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Feel inspired by the 12 best TED Talks on leadership

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12 of the best TED Talks on leadership 

The secret to becoming a better leader keep learning.

Effective leadership requires intense motivation. And motivation wanes for everyone. Burnout , losing sight of a project’s “Why?”, and energy-draining obstacles can push anyone to a low point. 

Luckily, hearing from fellow leaders who’ve been there might provide just the inspiration you need to keep pursuing your professional goals .

Entrepreneurs, changemakers, and dreamers: pop in your earbuds. Thanks to TED Talks — short-form educational speeches from subject-matter experts — you can find inspiration in 18 minutes or less. We’ll explore 12 of the best TED Talks on leadership.

As a leader, you might feel like you must have all the answers and sufficient belief in a mission to always stay positive . But you also need to learn to collaborate , have rewarding conversations, and fuel your motivators. 

TED Talks are an excellent resource for this personal growth. You can learn from fellow leaders who’ve been in your situation. And the captivating style of these talks has the power to shift your thinking (and maybe even your mood) in just a few minutes. 

The following 12 TED Talks present inspiring leadership lessons anyone can benefit from, especially someone feeling stuck in their role.

1. How Great Leaders Inspire Action, by Simon Sinek

With almost 63 million views on TED’s platform alone, this prolific leadership talk from author Simon Sinek has been a significant source of inspiration for many. Simon breaks down why certain figures go further than the rest, even if their motivations, circumstances, and resources are similar to others’. He describes this phenomenon as “ The Golden Circle ,” at the center of which is the “Why?” that drives successful leaders. 

Simon maintains that inspired leaders, from Martin Luther King to the team at Apple, encourage others to believe in their “Why?” before their “What?”, starting from the heart instead of rational facts. Any leader questioning their purpose will feel invigorated by this inspiring talk that’s spurred tens of millions to see the world differently.

2. Lead Like the Great Conductors, by Itay Talgam

Orchestra conductor Itay Talgam knows a thing or two about leading a group and keeping them in rhythm — transforming mere sounds into symphonies. In his famous TED Talk , Itay provides a unique perspective from the creative world for business-minded leaders and vision-driven entrepreneurs . 

Itay runs through different conducting styles and invites the audience to participate in the talk. The take-home message is that no two great leaders are the same, but all devise creative ways to bring out others’ talents. This lecture is an enjoyable piece that’ll inspire anyone, from a professor to a CEO, to think like a conductor.

3. 10 Ways to Have a Brilliant Conversation, by Celeste Headlee

Writer and radio host Celeste Headlee has a wealth of experience interviewing others, making her an expert conversationalist. In her TED Talk , Celeste tackles the notion of avoiding honest conversations for fear of an argument. 

As someone who’s spoken to people she disagrees with in her career , Celeste has 10 valuable pieces of advice to help leaders have a conversation with anyone, even if the discussion turns difficult. 

With points like admitting when you don’t know something, avoiding pontification, and practicing active listening , Celeste encourages leaders to be open-minded , brief, and engaged. This talk is a worthwhile listen for anyone who hopes to have better conversations and leaders who want tips for navigating tense moments.

4. Everyday Leadership, by Drew Dudley

Leadership speaker and author Drew Dudley shares his wisdom in this six-minute TED Talk that invites the audience to consider the lives they change daily. With a sharp sense of humor, Drew reminds listeners that you don’t always catch when you’re influencing others. He uses a charming anecdote about a woman whose life he changed without knowing it to prove the point that those that do little things to brighten a day, or even just to get a laugh, could spur a major shift for someone else. 

This light-hearted talk is a must-listen for leaders lost in the big picture. Drew brings home the grounding point that great leadership comprises small everyday acts.

5. How to Start a Movement, by Derek Sivers

This three-minute TED Talk has racked up over 10 million views on the organization’s site, capturing the audience right off the bat with a quirky video. Derek Sivers narrates a scene where one person in a crowd starts a silly dance and, before long, others follow suit. The take-home point? One person can start a movement, but as Derek says, they must have “the guts to stand out and be ridiculed” and perform an act others can easily copy. 

In the video, that leader may be one brave dancer, and the act, a bit of arm movement, but that gesture becomes a figurative movement, too. It’s replicable and enticing enough for others to join in. 

This talk is perfect for a leader who needs a three-minute pep-talk, laugh, and food for thought for the day ahead. 

6. Dare to Disagree, by Margaret Heffernan 

In this talk , writer and former five-time CEO Margaret Heffernan reminds the audience of the power of disagreeing. Conflict can help leaders grow by learning from others and defending an opinion. 

Using the example of an early researcher of cancer in women, Dr. Alice Stewart, and a research partner who countered the doctor’s ideas, Margaret makes the point that echo chambers have less to teach leaders than allowing others to challenge their ideas. At one point in the talk, Margaret even refers to constructive conflict as thinking. 

This discussion reminds leaders to trust their knowledge but allow others to talk — a balance that promotes diversity of opinions and growth. 

7. The Puzzle of Motivation, by Dan Pink 

Even the best leaders need the motivation to overcome low moments at work . But this TED Talk , with tens of millions of views from bestselling author and career analyst Dan Pink, reminds audiences of the importance of inspiring others as well. 

Dan argues that sometimes reward-based motivation does more harm than good. If-then tasks may encourage people to get the job done because the objective is finite. But creative work? He argues that autonomy and purpose motivate more than material rewards , and he brings several studies to the table to prove it. 

This talk is excellent for leaders who want to help others thrive. A rising tide lifts all boats, and organizations full of empowered, self-motivated people, are healthy to the core. 

8. So We Leaned In….Now What?, by Cheryl Sandberg 

In this interview-style TED Talk , former Meta COO Cheryl Sandberg discusses being nervous to speak openly about women leaders. She touches on feeling insecure, being a mother , and sensing she didn’t belong. 

Unlike many of TED’s polished talks, this conversation is raw and unscripted. It’s the ultimate reminder that even high-ranking leaders of big-name brands struggle with self-doubt , the pressures of family life, and emotional reactions (yes, even in the workplace). Any leader dealing with these trials will find themselves in good company.

9. How to Manage for Collective Creativity, by Linda Hill

Business professor Linda Hill, who studies creativity, allows the audience to dream — collectively. Linda believes that creative ideas have great worth and drive some of the world’s most successful companies, especially when everyone can weigh in. She highlights the importance of innovation in a team, positing that one person’s ideas only expand when complemented by those of the group. 

Peers have genius to share, and Linda is all about tapping into it. Great leaders understand that employees have game-changing ideas and recognize them. This talk has hard-hitting points for leaders who need to refocus on the power of community and collaboration and its potential for innovation. 

10. What it Takes to be a Great Leader, by Roselinde Torres

Leadership expert Roselinde Torres suggests that most companies don’t give employees the skills to lead. Citing cases of talented leaders who failed and caused adverse consequences for a business, Roselinde shows the audience how she arrived at her driving questions: Why do some leadership training programs fail, and what are the ones that are doing it right? 

Roselinde believes that leaders who constantly learn from others and read about trends that affect them and their peers succeed. She also advocates for a diverse range of leaders within a workplace, as minds that think differently generate distinct routes toward the same goals. She takes the talk home with advice on being brave enough to let go of what’s not working. 

This TED talk is a must-stream for leaders who feel they’re stagnating and want to continue to grow. 

11. Authentic Leadership for the Future, by Irving Washington

Irving Washington III, the executive director of the Online News Association, relays an important message to leaders : their feelings count. Irving points out that the traits many usually associate with leaders aren’t actually core values . Instead, Irving argues, leaders should be vulnerable and bring their Whole Selves to work . 

Anyone can find themselves a fake-it-’til-you-make-it role and feel like a failure . For context, he shares a personal story of his experience as the executive director of a massive digital journalism organization — which was one of the worst times in his career due to stress and exhaustion. 

This is the ideal listen for any entrepreneur or manager who feels like an imposter despite their experience and credentials or who needs a reminder that leaders are human, too. 

12. As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify, by Yves Morieux

Consultant Yves Morieux felt concerned by greatly reduced engagement levels in the global workplace. He set out to understand it, and in this TED Talk , he explains his findings. 

Yves’s theory is that companies tend to over-complicate. Any time a business takes on a new requirement, it adds a slew of new processes to support it. Businesses become ever-expanding matrices of roles and responsibilities , and with employees maintaining focus on their assignments, they forget to collaborate. 

Cooperation, Yves argues, saves time and resources, and he gives the audience tips on helping coworkers work together and understand one another’s roles. 

This talk is jam-packed with information, making it a valuable resource for leaders who want to spark engagement, encourage collaboration, and improve the human side of the workplace. 

In the 21st century, there are so many ways to learn. You can gain valuable lessons from podcasts , video content like the best TED Talks on leadership, and good old-fashioned impactful reads . Squeeze some extra learning into the day with these resources and continue growing. 

In just the 12 talks shared here, there’s enough advice to incite important changes. Learn to sharpen leadership qualities , stay positive and insightful even in a proverbial storm, and appreciate others’ contributions and differences. Then, continue to explore with TED’s library of talks on becoming a great leader .

Lead with confidence and authenticity

Develop your leadership and strategic management skills with the help of an expert Coach.

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.

Data shows since pandemic team performance hinges on this leader skill

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Leadership Speaking Definition, Process, Benefits & Strategies

July 11, 2017 | Category: Blog , Intelligent Leadership , Speaking

In an age of soundbites and 140-character missives, is the art of oration relevant anymore? It may be more relevant than ever, actually. If anything can break through the background noise of convenient aphorisms and bumper-sticker politics, it’s a truly well-crafted, tub-thumper of a speech, whatever the topic. As cynicism and skepticism become almost baseline 21st-century emotions, there is tremendous power in having our world upended for half an hour while we look at a topic with a fresh perspective, guided by someone who knows both the subject matter and how to connect with an audience.

Most of us who have been around for a while have experienced the unique power of a beautifully delivered speech, appeal, sermon, or declaration, and it can be something we remember for the rest of our lives. There are times when an outstanding speech, delivered by someone who has honed the art for many years, can be just the right thing to jostle a business or other organization out of complacency and into action – or at least into a shifted perspective.

Truly useful, engaging information occupies a “sweet spot” at the intersection of culture, history, and technology-powered zeitgeist.

If you’re a business leader who may be interested in bringing in a leadership speaker for your organization, it’s important to understand what leadership speaking is and is not, what it can and cannot do, and what benefits result from a well-crafted speech, delivered with skill. Here’s what you should know about leadership speaking.

What Is Leadership Speaking?

It’s an oversimplification to think of leadership speaking as a learned individual delivering perfectly-turned phrases to a passive audience. Sure, that happens, but leadership speaking is about communication, and communication is a two-way street. In other words, the audience plays a critical role in successful leadership speaking. This represents a certain risk to the leadership speaker in that the audience may be responsive and engaged, or they may sit there passively, seemingly unable to be cajoled out of their passivity.

Expect your leadership speaker to engage your audience, helping them become invested in the content and delivery.

That’s why the outstanding leadership speaker has a well-stocked kit of tools meant to get the audience invested and engaged. In general, it’s not a skill set that can be learned through the underclassman introductory course in public speaking that so many of us were required to take at some point. In that scenario, there are right and wrong answers, and grades, and that alone is enough to squash the creativity and drive to engage of some people who would otherwise be quite competent at public speaking.

Outstanding speakers come from every background imaginable. They may or may not look like someone who belongs on a stage, and just about any accent may season their speaking. What they all have in common, however, is the ability to break through the passivity of an audience and help them discover that they are invested in a topic, if only temporarily. Leadership speaking also demonstrates leadership in a contained setting, imparting lessons, and inspiring those who take the time to listen. And with a great leadership speaker, everyone in earshot feels compelled to take the time to listen.

Who Uses It?

Ultimately, the “user” of a leadership speaking event is the individual in the audience, who may learn something, make a new cognitive or emotional connection, or otherwise be inspired to be a better person today than they were yesterday. But it’s usually someone in top leadership who brings in a leadership speaker in an attempt to engage, inspire, and renew commitment among their teams.

Any industry can benefit from the right leadership speaker, from healthcare to telecommunications to education to government. But the organizations that can expect to benefit from leadership speaking are those that want to do one or more of the following:

• Transform or reinvent their organization to support key business initiatives
• Strengthen leadership attitudes and skills of current or future leaders
• Build a stronger culture of leadership or talent to support operational goals

The more of these goals an organization recognizes, as you can see from the following Venn diagram, the more they’re likely to benefit from leadership speaking both short- and long-term.

Organizational goals are the main determinant of the benefit gained from leadership speaking.

One scenario in which a leadership speaker may be engaged is when an organization has experienced a setback. While it’s unrealistic to expect even the greatest leadership speaker to “fix” an organization beset by scandal or tragedy, there are times when the services of a leadership speaker can help get a discouraged or disheartened team back on track.

By contrast, another scenario in which an organization may bring in a leadership speaker is when something great has happened: a product has taken off, a major contract has been landed, or the organization has been recognized with a prestigious award. A skilled leadership speaker knows how to help harness all that positive energy and keep it moving forward, to take the organization to an even higher level of functioning. And, of course, leadership speakers will always be in demand for specific events, often as keynote speakers for conferences or other “milestone” organizational events.

What Are the Benefits of Leadership Speaking?

Let’s get this out of the way first: to the typical employee, a leadership speaker offers the benefit of breaking them out of their normal workday routine for a period of time, and many will be appreciative for this reason alone. This benefits the speaker as well, because the audience is already primed for “something different” than what they might otherwise be doing on an ordinary Tuesday morning.

But benefits of excellent leadership speaking go far beyond the brief joy of breaking out of routine for a while. For one thing, leadership speaking offers a fresh perspective. Often the outsider is the very person to help teams take a new, fresh look at things, and discover new ways of approaching problems and challenges. Experienced and in-demand leadership speakers are the ones who work with management beforehand to understand the organization’s goals for the event, what drives the organization, and what the organization values most. With their unique outsider’s perspective, the right leadership speaker can help communicate an organization’s goals in a new and fresh way, helping employees reconnect with company (and personal) values.

Exceptional leadership speakers know that audiences shouldn’t remain passive.

John Mattone has the experience to know that if he’s giving an opening keynote speech, he needs to instill an important message right from the start in such a way that people will continue talking about it throughout the meeting. If he is presenting a closing keynote speech, his goal is to release people back to their regular lives energized and poised to take action. Whatever the setting or reason for leadership speaking, John knows how to connect with the audience and keep them engaged with rich, varied content that may include exercises, case studies, and group discussion.

What Are John Mattone’s Leadership Strategies?

John Mattone offers fast-paced, high energy leadership speaking that is anchored with the gravitas that comes from over three decades in business leadership. The content has to be top notch, and it must be delivered with genuine passion. John is skilled at making an intellectual connection with the audience as well as an emotional connection, and researchers in the field of learning and education will tell you that people assimilate and retain information better when they make an emotional connection as well as an intellectual one. Though he spends the majority of the time on stage, or on a speaker’s platform, John is also known to leave the stage and interact directly and up close with the audience.

Ultimately, John delivers leadership lessons that are simple, practical, and that can be put to use. But he also ensures that the audience is invested and has a great time during his speaking engagements. Your audience will learn, they will laugh, and they will have their own “Eureka!” moments during his presentation. And he focuses on information that people can actually put to use in their daily activities, helping them improve not only professionally, but personally.

Does Leadership Speaking Work for Everyone?

Anyone who doubts the effect that outstanding speaking by a leader can have on an audience only needs to read Winston Churchill’s “We shall fight on the beaches” speech, or Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” speech. Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury is largely credited with inspiring the defeat of the great Spanish Armada in 1588, and if you want to be immediately shaken out of complacency, you could hardly do better than Sojourner Truth’s famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech of 1851.

But you’ll notice that these outstanding speeches have something in common: they were delivered to a receptive if skeptical audience – an audience on the cusp of some major change, the consequences of which they could not yet envision. Leadership speaking has immense power, but only if it is used in the context of an organization that is receptive and committed to positive change. Unfortunately, some organizations break down under the weight of disaster or scandal to the point where nothing short of starting over from scratch could possibly bring it back to excellence. In these cases, even a great leadership speech can do little more than distract the audience for a time. In most typical business or organizational situations, however, an exceptional leadership speech can make an immediate and lasting difference.

How Do You See Results?

First of all, you have to be able to identify and articulate the results you want to see. Perhaps you want to kick off a technical conference with a keynote speech that will have everyone talking even at the closing session. Or maybe you want to fire up the inspiration in your sales team as you bring a new and exciting product to market. How do you want your people to feel when they leave the auditorium? If you can’t define what you want to accomplish with leadership speaking, then how will you know if you have succeeded?

Be able to articulate your goals before booking a leadership speaker.

Likewise, John Mattone goes into every leadership speaking engagement with clearly delineated goals and priorities. First of all, he wants the client to be the hero of the event, with audience members and top management pleased with their choice of leadership speaker. His job is to engage fully with his audience, and elevate each and every event to a higher level of excellence.

John is also equally passionate about making audience members laugh and learn – often at the same time. He wants them to come away from a speech with new tools they can use right away to improve their lives on both a personal and professional level. And he wants them to be invested enough in the event that they can forget their outside problems for a time, and feel genuinely changed afterward. Working with an experienced leadership speaker like John Mattone, an organization can clarify goals, articulate the outcomes they want, and work together toward fulfilling them. Additionally, his website contains a full suite of resources for the meeting planner to help the process along.

Is Certification Necessary for Excellence in Leadership Speaking?

Certifications exist for professional speakers, and someone who is new to planning organizational events may want to look for a leadership speaker who has some kind of professional certification, while taking the time to do enough research to understand what that certification actually means. More valuable to the typical organizational event planner than certification, however, is track record, and a leadership speaker worth booking will be happy to share testimonials and contact information for individuals in other organizations for which they have delivered leadership speeches. They should have online reviews readily accessible, with names and organizations attached so you can follow up if you want to.

Certification may be the cherry on top of the qualifications you desire for your event, but there’s no substitute for digging in and learning what a speaker’s qualifications are, who they have worked with in the past, and what past clients have to say about their events. John Mattone is happy to share reviews of his leadership speaking, reviews from clients as far-ranging as the Cleveland Clinic, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and Al Hosn Gas in the United Arab Emirates.

Leadership speaking can be phenomenally powerful, and people who have never been part of an outstanding leadership speech don’t know what they’re missing. Sure, we live in a world of YouTube videos and social media posts, but there’s no substitute for the electricity and excitement in the air at a live speaking event featuring someone who really knows how to engage an audience. Leadership speaking can’t fix an organization that is irretrievably broken, but the organization that wants to improve morale, kick off a new phase of business, or celebrate an important milestone can gain momentum and inspiration from the right leadership speaker.

In his capacity as an executive coach and leadership speaker, John Mattone has worked with numerous clients across industries, including Coca-Cola, Amazon, and the late Steve Jobs. He has well-developed and well-received presentations on the topics of Intelligent Leadership, Talent Culture, Cultural Transformation, Success Mapping, Management Trends, and more. He works with each and every leadership speaking client to learn about their goals, their people, and their facilities, and to ensure the necessary audio-visual and staging elements are in place. As a result, every client can expect an energetic, fast-paced presentation, packed with outstanding content delivered in an entertaining and passionate manner. You should expect no less from any leadership speaker you trust your organization to.

Leadership speaking can do what online communication cannot.

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Glossary of Key Terms

Audience engagement – an environment where audiences feel empowered to interact with a presenter, due to outstanding presentation content and delivery, and a human-to-human connection the presenter makes with the audience

Cultural transformation – a dynamic process where a living culture, whether in an organization, a location, a profession, or societal niche, changes and adapts to internal and/or external forces. In a business context, this begins (but doesn’t end) with transformation in leadership.

Executive coaching – personalized training in leadership from a professional who understands both business leadership and principles of successful coaching. It is a prominent practice among C-level executives.

Keynote speaker – the public speaker invited to either start off or bring to a close an organizational event such as a trade show, technical conference, or celebratory event. An outstanding keynote speaker is able to energize an audience and leave them with plenty to think about as they return to their normal routine.

Leadership content – this is the “meat” of the leadership speech, the information that helps change people’s perspective, inspire them to new achievements, or impart critical knowledge or wisdom on a topic. Without good leadership content, leadership speaking can be dull or empty.

Leadership culture – the system of an organization’s norms at its top level of leadership. The leadership principles that make up leadership culture are shaped by top leaders, and sometimes by outsiders like leadership speakers or leadership coaches.

Milestone event – an organizational event that caps off a long and challenging process, or that kicks off a new operational phase. Examples of milestone events include receiving a prestigious organizational award, winning a lucrative contract, and opening a new branch location.

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Updated Oct 6, 2023

78 Leadership Quotes to Inspire Leaders

Inspirational leadership quotes, greatest takeaways from these top quotes.

Whether learning from leaders throughout history or studying the craft from modern teachers, obtaining information and insight from others’ knowledge helps today’s leaders guide to the best of their abilities. With this in mind, what does leadership mean ? Which leadership qualities do leaders need? And what is the purpose of a leader? These inspirational quotes about leadership from some of the greatest leaders of all time serve to answer these questions.

Share and discuss these motivational leadership and learning quotes with your team, an accountability partner, or mentor to dive deeper into their meaning.

1. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” —Jack Welch

2. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

3. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” —Ronald Reagan

4. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell 

5. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” —Peter Drucker

6. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.”—Douglas MacArthur

7. “A boss has the title, the leader has the people.”—Simon Sinek

8. “If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following you, then you are just taking a walk.”—John C. Maxwell

9. “Leadership is an action, not a position.”  — Donald McGannon

10. “Leadership is influence.” —John C. Maxwell 

11. “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.” —Bill Bradley

12. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”  — Rosalynn Carter

13. “You manage things; you lead people.”  — Grace Murray Hopper

14. “The role of leadership is to transform the complex situation into small pieces and prioritize them.”  — Carlos Ghosn

15. “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.”  — Warren G. Bennis

16. “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”  — John C. Maxwell

17. “The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” — Henry Kissinger

18. “Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.”  — Pete Hoekstra

19. A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”  — Leroy Eimes

20. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”  — Warren G. Bennis

21. “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.” — Klaus Balkenhol

22. “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” — Sam Rayburn

23. “The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.”  — Dwight D. Eisenhower

24. “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.”  — Brian Tracy

 25. “The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.”  — Tony Blair

26. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” —John F. Kennedy

27. “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”  — Ray Kroc

28. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”  — Margaret Fuller

29. “The fastest way to change team culture is to change the leadership.” — Josh Axe

30. “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.”  — Brian Tracy

31. “If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you.” — Indra Nooyi

32. “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”  — Stephen Covey

33. “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” — Arnold Glasow

34. “A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.” — M. D. Arnold

35. “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” — John C. Maxwell

36. “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, it’s always about the goal.” — Lisa Haisha

37. “The X-factor of great leadership is not personality, it’s humility.” —Jim Collins

38. “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.” —Andrew Carnegie

39. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” —Ralph Nader

40. “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” —John Buchan

41. “Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar.” —Orrin Woodward

42. “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” —John C. Maxwell

43. “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” —Bill Gates

44. “You can only lead someone as far as you are willing to go yourself” —Josh Axe

45. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

46. “Winning companies win because they have good leaders who nurture the development of other leaders at all levels of the organization.” —Noel Tichy

47. “The challenge of leadership is to: be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

 48. “Growing other leaders from the ranks isn’t just the duty of the leader, it’s an obligation.” —Warren G. Bennis

49. “True leadership is servant leadership. Leaders put the interests of others ahead of their own and look to add value by serving them and meeting their greatest needs.” —Josh Axe 

50. “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” —Arnold Glasgow

51. “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” —Sam Walton

52. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower

53. “Leadership is like a tree, in order to survive and bear the fruit of success you must have the deep roots of character, convictions, values, and purpose.” —Josh Axe  

54. “Leaders surround themselves with great people, delegate authority, then get out of the way.” —Ronald Reagan

55. “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” —John Wooden

56. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” —Warren Bennis

57. “The very essence of leadership is casting a vision that people are willing to sacrifice for and then following your lead into seeing that vision become a reality.” —Josh Axe 

58. “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” —Lao Tzu

59. “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” —Harvey S. Firestone

60. “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” —Vince Lombardi

61. “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

62. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” —Dolly Parton

63. “If you delegate tasks, you create followers. If you delegate authority, you create leaders.” —Craig Groeschel

64. “Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.” —Steve Jobs

65. “Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership.” —James Humes

66. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” —Colin Powell

67. “Servant leadership is all about creating clear goals, then rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to help your people win.” —Ken Blanchard 

68. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” —John C. Maxwell

69. “Earn your leadership every day.” —Michael Jordan

70. “Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.” —Diogenes of Sinope

71. “One of the tests of leadership is to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” —Arnold Glasgow

72. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” —Alexander the Great

73. “Leaders don’t adapt to the energy in a room, they influence the energy in a room.” —Josh Axe

74. “A leader is a dealer in hope.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

75. “A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.” —Maya Angelou

76. “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

77. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

78. “A genuine leader is not in search of consensus, but a molder of consensus.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each person listed at the end of these leadership quotes formed their words through lived experiences guiding and teaching others. While they all held different positions and had different leadership styles , they share common beliefs about what being a leader means. Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about influence. Great leaders inspire and motivate people to come together and serve a cause greater than themselves. In doing so, they change the world.

Additionally, one of the other greatest points made in these quotes is that leaders multiply leaders at all levels. Their words and actions are teaching moments. The leaders that come before us are guides and mentors who help us model our own behavior as we continue choosing the journey to serve others. There’s a reason one or more of these leadership and learning quotes sent a rush of inspiration running through your heart and mind. They speak truth into who you are, who you want to be, and who you’re becoming.

Learn more on how to become a great leader by checking out these articles next:

What is Leadership, and How is Influence the Answer?

The Difference Between Leadership and Management

Servant Leadership: The Ultimate Key To A Healthy Business

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5 Principles of Purposeful Leadership

• Hubert Joly

Understanding why you’re in the room is more important than being the smartest one in it.

The traditional model of the leader-hero who saves the day, knows it all, is the smartest person in the room, and is too often driven by power, fame, glory, or money is not appropriate in today’s environment. People today expect a different kind of leader. While each company needs to define its own leadership point of view, the author presents five attributes that characterizes leaders who are able to unleash the kind of human magic you see at work at some of the most high-performing companies. First, be clear about your purpose. Second, be clear about your role. Third, be clear about whom you serve. Fourth, be driven by values. Finally, be authentic.

Growing up, I thought successful leaders were supposed to figure out all the answers on their own. Being smart — and making sure everyone else knew it — seemed to be their most striking attribute. The best schools were supposed to lead to the best jobs, which produced the best leaders. Power, fame, glory, and money were the measure of professional success. Early in my career, prominent business leaders like GE’s Jack Welch were revered for their intellect, strategic sense, and hard-charging style. They were considered infallible geniuses, inspiring a quasi-cult following.

• Hubert Joly is the former chairman and CEO of Best Buy, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, and the author, with Caroline Lambert, of The Heart of Business . He has been recognized as one of the top 100 CEOs in the world by Harvard Business Review, one of the top 30 CEOs in the world by Barron’s, and one of the top 10 CEOs in the U.S. by Glassdoor. Joly is now keen to add his voice and his energy to the necessary refoundation of business and capitalism around purpose and people.

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"Be a voice not an echo." - Albert Einstein

How to Speak as a Leader: The Power of Performance

Do you employ the power of performance when you take the stage? Here's how to achieve true leadership in your next high-stakes speech or presentation.

Leadership is performance. And nowhere is this truer than in public speaking.

In the drama observed by stakeholders in your organization or industry, you have the starring role. The most successful leaders have an intuitive sense of theater, performing many roles and convincing others to play their parts.

But your ability to perform well doesn't only matter when you’re on a stage! Whenever you interact with others, you’re in the spotlight. People make judgments about you based on the way you speak, sound, move, and interact with the world.

Want to increase your ability to speak as a leader? Learn how to shape your message, connect with audience members, and use your body language and voice to speak with increased impact. Download my essential cheat sheet ,  Leadership Skills: The 5 Essential Speaking Techniques . 

So, are you ready to speak to lead? 

Tapping Into Your Natural Talents as a Speaker 

Learning to speak as a leader will transform the most important component of your personal and organizational success: effective communication. In a recent survey conducted by the presentation software company Prezi, 70 percent of working Americans agreed that presentation skills are critical to their career success. [1] And a Harvard Business Review survey showed that communication and presentation skills are among the C-suite level competencies that companies prize most. [2] Another HBR article said it all in the title: “Leadership Is a Conversation.” [3]

The good news is that to embody the qualities of a leader when you speak, your most powerful strategy is a simple one: tapping into your natural talents. Public speaking, that is, reflects who you are.

Should any role be easier for you?

What can send you down the wrong path where public speaking is concerned, however, is the idea that giving a speech is something special . You may see it as an out-of-the-ordinary event, a moment of high visibility in which you need to rise above your ordinary competencies. But the truth is, you’re always performing!

Public Speaking Is Just One More Performance

You know the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”? Well, you’re already doing it. Throughout each day, you adjust your demeanor and behavior based on the needs of the people and situation you’re facing. The “you” presenting to your board is different from the you at home with loved ones, out with old high-school friends, or trying to talk your way out of a speeding ticket!

The sooner you realize that even a high-profile speaking event is just another opportunity to perform, the more readily you’ll let yourself be yourself. That’s important, because audiences just want the real you. Any attempt to look and sound “excellent” will advertise itself as that. Listeners truly want to know you and to connect with you . Here are  5 ways to find out if you're an authentic speaker and boost your credibility .

You already have the knowledge, expertise, and experience that got you to this place. Now, all you need is to let your natural talents come through—perhaps with some help from the best practices in spoken performance.

Raising the Bar on Your Speeches

It’s time, then, to recalibrate: to consider how you’ll reach the next level and truly speak as a leader. To do that, you need to understand the presentational art. More about that in a moment. But first, here are three “mantras” you can keep in mind to give yourself a winning ticket in the Public Speaking Memorability Sweepstakes:

• Pay more attention to your purpose than your content. Chances are, you already have subject matter expertise coming out of your ears. But do you know how to conduct an audience analysis for business presentations , to be clear on your purpose? 
• Establish rapport and connect with audiences . Do you give some thought and practice time to accomplishing this essential act of speaking for leadership? Do you know, for instance,  how to master a conversational style with a large audience ? Have you watched videotaped speeches you’ve given to observe whether it’s happening? (If you don’t routinely have someone videotape your speeches, start now!)
• Be action-oriented. At the height of America's "space race" with the Soviet Union in May 1961, President John F. Kennedy boldly declared: " I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth." We achieved that goal on July 20, 1969, the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. As a speaker in your own profession, you should follow Kennedy's lead by learning how to woo an audience and move people to action . It's one of the best ways—sometimes the only way—to measure the success of your speeches.

Take a Page . . . and Take the Stage!

But your best guide for raising the bar in speaking for leadership, is to take a page from the actor’s art. Stage actors (as opposed to movie and TV actors) must project their persona across a considerable amount of space to achieve stage presence.

Consider this: the distance from the front of the stage to the last row of the orchestra in a Broadway theater may be 150 feet—and even longer when one or more balconies are included! 

What's your on-stage "size?" Looking and moving confidently in public speaking is a clear mandate for leading others. Whatever the content of your message, your physicality needs to match your material in terms of impact. Make your movement, gestures, and overall level of energy  exactly large enough to reach the person farthest from you.  You'll create just the right "size" for your speech in terms of the audience and venue.

Okay, you may not be acting a role with the need to be heard in the last row without a microphone. But you may be amazed at the ways acting and business speaking are similar . For instance, the stage art and speaking to lead share this important fact: To communicate with your audience in public speaking, you must cultivate the ability to reach all the members of a large group. That means developing and projecting physical presence .

Whether it’s gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, or your use of the stage, you need to become comfortable in the art of presenting not just information, but yourself. Yes, you will need to become larger than life. But you’ll embrace your listeners, every one of them in the space you’re speaking in, by doing so. 

Finally, as a leader, you have a need to persuade and activate key stakeholders and "tough crowds," from employees to boards to external audiences. Clearly, this requires more than great platform skills. Public speaking audiences have sensitive antennae when it comes to a leader’s authenticity and credibility. That’s when  your  qualities as a selfless leader who's concerned with giving listeners his or her best will increase your power in the public speaking arena. 

[ 1 ] Carmine Gallo, “New Survey: 70% Say Presentation Skills Are Critical for Career Success,” Forbes , September 25, 2014.

[2] Boris Groysberg, “The Seven Skills You Need to Thrive in the C-Suite,” Harvard Business Review, March 18, 2014.

[3] Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind, “Leadership Is a Conversation,” Harvard Business Review, June 2012.

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Tags: leadership skills , authenticity , public speaking skills , communication skills , leadership style , acting techniques for business , communication for leadership , business communication , stage presence , leadership communication , John F. Kennedy , acting techniques , The Genard Method , Dr. Gary Genard , acting techniques for public speaking , performance , leadership coaching , leadership training

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Resource 1: Advocacy: The Heart of a Leader

Advocacy: the heart of a leader.

Redefining Advocacy

Advocacy skills are an important tool to help leaders bring people together around significant issues and compel them to action. On a personal level, people can develop into leaders when they can clearly and persuasively communicate their needs and seek opportunities to take on more responsibility.

Advocacy is at the heart of leadership and needs to be communicated with heart.

As with many forms of public speaking, advocacy is less effective when the message is purely for the benefit of the speaker and fails to account for the need to build community around an issue. Advocacy should not be analogous with venting, but instead be a persuasive technique used intentionally to create a catalyst for personal or societal change. Ultimately, the most authentic advocacy is when a speaker has the ability to inspire others to be part of solving problems together.

Reflecting on the Problem

While we often see the final product of advocacy -- that final speech at the podium, the rallying cry at political events, the marches, the policies put into place -- it does not begin there. To clearly express your ideas as an advocate, the process begins with reflection. Sometimes, it is hard to know how to identify the problem you are trying to solve, or where that problem comes from. Without being clear on the problem, it will be difficult to even begin organizing a speech or crafting talking points that get your message across. Depending on the issue at hand, you might reflect on your personal struggles, internal emotional barriers, or external societal barriers that get in the way and give you a reason to advocate. Ask yourself about:

• Am I able to speak up for myself? How about the people I care about?
• What issues impact everyday life, both for me and the people I care about?
• Where should we ideally be heard and on what issues?
• What happens when I can’t speak up for myself? What does it feel like? What does it look like?
• How do we hold ourselves back from communicating our needs and concerns?
• What fears or emotions get in the way?
• What habits prevent us from moving our message forward?
• What types of situations or people silence us?
• How have past experiences or histories gotten in the way?
• What danger or harm might we face by speaking up?
• What forms of institutional oppression might we face?

Beyond reflecting on the barriers, advocates should also reflect on what the ideal world looks like. What would the world look like if your message was taken seriously and people changed their actions? How is this world different from the status quo, in terms of social, economic, political, relational, or even emotional change? How might this positive change cause a ripple effect that results in benefits in other areas of society?

Positioning the Advocate

Even when we conclude that our message needs to be heard, some individuals are able to position themselves as advocates while others still cannot. According to decades of social science research, this happens because our identities are shaped by “social positioning”, or how powerful we are viewed by others and ourselves. Being able to take a stand on an issue already implies that we believe we are capable of communicating in service of ourselves and others. Beyond believing that our voices are important, speaking up sometimes involves deciding to speak despite the real risks and dangers that we might face due to sources of institutional barriers and oppression. To develop the capability to face the vulnerability and danger associated with public speaking, emerging advocates need experiences that position their voices as so important that speaking up is worth the risk.

Throughout our lives, there are both positive and negative “positioning moments”, which can form patterns that stick over time and can shape what type of person people think we are, how capable we think we are, and whether we can be an advocate. When we have had encounters that help us believe that we are capable and experiences when we are positioned by others as an expert, it becomes much easier to take up powerful positions and advocate. Some examples of positive and negative positioning include:

Learning Environment for an Emerging Advocate

Because social positioning influences advocacy, it is important that your development as a speaker takes place in an environment and culture where your voice is positioned as important. Personal and societal issues that warrant advocacy are hard to communicate, and in the future, you may be speaking to an audience that is hostile or unwilling to listen. By the time you get to that audience, it is important to build your confidence and hone your message with people who will be there for you or can act as a thought partner. Practice your content in low-stakes environments before you move to high-stakes environments. Surround yourself with people who understand where you are coming from and gather information from their experiences to strengthen your message.

At the same time, developing a strong message cannot take place in a vacuum or “echo chamber”, where you only speak to people who agree with you. Part of strengthening your message means working your way to more high-stakes environments and remaining open to learning from differing perspectives. Resist the temptation to “other” people who think differently than you, making generalizations about them or thinking of them as enemies. When this happens, it becomes difficult to communicate effectively in a way that builds connections and brings people together. This does not mean that you must accept intolerance, discrimination, or oppressive behavior and there are times when openness and connection might not be possible. Still, take care not to rush to judgment based on a single moment and prioritize listening and information. Strong advocacy speaking skills requires extensive knowledge and awareness of views that may differ from your own. The Final Takeaway

Advocacy is a skill that goes beyond communication and the way we express ourselves can go a long way to making sure our message is heard. Advocacy skills are strengthened when we take the time to reflect on personal, internal, and external barriers and gradually build from low-stakes to high-stakes audiences. For beginners and young speakers, advocacy can be challenging for those who think that their perspective is not as valuable or as important as others. Leaders have a social responsibility to help people who may feel silenced or may even silence themselves. In the words of the late Toni Morrison, “If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”

Speech on Leadership For Youth

Leadership is like a big adventure, especially for young people like you. It’s about guiding others and making important decisions.

In the journey of leadership, you’ll discover your strengths and learn how to use them. It’s a skill that can help you in school, sports, clubs, and even in your future career.

1-minute Speech on Leadership For Youth

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Leadership is like being a captain of a ship. It’s about guiding the crew, your team, through calm and stormy weather, towards a shared goal.

Imagine, you are the captain of your life’s ship. You have the power to steer it. You decide where to go, how to get there, and who to take along. That’s leadership. It’s not about being bossy. It’s about making decisions, taking responsibility, and helping others.

Now, why is leadership important for you, the young people? Because you are the future. You will be the ones making big decisions, solving problems, and leading the world. But to do that, you need to start practicing now. You need to learn how to be good leaders.

Being a good leader doesn’t mean you have to know everything. No! It’s about learning, growing, and improving. It’s about listening to others, respecting their ideas, and working together. It’s about being brave, not afraid to make mistakes, and always trying your best.

So, how can you be a leader? Start small. Take charge of a school project, help a friend, or volunteer in your community. Remember, every little act of leadership adds up.

In conclusion, leadership is not just for adults. It’s for you, the youth, too. It’s about being the captain of your life’s ship, making decisions, taking responsibility, and helping others. So, let’s start today. Let’s learn, grow, and lead together. Because you are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today.

2-minute Speech on Leadership For Youth

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to talk about a topic that is as important as it is intriguing – ‘Leadership for Youth’. Leadership is not just about being in charge, it’s about guiding, inspiring, and influencing others. It’s about making a difference.

Let’s start by understanding what leadership is. Picture a captain of a football team. He doesn’t just wear a special band and shout orders. He is the one who motivates his team, plans the game, and leads by example. He is a leader. Similarly, in life, a leader is someone who inspires others, makes good decisions, and takes responsibility.

Now, why is leadership important for youth like us? Well, we are the future! We are the ones who will grow up to be the next scientists, teachers, doctors, and maybe even the president. Learning to be a good leader now prepares us for these roles. It helps us to make good choices, to work well with others, and to solve problems.

But how can we become good leaders? It’s not as hard as you might think! Firstly, we must be good listeners. We need to understand people’s ideas and feelings. This helps us make better decisions. Secondly, we should be responsible. If we make a mistake, we should admit it and learn from it. Lastly, we need to be brave. Leaders often need to make tough decisions. It’s okay to be scared, but we mustn’t let fear stop us.

Remember, leadership is not just for the big stuff. It’s for the little things too. You can be a leader in your classroom by helping a friend who is struggling. You can be a leader in your family by doing your chores without being asked. You can be a leader in your community by picking up litter or planting trees.

But don’t forget, being a leader doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. A good leader knows when to ask for help. They understand that everyone has different strengths and that we can achieve more when we work together.

In conclusion, leadership is about making a difference. It’s about guiding, inspiring, and influencing others. It’s about being responsible, brave, and a good listener. And most importantly, it’s about working together. So, let’s be leaders, not just in the future, but right now. Let’s make a difference, in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

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15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)

Hrideep barot.

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Powerful speech opening lines set the tone and mood of your speech. It’s what grips the audience to want to know more about the rest of your talk.

The first few seconds are critical. It’s when you have maximum attention of the audience. And you must capitalize on that!

Instead of starting off with something plain and obvious such as a ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good Morning’, there’s so much more you can do for a powerful speech opening (here’s a great article we wrote a while ago on how you should NOT start your speech ).

To help you with this, I’ve compiled some of my favourite openings from various speakers. These speakers have gone on to deliver TED talks , win international Toastmaster competitions or are just noteworthy people who have mastered the art of communication.

After each speaker’s opening line, I have added how you can include their style of opening into your own speech. Understanding how these great speakers do it will certainly give you an idea to create your own speech opening line which will grip the audience from the outset!

Alright! Let’s dive into the 15 powerful speech openings…

Note: Want to take your communications skills to the next level? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert communication coaches. We’ll look under the hood of your hurdles and pick two to three growth opportunities so you can speak with impact!

1. Ric Elias

Opening: “Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.”

How to use the power of imagination to open your speech?

Putting your audience in a state of imagination can work extremely well to captivate them for the remainder of your talk.

It really helps to bring your audience in a certain mood that preps them for what’s about to come next. Speakers have used this with high effectiveness by transporting their audience into an imaginary land to help prove their point.

When Ric Elias opened his speech, the detail he used (3000 ft, sound of the engine going clack-clack-clack) made me feel that I too was in the plane. He was trying to make the audience experience what he was feeling – and, at least in my opinion, he did.

When using the imagination opening for speeches, the key is – detail. While we want the audience to wander into imagination, we want them to wander off to the image that we want to create for them. So, detail out your scenario if you’re going to use this technique.

Make your audience feel like they too are in the same circumstance as you were when you were in that particular situation.

2. Barack Obama

Opening: “You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.”

3. Seth MacFarlane

Opening: “There’s nowhere I would rather be on a day like this than around all this electoral equipment.” (It was raining)

How to use humour to open your speech?

When you use humour in a manner that suits your personality, it can set you up for a great speech. Why? Because getting a laugh in the first 30 seconds or so is a great way to quickly get the audience to like you.

And when they like you, they are much more likely to listen to and believe in your ideas.

Obama effortlessly uses his opening line to entice laughter among the audience. He brilliantly used the setting (the context of Trump becoming President) and said a line that completely matched his style of speaking.

Saying a joke without really saying a joke and getting people to laugh requires you to be completely comfortable in your own skin. And that’s not easy for many people (me being one of them).

If the joke doesn’t land as expected, it could lead to a rocky start.

Keep in mind the following when attempting to deliver a funny introduction:

• Know your audience: Make sure your audience gets the context of the joke (if it’s an inside joke among the members you’re speaking to, that’s even better!). You can read this article we wrote where we give you tips on how you can actually get to know your audience better to ensure maximum impact with your speech openings
• The joke should suit your natural personality. Don’t make it look forced or it won’t elicit the desired response
• Test the opening out on a few people who match your real audience. Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary
• Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you

4. Mohammed Qahtani

Opening: Puts a cigarette on his lips, lights a lighter, stops just before lighting the cigarette. Looks at audience, “What?”

5. Darren Tay

Opening: Puts a white pair of briefs over his pants.

How to use props to begin your speech?

The reason props work so well in a talk is because in most cases the audience is not expecting anything more than just talking. So when a speaker pulls out an object that is unusual, everyone’s attention goes right to it.

It makes you wonder why that prop is being used in this particular speech.

The key word here is unusual . To grip the audience’s attention at the beginning of the speech, the prop being used should be something that the audience would never expect. Otherwise, it just becomes something that is common. And common = boring!

What Mohammed Qahtani and Darren Tay did superbly well in their talks was that they used props that nobody expected them to.

By pulling out a cigarette and lighter or a white pair of underwear, the audience can’t help but be gripped by what the speaker is about to do next. And that makes for a powerful speech opening.

6. Simon Sinek

Opening: “How do you explain when things don’t go as we assume? Or better, how do you explain when others are able to achieve things that seem to defy all of the assumptions?”

7. Julian Treasure

Opening: “The human voice. It’s the instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world. Probably the only one that can start a war or say “I love you.” And yet many people have the experience that when they speak people don’t listen to them. Why is that? How can we speak powerfully to make change in the world?”

How to use questions to open a speech?

I use this method often. Starting off with a question is the simplest way to start your speech in a manner that immediately engages the audience.

But we should keep our questions compelling as opposed to something that is fairly obvious.

I’ve heard many speakers start their speeches with questions like “How many of us want to be successful?”

No one is going to say ‘no’ to that and frankly, I just feel silly raising my hand at such questions.

Simon Sinek and Jullian Treasure used questions in a manner that really made the audience think and make them curious to find out what the answer to that question is.

What Jullian Treasure did even better was the use of a few statements which built up to his question. This made the question even more compelling and set the theme for what the rest of his talk would be about.

So think of what question you can ask in your speech that will:

• Set the theme for the remainder of your speech
• Not be something that is fairly obvious
• Be compelling enough so that the audience will actually want to know what the answer to that question will be

8. Aaron Beverley

Opening: Long pause (after an absurdly long introduction of a 57-word speech title). “Be honest. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

How to use silence for speech openings?

The reason this speech opening stands out is because of the fact that the title itself is 57 words long. The audience was already hilariously intrigued by what was going to come next.

But what’s so gripping here is the way Aaron holds the crowd’s suspense by…doing nothing. For about 10 to 12 seconds he did nothing but stand and look at the audience. Everyone quietened down. He then broke this silence by a humorous remark that brought the audience laughing down again.

When going on to open your speech, besides focusing on building a killer opening sentence, how about just being silent?

It’s important to keep in mind that the point of having a strong opening is so that the audience’s attention is all on you and are intrigued enough to want to listen to the rest of your speech.

Silence is a great way to do that. When you get on the stage, just pause for a few seconds (about 3 to 5 seconds) and just look at the crowd. Let the audience and yourself settle in to the fact that the spotlight is now on you.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about starting the speech off with a pure pause that just makes the beginning so much more powerful. It adds credibility to you as a speaker as well, making you look more comfortable and confident on stage. 

If you want to know more about the power of pausing in public speaking , check out this post we wrote. It will give you a deeper insight into the importance of pausing and how you can harness it for your own speeches. You can also check out this video to know more about Pausing for Public Speaking:

9. Dan Pink

Opening: “I need to make a confession at the outset here. Little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret. Something that I’m not particularly proud of. Something that in many ways I wish no one would ever know but that here I feel kind of obliged to reveal.”

10. Kelly McGonigal

Opening: “I have a confession to make. But first I want you to make a little confession to me.”

How to use a build-up to open your speech?

When there are so many amazing ways to start a speech and grip an audience from the outset, why would you ever choose to begin your speech with a ‘Good morning?’.

That’s what I love about build-ups. They set the mood for something awesome that’s about to come in that the audience will feel like they just have to know about.

Instead of starting a speech as it is, see if you can add some build-up to your beginning itself. For instance, in Kelly McGonigal’s speech, she could have started off with the question of stress itself (which she eventually moves on to in her speech). It’s not a bad way to start the speech.

But by adding the statement of “I have a confession to make” and then not revealing the confession for a little bit, the audience is gripped to know what she’s about to do next and find out what indeed is her confession.

11. Tim Urban

Opening: “So in college, I was a government major. Which means that I had to write a lot of papers. Now when a normal student writes a paper, they might spread the work out a little like this.”

12. Scott Dinsmore

Opening: “8 years ago, I got the worst career advice of my life.”

How to use storytelling as a speech opening?

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” Steve Jobs

Storytelling is the foundation of good speeches. Starting your speech with a story is a great way to grip the audience’s attention. It makes them yearn to want to know how the rest of the story is going to pan out.

Tim Urban starts off his speech with a story dating back to his college days. His use of slides is masterful and something we all can learn from. But while his story sounds simple, it does the job of intriguing the audience to want to know more.

As soon as I heard the opening lines, I thought to myself “If normal students write their paper in a certain manner, how does Tim write his papers?”

Combine such a simple yet intriguing opening with comedic slides, and you’ve got yourself a pretty gripping speech.

Scott Dismore’s statement has a similar impact. However, just a side note, Scott Dismore actually started his speech with “Wow, what an honour.”

I would advise to not start your talk with something such as that. It’s way too common and does not do the job an opening must, which is to grip your audience and set the tone for what’s coming.

13. Larry Smith

Opening: “I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you’re going to fail to have a great career.”

14. Jane McGonigal

Opening: “You will live 7.5 minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.”

How to use provocative statements to start your speech?

Making a provocative statement creates a keen desire among the audience to want to know more about what you have to say. It immediately brings everyone into attention.

Larry Smith did just that by making his opening statement surprising, lightly humorous, and above all – fearful. These elements lead to an opening statement which creates so much curiosity among the audience that they need to know how your speech pans out.

This one time, I remember seeing a speaker start a speech with, “Last week, my best friend committed suicide.” The entire crowd was gripped. Everyone could feel the tension in the room.

They were just waiting for the speaker to continue to know where this speech will go.

That’s what a hard-hitting statement does, it intrigues your audience so much that they can’t wait to hear more! Just a tip, if you do start off with a provocative, hard-hitting statement, make sure you pause for a moment after saying it.

Silence after an impactful statement will allow your message to really sink in with the audience.

Related article: 5 Ways to Grab Your Audience’s Attention When You’re Losing it!

15. Ramona J Smith

Opening: In a boxing stance, “Life would sometimes feel like a fight. The punches, jabs and hooks will come in the form of challenges, obstacles and failures. Yet if you stay in the ring and learn from those past fights, at the end of each round, you’ll be still standing.”

How to use your full body to grip the audience at the beginning of your speech?

In a talk, the audience is expecting you to do just that – talk. But when you enter the stage and start putting your full body into use in a way that the audience does not expect, it grabs their attention.

Body language is critical when it comes to public speaking. Hand gestures, stage movement, facial expressions are all things that need to be paid attention to while you’re speaking on stage. But that’s not I’m talking about here.

Here, I’m referring to a unique use of the body that grips the audience, like how Ramona did. By using her body to get into a boxing stance, imitating punches, jabs and hooks with her arms while talking – that’s what got the audience’s attention.

The reason I say this is so powerful is because if you take Ramona’s speech and remove the body usage from her opening, the entire magic of the opening falls flat.

While the content is definitely strong, without those movements, she would not have captured the audience’s attention as beautifully as she did with the use of her body.

So if you have a speech opening that seems slightly dull, see if you can add some body movement to it.

If your speech starts with a story of someone running, actually act out the running. If your speech starts with a story of someone reading, actually act out the reading.

It will make your speech opening that much more impactful.

Related article: 5 Body Language Tips to Command the Stage

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Final Words

So there it is! 15 speech openings from some of my favourite speeches. Hopefully, these will act as a guide for you to create your own opening which is super impactful and sets you off on the path to becoming a powerful public speaker!

But remember, while a speech opening is super important, it’s just part of an overall structure.

If you’re serious about not just creating a great speech opening but to improve your public speaking at an overall level, I would highly recommend you to check out this course: Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking on Udemy. Not only does it have specific lectures on starting and ending a speech, but it also offers an in-depth guide into all the nuances of public speaking. 

Being the founder of TED Talks, Chris Anderson provides numerous examples of the best TED speakers to give us a very practical way of overcoming stage fear and delivering a speech that people will remember. His course has helped me personally and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn public speaking. 

No one is ever “done” learning public speaking. It’s a continuous process and you can always get better. Keep learning, keep conquering and keep being awesome!

Lastly, if you want to know how you should NOT open your speech, we’ve got a video for you:

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Speech on Leadership in simple and easy words

Table of Contents

Speech on Leadership: What are leadership qualities? Who is actually a leader in the true sense of the term? What is the role of a great leader? If you want to know the answer to all these questions, then browse through our pages and read our speeches on leadership. There are long speech on leadership as well as short speech on leadership to cater to different purposes, such as to give you a deep insight into the topic and help you draw reference from them for your, let’s say school assignment, in case you are a student, or to help you prepare a speech for a public event, etc. These speeches will serve all your purpose and give you a fair understanding of the topic so much so that you can stand up and confidently address this subject on your own.

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Long and Short Speech on Leadership

Leadership speech – 1.

Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman – I hope this day finds you in the best of spirits!

I warmly welcome you all here in today’s speech ceremony on the subject called Leadership. I, Vaishali Rawat, your host for today, will address this topic. Leadership is quite a word in itself and I can very much relate with it because I am myself holding a position of senior manager in my present company. If given a chance, everyone would want to lead and be followed. But has anyone ever realized how difficult this task is and what roles and responsibilities come with it?

First of all, please understand that leadership doesn’t involve domination or subjugation of the weaker sex. The world is already full with such people who have an ardent desire to rule and take charge of other peoples’ lives. But this is not the trait of a good leader.

The true leader is someone who earns respect through his rightful actions and mass following without any dictatorship. He inspires others to follow his footsteps and become the guiding light for the humanity. The great leader is someone who carries the torch of wisdom and enlightens the society thereby leading people to the path of progress and growth. Besides, the true meaning of leadership is having the requisite ability to enable people want to follow you while being under no compulsion as such to do so. Leaders are those people who set certain benchmarks and try to achieve those benchmarks by allowing people to judge them according to their actions and endeavors. The goals are set and all might is put towards achieving those goals, but without compromising with the ethics and morals – this is the true mark of a great leader.

Leaders who possess great leadership qualities effectively channelize their energy and devote themselves for the growth and progress of humanity. The restrictions or obligations that he/she imposes on himself/herself enable him/her to rise against all odds and never bow down to the circumstances. Always remember that the love of supreme excellence is found in a great leader. Thus, a true leader is someone who is able to establish a connection with the almighty and realizes by faith that he/she is a mere instrument in the hands of Him and dedicates his entire life to become an inspirer and guide of the higher sentiments and ambitions of the people.

He/she who is a leader in the true sense of the term has to pay the price for his forbearance and moral restraints. He/she does good to the society selflessly, i.e. without expecting anything in return. This leads to further enhancement or cleansing of his/her soul and keeping a check on his/her personal desires, which in turn allows him/her to become an extraordinary being.

There is an old-saying which is, “To be first in place, one must be first in merit as well.” Thus, an individual actually becomes a leader when he/she has the ability to lead mankind on the path of progress without any selfish reason.

Leadership Speech – 2

Hon’ble Principal, Vice Principal, Respected Teachers and My Dear Students – Warm Greetings to all of you!

I heartily welcome everyone to our school auditorium. Before we begin with our annual celebration, I – Sakshi Juneja from Class-XII (A), would like to deliver a short speech on Leadership. You all must be wondering why I have chosen this topic and not any other topic related to patriotism or present scenario. As everyone knows that it is due to the sacrifice of our great freedom fighters that India won back its independence. But does anyone of us realize that besides being incredible freedom fighters they were also great leaders who had the power to lead the world through the power of their words.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and many others led the nation through their influential words and soul stirring speeches. This leadership quality was much needed without which they wouldn’t have gathered mass support and won back India’s freedom. So what qualities are needed to become a great leader? What leadership actually entails? These are the questions that you must be wrestling with in order to know the answers.

So let me tell you that leaders are those who are great orators having the aptitude to share their vision with the people around and having the convincing ability. Leaders should be driven by a cause and dedicate their lives for the good of their motherland as well as their countrymen. They should be passionate about what they do and dedicated to accomplishing their aim in life, i.e. to lead the world for a good cause. A great leader is also a great teacher, who works towards empowering others, can take risks and is able to develop the requisite set of skills.

If I talk from the standpoint of a student, I would say that our role model and leader are our teachers who unfailingly impart good thoughts to us and motivate us to become a responsible individual. They patiently deal with all the students and foster positive attitude in us so that we grow up as conscientious and compassionate being.

There is an age-old myth that leadership quality is associated with militancy or dictatorship. But a leader is that individual who can lead the way and become a torch bearer for the masses to follow the direction shown by him or her. Leaders have an inherent charisma which is magnetic for other people to behold; this is the reason why people come under their sway. Great leadership qualities are very much required in the present times by various multi-national organizations. The position of leaders varies from middle managers to senior-level executives.

There are different facets to a great leader for he/she not only leads himself/herself, but people around, chief groups and chief organizations. Following are the qualities associated with a great leader, i.e. he/should be a great leader, quick witted, intelligent, self-confident and compassionate. Our country thus needs more and more such leaders who can build a stronger nation and empower it with the ennobling thoughts.

Leadership Speech – 3

Good Morning to one and all! Warm Welcome to the commemoration ceremony of our great Indian Leader, i.e. Mahatma Gandhi who took the world by storm through his morals and principles. As he held a high regard among the people of his country, he therefore earned the sobriquet of Bapu and is called so even today. His non-violent principles brought a great revolutionary change in our country and he with the support of his countrymen and other freedom fighters won back his country’s freedom.

Therefore considering his great leadership qualities, I want to deliver a speech on the subject called leadership and wish that many more such people continue to take birth in our country so that it can grow by leaps and bounds not only in terms of wealth, but morally and spiritually as well. What sets great leaders apart from the common men is the quality that they are born with a vision and can foresee the future. They are clear in their mind as towards which direction they have to head and what they want from life. They are expert at preparing strategies and changing those strategies from time to time according to what the time requires.

Having a vision for future is what separates the leaders from a common man and categorizes them as special type of people. Such people thus become transformational leaders. Well, managers also come into the category of leaders who not only manage their desk work, but lead their teams as well. However, still there is a difference between a manager and a leader, which is, managers are just concerned about getting their work done whereas leaders take into account the emotions of their people and act accordingly.

Following are the qualities required to become a great leader:

One of the really significant qualities of a good leader is of course courage. Being courageous means he/she has the guts to take risks in life without having assurance of positive outcome. Because life itself is precarious, every action that we perform or every commitment we make definitely cannot be without a risk factor. Therefore, courage is the most identifiable trait in a leader because not everyone has the courage to follow his/her dreams.

Those who are true leaders always have their penetrating gaze on the possible outcome and are able to anticipate the situation. It is, therefore, the much needed attribute in a great leader because if he/she isn’t focused, any foundation governed by him/her can come crashing down in no time. Thus, they have to focus on their goals as well as the organizational goals, if they work in that kind of a space.

• Strategic Planning

Great leaders are also great masterminds. They can do strategic planning and look ahead to fathom the upcoming trends beforehand and make an adjustment of his organization according to the changing industry tastes and preferences. They are born with the ability to foresee future events much earlier than their competitors.

This is all I can say in this brief time period, but the qualities of a leader go far beyond that, which make him/her standout from the crowd and become a source of inspiration for the people.

Leadership Speech – 4

Good Morning Friends – Hope you are doing well!

Welcome to this yet another session of the grooming classes. As you all know that the reason why your company is putting you through these grooming classes is to help you enhance your skills set and develop leadership qualities which will help you in the long run.

But you must be pondering over the fact that why you need to develop leadership qualities. Well, its answer is very simple! You do not work in isolation, do you? If not, then you would gradually go up in the ladder of this industrial sector. So as you will go higher, you will be responsible not only for your work, but also for the people working under you. Being responsible for your work is one thing, but being responsible for the work of a group of people is something else and trust me it’s not an easy job.

A great leader is someone who can inspire and lead others. He/she doesn’t have to necessarily force anyone, but his/her influence on people should be so profound that they start following him/her willingly. For this to happen, he/she should have great oratory skills and should be able to move people through the power of his/her words. He/she doesn’t have to rule over anyone but his/her personality should be so strong that people easily get swayed by his/her aura. It is true that these qualities are god gifted to a certain extent in a select few people, but after a point one has to constantly work over it.

Let’s know, what are those leadership qualities which help a person stand out from rest of the crowd and make a mark in this world:

Great leaders are not only strong-headed and decisive, but also modest. Being modest doesn’t mean that he/she is uncertain of himself or herself or has a weak character, but it means that he/she has enough self-confidence that he/she can easily realize the value of others and give them the importance they deserve. This is one of the rare characteristics in a person or a great leader because it certainly requires suppression of one’s ego.

The crux of integrity is honesty. Integrity expects you to remain truthful towards your people under every circumstance. It is the founding quality which is required in any leader and for any working sphere.

• Cooperation

It’s a great leadership quality to make everyone work in harmony under one roof. If you are able to pull people together for a cause or project, then success is bound to touch your feet. This quality is of paramount importance in a leader because being a leader itself entails making people to follow you readily and for a substantial cause.

You should have penetrating eyes to actually understand who all are the people worth taking along and can effectively contribute towards the cause or smooth functioning of your organization.

Therefore, you all are made a part of these grooming classes so that you can also make the most of this opportunity and hone your skills for a higher level. This is all I have to say.

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Speech on Leadership[1, 2, 3, 5 Minutes]

1, 2, 3 minutes speech on leadership.

Dear teachers and students!

Greetings to all. and thank you to all of you to give me chance to give a speech.

A crucial component of every community or organisation is leadership. It entails having the capacity to motivate and lead others toward a common objective or vision. Character, competence, and vision are all qualities that effective leaders have in common, and they use these qualities to inspire and direct their people.

The capacity to excite and inspire people is one of a leader’s essential traits. A leader who has a clear vision and is passionate about their cause will be able to communicate their ideas in a way that connects with others, which will encourage their followers to feel motivated and committed to their cause.

The capacity to make difficult choices is a key quality of a leader. Leaders must be able to make judgements that are in the best interests of their company or community since they are frequently put in challenging situations. This calls for a mix of expertise, experience, and a thorough comprehension of the current circumstance.

Leaders need to have a solid foundation of basic beliefs and ideals in addition to character and competence. The leader’s decisions and actions are guided by these values and principles, which also provide the framework for cultivating respect and trust among their followers.

Leadership also involves continuing to learn and develop. A good leader is constantly searching for ways to better both their organisation and themselves. They are risk-takers who are open to new ideas. They promote a culture of learning and development inside their business by encouraging others to follow suit.

The capacity for good communication is a key component of leadership. A leader should be able to express their thoughts, objectives, and expectations vocally and in writing with clarity and effectiveness. In order to effectively communicate, one must also actively listen to and comprehend the opinions of others.

Finally, leadership is about motivating, inspiring, and directing others toward a single objective or vision. Along with a solid foundation of fundamental beliefs and guiding principles, it calls for a trifecta of character, competence, and vision. A good leader is someone who is always learning and developing, who can communicate clearly and make tough judgements.

5 Minutes Speech on Leadership

Any organisation or group needs strong leadership, which may take many different forms. Effective leaders are able to motivate and direct others toward a common objective or vision. They have a variety of abilities and traits, including the capacity for clear communication, wise judgement, and the ability to engender confidence in others.

There are three primary types of leadership: authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire. Authoritarian leaders make their own decisions and demand blind obedience from their supporters. Democratic leaders cherish their supporters’ opinions and include them in decision-making. Laissez-faire leaders take a hands-off stance and give their followers the freedom to choose for themselves.

A strong leader is also aware that success in leadership is a process rather than a goal, and they should constantly be eager to learn, develop, and meet new difficulties.

The capacity to encourage others, create and manage teams, and effectively communicate are just a few of the crucial abilities that leaders should have. I want to share with you some of the leadership qualities that are linked to good leaders. These consist of: Integrity is the capacity to be trustworthy and to uphold high moral standards. Empathy is the capacity to recognise and empathise with another person’s feelings. Creativity is the capacity to think creatively and develop original ideas Self-confidence means having faith in one’s own judgement and talents. Being sincere and open-minded is being honest.

Being a leader involves more than just holding a position of authority; it also involves inspiring and earning the respect of others. A leader should be able to encourage others to put up their best effort and strive toward a shared objective.

The ability to create and manage teams is a key component of leadership. This entails developing a setting where individuals can collaborate successfully and productively while also feeling appreciated and respected. A leader must also be able to communicate well, both when providing orders and direction as well as when listening to others and considering their opinions.

Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept; leadership techniques and styles must be flexible to accommodate a variety of scenarios, team members, and circumstances.

In conclusion, leadership is a broad concept with numerous facets that may be expressed in various ways. Effective leaders have a variety of abilities and traits, including the capacity to motivate and direct others toward a common objective or vision, sound judgement, empathy, creativity, and effective communication. And should constantly be willing to learn, develop, and adjust to new difficulties.

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[3 Minutes*] Leadership Speech in English for Students

August 2, 2021 by Sandeep

Speech on Leadership: A leader is a great influencer amongst a group to encourage, motivate and guide people towards a common goal. Leadership qualities include quick decision-making skills and decisiveness to face any situation ahead. A good leader displays high self-confidence and faces any situation with lots of hope. Leaders should also possess excellent communication skills to manage their entire group. Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln and Sir Winston Churchill were great leaders of their time.

Speech on Leadership 500 Words in English

Below we have provided 3 minutes leadership speech in English, suitable for classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. This speech on leadership qualities is helpful for school as well as college-level students.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”-John Quincy Adams

With this beautiful quote, I welcome you all to the session. Today I am here to speak on Leadership. It is my pleasure that I got this opportunity to speak on such a vibrant topic. Leadership is a virtue that is developed & polished with time. Leaders will always a vision & aim. No one is a born leader, but through struggle, determination & will power a person develops as a leader. Leadership has never been easy. A leader needs to initiate & take a step ahead in work.

The person must have the capacity to motivate people to work in the direction & path under his guidance. A leader is someone who discusses the whole plan in detail with the team & always ready to take the risk for them. Proper guidance from a leader is always the key to success. A leader is always confident about the targets & objectives. We always give respect to the leaders due to their right actions, not for their dictatorship.

A person who is always ordering without knowing the facts can never be a true leader. Proper coordination is always required with the team members. A leader can always be a boss, but all boss are not leaders. A leader is not someone who assigns you work but stands with you in all ups & downs. He/She channelizes the energy in the right direction & thinks in the direction of growth & development of not only the organization but also humanity.

A true leader always works for the betterment of the society & community without expecting anything in return. A leader inspires many lives. They are the ones who are always passionate about the work they do; they are dedicated & focused on achieving the aim. They are filled with positivity & good vibes. One of the essential qualities of a leader is the courage to do things.

We all must have come across some of the leaders in our lives. Let it be in school or the workplace. Some of the finest leaders of Indian history are Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi , APJ Abdul Kalam & many more, who has inspired each & every one of us. A role of a strong leader is essential for the growth of the organization, society, community & for the nation.

A leader who is self-confident, compassionate, good decision maker and intelligent always shows the path for development to his followers. Our country needs more & more strong leaders who can build a strong nation & empower all our thoughts for development.

Short Speech on Leadership

Below we have provided 2 minutes short speech about leadership for class 2, 3, and 4 students.

Good morning to everyone present here. I ……… of class …. Is overwhelmed that I am given this chance to deliver a speech on Leadership. We all must have heard about the great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru & many more, from whom we get to learn a plethora of things. Leadership is a quality which is not god gifted; it is the development of a person with a big heart—a person who is always ready for everything for his followers & stand on frontline to protect them.

Leaders are that person who is always focused & dedicated to their aim. They always have a very defined vision & aim with a strategic plan to achieve. They are ones who always listens to the problems of the team members; they do not keep on ordering things. They motivate people to channelise their energy in the right direction so that the work can be completed with full efficiency.

A leader first thinks about the team before thinking about oneself. They are ever ready to take all types of risk & to provide support to the team. They are selfless & are self-confident. They have very strong moral & principles. Leaders always set new targets for them to check the milestones they have already crossed. What separates a leader from ordinary people is the vision & action plan for the future.

They are the ones who inspire people & lead them in the path of development. A true leader is never biased & always appreciates the efforts of team members. They not only become the part for team in success stories, they even stand with them in the moments of failure, giving them the new hopes for future. I will sum it up here, this all I can say about Leadership in this time slot allotted to me, but the leadership quality is go far beyond this.