Martin Luther King: An Example Of A Successful Speech

“I have a dream!” Who can forget the iconic speech delivered by Martin Luther King Junior at Lincoln memorial? The kind of uproar it created then and the kind of grip it has on people even today is extraordinary. This is but one example of the kind of mesmerizing effect a good speech can have on people, the kind of power a good speaker wields. A good speech can move the audience intellectually and emotionally. It can create revolutions, topple governments or lead to the abrogation of racism as in the case of Martin Luther King.

This ability of public speaking becomes ever more important when viewed from the perspective of a professional. Every single business leader who made it big was a powerful speaker. Who can forget the image of Steve Jobs launching Apple Macintosh or iPod or iPhone? In each and every instance he held the attention of the audience. He made the audience believe in his own vision in his own outlook. He

No matter how good your content maybe, the way to deliver your speech, the way you capture your audience’s imagination is what holds the key to success. Almost all the leader across the world have been masters of this aspect.

Do these elements guarantee a person’s transformation in to a great public speaker?

Success Formula?

Sadly there is no success formula! It’s not a fixed recipe, there is no fixed chemical combination. Public speaking is an art. An art that is built over the time by incessant practice and hard work. Some people do have an edge over others due to the formal education system they have been through. But the beauty of public speaking is that almost everyone can be good at it. What is needed is overcoming of fear which holds people back, constant practice and determination to succeed.

But how does this matter to someone who is not aspiring to be a next Martin Luther or Steve Jobs? Why should he care about the nuance of public speaking?