leaders take complete responsibility for their actions, leading by example and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Being a leader and having responsibility go hand in hand. A leader can’t ignore their duties and still expect people to stay loyal. Responsibility requires being open, honest, accepting mistakes, and learning from them. During difficult times, leaders stand out, providing comfort and guidance to their team through tough situations. They own up to their mistakes and give credit to their team for success, promoting a culture where everyone takes responsibility together. Leadership today also involves thinking globally . Leaders must tackle big issues like climate change, economic inequality, and social unfairness. Leaders need to look after not just people close to them but also people all over the world. To solve worldwide problems we need worldwide solutions, therefore leaders need to work together regardless of politics or geography. We live in a time where technology is advancing quickly, bringing both benefits and issues. Leaders in technology must tackle hard questions concerning privacy, artificial intelligence, and automation. Truly great leaders are those who make sure that technological progress is done ethically considering humanity’s interests. Education is another place where leadership and responsibility are strongly connected. Leaders in education help shape the future generations’ minds. They need to encourage students to think critically, show empathy towards others, and properly understand their responsibilities. But remember- leadership isn’t only for those in authority positions. Each one of us can showcase leadership within our own lives – in our families, workplaces or communities. Being a responsible leader means thinking about our actions’ effect on others, welcoming diversity and showing empathy towards others. To cap it off, leadership can’t exist without responsibility – if you have authority but no sense of duty, you’re not going to be able to make things better. As we move forward into an unknown future, it’s crucial we remember that real leaders carry the responsibility of guiding others towards a better tomorrow with inclusiveness always kept in mind. Let us all aim to become the leaders our world needs – caring, responsible leaders who intend to make difference for betterment of societies across globe. Thank you.”

Features of Leadership

  • Influence: Leadership is a trait that inspires others, altering their behavior and mindset to synergize towards common objectives.
  • Interpersonal Process: The relationship between a leader and their followers significantly determines the achievement of organizational goals.
  • Achieving Organizational Goals: Leaders unify efforts towards shared business objectives.
  • Continuous Process: Leadership is a perpetual journey, requiring constant guidance and direction to keep the team aligned.
  • Group Process: Leadership thrives in collective effort, fostering interaction and solution-driven dialogues.
  • Situation Dependent: Effective leadership is adaptable, molding itself as per the current circumstances.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Leader

A leader wears multiple hats, playing numerous roles that contribute to the overall success of the organization. These responsibilities vary but typically include the following:

Short Speech on Leadership Qualities

A great leader, above all, is known by their work ethics and the trust they instill in their team. This trust is earned through consistent actions, leading by example, and offering guidance even in challenging times. Renowned leaders like Nelson Mandela , Mahatma Gandhi, and Barack Obama showcased an unwavering commitment to their goals and a deep respect for every individual. The pathway to such leadership isn’t easy or swift but is marked by patience, understanding, and perseverance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is the importance of a leadership speech.

A leadership speech plays a crucial role in inspiring and motivating individuals to embrace their potential as leaders. It provides insights into the traits and qualities of effective leadership, emphasizing the significance of leading by example, making informed decisions, and fostering a productive environment. As John Maxwell aptly puts it, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

2. What is the role of leadership?

Leadership involves guiding, organizing, and managing a team toward a shared objective. Leaders are visionaries who motivate their teams and foster a conducive environment for growth. The roles of a leader can vary from training and mentoring to decision-making and conflict resolution. They may employ different leadership styles such as transactional, transformational, autocratic, or democratic based on the context and the team’s needs.

3. How do you introduce yourself in a leadership speech?

Introducing oneself in a leadership speech requires a careful balance of authority and humility. It’s essential to communicate your values, vision, and expectations clearly while also expressing your eagerness to learn and grow with the team. The way you deliver this speech can significantly impact the team’s perception of you, emphasizing the importance of preparing and practicing your speech. Strive to make your introduction an accurate reflection of your leadership style and ethos.

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Ryan is a car enthusiast and an accomplished team builder passionate about crafting captivating narratives. Known for his ability to transport readers to other worlds, his writing has garnered attention and a dedicated following. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Ryan continues to weave literary magic in every word he writes.

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Long and Short Speech on Leadership for Students

A leader is someone who has a powerful intellect and not mere intellect. Leadership is a skill that not everyone is blessed with, a skill that allows an individual to lead people for the greater good of society. Leadership can not be learned or taught but it is a skill that is developed through time. Leadership is all about guiding and leading the people in a group or organization which leads to the success of the group. Leadership is all about having a vision that will help in bringing a change in society.

We often see that many people claim they are leaders all based on the position they are in. They might be the managing directors or the CEO of the company. Does that mean having a good position is directly linked to being a good leader? And what are the qualities that make up a good leader?

Here we have provided long and short leadership speeches and along with that we have also given 10 line pointers about the leadership speech for students.

These speeches of great leaders will help the students to understand the qualities required to be a good leader.

Long Speech on Leadership Qualities

Good morning to everyone present here today. Today I am going to give a leadership speech and I hope it’s helpful. I would like to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity to speak about leadership.

So who is a leader? and what is leadership?. A leader is someone who can think and question and does not merely follow the herd. A true leader has a powerful intellect and they impact the people around them to work hard.

Throughout history, the world has produced great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, and the list goes on. So what is common between all these leaders that makes them truly grateful? What is the quality of all these leaders that made people believe in them?. Well, the answer is that they could guide huge populations of people for the greater good. A quality leader will always think about people and help them in solving problems and that’s what all the great leaders in the past have done.

Mahatma Gandhi after being in South Africa for twenty years came back to India after witnessing the discrimination that was done by the white people against fellow Indians. He taught people about Satyagraha and the nonviolent ways through which everyone could fight back the British. During all the nonviolent protests he was not just commanding people, he walked with everyone, he led the movement and that is the true quality of a leader.

Similarly, Barack Obama after becoming the 44th president of the united states of America, helped the country to fight the recession. American people were suffering during 2008 because of the recession as the country's economy was falling slowly. The middle class could not pay bills, There were no insurance policies for the poor and the country's growth was declining slowly.

Barack Obama was able to understand the difficulties that everyone was facing and he did what every great leader does, he guided the country out of recession. He made sure to lead from the front and fight the difficulties that his people were facing and that is the quality of a true leader.

So after getting to know about great leaders in the past, how can anyone figure out a leader? Well, there are a few qualities that define a good leader. A great leader motivates you to be successful. A leader is a great influencer who does not force anyone to follow him but due to his actions, people follow him on their own. A strong leader is also characterized by having a strong personality. An aura that makes people listen to him or her. A good leader is not about commanding people to do their work but it is always about helping people to get the work done.

For example, if a task is assigned to a group, a good leader will always make sure to distribute the task equally within the group and will also make sure to help anyone if they are facing difficulties. He or she also makes sure that there are no loopholes in the process and he makes sure that everyone finishes their work in time.

Leaders are not born, they are made throughout time and leadership is not an easy task. It cannot be done by people who allow their emotions to take control. Leadership is all about having a good aim and vision. A leader will always think about achieving the goal even if there are many hurdles in the way. 

Leadership is always about impacting people in such a way that it will help them to reach their goals. It is about having the ability to decide on the worst picture possible. It is about seeing the bigger picture for a better future. Leadership is linked to communicating with the team and finding the answer. It is about showing determination towards your goal, it is about listening to the team and helping each other to find a solution, and above all leadership is about earning respect from the team and accepting the challenge without fear.

The qualities found in a leader are not cultivated in a day or a week but it is done after seeing a lot of failures and learning from them.  Does that mean you can never be a leader? Anyone can be a leader and it can be done by learning through failures. Leaders who possess great leadership qualities have earned and learned them with time. Leadership is all about thinking for the benefit of everyone even if it means you are at loss in the beginning. It is about thinking of society and how your leader's goals could help in the betterment of the country.

To conclude this speech I want to say that great leaders were not born great, they made themselves great by observing their surroundings and doing their best to change them. The real essence of leadership is when a leader pays attention to the needs of the followers and works in the direction to fulfil all those needs.

As I said before, history is filled with examples of great leaders, and one thing that is common in all leaders in the act of selflessness. They never thought about their gain but they always strived for the betterment of everyone. To be a great leader you need to have led people for the greater good. To be a great leader you have to be a good human first, show kindness to every living organism. So start cultivating the habits that will make you a good leader and I can assure you that the world will benefit from it. Thank you very much for listening. Have a great evening.

Short Speech About Leadership

Good morning to everyone present here. I feel grateful that I was chosen to give a small leadership speech for students. I hope my speech inspires everyone to be a good leader.

A leader is someone who is characterized by many qualities. Teamwork, hard work, calm, selflessness, help.

A leader is someone who always thinks and questions a situation to bring a solution. A leader never follows the herd but he or she is the one who is followed by people because of his or her ability to create an impact on people.

Great leaders in the past such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and so on have always thought of the greater good of society. They have always led by example and have always directed people in the right direction.

The qualities found in leaders are not formed within a day or weak but they are cultivated through years of hard work, patience, and learning from failures.

To conclude I want to say that great leaders are not born great but they make themselves great by being selfless. They always think about the bigger picture and will always try to help people who are in trouble. To be a great leader you need to be a good human first who shows kindness to every living organism around him or her. You can also be a great leader by cultivating these habits. 

10 Lines About Speech on Leadership Qualities

A great leader will always lead the people for a better future.

Leadership is all about selflessness. It is about thinking about the goals of society before personal goals.

A good leader will always lead by example and will always be focused on his or her goals.

Leadership is about understanding the followers and understanding them completely.

Leadership is about actively listening and adapting to the changes.

A leader is not born but anyone can become a good leader by applying constant efforts.

Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, Barack Obama, and many more great leaders have always thought about the better good of society.

leadership is linked to selflessness, determination, loyalty, teamwork, and efficiency.

While writing speeches of great leaders remember to always include examples of leaders in the past who have helped society.

Some of the famous speeches by leaders that changed society are Martin King Luther’s speech, Mahatma Gandhi’s speech, Barack Obama’s speech before getting elected as the 44th president of the United States of America.

The following points also can be used as a reference for the students to include in their speeches and have a better understanding of the features and styles of leadership.

Features of Leadership

Leaders play an important role in the growth of any organization. A great leader can establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships with subordinates or followers and motivate them to achieve their desired organizational goals.

Here we are discussing some important features of leadership that every good leader possesses.

Influence the Behaviour of People - Leadership is the skill of an individual that influences the behaviour of other people or employees in any organization so they can work together to achieve a common business goal.

Interpersonal Process - This process occurs between the leader and his followers. The relationship of the employees with the leaders determines how efficiently and effectively the business goals would be met.

Achieving Similar Organizational Goals - The objective of leadership is to provide a direction to the employees to attain common business objectives. The leader combines the people and their efforts for the same.

Continuous Process - Leadership is a time-consuming and continuous process. At every point, employees need guidance from the leader to ensure that they are working in the right direction and their efforts will pay them back. Moreover, a good leader makes sure that his employees are not deviating from the path.

Group Process - Leadership is certainly a group process. Imagine if there are no followers then to whom will the leader guide? Therefore, leadership involves the interaction of two or more people that allows them to discuss their issues with their mentors and get relevant solutions.

Dependent on Situations - A leader is dependent on the situations that he has to tackle in the current scenario. His leadership style changes when the situation changes. The advice which he gives to solve a situation will also be effective to tackle other problems.

Leadership styles

Leadership style refers to the approaches or strategies adopted by a leader for motivating his followers while trying to achieve common targets. As discussed above, leadership style is dependent on situations. This means that the way of handling a problem can change depending upon the present scenario.

Leadership styles are classified into three types. These are-

Autocratic Leadership Style - In this style, the leader takes all the necessary decisions by himself without discussing them with his followers.

Democratic Leadership Style - Here, the leader consults his subordinates before taking the final decision.

Free-Rein Leadership Style - It is also known as the Laissez-faire style. In this, the leader gives complete freedom to his followers to take the decision.

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FAQs on Leadership Speech

1. What is the exact meaning of leadership?

Leadership is the quality or skill of an individual which helps the individual to lead people in the right direction, inspire them and build confidence in them. The person who has this leadership quality is known as the leader. With this skill, the leader takes steps for the good of society. 

Not everyone in this world is blessed with this ability. Leadership is the ability that is developed with time and cannot be learned. The people possessing this quality effectively influence people to reach their goals. In other words, it is the ability that turns vision into reality.

2. What are the best leadership qualities?

Some of the best leadership traits are listed below:

Trustworthiness - A leader must be honest and should not hide anything from his people. This trait creates a strong relationship between the leader and the group members.

Responsibility - It is the leader who is responsible for his actions. Also, the leader has the responsibility of his members.

Vision - It is the leader who has the vision and knows the methods to reach their goals. The leaders turn their ideas into actions.

Good Communication Skills - A leader must have this skill so that he can openly talk to his group members.

Self-Confident - A leader needs to be self-confident. This skill enables them to believe in themselves and gives success in most situations.

3. What are the major differences between a boss and a leader?

Underneath are the differences between a boss and a leader:

A boss is in charge of people or a company.

He is the person who takes away all the credit. 

The boss uses people for his and his company's benefit. 

He blames others for the breakdown.

He commands people to do the task.

A leader inspires and influences others to complete the goals.

He is the person who gives credit to his members. 

The leader helps people in developing their skills.

With the help of the members, a leader fixes the breakdown.

He asks people to do the task.

4. Give an example of any person who has the quality of leadership.

Barack Obama is the best example of transformational leadership. He was the first African - American president of the United States for 8 years. He saw possibilities and opportunities in every situation while others saw obstacles in those situations. He made a friendly atmosphere for his staff members so that they can share things with him. He was honest and transparent towards his people. 

He also organized a campaign named "Yes We Can". This rally inspired and convinced many people that there is a better future if they get united with him and trust the government. He was the best leader who thought and did well for the country.

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Confident-woman-giving-a-conference-with-a-digital-presentation-how-to-give-a-speech

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

  • It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
  • A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
  • It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
  • Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

  • Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
  • Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
  • Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
  • Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
  • Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
  • Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
  • Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
  • Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
  • Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

Man-holding-microphone-at-panel-while-talking--how-to-give-a-speech

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

  • Explanation 1
  • Explanation 2
  • Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

  • Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
  • Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
  • Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
  • Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
  • Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

People-clapping-after-coworker-gave-a-speech-how-to-give-a-speech

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

  • What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
  • What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
  • What audience am I writing for? 
  • What do I know about my audience? 
  • What values do I want to transmit? 
  • If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
  • What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
  • What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Woman-at-home-doing-research-in-her-laptop-how-to-give-a-speech

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

  • Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
  • Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
  • Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
  • Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
  • Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
  • Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
  • Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
  • Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

Man-holding-microphone-while-speaking-in-public-how-to-give-a-speech

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

  • Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
  • Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
  • Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
  • Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
  • Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
  • Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
  • Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
  • Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
  • Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
  • Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
  • Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
  • Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
  • Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
  • Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
  • Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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10 Inspirational Speeches and Emails by Leaders

10 Inspirational Speeches and Emails by Leaders

Table of Contents

  • 10 Best Leadership Emails and Speeches by Leaders 

Have you ever felt greatly moved and inspired after listening to a speech by your role model? Or read an email by your CEO that made your day? Nothing can compare to the power of the right words at the right time, especially when they come from someone we respect and appreciate. 

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for some motivation or preparing to inspire your team on a big day. In any case, we have got you covered with examples of the best leadership speech examples (and some leadership email examples too!)

how to write a good speech about leadership

10 Best Leadership Emails and Speeches

Here is a curated list of some of the most inspiring speeches and emails from leaders across the world in different industries.

1. Email by Starbucks’ ex-CEO Howard Schultz, August 2015

Whether you like him or not, you have to admit that Schultz knows how to make a difference. In August 2015, signals of a Chinese economic slowdown sparked panic, causing more than $1 trillion worth of losses in the Asian markets. This brought the Dow down by 588 points and gave birth to the popular hashtag #GreatFallOfChina.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ CEO at the time, wanted to make sure that all 190,000 of the company’s employees were aware of the issue. As a result, he sent a persuasive message, asking them to pay special attention to customers. Excerpt:

“Our customers are likely to experience an increased level of anxiety and concern. Please recognize this and—as you always have—remember that our success is not an entitlement, but something we need to earn, every day. Let’s be very sensitive to the pressures our customers may be feeling, and do everything we can to individually and collectively exceed their expectations.

…The experience we deliver in our stores, the strength and equity of our brand, and the primary reason for our current and future success is because of all of YOU. I believe in you and have never been prouder to be your partner.”

It’s not only about using inspirational words. It’s not just reassuring employees that Starbucks, as a publicly-traded company, will continue to do well despite market volatility. 

It’s not even about Schultz’s admiration for his partners alone. It isn’t just one of them; it is all of them.

2. “A Tryst With Destiny” by Jawaharlal Nehru, August 1947

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is one leader whose words and actions touched the populace. Nehru gave the “Tryst with Destiny” address on the eve of Independence Day. It shed light on India’s century-long fight against the British Empire.

It addressed issues that go beyond India’s history. It is regarded as one of the finest leadership speech examples of the 20th century. This pivotal address captures the triumphant finale of India’s largely nonviolent freedom movement against the British empire.

Excerpt: 

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance….” 

Tryst with Destiny is definitely one of the orations that not just Indians, but people across the world, will keep going back to.

3. “Learning From the West” by Narayana Murthy, 2001

One of Narayana Murthy’s most compelling speeches was given at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management. It focused on certain Western values that all Indians should imbibe, such as intellectual independence, professionalism, and accountability, among others. 

“As it is said in the Vedas: Man can live individually, but can survive only collectively. Hence, the challenge is to form a progressive community by balancing the interests of the individual and that of the society. To meet this, we need to develop a value system where people accept modest sacrifices for the common good.” 

4. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s email to employees, 2017

In 2016, Microsoft launched a Twitter bot called “Tay” to enhance artificial intelligence communication between humans. However, things went horribly wrong when hackers and others forced Tay to start making racist and vulgar comments, causing Microsoft to shut down Tay and apologize just a few hours later.

Without a doubt, the “Tay crew” was devastated by this failure. You may imagine their surprise when they received the following statements in an email from their CEO.

“Keep pushing, and know that I am with you … (The) key is to keep learning and improving.”

This is one of the top leadership email examples. Your team needs to know you’re looking out for them. We all make errors. The point is, how can you assist your employees in recovering from their mistakes?

5. Stanford commencement address by Steve Jobs, June 2005

Steve Jobs delivered a commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, and it will give you goosebumps. It’s an awe-inspiring speech, as well as a wonderful lesson in determination from one of history’s most prominent speakers. 

“You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever,” he said. “This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” 

You must watch the full speech. It will leave you inspired and motivate you to do better. 

6. “Go Kiss the World” by Subroto Bagchi at IIM Bangalore, 2006

Bagchi, the co-founder of Mindtree, spoke to the Class of 2006 at IIM Bangalore about how to define success. His blind mother’s final words to him were, “Go kiss the world.

This speech is an inspiration to India’s youth, encouraging them to recognize and develop their inner qualities, allowing them to fulfill their truest potential.

“… success is your ability to rise above your discomfort, whatever may be your current state. You can, if you want, raise your consciousness above your immediate surroundings. Success is not about building material comforts – the transistor that he never could buy or the house that he never owned.”

7. V.K. Krishna Menon’s speech at the United Nations, January 1957

V.K. Krishna Menon defended India’s position on Kashmir in a remarkable eight-hour address. The speech given on January 23, 1957, is still the longest-ever given at the United Nations Security Council.

“Why is it that we have never heard voices in connection with the freedom of people under the suppression and tyranny of Pakistani authorities on the other side of the cease-fire line? Why is it that we have not heard here that in ten years these people have not seen a ballot paper? With what voice can either the Security Council or anyone coming before it demand a plebiscite for the people on our side who exercise franchise, who have freedom of speech, who function under a hundred local bodies?”

8. Email by Jeff Bezos after Times criticism

The New York Times published a critical article in the summer of 2015, positioning Amazon as a cruel employer, that prioritizes company performance over employee well-being.

Amazon’s CEO, in an internal memo, asked his employees to read the Times article and to “escalate to HR” any incidents similar to those reported, even urging them to email him directly. 

how to write a good speech about leadership

“I strongly believe that anyone working in a company that really is like the one described in the NYT would be crazy to stay. I know I would leave such a company.

But hopefully, you don’t recognize the company described. Hopefully, you’re having fun working with a bunch of brilliant teammates, helping invent the future, and laughing along the way.”

Criticism is never pleasant, but it sure helps us identify blind spots and opportunities for progress.

9. Kiran Bedi’s speech on visionary leadership, 2010

The talk by India’s first female IPS officer at TEDWomen on innovative leadership was truly amazing and inspiring. In her speech, Kiran Bedi shares her journey to become who she is and what visionary leadership entails.

“I joined the Indian Police Service as a tough woman, a woman with indefatigable stamina because I used to run for my tennis titles, etc. But I joined the Indian Police Service, and then it was a new pattern of policing. For me, policing stood for power to correct, power to prevent, and power to detect. This is something like a new definition ever given in policing in India—the power to prevent.”

10. Email by PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi after Donald Trump’s presidential victory

Last but not least is an email from Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo. She wrote to non-American citizens to cast aside their fear of joblessness after Donald Trump’s victory in the election for the 45th President of the US. 

She knew that an America under Donald Trump could cause a slew of issues for her minority-race staff. She wrote to her employees an email, an excerpt of which is mentioned below.

“We serve more countries and territories than the United Nations, and our associates encompass virtually all of the world’s nationalities, cultures, faith and traditions. That diversity is a source of strength, an engine of creativity, dynamism, and prosperity. And it reflects the simple recognition that no matter what our differences, each of us is committed to doing our part for one another and this company that fills us with pride.”

An unforgettable leadership email example, this well-written piece of communication went a long way in reassuring the employees at PepsiCo.

how to write a good speech about leadership

As humans, we need to inspire and be inspired from time to time. We hope this list of the best leadership speech examples, as well as emails, will help you get inspired. If you have come across any interesting leadership speech ideas , do let us know!

Here are some examples of excellent speeches that inspire.  – “Tryst with Destiny” by Jawaharlal Nehru  – Narayan Murthy’s speech on the role of Western values in Indian society – The Stanford commencement address by Steve Jobs  – “Go kiss the world” by Subroto Bagchi – Kiran Bedi’s speech on visionary leadership

There are many ways to start a speech. You can begin with a quote, personal anecdote, powerful statement/phrase, an interesting statistic, a “what if” scenario, and so on.

You can greet the audience with phrases, such as the following. “Hello, ladies and gentlemen.” “Good morning/good afternoon/good evening.” “Welcome, fellow colleagues.” “It is my pleasure to have you all here.” “Thank you for joining me today.” 

Speeches hold the power to motivate us, especially when they come from someone we respect and appreciate.

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Motivational Speech on Leadership – Tips and Examples

Editorial Team

Motivational Speech on Leadership

Giving a motivational speech on leadership is quite different from preparing to deliver any other regular talk. This is because motivational speeches are meant to inspire change and spur action. They are intended to cause your audience to do different and do better.

While giving a motivational speech on leadership will be rewarding for the audience, it will also be very impactful on the one giving the address to know that they are doing something to make the world a better place.

It would help if you prepared beforehand to ensure that you deliver the speech successfully. Let us look at some of the few tips that will ensure your delivery is on point and that your speech influences action.

Tips on delivering a motivational speech on leadership

Some of the critical things to put in mind while giving a motivational speech on leadership are capturing your audience’s attention, being relatable, grasping your topic well, inspiring emotion, and compelling action. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each tip and how they’ll help ensure your speech delivery is successful.

1.    Capture The Attention of Your Audience

To get your audience’s attention, you need to know what they expect to gain from the talk. You will need to engage your audience to be able to interact with them. You should also ensure that you have their attention before getting into the real content on leadership to ensure that they don’t miss a thing.

You can start the speech by asking a lingering question. It can be about the leadership skills that your audience has. You can also inquire where they see themselves in the future applying those leadership skills. This will get the audience in the right mindset and get them thinking about leadership. You can also present your audience with interesting facts about leadership to raise their curiosity and want to hear what more you have to say.

Humor can also be a great way to pick the interest of your audience. You can tell funny personal stories or those you have heard from other leaders. Jokes are always a great conversation starter, and you cannot go wrong with that. It will also help reduce the room’s tension and create a conducive atmosphere to have a serious conversation.

2.    Be Relatable

Getting the attention of your audience is one thing, but maintaining it is something else. You have to deliver your motivational speech on leadership in a simple way that interests your audience and also be relatable to create a rapport with them.  Make them talk about the challenges they might face on their leadership journey and how they will be impacted.

3.    Grasp Your Topic Well

You cannot speak and inspire a group of people on something that you have no idea of. When giving your speech, ensure to provide specific examples. You can prepare statistics in advance and provide details on the leadership skills that will enable your audience to succeed.

Research your topic and have an outline of the key things to talk about. This will ensure that you are well organized and you will be able to speak with confidence. You will also talk passionately since you will be well prepared, and the motivational speech will be memorable.

4.    Inspire Emotion

You should evoke emotions in your audience and make them as passionate as you are about leadership. Try and make your speech make them feel strongly about being different and starting change. People tend to remember more the things that happened while they were deep in their feelings.

You are likely to have more memories of experiences you have had while extremely happy or sad, frightened or disappointed. When speaking to your audience about leadership, creating vivid mental pictures of where they are and where they would like to be will help make them feel strongly about the issue.

It is the feeling that you invoke in your audience that will then compel them to take action.  They will want to see change, and the passion within will cause them to be the changemakers. To do better and be better.

5.    Compel Your Audience to Take Action

As mentioned before, inspiring emotion in your audience and making them passionate about leadership will compel them to take action. However, you should know your audience first to ensure you are on the same page.

Ensure that the audience is engaged before starting to enable them to grasp the contents of your speech. Once you have their attention, have them feel inspired, and then call them to action. You can do this by using a call-to-action, which is a statement or question after your motivational speech that will persuade and guide the audience to take action to get to where they want to be.

When making a call-to-action, make it very direct and straightforward. Ensure that the audience acts promptly. You can also help explain to your audience how they can overcome obstacles and reduce barriers that prevent the action. You should also explain why it is essential for the action to be taken and make it as specific as possible to help them know what they are working to attain.

It is crucial that you not only leave your audience thinking about making a difference but also motivate them actually to do something.  

Examples of Motivational Speeches on Leadership

Example 1: what differentiates a leader from a boss.

“It is my greatest pleasure to be addressing the world’s top CEOs today. I have never been in a room full of power like this, and I am truly humbled.

Have you ever wondered if your employees listen to you because they respect you and whatever you say makes sense, or because you are the boss? Do they consider you a leader? What do they say about you behind closed doors?

I can see you are all thinking about it now. I know you wish to know what your employees have to say about you. If you haven’t been the best of leaders, worry not because leadership is a learning journey. Today I want to talk to you about what differentiates a leader from a boss. Being a CEO does not automatically make you a leader.

You must be wondering, what difference does it make if your employers see you as a leader or boss? The truth is, it matters. It will even affect the output you get from your employees.

All a boss does is manage their employees. On the other hand, a leader motivates and inspires innovation. A leader helps employees to think creatively and innovatively. If, as a leader, you are chasing greatness, your employees will follow you and even have you as a role model or mentor. This translates to them pursuing greatness and giving their jobs the best. Eventually, the organization does well. A boss or manager just has people working for them.

While a business needs to have set goals for the employees to achieve, a leader sets more than goals. They offer the organization a vision. A boss will push employees to attain their goals, while a leader will ensure they share the same vision for the organization with the employees. The organization will, therefore, be working with a long-term existence in mind.

Being a manager means mimicking and adopting an already existing leadership skill. However, leadership calls upon the individual to be bold and proud to walk in their shoes. As leaders, you need to work extremely hard to build your brands to stand out. Authenticity and transparency are all part of the leadership journey.

Some of you in this room have taken huge risks for your organizations. If you have, then pat yourself on the back because you are a great leader! Leaders always take risks for their businesses. Bosses work to avoid risks.

To be a boss or manager, you will need to have proven your skills already. There is no pressure to grow and horn your skills once you are up there. Therefore, it is no shock when some of you think that this is the end of the journey for you; being a CEO. However, leadership is an endless journey of learning. To better and improve your skills. It is upon you to seek personal growth every day.

It is expected of a boss to direct and give employees instructions on how to get things done. Leaders coach their employees and offer guidance to make them be at their best. Leaders are optimistic about their employees and believe that they know what is expected of them. Therefore, they refrain from telling the employees what to do and barking orders.

As movers and shakers in your various fields, I must clarify nothing wrong with being a boss or manager. However, it is crucial that you also take charge and be a leader. Your organization needs both—an excellent manager who is a great leader. Therefore, I urge you to take charge today and see your organizations flourish with the excellent leadership that you offer”.

Example 2: What makes a Great Leader?

“It is my greatest honor today to be addressing the young leaders and changemakers of this great country. Having been in the leadership scene for a while now, I have seen many leaders rise to the top. I have also seen the unfortunate fall of some.

Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader? Leadership is a journey, and it takes time to horn your skills.

To be an excellent leader, you need to be thoughtful. You should be able to portray that you have a strategic vision in place. As a leader, you need to be conscious of what is happening around you to make wise decisions. Leadership is about having a voice. You should be bold and confident enough to communicate clearly to people under you.

Dear young changemakers, do not be fooled into believing that you are the only one with a say since leadership is about being the guiding voice. Many a time in this journey, leading will require you to listen and learn. This will also present you with an opportunity to groom other leaders. And when such an opportunity arises, do not be selfish. Share your skills. You do not dim your shine by lighting others.

You cannot walk this journey of leadership alone. You will need to have a mentor that will hold your hand and guide you. This will allow you to learn from both their mistakes and experiences. You will be lucky as you will have first-hand guidance on how to overcome some barriers and obstacles.

How will you be able to meet other movers and shakers if you live in your small bubble? Get out there and connect. In the current times,  the world is run through social media, and you must connect with people. Volunteer for seminars and workshops or even organize events. Take part in committees and remember to network with purpose in mind.

As a leader, think positively and proactively. Always aspire to be part of the solution and not the problem. Exchange ideas with fellow leaders or people under you. You can also seek guidance from your mentor on how to solve certain issues. Be enthusiastic and passionate about what you do. It is only by doing so that you can pass on the passion and convince others to do better.

I urge you, young leaders of today and tomorrow, to hold each other hands. This journey of leadership is not a short race but rather a marathon. That to eventually get there and see the change that we want, we must start now. No matter how small, just start”.

When preparing to deliver a motivational speech on leadership, take time to learn from your audience. Find out what motivates and drives them and where they see themselves in the future.  Assist them in envisioning their leadership journey and keeping the fire within them burning. At the end of your speech, your audience should be left knowing very well and leadership is a journey, and every day is a learning process.

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Ever thought about how some leaders can say things that stick with us forever? Speech on leadership qualities by leaders are like magic words that can change the course of history. They’re not just talking— a true leader guides , inspires, and makes a big impact.

As we dig into speech on leadership qualities , we want to figure out why some words become so powerful. What’s the secret sauce that turns a bunch of sentences into something that shapes the future? Come along as we figure out the mysteries of leadership speeches. We’re diving into how simple words can have a huge impact and how great leaders use speeches to change the world. Let’s get started!

10 Speeches Of A Good Leader

Let’s explore impactful speeches that changed the world. From times of war to moments of hope, these speeches made history.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

In the heart of the American Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “ I Have a Dream ” speech on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Facing a crowd of over 250,000 people, King spoke passionately about racial equality and justice.

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This speech became a defining moment in the fight against racial discrimination. King’s words echoed across the nation, inspiring millions to join the struggle for civil rights. The speech contributed significantly to passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , landmark legislations that dismantled segregation and protected voting rights for African Americans.

King’s dream wasn’t just for him; it was a vision of a more just and equal America, which made him a great leader. His speech became a rallying cry for those seeking an end to racial injustice. Its enduring impact is evident today, as King’s dream continues to shape conversations about equality and justice worldwide.

Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” Speech (1940)

Winston Churchill delivered his famous speech, “ We Shall Fight on the Beaches ,” to the House of Commons on June 4, 1940, during World War II. The speech was a response to the evacuation of British and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk .

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Churchill’s resolute words provided a rallying cry for the British people in the face of imminent invasion by Nazi forces. The speech bolstered national morale and determination during a critical juncture of the war. 

Churchill’s speech is remembered as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. It is an enduring symbol of determination and the refusal to succumb to tyranny. The words “We shall never surrender” inspire individuals and nations confronting challenges.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (1863)

In the middle of the Civil War in America, thousands of soldiers lost their lives in a battle at Gettysburg . It was a tough time for the country, and people were feeling sad and divided. After the battle, Abraham Lincoln stood in a cemetery to honour the soldiers who died and to remind everyone of the principles the nation was built upon.

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Lincoln’s short but powerful speech focused on unity and the idea that a nation dedicated to freedom and equality should stay strong. It was a call to action , urging people to work together to make sure the country stayed united and that the principles of liberty and equality didn’t fade away.

This speech is remembered because Lincoln reminded everyone in just a few words of the importance of a united nation. He made people think about the sacrifices of the soldiers and the principles that make America special. The Gettysburg Address became a symbol of national unity and a commitment to the ideals that the United States was built upon. Even today, it’s one of American history’s greatest speeches.

Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Address (1994)

In 1994, South Africa went through a significant change. Nelson Mandela became the first black President, marking the end of apartheid —a system that segregated people based on race. His inaugural address was a crucial moment in the nation’s history.

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Mandela’s inaugural address was a call for reconciliation and unity. He emphasised forgiveness and the need to move forward as a united nation. It set the tone for a new era, promoting equality and understanding among South Africans. 

This speech is significant because it signalled the end of a dark period in South Africa’s history. Mandela’s words were a commitment to building a nation where everyone, regardless of their race, could live in harmony. The inaugural address was a cornerstone in the journey towards reconciliation, and Mandela’s leadership became a beacon for peaceful coexistence and the dismantling of apartheid.

Steve Jobs’ iPhone Introduction (2007)

On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs took the stage at the Macworld Conference & Expo to introduce a revolutionary device that would change the landscape of technology—the iPhone. Jobs began by emphasising Apple’s intention to reinvent the phone , unveiling a product that seamlessly combined an iPod, a phone, and an Internet communicator.

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Jobs’ announcement of the iPhone marked a watershed moment in the tech industry. The sleek design, innovative features, and the convergence of multiple functionalities into one device captivated the audience and set a new standard for smartphones.

The introduction of the iPhone transformed Apple’s trajectory and revolutionised the entire smartphone industry. Jobs’ visionary presentation showcased the device’s capabilities and created immense anticipation and excitement among consumers and competitors alike. The iPhone’s launch redefined user expectations and set the stage for a new mobile communication and computing era.

Malala Yousafzai’s United Nations Speech (2013)

In 2013, Malala Yousafzai , a young Pakistani activist, addressed the United Nations on her sixteenth birthday. Malala had survived an attack by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education, and her speech was a powerful plea for the right to education for all children, especially girls.

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Malala’s speech brought attention to the importance of education and the challenges faced by girls in many parts of the world. It sparked a global conversation on the right to education and the empowerment of young people, especially girls, in societies where education is often denied.

This speech is significant because it highlights the bravery of a young girl standing up for what she believed in. Malala’s words transcended her personal experience, becoming a rallying cry for the universal right to education. The speech inspired movements and initiatives focused on ensuring access to education for all children, regardless of their gender or background. Malala’s advocacy continues to make a lasting impact on the fight for educational opportunities worldwide.

Emma Gonzalez’s March for Our Lives Speech (2018)

In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Emma Gonzalez, a survivor and student activist, delivered a powerful speech during the March for Our Lives rally. The event called for stricter gun control measures in the United States.

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Emma’s speech became a rallying cry for the movement against gun violence. Her raw honesty and determination captured the frustration and anger of many young people demanding action on gun control. The March for Our Lives movement gained momentum and drew attention to the urgent need for reform.

This speech is crucial because it amplified the voices of young activists advocating for safer schools and stricter gun control. Emma’s direct and passionate words resonated with a generation tired of living in fear of gun violence. The March for Our Lives movement, sparked by speeches like Emma’s, contributed to a national conversation about gun policy, prompting discussions on how to make communities safer and protect the lives of students.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor Address (1941)

On December 7, 1941, the United States faced a surprise attack by Japan at Pearl Harbor , leading to the country’s entry into World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation the next day, delivering a speech that would shape the course of American history.

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FDR’s speech motivated the American people, uniting them in the face of a devastating attack. It led to the United States officially entering World War II , with the president rallying the nation to respond to the aggression and defend democratic values.

This speech is a pivotal moment in history because it marked the turning point for the United States in World War II. Roosevelt’s words reflected the shock and determination of a nation suddenly thrust into a global conflict. The phrase “a date which will live in infamy” became synonymous with the attack and mobilised the country for a unified response against the Axis powers. The speech remains an iconic call to action during a time of great challenge and sacrifice.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India Speech (1942)

In 1942, during India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule, Mahatma Gandhi delivered the “ Quit India” speech . He urged the British to leave India, emphasising nonviolent resistance as the means to achieve freedom.

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Gandhi’s speech motivated the Indian masses to join the Quit India Movement , a pivotal chapter in the fight for independence. The call for nonviolent resistance inspired millions to peacefully demand an end to British rule.

This speech is significant because it marked a crucial turning point in India’s struggle for independence. Gandhi’s call for nonviolence and mass participation stirred a nationwide movement against colonial rule. The Quit India Movement led to widespread civil disobedience and protests, ultimately contributing to India gaining independence in 1947. Gandhi’s emphasis on nonviolence and unity became a guiding principle for liberation movements worldwide.

Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” (1987)

In the middle of the Cold War , with East and West Germany divided by the Berlin Wall, President Ronald Reagan delivered a historic speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. The speech urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to bring down the Berlin Wall and symbolised a call for freedom.

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Reagan’s words became an iconic moment, expressing a powerful demand for the reunification of East and West Germany and the end of Cold War divisions. The speech inspired hope for a world without ideological barriers.

This speech is remembered for its boldness and the message it conveyed. Reagan’s direct challenge to Gorbachev demonstrated the unwavering commitment to freedom and the belief that the Berlin Wall was a symbol of oppression that needed to come down. The eventual fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany marked the end of an era and a significant step toward the conclusion of the Cold War.

Moving from talking about giving powerful speeches, let’s now look at the essential qualities that make leadership communication effective.

Exploring Speech On Leadership Qualities

In this section, we break down what makes a leader’s speech truly powerful.

Clarity and vision: A leader articulates a clear vision for the future, ensuring their message is easily understood. A well-defined vision guides both the speaker and the audience towards common goals.

Empathy and connection: Effective leaders connect emotionally with their audience. They express empathy, understanding the concerns and aspirations of those they lead, fostering a sense of unity.

Inspiration and motivation: A leader inspires by instilling a sense of purpose and motivation. Their words spark enthusiasm and a collective drive to achieve shared objectives.

Adaptability and resilience: A leader’s speech should reflect adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. Acknowledging difficulties while expressing confidence in overcoming them builds trust.

Authenticity: Authenticity is key. A leader speaks genuinely, aligning their words with their beliefs. Authenticity builds trust and credibility among the audience.

Effective communication: A leader communicates with precision and impact. They choose words that resonate, crafting messages that are both persuasive and easily understood by diverse audiences.

Importance Of Speech On Leadership

Leadership speeches are more than just spoken words; they are transformative forces that shape the course of nations and individuals alike.

Here, we go into the depths of understanding why these speeches matter and their far-reaching impact:

Inspiring collective action: Leadership speeches serve as catalysts, inspiring individuals to join forces toward a common goal. By fostering a shared sense of purpose and motivation, leaders mobilise communities to take collective action.

Framing a shared vision: These speeches articulate a compelling vision for the future, providing a roadmap for progress. A leader uses their words to create a shared narrative that aligns followers with a common direction and purpose.

Building trust and unity: A well-delivered speech builds trust among followers, forging strong bonds within a community. By acknowledging challenges, expressing empathy, and offering solutions, leaders create an environment of unity and collaboration.

Guiding through uncertainty: In times of uncertainty, leadership speeches offer stability and assurance. Leaders communicate a sense of confidence, providing guidance and fostering resilience among followers facing challenges and adversity.

Cultural and historical legacy: Iconic leadership speeches become integral to the cultural and historical fabric of a society. They stand as enduring symbols of pivotal moments, reflecting the values, struggles, and triumphs of a community or nation.

Writing A Speech On Leadership

Crafting a leadership speech is an art that requires a thoughtful blend of substance, style, and strategic communication. Here’s a deep dive into the key elements, frameworks, techniques, and resources for writing a compelling leadership speech

Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is the cornerstone of effective communication. Employing the Empathy Map framework allows you to delve into the minds of your listeners, uncovering their perspectives, desires, and challenges. By conducting surveys or interviews, you gain direct insights, ensuring your speech resonates with the audience on a personal level. Utilise online demographic tools and social media analytics as resources to refine your understanding. The importance lies in forging a deep connection, fostering a sense of relatability that enhances the impact of your message.

Define a Clear Message

The clarity of your message is paramount in capturing and retaining your audience’s attention. The Message Box framework aids in defining your core message, supporting points, and audience benefits. Crafting a concise elevator pitch condenses your message for impact. Explore writing guides and templates to ensure precision. The importance here is in creating a well-defined narrative that not only informs but leaves a lasting impression, guiding your audience toward a distinct takeaway.

Structure with Purpose

Structuring your speech with purpose ensures coherence and engagement. Employ the Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS) framework to organise your content effectively. Weave a compelling narrative using storytelling techniques like the Hero’s Journey , captivating your audience from start to finish. Use speech writing software and templates as resources to guide your structural choices. The importance lies in providing a clear path for your audience to follow, enhancing the overall impact of your message.

Infuse Authenticity

Authenticity is the bedrock of impactful leadership speeches. Utilise the Johari Window framework to enhance self-awareness, allowing your authentic self to shine through. Share personal anecdotes and experiences that align with your message, creating a genuine connection with your audience. Seek guidance from public speaking coaches and TED Talks on authenticity to refine your approach. The importance here is in building trust, as authenticity fosters a deeper connection and resonates with your audience’s own experiences.

Utilise Engaging Techniques

Engagement is the key to holding your audience’s attention. Apply the Monroe’s Motivated Sequence framework to organise your speech for maximum impact. Incorporate the Rule of Three , using triads to make your speech rhythmic and memorable. Explore public speaking courses , books on rhetorical techniques, and speech analysis tools as valuable resources. The importance lies in creating a dynamic and memorable experience, ensuring your audience is not just informed but actively involved in the message you convey.

Power Of Leadership Speeches

In conclusion, it’s clear how powerful leadership speeches are—they shape societies and ignite positive change. Think of the qualities of impactful speeches, like building blocks that make a lasting impact. For leaders aiming to craft speeches that stand the test of time, embracing audience understanding, clear messaging, structural purpose, authenticity, and engaging techniques is key. Let these insights be your guide, ensuring your words don’t just inform but also inspire, guide, and leave a mark on everyone’s minds. As leaders step onto the stage, here’s to their messages resonating, creating waves of positive influence that last through the ages.

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Speech on Good Leadership

Good leadership is like a ship’s captain steering through stormy seas. It’s about guiding teams, making tough decisions, and inspiring others. You know it’s important, right?

Let’s think of it this way: imagine a world where every leader is effective and compassionate. Sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s the power of good leadership.

1-minute Speech on Good Leadership

Ladies and gentlemen, today we gather to talk about something very important – good leadership. You see, a good leader is like a ship’s captain, guiding us through stormy seas to a safe harbor.

Firstly, a good leader is someone who listens. They don’t just hear words; they understand the feelings behind them. Imagine a friend who listens to your worries and helps you find solutions. That’s what a good leader does for their team.

Secondly, a good leader is brave. They are not scared of problems. Instead, they face them head-on, like a knight facing a dragon. They show us that problems are not walls, but hurdles that we can jump over.

Thirdly, a good leader is a role model. They show us the right path by walking on it first. They don’t just tell us what to do, they show us how it’s done. They are like a lighthouse, guiding ships safely to shore.

Lastly, a good leader is kind. They care for everyone in their team, like a gardener cares for every plant in their garden. They know that a team is like a puzzle – every piece is important.

In conclusion, good leadership is about being a listener, a brave problem-solver, a role model, and a kind-hearted person. So, let’s all strive to be good leaders in our own lives, guiding ourselves and others towards success. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Good Leadership

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to talk about a topic that shapes our lives, communities, and nations – good leadership.

Good leadership is like a guiding star. It lights the way for others. A good leader is like a captain of a ship. They steer the ship safely through storms and waves, always keeping an eye on the goal. They are not afraid of challenges. They face them head-on and find ways to overcome them. They are brave, but they also know when to ask for help. They understand that everyone has something to offer, and they value everyone’s input.

Good leadership is not about being in control all the time. It’s about understanding and caring for the people you lead. Imagine a teacher who listens to every student, understands their needs, and helps them learn in the best way possible. That’s what good leaders do. They listen, they understand, and they help. They create a safe space for everyone to grow and shine.

A good leader is also a role model. They show us how to behave and how to treat others. They teach us about honesty, respect, and kindness. They show us that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them. They inspire us to be the best we can be.

Good leaders are also great team players. They know that they cannot do everything by themselves. They value the skills and talents of others. They encourage teamwork and cooperation. They celebrate successes together and support each other during tough times.

Lastly, good leadership is about making a difference. It’s about leaving a positive mark on the world. Good leaders strive to make things better, not just for themselves, but for everyone. They think about the future and work towards creating a better one.

In conclusion, good leadership is a blend of courage, understanding, role modeling, teamwork, and a desire to make a difference. It’s not about power or control. It’s about guiding others towards a common goal and creating a positive impact. So, let’s strive to be good leaders in our own ways, in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Let’s light the way for others and make a difference in the world. Thank you.

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Leadership Exchange

Top 6 Speeches to Inspire Leaders

by Emily Waddell | Jun 14, 2018 | Explore , Quotes , Uncategorized |

Top 6 Speeches to Inspire Leaders

While Merriam-Webster defines a leader as “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country”, we can all agree that in the past few decades , its become a lot more than that.  Leadership has become a mindset that is praised in most every field of work.  Even more recently, leadership has gained influence in the context of an individual’s personality.  We’ve compiled some great stories and influences that can easily be applied to your day to day routine or leadership development journey that enables you to create broader change.  Sit back, but don’t relax. Prepare to be inspired.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Enjoy 13 minutes of suave feminist politics as Justin Trudeau addresses Davos at the World Economic Forum.  

The Canadian prime minister informs the public of the integral role women play in society.  The reason we like to include this at the top of the list is how Canadian politics and their cultural attitude towards women has been translated into the public.  First, Canadian universities have very progressive women’s activist groups and women’s communities are prioritized in most fields of education. It’s proof that Trudeau and the Canadian government mean business, and that government has impact on cultural shifts towards inclusion.  As a Leader and Prime Minister, Trudeau is using his platform for good, and the next generation of Canadian women have a voice because of it. Lastly, note his authority and compassion throughout; these can be tools you use as a leader in your community.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Malala Addresses the UN Youth Takeover

Malala Yousafz ai is the selfless and young Pakistani girl who stands up for children’s rights.  I think that there is a few really powerful things we can learn from her in becoming leaders in our own right.  First, Yousafz inspires a sense of intention that makes us question our own; she has a passion for children’s rights that she knows is beyond her, but that doesn’t discourage her from trying.  

In addition, she exhibits the forgiveness and compassion that is a maturity most people don’t ever figure out.  In conclusion, Malala uses her platform that she acquired with the utmost act of bravery to speak for voices that cannot be heart, in the name of universal peace.  The speech caused me reflect and evaluate why I try to lead, is it for a cause bigger than me? Is it for status? I urge you to do the same in your leadership development.  

how to write a good speech about leadership

3.David Logan on Tribal Leadership

David Logan addresses University of Southern California at a TEDx talk to preach about a very important component that isn’t always brought to mind when one thinks about in becoming a leader; others.  Then, he employs the natural “tribe” creating process that humans socially undergo to teach how individuals can be leaders by advancing the group, or tribe, or “nudging them forward”. In addition, Logan defines the potential influence of a group of people who share a similar passion and calls individuals to recognize, mindfully, how they communicate with their tribe in efforts to improve the human condition universally.  

4. Barack Obama’s Speech on Leadership and Power

Former president Obama’s focused on Leadership and Power in his speech, and highlights practical applications of what he’s learned.  A few of the main takeaways:

  • Failing publicly can be liberating.  
  • Empower others.
  • Power is isolating.
  • It’s not enough to be the squeaky wheel.  
  • Know how to shape public opinion in the internet age.  

A you can see, Obama inspires listeners to stand up for a cause and affect real change and provides insight on the tools to do it. He holds a place on Google’s list of Top Orators, so it’s worth the watch.

how to write a good speech about leadership

J.K. Rowling 2008 Harvard Commencement Speech

When J.K. Rowling gave the Harvard commencement speech in 2008, she focused on the power of failure with a humble wisdom and authenticity.  In doing something worthwhile, failure is inevitable at some point. Next Rowling comforts us (or really, the Harvard graduates) in that inevitability and brings to light the role creativity plays in rebuilding one’s life after that failure.  It had very much the colloquial spirit of being at “rock bottom”; where Rowling had nothing left to lose. And at this place, she indulged her failure to emerge with creativity and build the Harry Potter series.  Failure is often recognized as in integral ingredient in leadership development, where one can improve.  Lastly, she bravely credits her accomplishments to failure, from that, we should learn how to turn our failure into accomplishment.

how to write a good speech about leadership

  6.Learning from Leadership’s Missing Manual by Fields Wicker-Miurin

Social Entrepreneur Fields Wicker-Miurin connects leaders around globe the for her job; thusly, she delivers a breadth of wisdom to a TED talk audience.  She argues that we need new models of what it means to be a good leader. Wicker- Miurin meets with communities around the world, “ people who see the world differently, who are asking different questions, who have different answers, who understand the filters that they wear when they go out into the world.”  In other words, s he understands the value of seeking advice from other cultures to become a more holistically successful leader.  Watch the full talk to understand the impact of this work for the next generation and how you can achieve this cultural influence in your personal development

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

  • Carmine Gallo

how to write a good speech about leadership

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

how to write a good speech about leadership

  • Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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One of the Professional Speech Examples on Leadership

A person with leadership qualities ready for speech

Since the beginning of time, the term “leadership” has spawned diverse maxims and explanations on what it means to be a leader. Niccolo Machiavelli believed that a good leader must either be feared or loved in order to lead, while the Bible says a capable leader must first serve his or her followers in order to earn their followership.

Leadership is the ability to create an inspiring future that motivates people to engage with it. A leader serves as the anchor needed to turn that vision into a reality. Leaders are important figures in every aspect of our lives including governing, religion, work places, etc., for each aspect requires someone to steer the populace in the right direction. To accomplish this, there are time proved skill sets every aspiring leader must have in order to succeed and here are the key attributes.

Leaders inspire and motivate others: without motivation, it is impossible to achieve something of note. Great leaders create a vision of the future that must be compelling enough to ensure that people buy into it. A belief in a leader’s mission creates a sustainable environment where people will be inspired and motivated to contribute their quota in bringing this vision to life. Therefore, a leader must master the ability to accurately communicate ideas through speeches and presentations in order to inspire. Moreover, leaders display integrity and honesty: in old monarchial governments, the ruling class always set the trends on dressing, worship and art which the populace followed without objections. Today, a leader’s example directly affects the attitude of his/her followers which means displaying a high level of integrity and honesty. Therefore, a leader must avoid hypocrisy by walking the talk.

Leaders solve problems and manage the achievement of set goals. The legendary entrepreneur, Elon Musk, has always been lauded for his ability to ‘go into the trenches’ with his staff when the need to solve difficult problems arise. A key to motivating followers is to share their daily labors and to be a source of assistance at critical moments. This provides a measure of credibility to the leader when he/she demands a listening ear and loyalty from followers. Great leaders must also set performance goals in order to measure progress of achieving the goals. Tracking and managing results allows them to spot valuable assets and reward them accordingly.

Developing one’s leadership skills is a continuous process which requires dedication to professional development. Prospective leaders must invest in mastering the art of leading by studying professional speech examples and participate in trainings in order to achieve greatness.

  • Adler, N. and Bartholomew, S. (1992). Managing globally competent people. Executive, 6(3), pp.52-65.
  • Cannon, T. (2000). Leadership in the New Economy. In: The National Leadership Conference: The Royal Military Academy.
  • Cheng, B., Chou, L. and Farth, J. (2000). A Triad Model of Paternalistic Leadership: The Constructs and Measurement. Indigenous Psychological Research in Chinese Societies, 14, pp.3-64.
  • Dorfman, P., Howell, J., Hibino, S., Lee, J., Tate, U. and Bautista, A. (1997). Leadership in Western and Asian countries: Commonalities and differences in effective leadership processes across cultures. The Leadership Quarterly, 8(3), pp.233-274.
  • Fu, P., Wu, R., Yang, Y. and Ye, J. (2007). Chinese Culture and Leadership. In: J. Chhokar, F. Brodbeck and R. House, ed., Culture and Leadership Across the World: The GLOBE Book of In-Depth Studies of 25 Societies, 1st ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, pp.877-907.

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Charismatic speaker arouses a crowd

15 Great Speeches By Leaders

In the age of social media, great oratory still resonates with the masses. It’s still true, and was always true — that great, truly great leaders are charismatic speakers. Below are some of the best examples of great speeches that will stand the test of time.

Written by Murray Johannsen. I welcome connections via  LinkedIn  or directly from  this website .

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Pope urban ii: speech at the council of clermont, zelensi’s presentation to the heads of states of the european union, gavin newsom: governor of the state of california, michele obama — summer and fall of 2016, pope francis: speech to the us congress, september 24, 2015..

  • Bill Clinton — 2008 Speech at the Democratic National Convention

Elizabeth Warren — December 12, 2013

Steve jobs — i-phone introduction, martin luther king: i have a dream, admiral william h. mcraven, arnold schwarzenegger, simon sinek: how great leaders inspire action.

  • Steve Jobs — 2005 Graduation Speech as Stanford—Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish
  • Randy Pausch — The Last Lecture

Teddy Kennedy, Jr.: A Eulogy for My Father

Map out your leadership journey, discover the theory and skills you need to lead, take action, related pages, learn how to make a great speech.

Great speeches go hand in hand with great leadership. There’s power in the words if you know how to make the perfect pitch — how to deliver a speech — that holds their attention.

A Great Speech That Changed History

Great presentations, great persuasive presentations have a strong motivational impact. They can be so powerful as to change history. 

There is no exact version of what was said, but we know the results — the Crusades. Actually, there were several crusades, some total disasters such as the Children’s crusade. Still, it must have been an incredible speech, one designed to persuade and motivate the nobility of Europe.

This link accesses six versions of what was said .

pope_urban_ii

In November 1095, Pope Urban the second called the European nobility to the Council of Claremont. There gathered the power elite of the day (kind of reminds you of Davos, doesn’t it). While you might call them members of the nobility, they were anything but noble. There were cynical, real political types. We have no exact record of what he said, there were not transcripts, the exact words forever lost.

However, we know the results—the crusades. Nine of them, ten counting the Children’s Crusade, spread over 300 years of time.

Whether or not you believe this was a good thing, one cannot deny that this speech was the catalyst of a social movement that changed history.

By Jean Colombe (about 1492)

One recent example was the 10 minute presentation to the leaders of the European Union by the president of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Article was titled, “Historic sanctions on Russia had roots in Zelensky’s emotional appeal.” Source: Washington Post and Yahoo .

how to write a good speech about leadership

Normally, a first lady is not known for her ability to inspire and motivate. However, Ms. Obama is clearly the exception. The first speech is one made that had an impact on the 2016 presidential election. It’s included in an article from the Washington Post titled, “ Michelle Obama’s Speech on Donald Trump was Remarkable .”

how to write a good speech about leadership

The content is extremely well written and delivered. It plays well to a set of aspirational cultural values, in this case, values strongly held in the American culture. That said, he also reminded these political leaders of the moral and ethical basis for exercising power.

Access: Full Transcript

how to write a good speech about leadership

Bill Clinton  — 2008 Speech at the Democratic National Convention

American president’s while in the office tends to be rather boring (meaning statesman-like). However, they do liven up the rhetoric on the campaign trail. Although it is fairly ethnocentric, focused as it is on American politics, you get a feel for how to good delivery interacts with good content to generate audience enthusiasm .

how to write a good speech about leadership

It is not that often that a single speech can capture the imagination of many, but that is what happened with this 2013 speech by Senator Warren. Essentially, this short ten-minute speech was a populist one that catapulted the Senator into the position of a national spokesperson for the Democratic Party in America.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Business/Commercial

Most business presentations are pretty boring but Jobs has mastered the art of the presentation. You don’t have to watch the entire presentation, but one can see why the iPhone generated so much publicity.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Inspirational

This seventeen-minute video captured the powerful words of a truly great speaker—one who polished his craft with hundreds of hours of practice. While it is hard to tell from the video, it appears Dr. King started his presentation by reading from a script, then stopped reading from his prepared notes and started speaking extemporaneously. You might say, that’s when the magic began.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Commencement speeches are always a special event. For the speaker makes a special event to share the lessons of a life time with those who are about to start their work life.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Schwarzenegger is truly a special person who succeeded in multiple roles. A famous body builder, a movie star and a governor of California. Not bad for an immigrant from Austria.

how to write a good speech about leadership

This was the video that founded an extremely successful career as a speaker and author. Not only is it a great speech about leadership, but it contains some timeless wisdom on marketing as well.

how to write a good speech about leadership

Steve Jobs  — 2005 Graduation Speech as Stanford—Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

how to write a good speech about leadership

Randy Pausch —  The Last Lecture

University professors are generally not known for memorable lectures. However, this is the  exception to the rule. In the video, we hear words of wisdom from a professor who knew he was dying of cancer. This has been a viral classic for a while and it really has a timeless quality about it.

how to write a good speech about leadership

A great speech does not have to belong, this one is only 12 minutes. But it captured the many elements that make for a great presentation — there was emotion, there was fluency, and there was humor. You’ll also hear several great teaching stories, especially one which I call, “The Hill.”

how to write a good speech about leadership

Unleash Your Leadership Ability

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Work Skills For the 21st Century

TheNextSkill

Speech On Leadership [1,2,3 Minutes]

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the ways and shows the way”. This is one of my favourite quotes which describes the meaning of leadership in just a few words. Leadership is a process of influencing, inspiring and helping others to achieve goals along the way.

In this article, we shared some examples of speech on leadership. These speeches have a time duration of 1, 2 and 3 minutes. This article will explain to you what is leadership, who is a good leader and how to choose a good leader.

1 Minute Speech On Leadership

Hello and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to present a speech on leadership.

What is leadership? If you find the definition in the dictionary, you will see it is the ability of a person to influence individuals and guide them in a way that maximizes their efforts and leads to optimum outcomes.

This is why It becomes important for any kind of organisation to have a great leader who has good visionary skills and risk-computing skills so that he can lead the organisation on the path of progress.

Many say that leadership can not be taught but I believe this is an assumption. Various leadership development programmes can help you develop leadership skills.

To sum it up, developing leadership skills is a slow process but anyone can definitely learn leadership. Thank you!

2-Minute Speech On Leadership

I warmly welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to deliver a speech on leadership. Before I start speaking my thoughts, I would like to wish you a good day. Also, I want to thank you for giving me this valuable opportunity.

Leadership is a skill that not everyone is blessed with. Yet, it is not something that can not be learned. It is a process of influencing, inspiring and helping others to become their best selves, building their skills and achieving goals along the way.

Leadership skills are always needed to accomplish a great goal of an organisation. A good leader has a good vision and risk-calculating abilities which reduce the risk of a decline in progress. Working for a goal without having a good leader is no less than shooting arrows in the darkness.

A leader can make or break all of your future dreams. So, it is very vital to choose a leader very wisely. But then a question arises in the mind; how to identify a good leader who can actually help us to lead ahead in life?

Well, there are some common personality traits of a good leader which can help in finding a good leader. First , good observation skill is one of the features of great leaders, they observe well before making a decision.

Second , they are action-takers, they do not waste their time on unnecessary activities. Third , they are good communicators. They have a great deal of sense of how to present views in a positive way. This quality enables them to influence and persuade each kind of person.

Fourth , Flexibility is another great quality of great leaders. They change strategies whenever they feel the need. So, pay close attention to who is leading you. Thank you!

2 minute Speech On Leadership

A Speech On Leadership | 3 Minutes

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the ways and shows the way”. This is one of my favourite quotes which describes the meaning of leadership in just a few words.

Good morning! All of you. Before heading ahead to my speech on leadership, I would like to wish you all the best wishes and also want to pay thanks for giving me this valuable opportunity.

Who is a leader? The answer is “someone who can lead you somewhere is called a leader” and this kind of capability is called  leadership . Also, a good leader is also a great mentor. Thus, It becomes necessary for any kind of organisation to have a splendid leader.

Leadership is not a new idea. If we examine history, we will find It has been ruling the world since human civilizations came into existence. A leader possesses good visionary skills and risk-computing skills so that he can lead the organisation on the path of progress.

Whether a person, a business or an organisation, all of this desire to lead to new heights. There is no choice but to have a great leader who can show them the right path and help them get there. This is why leadership holds great importance in every sphere of life.

But choosing a good leader is not easy yet not even very tough. Great leaders show some common qualities which can help us select a good leader who can actually help us to achieve goals and accomplish success. Let’s talk about these qualities.

This is the greatest quality that a great leader can have. This quality his see the broad picture of the scene to decide what are the next essential steps to take and where these steps will lead to.

2. Inspiration

Planning without action is worthless. Similarly, having a vision not going to work unless you have the ability to convey a clear picture of your vision to the people. Hence, inspiring people by showing them their vision is another quality of a good leader.

3. Continuous Improvement

A leader strives for continuous improvements as they know that there is always room for improvement. They’ll always be ready to help the members to discover ways to develop new skills or improve upon a weakness,

4. Flexibility

If one strategy does not work, try the other one. This activity is called flexibility. Being flexible enables a person to find out the best way to achieve goals in less time.

If a person possesses these qualities, he or she qualifies to be a good leader. This is all I wanted to say. I hope you liked my thoughts. Thank you!

3 Minutes Speech On Leadership

Other Speeches

Importance of time management speech [1,2,3 minutes], speech on ethics and etiquette [1,2,3 minutes], speech about mahatma gandhi jayanti 2023.

  • 1 Minute Speech On Health Is Wealth
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  • Speech On Nature [ 1-2 minutes ]
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Speech on What is Friendship

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7 brilliant ways successful leaders start presentations

how to write a good speech about leadership

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“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” —Plato

When we speak, we have about 60 seconds to capture our audience’s attention, establish credibility, orient them to our topic, and motivate them to listen, says Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of “Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results.”

If you waste those precious opening seconds with a joke, an agenda, an apology, housekeeping details, a string of thank-yous, or a rambling, pointless paragraph littered with “ums” and “uhs,” your audience’s minds are likely to drift, and you may not get them back. “You need to put the art in the start, the most important part of the work,” says Price.

That’s a tall order for any speaker — and it requires us to develop and rehearse a well-crafted, attention-getting opener.

Price offers seven options:

1. Tell a captivating story.

“Of all the starters in your toolkit, storytelling is among the most powerful and consistently successful,” Price says. “As humans, we’re hard-wired to enjoy and learn from stories. From bedtime stories and campfires, to Broadway theaters and boardrooms — heroes, villains, conflict, plots, dialogue, and lessons learned draw us in, remind us of our own lives, and hold our attention.”

The story can be about you personally, which tells the audience first-hand why you’re invested in and passionate about the topic. Or you can tell a story about another person who the audience can learn from. “Another option: Tell a fable, wisdom tale, historic event, or anecdote,” Price says. “The idea is, start with a brief 60- to 90-second narrative that launches your speech and captivates your listeners, and make sure the story encapsulates the key point of your message.”

She suggests you consider these questions as you craft your version of “Once upon a time”: What challenges have you (or another) faced in relation to your topic? How did you (or another) overcome them? Who or what helped you or harmed you? What lessons were learned? What do you want your audience to gain, feel, or do as a result of the story?

2. Ask a rhetorical, thought-provoking question.

“As Shakespeare wrote in ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ ‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?'” says Price. “As a speaker, you ask rhetorical questions for persuasive effect; you don’t expect the audience to answer aloud, rather silently to themselves.

When crafted and delivered well, rhetorical questions influence an audience to believe in the position of the speaker. “Clearly, Shakespeare’s character Shylock is leading his listeners to think ‘yes’ four times in order to justify revenge against Antonio. What do you want your audience to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to?”

In addition to yes or no questions, you can also arouse curiosity and motivate your audience to think about the answer, she says.

3. State a shocking statistic or headline.

Price says the vice president of sales for America’s leading healthcare IT company successfully sells software solutions to hospitals by starting her presentations with the following:

“According to a new study in the Journal of Patient Safety, medical errors leading to patient death are much higher than previously thought. Preventable adverse events, known as PAEs, cause up to 400,000 deaths per year for patients who seek care at a hospital. That means medical errors are the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Our vision is to create a world free of medical errors, and we need your help.”

“The statistic, bold claim, or headline needs to be directly related to the main purpose of your presentation,” Price explains. “Its impact ideally persuades the audience to listen and respond positively to your recommendation and next steps.”

4. Use a powerful quote.

“Employ the wise words of a well-known person, because the name allows you to tap into his or her credibility, likeability, and notoriety,” she says. The quote must have meaning and relevance to the audience.

Imagine you’re urging a group to reach consensus, or giving a talk on conflict management. You could open with: “Mark Twain once said, ‘If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.’ Even though some of us disagree on the xyz issue, each of us is necessary in reaching a resolution.”

5. Show a gripping photo.

A picture is worth a thousand words — “maybe even more,” Price says.

“Use photos instead of text, when possible,” she suggests. A quality photo adds aesthetic appeal, increases comprehension, engages the audience’s imagination, and makes the message more memorable.

Price offers the following example of an effective use of an image:

The president of an electronics equipment company needed his managers to cut costs. Rather than showing mundane charts, graphs, and spreadsheets, he opened the meeting by asking, “What sank the Titanic?” When everyone in unison replied, “an iceberg,” he displayed a beautiful high-definition image of an iceberg on the screen: the tip of the iceberg was clearly visible above the water; the much larger portion was dimly visible below the surface of the water.

“The same thing is about to happen to our company,” he continued. “Hidden costs — the dangers beneath the surface — are about to sink this company. I need your help.” This visual metaphor spawned a creative, productive brainstorming session that inspired every business unit manager to diligently hunt for what they labeled the “icebergs,” says Price. The result was saving millions and ultimately the company.

6. Use a prop or creative visual aid.

“A prop is a magnetic tool that hooks your audience and keeps them watching — or listening,” Price says. A visual aid can also help emphasize a point.

Price uses the example of a sales VP at a large insurance company, who happens to be an avid tennis player. She says he wanted to kick off his annual meeting with a bang — so he “brilliantly used his tennis racquet to emphasize ‘acing the competition,’ ‘rallying together as a team,’ and winning a ‘grand slam’ through great customer service.” Year after year, other speakers were compared to this leader’s creative ability to present a motivational message, she says.

“Think about how you could use items like a big wall clock, a colorful gift bag, juggling balls, a deck of cards, a bunch of carrots, or another prop, to introduce your topic, captivate the audience, inject humor, and drive home your message.”

7. Play a short video.

Imagine kicking off a product management meeting with a video of compelling customer testimonials, or opening a fundraising event for endangered species by showing an Amur Leopard playing with her cubs in the wild.

“Videos evoke emotional responses,” Price explains. “Unlike text and bullet points on a slide, you can employ people, pictures, and sound to reel in the audience, add drama, and communicate the gist of your message quickly.”

As Walt Disney said, “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”

This article is published in collaboration with Business Insider . Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

To keep up with the Agenda  subscribe to our weekly newsletter .

Author: Jacquelyn Smith joined Business Insider as the careers editor in February 2014.

Image: an empty meeting room is shown. REUTERS.

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World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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What's Your Message?

The best leadership speech: Are you ready to lead?

Last week a client aggressively urged me to watch ‘the best leadership speech ever’. He’s a pretty good leader himself, with a world class creative team of over 100 people.

I watched it this weekend and it’s pretty good.

The video is long – 50 minutes – but here’s what you get: A unique piece of public speaking that is funny, heartbreaking, honest and motivational.

This leadership speech is by  General Mark Welsh , Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, speaking to 1,000 cadets at the US Air Force Academy.

It illuminates the life and death gravity of leadership in the armed forces, but it’s the opposite of what you might expect of a military speech. Rather than a tone of ‘You have to do this because it’s an order’, we are treated to an incredibly engaging and persuasive speech that awakens desire in the audience  to be a great leader.

What makes this leadership speech great?

His audience

Men and women 20-25 years old who have a 75% chance of graduating the Academy’s four-year program, which is intended to give cadets the skills and knowledge that they will need for success as officers.

Informal tone to connect

His opening word: “Yo”.

The start is a bit slow but appropriate in that environment.

Pretty soon you see the speaker’s ability to combine life and death issues with personal humour and light-hearted approachability. The subject is serious, but the speaker regularly has a laugh. He seems friendly and welcoming, yet clear about what matters.

He isn’t ‘heavy’ ALL the time. The contrast of light and heavy make the important areas stand out.

Flexible structure

The speech is structured around the profiles of dozens of people under the General’s command. Their pictures are shown and their stories told. His  messages are made concrete  by the fact they follow a real story. Tell a story – make a point. For example:

‘Everybody has a story. If you don’t know the story you can’t lead. Learn the story.’

Clear, personalized messages

This leadership speech is worth watching just to see how the speaker makes all his messages personal.  For example, instead of saying;

“Are you ready to lead”

“Are you ready to lead him ” after explaining a person’s story.

Instead of;

“You are expected to be a great leader”

‘ He expects you be be ready to lead his people. In fact he demands it.’ After telling a story about the head of a division.

Here are some more messages peppered throughout the talk.

  • You better be willing to make decisions. Sometimes without all the information you want. Get ready.
  • You better be good. ‘Your job is to lead them… are you ready?”
  • You will make a difference.
  • We are a team. All the people are important.
  • Attention to detail is it important. You better have it.
  • Leadership is a gift given by those who follow.
  • Are you ready to lead? If not, rededicate yourself to the effort.

Great Explanations

There’s is nothing dramatic about his delivery skills, but he’s comfortable enough to act out a character (‘my son walked over like John Wayne…’).

He doesn’t rush.

This is vital. When information is rushed, it doesn’t seem as important. His pace allows the ideas to come alive. He appears calm, thoughtful, genuine. Present in the moment.

Do you connect with your team this way? Can you stand calmly on stage in silence – allowing your ideas to absorb?

Clear and personal ending

A good ending is important to deliver the key message and make the ideas feel complete (and therefore easier to remember).

“Thank you for being good enough to be here. Make sure you’re good enough to graduate. Take care of yourselves. I’ll see you out there.”

Do your speeches inspire people to follow you?

A great speech like this can strengthen a team or ogranization more powerfully than 10,000 hours of work. It can engender belief and dedication that lives on for years . How powerful are your leadership speeches? —– If you’d like to develop your leadership presentation, consider:

  • Presentation Skills Training
  • Presentation Skills public course
  • Message Development Sessions

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com:  What’s Your Message?: Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

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Leadership Speech - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

  • Speech on Leadership -

Leadership is a skill and ability of an individual, group, or organisation to lead. A good leader can motivate others to do something new and better. And the leader is a person who convinces people to follow. A person who has strong leadership skills in the business world can become CEO, COO, CFO, etc. Good leadership provides direction to workers and employees.

10 Lines Speech on Leadership

Short speech on leadership, long speech on leadership.

Leadership Speech - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

Leadership is about guiding and inspiring others to achieve a common goal.

A good leader has the ability to motivate and empower their team.

Leadership involves creating a vision and setting a direction for the group.

A leader must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

A good leader must be able to make tough decisions and take responsibility for their actions.

Leadership requires the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and find solutions to challenges.

A leader must have integrity and ethical values to earn the trust and respect of their team.

Leadership requires continuous learning and self-improvement.

A leader must have empathy and understanding towards their team members.

The ultimate measure of a leader's success is the success of their team and the impact they have on society.

Good morning everyone, I am here today to talk about the importance of leadership and what it takes to be a successful leader. Leadership is the art of guiding individuals, groups or organisations to achieve their goals and fulfil their obligations. A great leader is someone who not only gives direction, but also inspires and motivates their team to reach their fullest potential.

A good leader always maintains an open line of communication with their team, encouraging both personal and professional growth. They understand that their role is to teach and mentor, not just give orders. Effective leadership is a continuous process that requires patience, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the growth and success of their team.

Leadership also plays a crucial role in building strong relationships and providing psychological support to team members. When the team feels supported and valued, they are more likely to work willingly and wholeheartedly, contributing to the overall growth and success of the organisation.

In conclusion, a great leader possesses not only technical skills and knowledge, but also the ability to inspire and motivate their team to reach their goals. Good leadership is the key to creating a harmonious and productive work environment, and is an essential quality for any manager to possess.

Good morning everyone, I am Riya, a student of Aditya Academy, and I am here today to talk about the topic of leadership. Leadership is a crucial aspect of our lives, whether it is in our personal relationships, community, or in the workplace. As students, we have the opportunity to develop and refine our leadership skills, which will serve us well in the future.

Leadership can be defined as the ability to inspire, motivate and guide others towards a common goal. A great leader not only has vision, but also the ability to bring others along on the journey towards that vision. A leader must possess several key qualities, including integrity, empathy, the ability to communicate effectively, and the courage to make difficult decisions.

Examples of Great Leader

In today's world, there are countless examples of great leaders who have changed the course of history and inspired millions with their vision, commitment, and unwavering spirit. Two such leaders who stand out are Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Mahatma Gandhi was a man who embodied the very essence of leadership. He was a man who inspired millions with his unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance and his vision of a free and equal India. Despite facing immense opposition and making personal sacrifices, Gandhi never lost sight of his goal. He rallied his followers around his cause and through his leadership, he brought about a change in the world that will be remembered for generations to come.

Nelson Mandela is another example of a great leader who has made a lasting impact on the world. He spent 27 years in prison in his fight against apartheid in South Africa and was subjected to the worst forms of oppression. Yet, he never lost his faith in the power of leadership to bring about change. His unwavering spirit and refusal to compromise on his principles inspired millions around the world and eventually led to the fall of apartheid and his election as the first black president of South Africa.

Both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela serve as a reminder that true leadership is not about power, fame or wealth, but about the ability to inspire others, to stand up for what is right, and to never lose sight of your goals, no matter the cost. Through their leadership, they have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

In our own lives, we have the opportunity to be leaders in our communities and families. Whether it is taking on a leadership role in a school club, volunteering at a local charity, or simply being a positive influence on those around us, we can all make a difference.

In conclusion, leadership is a vital quality that every person should strive to develop. It is not just about having a position of authority, but about inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal. Through our actions and leadership, we can leave a positive impact on the world and make it a better place for future generations. Thank you.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

  • Construction
  • Entertainment
  • Manufacturing
  • Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

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3 Great military speeches to inspire you as a leader

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The world sorely needs great leaders, whether in the workplace, in the public square, or in the home. History offers compelling lessons and examples of what such wise governance could look like.

These three historic speeches offer a blueprint for what a great leader might say to inspire his team to give their best effort and get through hard times.

1 Remind your team of who they are.

One of the earliest great speeches on record is the Funeral Oration delivered by Pericles, an eminent Athenian politician, at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War. He made the speech at a public funeral held annually for the war dead.

Instead of speaking only of the men who had died , Pericles chose to describe the history of Athens itself, specifically what made it distinct from other city-states. He recalled the efforts with which Athenian ancestors had built up the city:

I will speak first of our ancestors, for it is right and seemly that now, when we are lamenting the dead, a tribute should be paid to their memory. There has never been a time when they did not inhabit this land, which by their valor they will have handed down from generation to generation, and we have received from them a free state. But if they were worthy of praise, still more were our fathers, who added to their inheritance, and after many a struggle transmitted to us their sons this great empire. And we ourselves assembled here today, who are still most of us in the vigor of life, have carried the work of improvement further, and have richly endowed our city with all things, so that she is sufficient for herself both in peace and war.

Then he extolled Athens’ reputation and fame compared to its neighbors, making clear that such a magnificent city was worth every sacrifice :

Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors’, but is an example to them… For we have compelled every land and every sea to open a path for our valor, and have everywhere planted eternal memorials of our friendship and of our enmity. Such is the city for whose sake these men nobly fought and died; they could not bear the thought that she might be taken from them; and every one of us who survive should gladly toil on her behalf.

After making the case at length for the glory and power of Athens, he assured his audience, “So died these men as becomes Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier outcome.” His statement that these men were “worthy of Athens” carried enormous weight, given all he had said before.

Pericles exalted the history and identity of Athens to remind his listeners of who they were and what set them apart. The pride and honor of their heritage would inspire them to continue the war with renewed vigor.

This is a valuable strategy for modern-day leaders: Remind your team of their great achievements of the past. List all the reasons they have to be proud of their efforts. Recalling past accomplishments is one way to spur them on to future triumph.

2 Describe your vision for great things to come

The year was 1415, and the English army was badly outnumbered when it collided with French forces at Agincourt, France, during the Hundred Years’ War. But the English king, Henry V, delivered a rousing speech that inspired his soldiers to achieve a decisive victory on October 25, the feast of St. Crispin. The exact words of King Henry V’s speech have been lost to history, but Shakespeare captured its themes and spirit in his play Henry V , in a passage known as the St. Crispin’s Day Speech .

This address is exemplary for so many reasons, such as its focus on brotherhood, honor, and pride. It’s also a wonderful example of a simple but powerful leadership tactic: getting through a difficult period by describing in detail the glorious things to come.

Rather than enumerate the terrible odds facing his army, King Henry V vividly outlines how the battle’s veterans will remember this day for the rest of their lives:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors, And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.” Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.” Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day.

He promises that not only the soldiers themselves but their neighbors, the rest of the country, and indeed all the world will remember their valor on this day:

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd— We few, we happy few, we band of brothers … And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

“We happy few” is a stroke of rhetorical genius; his soldiers know that being comparatively “few” in number will be their weakness in the coming battle, but Henry V turns it around and presents it as a strength, since “few” warriors means more glory for each of them. 

Henry V describes in great detail the glory to be won in the coming battle, glory that will attend each soldier forever. His words reveal a strategy for modern-day leaders: Paint a verbal picture of the coming reward for the hard work and difficult times. Having that vision of the future to look forward to can make all the difference.

3 Acknowledge the worst-case scenario and address it directly.

Most people don’t want to talk about really scary possibilities. They want to plan for the safest options and pretend the worst can’t happen. But leaders are not silent about hard things. Instead, they acknowledge the most fearsome dangers, face them head-on, and outline a plan for overcoming them.

That’s what Winston Churchill did on June 4, 1940, when he addressed the British House of Commons after the Battle of Dunkirk, during the Second World War. The nation was in a euphoric mood. A week before, the Allied Forces had been perilously trapped at the Dunkirk port in France and all seemed lost, but every possible seafaring vessel (including small civilian fishing boats!) had come to their aid and carried over 338,000 troops to safety on British soil.

Despite the immense relief following the successful evacuation, the Allied Forces were in a disastrous situation. They’d had to abandon not only enormous amounts of military equipment but also literally the continent of Europe; the German army had beaten them back to the shores of the British isle, costing the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. Nobody wanted to admit it, but the grim prospect of a German invasion was looking more and more likely.

Winston Churchill addressed that terrifying possibility directly in his speech that day . He not only acknowledged that the nation’s worst fear could happen, but he told the British people that they would meet that fear, if it came, with their characteristic indomitable courage:

I have, myself, full confidence that … we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone … Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

His bold response would rouse any heart to courage! Churchill outlined this response to a German invasion of Britain, but the strategy can work for any leader. For your team, what’s the worst-case scenario, the fear no one wants to talk about? What would be the ideal response to it that you would want to see?

Clearly lay out this plan before it ever becomes necessary. Knowing that you have a carefully considered and courageous plan in place for even the worst-case scenario inspires your team to imitate that fearlessness and go forth with confidence.

These are only a small fraction of the countless bold and noble speeches recorded in history’s pages. Winston Churchill once said, “Study history, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.” In history, too, lie all the secrets of great leadership—of commanding and supporting a team, in both victory and defeat. No better manual or guide book can be found.

BRODA

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ScoutSmarts

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Election Speeches: Tips and Ideas

how to write a good speech about leadership

Are you ready to take the leap and become your troop’s next SPL? If you’re up for the responsibility and running in your troop’s next senior patrol leader election, an epic speech may just be your ticket to victory ! In this article, I’m going to be sharing with you the most powerful tricks I’ve learned on how to deliver a memorable speech and crush your upcoming SPL election.

What should a SPL speech include? An ideal SPL speech will be around 2-4 minutes long and describe your experience in the troop, as well as your plans for the future. By speaking clearly, explaining why you’re uniquely qualified to become the next SPL, and humorously inspiring your troop, you’ll have a great shot at pulling ahead of the competition.

Presenting an amazing speech is only a small step toward becoming your troop’s next senior patrol leader. For a full walkthrough on how to become your troop’s next SPL, check out my full guide on How To Win A Senior Patrol Leader Election !

As around 25% of most SPL election’s votes go to the scout with the strongest message, your speech is still incredibly important . While a great speech won’t automatically win you the election, a poor speech might just be the reason why you lose. Now that you know the stakes, don’t worry! After this article, you’ll also know the keys to delivering a killer speech and be ready to crush your upcoming election.

Content of Your SPL Speech

As I mentioned in my article (earlier link) on how to win an SPL election, your speech should be the right mix of inspiring, funny, and actionable. There are 3 main things to keep in mind:

  • You’ll want to  paint a great future for the troop  in your vision as SPL.
  • You’ll want to  make your fellow scouts laugh  so that they remember you as likable.
  • You’ll want  your ideas to be understood as relateable but powerful .

Here’s an example of a funny high school election speech (2:16) that does a lot of things right:

When you’re planning your own SPL speech, I’d suggest focusing more on your message, while still including some of the humor and jokes used by this guy.

How can you put all of this into practice? The first and most important thing to do is decide on your message. Your message is the north star that guides your SPL speech. To find your message, think to yourself, what can I give back to my troop if I’m voted in as SPL?

Choosing Your Message

For some scouts, the answer to this may be creating a more fun atmosphere at troop meetings. Other scouts may want to grow the troop or win more competitions at summer camps. Find your own message of what you can give back to your troop, and build your speech around that central pillar.

Here are some examples of messages that you can frame your speech around:

  • Helping scouts earn more merit badges and complete rank requirements during meetings
  • Creating more leadership opportunities for scouts to practice valuable skills
  • Scheduling more time during camps to have fun and do cool activities
  • Organizing troop excursions to new places 
  • Planning in-troop competitions that give both younger and older scouts the opportunity to learn new skills

The trick is to honestly ask yourself what you’re able to do that may help the scouts in your troop. Write your message down in a few short sentences once something comes to mind.

Be careful not to include multiple messages in your speech, as this may become confusing to the audience. Instead, spend your time focusing on one key topic. Once you have your message noted down, you’re ready to move on to the next step!

What Makes You Special?

After deciding on a message, the second part of your senior patrol leader speech is YOU. Ask yourself these two questions:

  • Why do you want to become your troop’s next SPL? 
  • What experiences have you had that will allow you to succeed as a SPL? 

Take the time to quickly write down your answers to these questions. 

In a senior patrol leader speech, you’re basically selling yourself to your troop. That’s why you’ll need to know the answers to these questions about yourself. Your goal is to make each and every scout in the audience certain that if they elect you, you’ll be capable of handling the responsibilities of a SPL.

Make sure that each of your points are concise and easy to understand. Really, each one should be more than 3 sentences long. Once you have these three things figured out: your message, why you want to be SPL, and why you’re qualified to be SPL, you’re ready to begin crafting your election-winning speech!

Scripting Your SPL Speech

No matter how good your speech might be, if you’re reading it off a sheet of paper, no one will take you seriously. By speaking confidently and relying on a few, if any, notes, you demonstrate to your troop that you’re a leader they can trust in and depend on.

While you definitely don’t want to write your speech out word for word, you’ll still want to have a general idea of what you’re going to be saying at all times. This is where notes can come in handy, especially if you haven’t had much practice delivering speeches in the past.

To strike the right balance, I’d recommend you hold a small 3×5 notecard containing your main bullet points during your speech. While you should have the flow of your speech memorized, this small note card will help if you ever need a prompt.

I know that speech writing isn’t easy, so in the section below I’m going to be showing you an example of a full SPL speech, as well as how I would break the speech down into manageable sections for your notes.

“You know what I love? Seeing scouts not earn their Eagle because they’re not given enough troop support in meetings and activities! Just kidding. On a serious note, I see a big issue in this troop with scouts not having enough opportunities to complete their rank requirements or earn their merit badges. If elected as your next SPL, I intend to change that. My name is Cole, I’m a Life Scout who’s been with this troop for five years now, and I know that we can do better. I believe that each and every one of you should earn your Eagle rank, and that it should also be the responsibility of the troop to make that happen.  After leading many successful patrols in the past and recently completing NYLT, I’m now qualified and motivated to lead our troop as your next SPL. I know that if I’m elected, by planning merit badge clinics and scheduling time to work on rank requirements, we’ll not only be able to have more fun activities, we’ll also complete our goals of becoming Eagle Scouts! I want to become your SPL so that we can make this happen. I’ll help the younger scouts learn more and rank up faster, and help the older scouts more easily earn their required badges. Together we can make this change. Are you with me?”

While you can be more creative and humorous in your own speech, remember that your message should be clear and impactful. In my example, my message was that I would use meetings and activities to help scouts complete rank requirements, earn merit badges, and finish their Eagle. Here’s how I’d be scripting my main points:

  • You know what I love? (Seeing Scouts not earning badges) Kidding, as SPL I’ll change that.
  • Introduce self, troop’s responsibility to help each of you earn your eagles
  • Experience: PL, NYLT. As SPL I’ll plan troop meetings and activities to help you rank up and earn badges
  • What I’ll do for younger scouts, what I’ll do for older scouts, ask for vote.

While this is what you might write on your notecard, you should also know the main messages behind what you’re saying. Here are the same points as above, this time outlining the messages behind each paragraph.

  • Present the issue of scouts not having the opportunity to earn merit badges and rank up
  • Introduction, my credentials, and plan as SPL
  • More credentials, details of plan, largest benefit of message
  • Why I’m running, benefit for younger scouts, benefit for older scouts; ask for their vote.

For a few more quick tips on how you should script your SPL speech, check out the short (2:27) video below:

Delivery of Your SPL Speech

When presenting your SPL speech to your troop, confidence is everything. More than 2/3 of communication is done nonverbally, so you’ll want to be saying that you’d be a great SPL through your body language as well!

The only way to build confident body language is through practice. I’d recommend delivering your speech at least three times before the election. 

  • First, practice by yourself in front of a mirror or record yourself on your phone. 
  • Second, practice in front of friends or family and ask for their feedback. 
  • Third, while trying to use their feedback, practice in front of friends and family one more time.

You’d be surprised by how much of a difference a little bit of practice can make. You don’t want to be the scout that freezes up in the middle of their speech and leaves everyone in the audience super uncomfortable. Instead, practice and you’ll quickly become much more confident.

Here are some other quick tips to keep in mind:

  • Make the beginning and end of your speech the strongest parts to grab the audience’s attention
  • Speak a bit more loudly than you think you should ( Strong voice )
  • Speak a bit more slowly than you think you should (Speak clearly )
  • Stand up tall with your shoulders pulled back and keep your hands out of your pockets ( Confident body language )
  • Smile and relax, you’ll do great! ( Positive self-talk )

Before it’s your turn to speak, take three deep breaths and then tell yourself, “I’ve got this.” I know it’s nerve-racking to publicly speak, I’ve been there too, but you’re going to be great!

For more tips on speech delivery, I’ve found a great video (8:53) that breaks down an example of a strong speech. Then, shows you how to use those techniques during your own presentations:

While there’s no secret hack for instantly delivering an amazing speech, there are still ways that you can intelligently prepare. By following these tips, you’ll have a strong chance of presenting the best speech and being elected as your troop’s next SPL!

To recap: First, define your message . Then, script your speech through bullet points . Finally, practice your speech at least 3 times and ask for feedback from friends and family . With just a little bit of preparation, you’ll find yourself miles ahead of the competition!

Presenting a great speech is only one part of winning an SPL election. If you haven’t yet seen my guide to being elected as your troop’s next SPL , I’d highly recommend you check it out. Also, once you’re elected, check out my full leadership guide for new SPL’s here !

Best of luck in the election! I know you’ve got this. 🙂

I'm constantly writing new content because I believe in Scouts like you! Thanks so much for reading, and for making our world a better place. Until next time, I'm wishing you all the best on your journey to Eagle and beyond!

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‘I am prepared to die’: Mandela’s speech which shook apartheid

Sixty years ago during the Rivonia Trial in South Africa, Nelson Mandela delivered one of the most famous speeches of the 20th century. He expected to be sentenced to death but instead lived to see his dream ‘of a democratic and free society’ realised.

how to write a good speech about leadership

“Accused number one” had been speaking from the dock for almost three hours by the time he uttered the words that would ultimately change South Africa. The racially segregated Pretoria courtroom listened in silence as Nelson Mandela’s account of his lifelong struggle against white minority rule reached its conclusion. Judge Quintus de Wet managed not to look at Mandela for the majority of his address. But before accused number one delivered his final lines, defence lawyer Joel Joffe remembered, “Mandela paused for a long time and looked squarely at the judge” before saying:

“During my lifetime, I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But, my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Keep reading

Ramaphosa hails anc record as south africa marks 30 years of democracy, ‘free at last’: when south africa voted in democracy, kicked out apartheid, april 27, 1994: what has changed in south africa 30 years after apartheid, south africa seeks to stop auction of historic nelson mandela artefacts.

After he spoke that last sentence, novelist and activist Nadine Gordimer, who was in the courtroom on April 20, 1964, said, “The strangest and most moving sound I have ever heard from human throats came from the Black side of the court audience. It was short, sharp and terrible: something between a sigh and a groan.”

This was because there was a very good chance that Mandela and his co-accused would be sentenced to death for their opposition to the apartheid government. His lawyers had actually tried to talk him out of including the “I am prepared to die” line because they thought it might be seen as a provocation. But as Mandela later wrote in his autobiography, “I felt we were likely to hang no matter what we said, so we might as well say what we truly believed.”

Rivonia defendants

‘The trial that changed South Africa’

The Rivonia Trial – in which Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and seven other anti-apartheid activists were charged with sabotage – was the third and final time Mandela would stand accused in an apartheid court. From 1956 to 1961, he had been involved in the Treason Trial, a long-running embarrassment for the apartheid government, which would ultimately see all 156 of the accused acquitted because the state failed to prove they had committed treason.

And in 1962, he had been charged with leaving the country illegally and leading Black workers in a strike. He knew he was guilty on both counts, so he decided to put the apartheid government on trial. On the first day of the case, Mandela, known for his natty Western dress, arrived in traditional Xhosa attire to the shock of all present. He led his own defence and did not call any witnesses. Instead, he gave what has been remembered as the “Black man in a white court” speech, during which he asserted that “posterity will pronounce that I was innocent and that the criminals that should have been brought before this court are the members of the Verwoerd government,” a reference to Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd.

Nelson Mandela

The Rivonia Trial, which kicked off in October 1963, was named after the Johannesburg suburb where Liliesleaf Farm was located. From 1961 to 1963, the Liliesleaf museum website notes, the farm served “as the secret headquarters and nerve centre” of the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK, the military wing of the ANC). On July 11, 1963, acting on a tip-off, the police raided Liliesleaf, seizing many incriminating documents and arresting the core leadership of the underground liberation movement. Mandela, who was serving a five-year sentence on Robben Island from his conviction in the 1962 trial, was flown to Pretoria to take his place as accused number one.

Mandela

Instead of charging the men with high treason, State Prosecutor Percy Yutar opted for the easier-to-prove crime of sabotage – the definition of which was so broad that it included misdemeanours such as trespassing – and which had recently been made a capital offence by the government. Thanks to the evidence seized from Liliesleaf, which included several documents handwritten by Mandela and the testimony of Bruno Mtolo (referred to as Mr X throughout the trial), a regional commander of MK who had turned state witness, Yutar was virtually assured of convictions for the main accused.

In his autobiography, Mandela explains their defence strategy: “Right from the start we had made it clear that we intended to use the trial not as a test of the law but as a platform for our beliefs. We would not deny, for example, that we had been responsible for acts of sabotage. We would not deny that a group of us had turned away from non-violence. We were not concerned with getting off or lessening our punishment, but with making the trial strengthen the cause for which we were struggling – at whatever cost to ourselves. We would not defend ourselves in a legal sense so much as in a moral sense.”

The accused and their lawyers decided that Mandela would open the defence case not as a witness – who would be subject to cross-examination – but with a statement from the dock. This format would allow him to speak uninterrupted, but it carried less legal weight.

Liliesleaf Farm

Mandela writes that he spent “about a fortnight drafting [his] address, working mainly in my cell in the evenings”. He first read it to his co-accused, who approved the text with a few tweaks, before passing it to lead defence lawyer Bram Fischer. Fischer was concerned that the final paragraph might be taken the wrong way by the judge, so he got another member of the defence team, Hal Hanson, to read it. Hanson was unequivocal: “If Mandela reads this in court, they will take him straight to the back of the courthouse and string him up.”

“Nelson remained adamant” that the line should stay, wrote George Bizos, another member of the defence team. Bizos eventually persuaded Mandela to tweak his wording: “I proposed that Nelson say he hoped to live for and achieve his ideals but if needs be was prepared to die.”

On the evening of April 19, Bizos got Mandela’s permission to take a copy of his statement to Gordimer. The respected British journalist Anthony Sampson, who knew Mandela well, happened to be staying with her and he retired to Gordimer’s study with the text. “What seemed like hours” later, Bizos wrote, Sampson “eventually returned, obviously moved by what he had read”. Sampson made no major changes to the text, but he did advise moving some of the paragraphs because he felt journalists were likely to read the beginning and the end properly and skim over the rest.

Gordimer does not seem to have suggested changes to the address, but she did see several drafts. She, too, was happy with the final version.

INTERACTIVE Nelson Mandela Rivonia Trial I am Prepared to Die-1713266537

The statement from the dock

Yutar, who had been hoodwinked by the defence team’s constant requests for court transcripts into spending weeks preparing to cross-examine Mandela, was visibly shocked when Fischer announced that Mandela would instead be making a statement from the dock. He even tried to get the judge to explain to Mandela that he was committing a legal error. But the usually stone-faced judge laughed as he dismissed the request. Mandela, himself a lawyer, was represented by some of the country’s finest legal minds. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“My Lord, I am the first accused,” Mandela said. “I admit immediately that I was one of the persons who helped to form Umkhonto we Sizwe and that I played a prominent role in its affairs until I was arrested in August 1962.” Thanks to the recent recovery of the original recordings of Mandela’s statement, we now know that he spoke for 176 minutes , not the four and a half hours regularly cited.

As Martha Evans, author of Speeches That Shaped South Africa, explained, Mandela “candidly confessed some of the crimes levelled against him before giving a cogent and detailed account of the conditions and events that had led to the establishment of MK and the adoption of the armed struggle”.

Nelson Mandela

He spoke at length of the ANC’s tradition of nonviolence and explained why he had planned sabotage: “I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love for violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites.”

The final section of the address focused on inequality in South Africa and humanised Black South Africans in ways that Mandela argued the country’s white population rarely acknowledged:

“Whites tend to regard Africans as a separate breed. They do not look upon them as people with families of their own. They do not realise that we have emotions, that we fall in love like white people do, that we want to be with our wives and children like white people want to be with theirs, that we want to earn money, enough money to support our families properly.”

And: “Above all, my Lord, we want equal political rights because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all.”

Interestingly, Gordimer noted that the speech “read much better than it was spoken. Mandela’s delivery was very disappointing indeed, hesitant, parsonical (if there is such a word), boring. Only at the end did the man come through.”

Freedom Charter

Hanging by a thread

After Mandela’s address, several of the accused subjected themselves to cross-examination. Gordimer was particularly impressed by Walter Sisulu: “Sisulu was splendid. What a paradox – he is almost uneducated while [Mandela] has a law degree! He was lucid and to the point – and never missed a point in his replies to Yutar.”

The defence team enjoyed a number of minor victories with Judge de Wet fairly regularly telling the court that Yutar had failed to prove one point or another. After final arguments were heard in mid-May, court was adjourned for three weeks for the judge to consider his verdict.

For the main accused, that verdict was always going to be guilty. Avoiding the noose became the defence team’s number one priority. In the courtroom, this entailed asking Alan Paton, a world famous novelist who was leader of the vehemently anti-apartheid Liberal Party, to give evidence in mitigation of sentence.

But the real action happened outside the court, Sampson wrote in his authorised biography of Mandela: “The accused had been buoyed up by the growing support from abroad, not only from many African countries but also, more to Mandela’s surprise, from Britain. … On May 7, 1964, the British Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, offered to send a private message to Verwoerd about the trial. But Sir Hugh Stephenson [Britain’s ambassador to South Africa] recommended that ‘no more pressure should be exerted’ and, contrary to some published reports, there is no evidence the message was sent. When the South African Ambassador called on the Foreign Office that month, he was told that the government was now under less pressure to take a stronger line against South Africa, though death sentences would bring the matter to a head again.”

trial recordings

A week before the verdicts, Bizos visited British Consul-General Leslie Minford at his Pretoria home. “As I was leaving, Leslie put his arm around my shoulders and said, ‘George, there won’t be a death sentence.’ I did not ask him how he knew. For one thing, he had downed a number of whiskies. Certainly, I felt I could not rely on the information nor could I tell the team or our anxious clients.”

Upping the stakes further was the decision by Mandela, Sisulu and Mbeki to not appeal their sentence – even if it were death. As he listened to sentencing arguments, Mandela clutched a handwritten note that concluded with the words: “If I must die, let me declare for all to know that I will meet my fate as a man.”

Paton and Hanson spoke in mitigation of sentence on the morning of June 12, 1964. Bizos noted, “Judge de Wet not only took no note of what was being said but he appeared not to be listening.” He had already made his mind up, and when the formalities were over, he announced: “I have decided not to impose the supreme penalty, which in a case like this would usually be the penalty for such a crime. But consistent with my duty, that is the only leniency which I can show. The sentence in the case of all the accused will be one of life imprisonment.”

Professor Thula Simpson, the leading historian of MK, told Al Jazeera, “There is no evidence that De Wet was leaned on by the state. I don’t believe there’s any evidence for this being a political rather than a judicial judgement.”

Professor Roger Southall, author of dozens of books on Southern African politics, agreed. “At the time, there was a lot of speculation about whether there was pressure on the SA government to ensure that capital punishment was not imposed,” he told Al Jazeera. “But there is also no proof that the SA government intervened. That remains an unanswered question. We have to presume that the judge knew the international and local climate.”

Rivonia

Business as usual?

“Rivonia got a lot of global publicity,” Southall said. “But once the trial ended, it seemed like Mandela had been forgotten.” Mandela and other senior ANC figures were either locked up on Robben Island or were living in relative obscurity in exile. “Capital came pouring into South Africa at a rate that’s never been equalled since,” Southall continued. “The apartheid government seemed totally in control. The resistance was dead. It was a thoroughly grim period for the ANC.”

This only started to change in 1973, Southall said, “with the Durban strikes and the revival of the trade union movement”, which had been battered into submission. The rebirth of the Black trade union movement signalled the beginning of a new phase of opposition politics. Things ratcheted up several notches on June 16, 1976, when apartheid policemen opened fire on a peaceful protest of schoolchildren in the Black township of Soweto, killing 15 people. In the eight months that followed, violence spread across South Africa, killing about 700 people.

The resuscitation of Black opposition to apartheid under a new band of leaders coincided with the decline of the economy. After the Soweto uprising, foreign investors fled South Africa in their droves, laying bare the fundamental flaws of the apartheid government’s dependence on cheap labour and mining and its point-blank refusal to meaningfully educate people of colour. The apartheid government spent about 12 times more per child on white schoolchildren than it did on Black ones.

Nelson Mandela prison

By the 1980s, even the apartheid government could see something had to change, and in 1983, Prime Minister PW Botha announced plans to include multiracial and Indian South Africans, but not Black South Africans, in a new “tricameral” parliament. His plan backfired spectacularly, uniting the opposition like never before under the newly formed United Democratic Front (UDF). One of the UDF’s key demands was the unconditional release of all political prisoners, especially Mandela. Soon after its launch in August 1983, the UDF numbered almost 1,000 different organisations from all segments of South African society. Botha didn’t know what had hit him.

When, in 1984, Oliver Tambo, the ANC’s exiled leader, asked his supporters to “make South Africa ungovernable”, the townships rose up. Things got so bad in 1985 that Botha declared a state of emergency – but this was also the year in which tentative secret talks with Mandela began.

An icon re-emerges

“In the late 1970s, you started getting occasional demands that Mandela be released,” Southall said. By the mid-1980s, “Free Nelson Mandela” became a constant and global refrain with the “I am prepared to die” statement being quoted at rallies and emblazoned on T-shirts. “On one level, the ANC ‘invented’ this version of Mandela,” Southall said. “Until 1976, the apartheid government had done a very good job of erasing him from public memory.”

What might have happened if Mandela had been sentenced to death at Rivonia? One does not need to look far for a possible answer. The other poster boy of the global anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s was Steve Biko (subject of the Peter Gabriel hit song), the young leader of the Black Consciousness movement, who had been tortured to death by apartheid police in 1977. “You can also have myths develop when you execute people,” Simpson said. “If they had executed Mandela, he would have been a different icon in a different struggle.”

Nelson Mandela release

A dream realised

On February 11, 1990, Mandela was released from prison. From the balcony of Cape Town City Hall, he addressed his supporters for the first time since Rivonia. He opened his speech by saying: “I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I, therefore, place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

He ended by quoting the final lines of his 1964 statement from the dock, explaining that “they are true today as they were then.” Over the course of the next decade, as Mandela first navigated the treacherous path to democracy and then served as the country’s first democratically elected president, he lived out his vision of a “democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities”.

When the ANC’s Chris Hani was assassinated by an apartheid supporter in 1993, Mandela assumed the moral leadership of the country by urging his incensed supporters not to derail the peace process. After becoming president, he engaged in numerous public shows of reconciliation: He went for tea with the widow of slain apartheid Prime Minister Verwoerd, and he donned the Springbok rugby jersey (for many, a symbol of white supremacy) when he presented the almost entirely white South African team with the World Cup trophy in 1995.

Nelson Mandela

When Mandela died in 2013, US President Barack Obama spoke at his memorial, famously – and predictably – quoting the final paragraph of the statement from the dock at Rivonia. By that stage, there were already some in South Africa who felt that Mandela was a “sellout” because he had been too forgiving of whites during the transition.

Now, more than a decade later as inequality continues to plague the country and South Africa stands on the cusp of its most competitive general election in 30 years of democracy, it is common to hear young Black South Africans accuse Mandela of selling out . Southall does not take such claims too seriously: “People who say he’s a sellout are either too young or too forgetful to appreciate how close we came to civil war. Mandela played a huge role in pulling off the peaceful transition.”

“Now, after 30 years of democracy, there is still a tension between white domination and Black domination,” Simpson said. “South Africa is not what Mandela dreamed of. He might be turning in his grave, but we can’t forget that many of the policies that have gone wrong were introduced by him. He might have turned things around, but he might have not.”

“You can’t blame Mandela for where we are now,” Southall said. “There are individual things he got wrong. But he also got a lot of things right.”

Mandela’s is one of the 12 remarkable lives covered in Nick Dall’s recent book, Legends: People Who Changed South Africa for the Better, co-written with Matthew Blackman.

More From Forbes

Social media, for the type a: how to make the most of linkedin.

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Young woman using smart phone,Social media concept.

The good thing about Facebook being kinda evil and Twitter going insane (I’m not hip enough to use their new names) and TikTok maybe getting banned is that there’s really no cool social media anymore. That’s great news for LinkedIn, which was never cool to begin with. It was, however, useful. Here are a few tricks for making the most of the internet’s nerdiest networking app:

Define Your Personal Brand

First things first: who are you, and why should I care? Your personal brand is the unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality that you want the world to see. It's about finding your niche—whether you're a marketing maven, a tech enthusiast, or a leadership guru—and owning it. Share content that reflects your professional interests and expertise, but don't forget to infuse it with your personality. Remember, people follow humans, not resumes.

Create Good Content

Always Be Content-ing (ABC). But not just any content—value-driven content that educates, informs, or entertains your audience. Share industry insights, thought leadership articles, personal success stories, or cute dog pics (but not too many of those). Use a mix of posts, articles, videos, and infographics to keep your feed dynamic. And when I say “always,” I don’t literally mean “always.” Try your best not to spam your followers.

Engage, But Nicely

Engage with your network by commenting on posts, sharing others' content, and responding to comments on your own posts. Authentic engagement demonstrates your interest in others and helps to build relationships. But don’t be weird about it, okay?

Join Groups

LinkedIn groups are a goldmine for connecting with like-minded folks. Find groups in your niche in which you can share your insights, thoughts, and questions. Being active in groups is a great way to make your profile more visible. It's networking without the awkward small talk. And again—don’t be weird about it.

Apple s iPhone AI Plans Confirmed With New Software Release

Samsung is giving away a free galaxy s24 in a new promotion, the fallout 4 next gen update is not going great, follow top industry leaders.

Following and engaging with industry leaders and influencers can increase your visibility. When you comment on their content, you expose your profile to a wider audience. Plus, their insights can inspire your own content and keep you informed about industry trends.

Virginia Hogan

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Where do Trump and Biden stand on TikTok? What to know about the app's possible ban

WASHINGTON — TikTok is barreling toward conflict with the U.S. government after the House passed a bill Saturday that would ban the social media platform unless its parent company ByteDance decides to sell it. 

House lawmakers have argued that the app poses a national security threat and that the Chinese government could access American data. The legislation passed the House in a bipartisan fashion by a 352-65 vote.

The company has pushed back against the bill, saying on X, formerly Twitter, last week that “It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.”

Here’s a look at what the leading presidential candidates have said about the TikTok ban.

What has Biden said about the TikTok ban?

Biden supports a  forced sale of TikTok  but "has not called for a ban" on the app, Arati Prabhakar, the White House Director of Science and Technology Policy, said at Semafor's World Economy Summit this month.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

"The big issue for TikTok from a national security perspective is about the vast amount of information that the platform is able to collect about people and specifically the fact that because of its ownership there’s there’s a direct line to the People’s Republic of China, which in in the geopolitics of today is a deeply concerning issue," said Prabhakar.

Biden is expected to sign the bill if it passes in the Senate.

In 2022, the Biden administration prohibited the use of TikTok on devices owned by federal agencies, according to NBC News.

What has Trump said about the TikTok ban?

While in the White House in 2020,  Trump signed an executive order that would ban TikTok unless it sold itself to an American company. He argued that the platform could be used as a disinformation campaign that would benefit China.

However, Trump has since flip-flopped his stance. He opposed the bill to ban TikTok or force its sale.

“Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it,” Trump said. “There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. There are a lot of users, a lot of good, and there’s a lot of bad with TikTok.”

He's also attacked his opponent for his TikTok stance. In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump wrote, “Just so everyone knows, especially the young people, Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok."

Contributing: Erin Mansfield

IMAGES

  1. Leadership Speech

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  2. Speech on Leadership

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  5. Leadership Speech

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  6. Leadership Speech

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VIDEO

  1. How to Speak Like a Leader (Tip 26)

  2. How to Speak Like a Leader (Tip 24)

  3. How to Speak Like a Leader (Tip 21)

  4. How to Speak Like a Leader (Tip 27)

  5. Leadership Speech, Leadership Keynote Speaker, Leadership Keynote Reel Short 2024

  6. How to give the perfect speech

COMMENTS

  1. 22 Tips to Write the Best Leadership Speeches

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    Being a leader entails great responsibility. Speech writing could be a challenge for some but for a leader, it is more of a necessity. It requires both the mind and the spirit to come up with a powerful speech. A leadership speech could be likened to a keynote speech because it stirs emotions among the audience. However, a leadership is more of ...

  3. Speech About Leadership and Responsibility

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    Short Speech About Leadership. Good morning to everyone present here. I feel grateful that I was chosen to give a small leadership speech for students. I hope my speech inspires everyone to be a good leader. A leader is someone who is characterized by many qualities. Teamwork, hard work, calm, selflessness, help.

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    Create an outline: Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval. Write in the speaker's voice: While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style.

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    Here are some examples of excellent speeches that inspire. - "Tryst with Destiny" by Jawaharlal Nehru. - Narayan Murthy's speech on the role of Western values in Indian society. - The Stanford commencement address by Steve Jobs. - "Go kiss the world" by Subroto Bagchi. - Kiran Bedi's speech on visionary leadership. 2.

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    4 Practice and refine your delivery. No matter how good your content is, if your delivery is poor, you will lose your audience's interest and trust. Therefore, you need to practice and refine your ...

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  15. Great Speeches By Leaders

    Gavin Newsom: Governor of the State of California. Michele Obama — Summer and Fall of 2016. Pope Francis: Speech to the US Congress, September 24, 2015. Bill Clinton — 2008 Speech at the Democratic National Convention. Elizabeth Warren — December 12, 2013.

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    2. Do not Waste a Good Introduction. At the very beginning of your speech, you have a golden moment when you can capture the audience's attention. An inspirational quote here and an anecdote ...

  18. 7 brilliant ways successful leaders start presentations

    5. Show a gripping photo. A picture is worth a thousand words — "maybe even more," Price says. "Use photos instead of text, when possible," she suggests. A quality photo adds aesthetic appeal, increases comprehension, engages the audience's imagination, and makes the message more memorable.

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    For example, during their team motivation speech, a manager might say: "I know in the past few weeks you've had a lot of obstacles, such as personnel changes and client demands, but you've done an outstanding job of keeping up and communicating with each other." 2. Remind them of project goals.

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    Leadership is the act of leading and guiding a team in a manner that the success of one is directly linked to the success of the team. A leader can always be a boss but vice-versa is not always true. Leadership is about having a vision and aim. Leaders are not born but through struggle, determination, will-power, and vision a person becomes a ...

  24. 3 Great military speeches to inspire you as a leader

    But the English king, Henry V, delivered a rousing speech that inspired his soldiers to achieve a decisive victory on October 25, the feast of St. Crispin. The exact words of King Henry V's ...

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    Honing self-leadership skills lets individuals see their teams more holistically. It helps them use a coaching leadership style and set boundaries effectively. It also helps them see their teams ...

  26. How to leverage leadership skills to be an uncommon leader

    From the leaders' belief in their own agency and in their team and/or organization to make the future better than today. This spirit of optimism is found in the heart, not the head.

  27. Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Election Speeches: Tips and Ideas

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  28. 'I am prepared to die': Mandela's speech which shook apartheid

    He opened his speech by saying: "I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here ...

  29. Social Media, For The Type A: How To Make The Most Of Linkedin

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  30. Where do Trump and Biden stand on a TikTok ban? What to know

    Here's a look at what the leading presidential candidates have said about the TikTok ban. What has Biden said about the TikTok ban? Biden supports a forced sale of TikTok but "has not called for ...