The leader’s most leading tools

In days of yore, Aram Bakshian Jr., a speechwriter for Ronald Regan, wrote, “to rise to the top in any field, you must be an outstanding public speaker.” I cannot think of a single great leader—who was not also a great speaker. Dynamic leaders are always dynamic and lively communicators. They communicate effectively one-on-one, and they communicate effectively before groups. Jesus, the greatest leader of all times, did communicate through public speaking, and though no film or video record of his speeches were made—those who were there remembered his words and preserved them. As a result, the world has been shaped by the words of Jesus!

Leadership involves being out in front of people and being an example to them. Leadership involves inspiring people, sharing your vision with them, and leading them where you want them to go. So it naturally follows that if you are comfortable speaking in front of people, you will be comfortable leading in front of people. The ability to speak in public is an enormous asset to have in your leadership portfolio.

Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s most powerful tools are words! Toward the end of last year, my friend and I watched again the speech he gave before he was assassinated. After listening to Dr. King, I rose and I began to pace the floor. The chair I was sitting in could no longer contain me! I looked at my life and what I am living for afresh and I strongly re-dedicated myself to a life of purpose. This is what happens when you know how to use words as a leader. Words, rightly used are capable of moving people to action.

Another leader—who knows how to skillfully use words is Thomas Dexter Jakes. His most powerful tools are words! A few weeks ago, I was in our home, listening to the prince of preachers, T.D. Jakes and all of a sudden, I began to scream. Why did I scream? I did scream, because words that were jumping out of his mouth were too powerful. Remember, dynamic leaders are always superb and terrific communicators while middle-of-the-road and run of the mill leaders are usually very poor at using words. You want to become a great leader? If yes, you’d need to learn how to become an articulate and expressive ‘yacht’ par-excellence.

Whatever it takes to gain experience and mastery as a speaker, do it! Always watch your speeches and rehearsals on video, so you can see ways to perk up. I do this a lot! You can also hire a speech coach. Buddy, always practice, practice, practice and practice! When you gain experience as a speaker, you gain confidence and expertise. No one becomes a dynamic communicator without consistently practicing—when no one is there to cheer him or her on.

Survey after survey has shown that the number one fear we face in life is not the fear of death or snakes or the dark. No, the number one fear in the world is fear of public speaking. Most people would literally rather die than speak in front of an audience. About twenty-five years ago, I was told that I would speak for about 50 minutes before about 1,300 people. It was like a death sentence! For a week, I could not sleep. I later wrote what I would say on a sheet of paper and I began to consistently speak to the four winds of the earth and lilies of the valley. This helped me to gain a little confidence and when the day and time I was to speak came, I confidently stood and spoke from my belly, not from my note! About twenty-five years after, I have come to gain an experience and I no longer lose my sleep, even if I am going to stand before the president of Nigeria tomorrow. Over the years, this has equally improved my capacity to lead.

For the umpteenth time, most people would literally rather die than speak before an audience! Perhaps that is one reason great leaders are as rare as eagles. Remember, leaders are people—who have overcome their fear of public speaking and who have taken the time to develop their public speaking skills. Leaders have the ability to move and influence people by their words.

History has been shaped by talkers. The inspiring words of Winston Churchill kept Great Britain upbeat and energized through the dark days of World War II; when a later British prime minister, Anthony Eden, was asked Churchill’s greatest contribution to the war effort, Eden replied, “He talked about it!” John Kennedy once said that “Churchill mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.” In the view of historian Arnold Tonynbee, “Churchill’s speeches spelled the difference between survival and defeat.”

In America, during WWII, Franklin Delano Roosevelt kept America inspired and battle-ready through his stirring speeches—“December 7, 1941: a date which will live in infamy!”—and his Fireside Chat radio broadcasts. John F. Kennedy gave Americans a vision of their own place in history with his powerful words, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” And another president, Ronald Reagan, went to Berlin in 1987 and delivered a powerful speech with a seemingly impossible demand: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” And two years later, the wall came down.

In the business realm, the Amway Corporation would have never reached the astounding multibillion-dollar height it reached without the inspirational, motivational cheerleading  cofounder Rich DeVos—a truly gifted speaker and leader.  For about two years now, I have ardently and keenly studied the current president of Nigeria and I can confidently say that he is not a gifted speaker! And this has created a big fissure between him and Nigerians. Remember, a leader who knows his onions should be able to creatively use words to trigger off and egg on people during hard-hitting and sturdy situations. Words are more powerful than the most powerful atomic bomb and great leaders do know how to wisely use them to move people to action.

See you where great leaders are found!