Great Speeches, Great Results
by Michael S. Gisondi
you been to an event only to have the speaker “not deliver”? Or even go to church to hear a
minister or priest make you think about mowing the lawn or going to the store instead of more
Godly matters?
Years ago, I had a particularly bad boss. He was old school all the way. All work, no personality.
Great at barking. Group meetings were not his forte in any sense. Imagine this … a group of us
were working on an early Space Shuttle mission … doing what others dreamed. We felt we had
the “right stuff” . A key test was coming up to simulate an on orbit mission operation. We had all
been working many long hours resolving problems and preparing.
Our company was introducing a new concept ... setting personal goals to measure personal
performance. Great idea, right? Wrong. The poor guy was trying. Our so-called leader was
droning on with one way, long lecturing sort of communication. The most uninspiring part was his
“instructions” to us – our goal was dictated to log the hours we spend on different projects. Each
day we were to write down on a log what we worked on. What’s the saying? Aim low, you won’t
be disappointed? Leadership? Well, at least we were all rolling our eyes together! This guy really
missed the mark.
I had to look elsewhere for motivation. There were plenty of great movies on TV to get pumped up
over. Watching re-runs of Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry was inspiring. But when I called an
obstinate co-worker from another department, “you pencil pushing blankety, blank” … it just didn’t
cut it. Directives like, "Go ahead, make my day" didn't seem appropriate either. I eventually
figured out there are other examples of motivation out there … ones that are real … effective ...
and not made up for the big screen.
Just what does it take to be an effective leader with powerful words that hit the bullseye?
Check out the links in blue for bios and the actual speeches.
A Firm Belief in People … Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the great leader of the American Women’s
Movement, was a strong, tough leader. (bio) After a lifetime of accomplishment on behalf of
women, she was asked to speak to Congress. She understood that as a leader, one must be
committed to people on the deepest level. Her words to Congress, urging them to allow women
the right to vote are a timeless inspiration … ”I bring before you the individuality of the human soul …
a solitude of self … our inner being … which no eye nor touch of angel has ever pierced … more
hidden that in any cave … like a sacred shrine … a hidden chamber of beauty … for only the most
spiritual to enter … such is the individual life … “ And then she asked a very high impact question …
“who dare limit the rights, the duties, the responsibilities of another human soul?” (speech)
Everybody Wants to Win … Imagine having to motivate a large group of soldiers to go into battle,
knowing that many will not survive. On June 5, 1944, General George Patton (bio) did just that with
one of the must read, great speeches of all time. He used great examples of success throughout …
a man fixing a telegraph pole in Tunisia during gun fire … the truck driver delivering supplies under
harsh conditions. Patton successfully motivated out troops to victory on D-Day, the invasion of
Europe, to win World War II. “When everyone of you were kids, you all admired the champion …
the fastest runner… the toughest boxer … the big league ball players … Americans love a winner.
Americans will not tolerate a loser." (speech)
Understand the Moment … History kindly remembers President Lincoln (bio) as one of our greatest
leaders. But during his time, Lincoln was often faced with constant criticism and failure. He had
generals who wouldn’t talk to him. His wife was involved in scandal. He knew the pain of death of
loved ones. When invited to speak at Gettysburg after a major battle of the Civil War, another
speaker was also invited and received a greater billing. That popular, forgettable speaker spoke for
two hours. Lincoln spoke for two minutes, with words that echo through the ages. Rather than
focus on the spoils and winnings of war, Lincoln understood the moment, and concisely turned the
battle into a victory for democracy. "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether …
any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. The brave men, living and dead, who
struggled here, have consecrated (this ground), far above our poor power to add or detract. The world
will little note, nor long remember what we say here (today), but it can never forget what they did
here. We highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall
have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth." (speech)
Provide Vision … President Kennedy (bio) took office during one of the most idealistic and
dangerous times in modern history. A new generation was reaping the benefits of the post World
War II, but was fighting the threat of a new Cold War and the evil of communism. For his
inauguration, the young leader took the podium to offer up one of the best and brightest speeches
to ever communicate US policy. His use of imagery and idealism truly provided a shining light for
our great nation. "Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the
torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war,
disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or
permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and
to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it
wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any
friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. In the long history of the world,
only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum
danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would
exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion
which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire
can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask
what you can do for your country." (speech)
Eventually a new manager came to our area ... and he re-charged our group. During the grind of
each day's work, we saw that he did believe in us and care about our concerns. In his hard work,
it was easy to see that he wanted to win and wanted each of us to succeed at work. As key
events came up on projects or in the workplace, he understood quite well the relevance and
acted accordingly to guide us. And at each of his meetings, he did not put us to sleep ... his light
did indeed light up our world! He would hit a -
Bullseye!
passionate
keynote
speaker?
"Wow! What an
excellent talk!
Mike, your points
and manner of
dealing with
leadership were
quite unique.
You really
connected
positively with
the group both
personally and
with your great
historical
perspective.
And you kept us
glued!”
Jim
Vanaman,
American Quality
Society
leadership
refresher for
your group!
for this
exciting
program!
links to
Great
Speeches
in History!
on a
Leadership
Program
entitled
"Bulleye!
Great
Speeches,
Great
Results!"
