The mojologic blog
Insights on communication, influence, sales and leadershipWinston 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.”
Eleanor Roosevelt – Broadcast communication (we know what we have to face)
"We know what we have to face and we know that we are ready to face it." The brave, calm and resolute radio address from Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States, on 7 December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Calm Before the Storm...
Joe Marler (Hey horsey, do you wanna have a drink?)
This one is just for fun. I little light relief from what has (so far) been an exploration of speeches that matter. This week no politics, no revolutionaries, no philosophers and no cultural icons. This week we delve into words from the world of sport. The eloquence of Joe Marler.
JK Rowling Speech (Fear of failure)
The Stoic Philosophy of JK Rowling JK Rowling delivered the commencement speech at Harvard University in 2008. Her address is remarkable for the powerful message it contains. Through her dual themes of fear and imagination, Rowling echoes the philosophy of the stoics in her advice to Harvard...
Pierre Elliott Trudeau speech (tonight I’m stepping down as your leader)
''Tonight I'm stepping down as your leader,'' Mr. Trudeau said in a nationally televised address. ''And in two days we will be choosing a new leader, and you'll find me there following him because we have more building to do.'' In 1984 outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau...
Speech 15: Margaret Thatcher (the lady’s not for turning)
You turn if you want too, the lady's not for turning. Margaret Thatcher delivered a lengthy (40min) speech on October 8th, 1980 to the Conservative Party Conference in Brighton, UK. She had a lot to say and there is much to analyse, but this phrase lives on in infamy. Perhaps because it is...
Barack Obama Speech (The Audacity of Hope)
It’s that fundamental belief — I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sisters’ keeper — that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. “E pluribus unum.” Out of many, one.
In 2004, then Illinois senate candidate, Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. At this point, Obama was not particularly well known. This fine example of oratorical mastery helped to propel him forward in the minds of his party, his country and the world.
Bill Gates Speech (not missiles but microbes)
Back in March 2015 Bill Gates delivered a TED Talk declaring that the greatest risk of global catastrophe would come from a highly infectious virus. He then displayed this image on the screen.
Chilling.
Now as the world battles to cope with the novel caronavirus pandemic we listen to this speech with a very different perspective.
Aneurin Bevan speech (They are lower than vermin)
On the 4th of July, 1948, on the eve of the creation of the NHS in Great Briatin, once Health Minister Aneurin (Nye) Bevan delivered a vitriolic attach on the Tories.
Aneurin Bevan was a Welsh Labour politician and driving force behind the NHS. Despite significant opposition, he was successful in his campaign.