Motivational Speaking

Motivational speaking through the ages

The ability to inspire and motivate people by the power of speech has always been a vital component of successful political leadership. Throughout the ages, the greatest, most powerful leaders have all had the gift of oratory and motivational speaking. This article takes a look at some of the best examples of this.

Historically, the reason why motivational speaking has been so important is due to a lack of mass media, meaning that speeches would have to be heard in person, or not at all. Modern leaders have the luxury of addressing audiences with a microphone. However, the oratory powers of historical figures are more impressive, when you consider that many of them did not have this option, simply having to use the sheer power of their voice to get their message across to thousands of people at a time.

History shows us many examples of motivational speakers who have helped to ignite political, civil and human rights movements. These include:

Gandhi - Gandhi's non-violent protest speeches motivated the people of India to seek independence from the British Empire.

Abraham Lincoln - Lincoln's motivational speaking was one of the key components of his leadership of America through Civil War in the 19th Century.

Charles De Gaulle - De Gaulle's ascension to the French Presidency was due in no small part to his powers of motivational speaking. In particular, a famous radio address, compelling the French public to resist the forces of Nazi Germany is widely regarded as his finest hour.

Adolf Hitler - Hitler's rousing and dramatic addresses helped him to inspire the German people and seize power of the nation in the 1930s. In particular, Hitler's use of rhetoric in his speaking made it highly motivational.

Martin Luther King - Widely regarded as one of the greatest orators and motivational speakers of all time, Martin Luther King's human rights speeches in the 1960's inspired a generation of black Americans to seek equality.

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