20 Signs of a Great Speech That Sadly Changes No One’s Life

20 Signs of a Speech That Changes No One’s Life

1. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Often Delivered by an Immature Voice – Even for speakers, struggle is necessary for strength. It takes time to find your voice, audience and message. This is bore out of pain, struggle and adversity.
2. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Starts Poorly – Lincoln began each speech by telling everyone what situation had brought them together.
3. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Divides People Rather Than Unites Them – Lincoln then took all listeners back to their common beginnings.
4. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Not Rooted in the People – You are answering questions no one is asking.
5. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Does Not Flow From Your Own Experience – There is a difference between exposure and experience.
6. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Humor – Humor disarms people. The 1848 Presidential race gave him a chance to display his maturing talents. His good-natured style was so unique it kept the House “in a constant state of merriment.”
7. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Expertise of the Subject Matter – You do not fully know what you are talking about.
8. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks a Narrative – One colleague said, “Abe Lincoln, the best story teller in the House.”
9. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Too Complicated – Lincoln broke down complex issues into their simplest elements.
10. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is One-Sided – As a lawyer, Lincoln conversed with jurors as if they were friends.
11. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Confusing – Lincoln’s arguments were logical and profound. His arguments were easy to follow.
12. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Poorly Prepared – As a speaker, you did not put in the hard work of preparation. This is what Lincoln referred to as “the drudgery of the law.” He added his success was due to “work, work, work.”
13. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Makes the Speaker Seem Like the Smartest Person in the Room – Conversely, a great speech that changes a person’s life makes the audience seem like the smartest person(s) in the room. It was said of Lincoln, “He had the happy and unusual faculty of making the jury believe they—and not he—were trying the case.”
14. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Facts – Great speakers connect their oratory skills with facts.
15. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Not Well-Researched or Well-Rehearsed – Lincoln said, “The leading role for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence.”
16. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Argumentative – Lincoln sought common ground and never considered members of the opposition as enemies.
17. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Is Insincere – Lincoln changed minds because of his sincerity.
18. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Clarity – Lincoln changed minds because of his clarity.
19. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Conviction – Lincoln changed minds because of his conviction.
20. A Great Speech That Changes No One’s Life Lacks Hope – Lincoln always pointed to a brighter tomorrow.

What is one thing from this list you need to work on as a communicator?

This article originally appeared here.