The mojologic blog
Insights on communication, influence, sales and leadership
Nelson Mandela Speech (An ideal for which I am prepared to die)
On the 20th of April 1964 Nelson Mandela delivered a powerful, restrained and poignant speech at his trial. "An ideal for which I am prepared to die" The words of Nelson Mandela's speech made at his own trial on April 20th 1964 are haunting. Not just because we know the ending to...
Richard Feynman Speech (The Scientific Method)
In 1964 Richard Feynman spoke about the scientific method. His blend of humour, conviction and unbounded curiosity make this a compelling speech. "Guessing is a dumb man's job. Actually, it is quite the opposite and I will try to explain why..." He is a funny man with an endearing New York...
Joe Biden Speech (A message of unity)
Joe Biden speaks at the 2020 Democratic National Convention The 2020 Democratic National Convention was the first to be delivered as a virtual event. There must have been hundreds of challenges to overcome - logistics, technology and participation. But the most critical would have been how to...
Michelle Obama Speech (Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country…)
This week, Michelle Obama delivered a keynote speech on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention. A convention like no other. In the new world of virtual delivery, Obama spoke to camera whilst seated. The speech was just over 18 minutes long and covered a bit of territory, but the...
Theodore Roosevelt Speech (The Man in the Arena)
Words have power. This is the belief that has powered the Speech a Week series. There are many fine speeches that have captured the attention of the audience, inspired action and reverberated through the years. But few speeches punch quite so much power into every word as this one. The Man in...
Amelia Earhart Speech (A Woman’s Place in Science)
"Not only has applied science decreased the toil in the home, but it has provided undreamed of economic opportunities for women." Amelia Earhart delivered the speech; A Woman's Place in Science, as a radio broadcast in 1935. In 1928 Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. ...
Tim Minchin Speech (9 Life Lessons)
The musings of Tim Minchin are genius. Irreverent, foul-mouthed and derisive, but genius.
Minchin bestows his advice on a group of graduates at his alma mater, The University of Western Australia. This is a familiar engagement for many celebrities including; Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Natalie Portman and even Kanye West. These are usually presentations worth watching – well crafted, polished, insightful and thought-provoking.
But none are quite like this.
Malcolm X Speech (The Ballot or the Bullet)
The Ballot or the Bullet speech was delivered by American civil rights activist Malcolm X on 3rd April 1964 at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. "Once you change your philosophy, you change your thought pattern. Once you change your thought pattern, you change your attitude. Once you...
Winston Churchill Speech (On the beaches)
One of the most famous and often studied speeches of the 20th century is Winston Churchill’s address to the House of Commons on 4 June 1940; commonly titled; “We shall fight on the beaches”.
Churchill was a student of the classics, an expert in rhetorical technique and, by this stage in his career, a seasoned politician. This speech stands out as the manifestation of all his talents, delivered at precisely the right time to have maximum effect.
What lessons in persuasion can we glean for this call to arms, delivered 80 years ago?
Franklin Roosevelt Speech (a day that will live in infamy)
The Franklin D Roosevelt speech on 8th December 1941. “It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.”
