speech on importance of leadership

Speech On Leadership [1,2,3 Minutes]

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the ways and shows the way”. This is one of my favourite quotes which describes the meaning of leadership in just a few words. Leadership is a process of influencing, inspiring and helping others to achieve goals along the way.

In this article, we shared some examples of speech on leadership. These speeches have a time duration of 1, 2 and 3 minutes. This article will explain to you what is leadership, who is a good leader and how to choose a good leader.

1 Minute Speech On Leadership

Hello and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to present a speech on leadership.

What is leadership? If you find the definition in the dictionary, you will see it is the ability of a person to influence individuals and guide them in a way that maximizes their efforts and leads to optimum outcomes.

This is why It becomes important for any kind of organisation to have a great leader who has good visionary skills and risk-computing skills so that he can lead the organisation on the path of progress.

Many say that leadership can not be taught but I believe this is an assumption. Various leadership development programmes can help you develop leadership skills.

To sum it up, developing leadership skills is a slow process but anyone can definitely learn leadership. Thank you!

2-Minute Speech On Leadership

I warmly welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to deliver a speech on leadership. Before I start speaking my thoughts, I would like to wish you a good day. Also, I want to thank you for giving me this valuable opportunity.

Leadership is a skill that not everyone is blessed with. Yet, it is not something that can not be learned. It is a process of influencing, inspiring and helping others to become their best selves, building their skills and achieving goals along the way.

Leadership skills are always needed to accomplish a great goal of an organisation. A good leader has a good vision and risk-calculating abilities which reduce the risk of a decline in progress. Working for a goal without having a good leader is no less than shooting arrows in the darkness.

A leader can make or break all of your future dreams. So, it is very vital to choose a leader very wisely. But then a question arises in the mind; how to identify a good leader who can actually help us to lead ahead in life?

Well, there are some common personality traits of a good leader which can help in finding a good leader. First , good observation skill is one of the features of great leaders, they observe well before making a decision.

Second , they are action-takers, they do not waste their time on unnecessary activities. Third , they are good communicators. They have a great deal of sense of how to present views in a positive way. This quality enables them to influence and persuade each kind of person.

Fourth , Flexibility is another great quality of great leaders. They change strategies whenever they feel the need. So, pay close attention to who is leading you. Thank you!

A Speech On Leadership | 3 Minutes

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the ways and shows the way”. This is one of my favourite quotes which describes the meaning of leadership in just a few words.

Good morning! All of you. Before heading ahead to my speech on leadership, I would like to wish you all the best wishes and also want to pay thanks for giving me this valuable opportunity.

Who is a leader? The answer is “someone who can lead you somewhere is called a leader” and this kind of capability is called  leadership . Also, a good leader is also a great mentor. Thus, It becomes necessary for any kind of organisation to have a splendid leader.

Leadership is not a new idea. If we examine history, we will find It has been ruling the world since human civilizations came into existence. A leader possesses good visionary skills and risk-computing skills so that he can lead the organisation on the path of progress.

Whether a person, a business or an organisation, all of this desire to lead to new heights. There is no choice but to have a great leader who can show them the right path and help them get there. This is why leadership holds great importance in every sphere of life.

But choosing a good leader is not easy yet not even very tough. Great leaders show some common qualities which can help us select a good leader who can actually help us to achieve goals and accomplish success. Let’s talk about these qualities.

This is the greatest quality that a great leader can have. This quality his see the broad picture of the scene to decide what are the next essential steps to take and where these steps will lead to.

2. Inspiration

Planning without action is worthless. Similarly, having a vision not going to work unless you have the ability to convey a clear picture of your vision to the people. Hence, inspiring people by showing them their vision is another quality of a good leader.

3. Continuous Improvement

A leader strives for continuous improvements as they know that there is always room for improvement. They’ll always be ready to help the members to discover ways to develop new skills or improve upon a weakness,

4. Flexibility

If one strategy does not work, try the other one. This activity is called flexibility. Being flexible enables a person to find out the best way to achieve goals in less time.

If a person possesses these qualities, he or she qualifies to be a good leader. This is all I wanted to say. I hope you liked my thoughts. Thank you!

Other Speeches

Importance of time management speech [1,2,3 minutes], speech on ethics and etiquette [1,2,3 minutes], speech about mahatma gandhi jayanti 2023.

• 1 Minute Speech On Health Is Wealth
• 2 Minute Speech On Child Labour
• 1 Minute Speech On Child Labour
• Speech On Nature [ 1-2 minutes ]
• 2 Minute Speech on Importance Of Education
• 1 Minute Speech on Pollution
• 2 Minute Speech on Population Explosion

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• PERSONAL GROWTH
• PRODUCTIVITY

Speech About Leadership and Responsibility

Have you been called upon to give an inspirational speech on leadership and responsibility? But you are not sure, what to include in the speech, how to start or end the speech. Check the sample speech here and use it as your guide.

Motivational Address on Leadership & Responsibility

“Friends, respected guests, and fellow community members, I am here today to talk about something really important – being a leader and taking responsibility. In our fast-changing world, we really need good leaders who take their role seriously. Being a leader is not just about being in charge; it is about using honesty, kindness, and strong commitment to make our society better. Being a leader means inspiring and guiding people to work together towards a common goal. A true leader shows kindness, stays humble, and never gives up. They pave the way for society to grow and get better. We see many examples of great leaders in history who have made a big impact on so many lives through their dedication and taking their responsibilities seriously. Great leaders know that it’s not about showing off, but instead helping others to do the best they can. They present themselves as symbols of hope and positivity, motivating their group members to strive for the best. These leaders take complete responsibility for their actions, leading by example and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Being a leader and having responsibility go hand in hand. A leader can’t ignore their duties and still expect people to stay loyal. Responsibility requires being open, honest, accepting mistakes, and learning from them. During difficult times, leaders stand out, providing comfort and guidance to their team through tough situations. They own up to their mistakes and give credit to their team for success, promoting a culture where everyone takes responsibility together. Leadership today also involves thinking globally . Leaders must tackle big issues like climate change, economic inequality, and social unfairness. Leaders need to look after not just people close to them but also people all over the world. To solve worldwide problems we need worldwide solutions, therefore leaders need to work together regardless of politics or geography. We live in a time where technology is advancing quickly, bringing both benefits and issues. Leaders in technology must tackle hard questions concerning privacy, artificial intelligence, and automation. Truly great leaders are those who make sure that technological progress is done ethically considering humanity’s interests. Education is another place where leadership and responsibility are strongly connected. Leaders in education help shape the future generations’ minds. They need to encourage students to think critically, show empathy towards others, and properly understand their responsibilities. But remember- leadership isn’t only for those in authority positions. Each one of us can showcase leadership within our own lives – in our families, workplaces or communities. Being a responsible leader means thinking about our actions’ effect on others, welcoming diversity and showing empathy towards others. To cap it off, leadership can’t exist without responsibility – if you have authority but no sense of duty, you’re not going to be able to make things better. As we move forward into an unknown future, it’s crucial we remember that real leaders carry the responsibility of guiding others towards a better tomorrow with inclusiveness always kept in mind. Let us all aim to become the leaders our world needs – caring, responsible leaders who intend to make difference for betterment of societies across globe. Thank you.”

Features of Leadership

• Influence: Leadership is a trait that inspires others, altering their behavior and mindset to synergize towards common objectives.
• Interpersonal Process: The relationship between a leader and their followers significantly determines the achievement of organizational goals.
• Achieving Organizational Goals: Leaders unify efforts towards shared business objectives.
• Continuous Process: Leadership is a perpetual journey, requiring constant guidance and direction to keep the team aligned.
• Group Process: Leadership thrives in collective effort, fostering interaction and solution-driven dialogues.
• Situation Dependent: Effective leadership is adaptable, molding itself as per the current circumstances.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Leader

A leader wears multiple hats, playing numerous roles that contribute to the overall success of the organization. These responsibilities vary but typically include the following:

Short Speech on Leadership Qualities

A great leader, above all, is known by their work ethics and the trust they instill in their team. This trust is earned through consistent actions, leading by example, and offering guidance even in challenging times. Renowned leaders like Nelson Mandela , Mahatma Gandhi, and Barack Obama showcased an unwavering commitment to their goals and a deep respect for every individual. The pathway to such leadership isn’t easy or swift but is marked by patience, understanding, and perseverance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is the importance of a leadership speech.

A leadership speech plays a crucial role in inspiring and motivating individuals to embrace their potential as leaders. It provides insights into the traits and qualities of effective leadership, emphasizing the significance of leading by example, making informed decisions, and fostering a productive environment. As John Maxwell aptly puts it, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

2. What is the role of leadership?

Leadership involves guiding, organizing, and managing a team toward a shared objective. Leaders are visionaries who motivate their teams and foster a conducive environment for growth. The roles of a leader can vary from training and mentoring to decision-making and conflict resolution. They may employ different leadership styles such as transactional, transformational, autocratic, or democratic based on the context and the team’s needs.

3. How do you introduce yourself in a leadership speech?

Introducing oneself in a leadership speech requires a careful balance of authority and humility. It’s essential to communicate your values, vision, and expectations clearly while also expressing your eagerness to learn and grow with the team. The way you deliver this speech can significantly impact the team’s perception of you, emphasizing the importance of preparing and practicing your speech. Strive to make your introduction an accurate reflection of your leadership style and ethos.

Ryan is a car enthusiast and an accomplished team builder passionate about crafting captivating narratives. Known for his ability to transport readers to other worlds, his writing has garnered attention and a dedicated following. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Ryan continues to weave literary magic in every word he writes.

Related Posts

How does stress affect leadership behavior and well-being , why is leadership in healthcare important, why is authenticity important in leadership.

Comments are closed.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

How to be a great leader

What makes a great leader? These TED Talks offer surprising, nuanced approaches on how to inspire and empower others to do their very best.

How great leaders inspire action

Learning from leadership's missing manual

Lead like the great conductors

Everyday leadership

What it takes to be a great leader

Trial, error and the God complex

Tribal leadership

Listen, learn ... then lead

Inspiring a life of immersion

How to start a movement

Why we have too few women leaders

Leadership Speech

Leadership is a character a lot of us wants yet only a few can master. Being a leader entails great responsibility. Speech writing could be a challenge for some but for a leader, it is more of a necessity. It requires both the mind and the spirit to come up with a powerful speech.

A leadership speech could be likened to a keynote speech because it stirs emotions among the audience. However, a leadership is more of an encouragement message. It should be filled with words of unity, camaraderie, and trust. Let us discuss in great detail what a leadership speech is.

Short Leadership Speech

Size: 66 KB

School Speech

Size: 55 KB

What Is  a Leadership Speech?

A leadership speech is a particular kind of speech that is used to deliver a strong message with the purpose of influencing others and providing inspiration when necessary. It is a composition designed with the objective to motivational speech others, lead them in the right direction, and drive them towards a common goal.

Although most speeches require to use proper language to deliver a message, a leadership speech takes more than that. The language to be used should be easily understood by the audience yet able to convey a strong and powerful effect.

Leadership Conference

Size: 392 KB

School Captain Speech

Size: 543 KB

How to Give a Leadership Speech

In order to give an inspiring leadership speech, you need to have the spirit and heart of a true leader. Here are some tips for you.

1. Be Confident.

Confidence is the first thing you need to practice before delivering a leadership speech in pdf . If you do not sound confident, your audience will see as weak and an inefficient leader.

2. Show Enthusiasm.

If you happen to read some welcome speech examples, you will know that they have a common denominator, i.e., it is filled with energy and emotion. You should be able to convey the right emotion to your audience.

3. Use Body Language.

You cannot just stand in front o everybody and read your lines. You have to use hand gestures and other parts of your body to send your message.

Leadership Elevator

Size: 113 KB

High School Speech

Size: 94 KB

Leadership Motivational

Tips for an Effective Leadership Speech

When you write your speech , make sure to use proper language and style. Here are a few tips for you.

1. Start with a Strong Opening.

This is always an essential key in any speech. You have to start strong. Remember that you have to catch your audience’s attention.

2. Create an Outline.

When presenting speech make sure to prioritize the important ones. In addition to that, organize your thoughts for a clearer message.

3. Develop a Connection.

Always bear in mind that in order for your message to be understood, you need to have a connection with the crowd. You may also see appreciation speech examples & samples.

High School Graduation Speech

Size: 75 KB

Effective Leadership Speech

Size: 10 KB

International Women’s Day Leadership Speech

Size: 70 KB

Leader’s Breakfast Speech

Size: 71 KB

Benefits of a Leadership Speech

Delivering speeches has always been proven an effective way to send out important message. It can change the course of history. Graduation speech examples have always united the spirit of students although the celebration means they are separating their ways.

A leadership speech word in the same way acts as an instrument to ignite emotions and encourage others. People who do not have a voice in the society consider it an opportunity to be heard and acknowledge specially if the leader understands their sentiments. It is through the leader’s speech that the rest of the members’ thoughts are brought out in the open.

Leadership Speech Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a leadership speech for a corporate team-building event

2. Help me write a leadership speech for a school leadership program

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• MHT CET 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Main Question Paper
• JEE Main Cutoff
• JEE Main Advanced Admit Card
• AP EAPCET Hall Ticket
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• KCET Result
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Admit Card
• TS ICET 2024 Hall Ticket
• CMAT Result 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• NEET Rank Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Admit Card 2024
• NEET PG Application Form 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• LSAT India 2024
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top Law Collages in Indore
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• AIBE 18 Result 2023
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• NID DAT Syllabus 2025
• NID DAT 2025
• Design Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Interior Design Colleges in India
• Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore
• Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
• NIFT Result 2024
• NIFT Fees Structure
• NIFT Syllabus 2025
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission 2024
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• LPU NEST 2024
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET Exam City Intimation Slip 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET Mock Test 2024
• CUET Admit card 2024
• CUET PG Syllabus 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Syllabus 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• IGNOU Result
• CUET City Intimation Slip 2024 Live

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Leadership Speech - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

• Speech on Leadership -

Leadership is a skill and ability of an individual, group, or organisation to lead. A good leader can motivate others to do something new and better. And the leader is a person who convinces people to follow. A person who has strong leadership skills in the business world can become CEO, COO, CFO, etc. Good leadership provides direction to workers and employees.

10 Lines Speech on Leadership

Short speech on leadership, long speech on leadership.

Leadership is about guiding and inspiring others to achieve a common goal.

A good leader has the ability to motivate and empower their team.

Leadership involves creating a vision and setting a direction for the group.

A leader must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

A good leader must be able to make tough decisions and take responsibility for their actions.

Leadership requires the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and find solutions to challenges.

A leader must have integrity and ethical values to earn the trust and respect of their team.

Leadership requires continuous learning and self-improvement.

A leader must have empathy and understanding towards their team members.

The ultimate measure of a leader's success is the success of their team and the impact they have on society.

Good morning everyone, I am here today to talk about the importance of leadership and what it takes to be a successful leader. Leadership is the art of guiding individuals, groups or organisations to achieve their goals and fulfil their obligations. A great leader is someone who not only gives direction, but also inspires and motivates their team to reach their fullest potential.

A good leader always maintains an open line of communication with their team, encouraging both personal and professional growth. They understand that their role is to teach and mentor, not just give orders. Effective leadership is a continuous process that requires patience, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the growth and success of their team.

Leadership also plays a crucial role in building strong relationships and providing psychological support to team members. When the team feels supported and valued, they are more likely to work willingly and wholeheartedly, contributing to the overall growth and success of the organisation.

In conclusion, a great leader possesses not only technical skills and knowledge, but also the ability to inspire and motivate their team to reach their goals. Good leadership is the key to creating a harmonious and productive work environment, and is an essential quality for any manager to possess.

Good morning everyone, I am Riya, a student of Aditya Academy, and I am here today to talk about the topic of leadership. Leadership is a crucial aspect of our lives, whether it is in our personal relationships, community, or in the workplace. As students, we have the opportunity to develop and refine our leadership skills, which will serve us well in the future.

Leadership can be defined as the ability to inspire, motivate and guide others towards a common goal. A great leader not only has vision, but also the ability to bring others along on the journey towards that vision. A leader must possess several key qualities, including integrity, empathy, the ability to communicate effectively, and the courage to make difficult decisions.

Examples of Great Leader

In today's world, there are countless examples of great leaders who have changed the course of history and inspired millions with their vision, commitment, and unwavering spirit. Two such leaders who stand out are Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Mahatma Gandhi was a man who embodied the very essence of leadership. He was a man who inspired millions with his unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance and his vision of a free and equal India. Despite facing immense opposition and making personal sacrifices, Gandhi never lost sight of his goal. He rallied his followers around his cause and through his leadership, he brought about a change in the world that will be remembered for generations to come.

Nelson Mandela is another example of a great leader who has made a lasting impact on the world. He spent 27 years in prison in his fight against apartheid in South Africa and was subjected to the worst forms of oppression. Yet, he never lost his faith in the power of leadership to bring about change. His unwavering spirit and refusal to compromise on his principles inspired millions around the world and eventually led to the fall of apartheid and his election as the first black president of South Africa.

Both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela serve as a reminder that true leadership is not about power, fame or wealth, but about the ability to inspire others, to stand up for what is right, and to never lose sight of your goals, no matter the cost. Through their leadership, they have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

In our own lives, we have the opportunity to be leaders in our communities and families. Whether it is taking on a leadership role in a school club, volunteering at a local charity, or simply being a positive influence on those around us, we can all make a difference.

In conclusion, leadership is a vital quality that every person should strive to develop. It is not just about having a position of authority, but about inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal. Through our actions and leadership, we can leave a positive impact on the world and make it a better place for future generations. Thank you.

Applications for Admissions are open.

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PACE IIT & Medical, Financial District, Hyd

Enrol in PACE IIT & Medical, Financial District, Hyd for JEE/NEET preparation

ALLEN JEE Exam Prep

Start your JEE preparation with ALLEN

ALLEN NEET Coaching

Ace your NEET preparation with ALLEN Online Programs

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

Leadership Lessons for Effectively Speaking Up

Leadership can be more than a role..

Posted April 2, 2021 | Reviewed by Matt Huston

As we begin to emerge from the tragic worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have reexamined our priorities based on what we truly believe in and care about. How can we reenter the post-pandemic world so that it supports what most matters to us, rather than just letting old habits take over? In these times, we need all of us, as parents, workers, citizens, and friends, to call up the leader within, so that we can rise to the occasion in the ways only we can do. Some of us may then also help to build organizations, institutions, and entire societies that reflect the possible evolution of human community that is gestating, ready to happen if we choose it.

Leadership can be more than a role. At best, it is a calling to care about the world and those around us.

The purpose of my work on heroic archetypes (universal characters and stories) has always been to help people be fulfilled as they make a difference in the world. It therefore is particularly important to the growing field of transformation leadership. James MacGregor Burns, the founder of this field, described such leaders as those who inspire others with a vision that promotes the greater good. In this process, such leaders also bring out the best, even sometimes the nobility, in everyone involved.

Some transforming leaders seem to be born this way, but working with archetypes can help any of us be transformative enough to realize our purpose. Archetypes are universal patterns available to humans in all times and places, and thus to you and me. Becoming conscious of them can help leaders link their inner desires with outer behaviors that have a transformational impact. We can begin by recognizing the positive archetypal energies that can infuse an authentic desire to make a difference, and then help clarify what we want to contribute toward what end. For example, the inner Lover wants us all to get along, the Creator to innovate, the Sage to analyze the issue, and the Jester to lighten up and enjoy life.

Through understanding the archetypal stories that shape our values, character, culture, and capacities—and those of other people and groups—we, as individuals and organizations, can better realize our unique potential and experience greater success and fulfillment. Archetypes also inform the stories we think, tell, and live.

My country is very divided by what is called a “culture war,” but the one thing we all seem to agree on is our dissatisfaction and sense that there is something wrong with how we have been living. Often, people respond to this by blaming others, and, yes, sometimes certain individuals and groups are responsible for certain problems. However, I keep hearing very sophisticated people relating how they censor themselves at work in ways that keep them from truly showing up with what they have to offer. True, the more we conform to the unwritten rules of how to fit in, the easier it is to get heard. But while it is important to share respectfully with an awareness of how others view things, censoring what we believe to be true and needed can impede progress.

One way to notice this is to recognize the stories being told around us when we know another one that is a better fit with reality. A very senior female executive shared with me how much she hated it when the executive team of the corporation in which she worked would start talking as if their business were literally at war with competitors. To fit in, she found herself using war-like metaphors such as “let’s roll out the tanks” and “destroy them.”

Yet, she knew that what was holding back success was that people working there kept being pushed to do their work as if it were storming the beaches in World War II. The whole place was living a Warrior story, but the positive ability to focus, work hard, and win was being undercut by the archetype’s negative underbelly. Along with the Warrior’s gifts of courage, focus, and a desire to compete and win came a stoic culture where being exhausted could not be revealed for fear of losing power and status. The constant pressure to push ahead meant that often the wrong things were being done and mistakes were being made. She recognized that the executive team needed to hear what was true for her, not by attacking their militant stance, but simply by sharing what she was seeing. She decided to do that by distributing an article in a prominent business publication for discussion by the team. Nothing in her action focused on the team being misguided; rather, the article was all about achieving goals —but doing so without exhausting employees.

By now, most high-level leaders know that it is important to speak up about what they see that other members of their team do not, but the desire to belong is instinctual, and the cost of challenging the story the powerful are telling and/or that defines belonging can be devastating. Historically underrepresented groups often are the ones that see the issues about the presumptive story of “us,” whatever that is, because that “us” does not seem to include them. Yet, they are the ones most likely to be sacrificed if they seem not to be a team player or one of “us,” or the plotline of their story is “not how we do things here.” And often being one of us depends on believing “our story.”

Caregiver organizations are just as attached to their stories as Warrior ones are. A male colleague sat quietly as a predominantly Caregiver team assumed that a woman who charges a man with inappropriate behavior must always be believed, while the Sage archetype within him was screaming, “No, we must listen and then investigate—really investigate,” or else many people would revolt, thinking that innocent men (and women) would end up losing their jobs. However, he stopped and thought about how to communicate that in a Caregiver way, by stressing the importance of avoiding harm to those charged who are innocent as well as those who report being abused. He also made sure to express his concern about the larger issue of power differentials in a way that showed empathy for how difficult it is for women, or others, to speak up in response to inappropriate behavior, abuse, or a more serious violation, or even to report it after the fact.

Leadership starts with being the one who talks about the elephant in the room, who describes what they see and invites others to do likewise, and is open to change. Speaking up in intelligent and respectful ways is a leadership skill we all need today. The leaders who can do this most effectively have been prepared by experiencing multiple storylines through reading, through traveling, and through curious listening. The more we expand our inner storylines through any means available, the more effective we can be when the need to speak up presents itself. Instead of debating with others on important issues in a me- against-you way, we can seek understanding by speaking from one archetype to another, as in debates on immigration: “My Warrior relates to your Warrior desire to protect our borders, but my Caregiver feels empathy for refugees and wants to help them.” This also could be said in the opposite way, depending on the views of the person or group we are talking with.

If leaders are to unify conflicting groups, they need a story that is effective in helping both sides recognize where they agree and why they need one another. The peace movement has evolved strategies for getting people who are literally at war with one another to talk openly about their actual experiences. Peace sometimes breaks out when each side faces how the horrors and losses of war are shared by both.

In my country, where almost everyone is dissatisfied in some way, true communication can come from learning to state what that feels like for each of us, without pointing the finger at one another. And in everyday situations, each one of us can voice fewer opinions, listen more, and reveal more of our actual experiences. That puts what we believe in a context that does not inherently make someone who believes differently, as a result of his or her experience, wrong.

We can each further the human development so needed right now as we move through, and potentially out of, this pandemic, simply by speaking up to share our perspectives, all the while learning from others, as we contribute what only we can.

Carol S. Pearson, Ph.D. , a former provost and professor, is the author of The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By . Her newest book is Persephone Rising: Awakening the Heroine Within .

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Leadership Speech for Students and Children

Leadership speech.

Leadership is basically a research area and a skill that encompasses the ability of an individual or any organization. Moreover, its motive is to “lead” or direct other individuals, teams, or entire administrations of an organization. The specialist literature debates numerous viewpoints, contrasting the Eastern and Western methods and techniques to the leadership. It also contrasts within the West. The United States against European approaches. According to the U.S. academic environments leadership is a “process of social influence where a person can enlist the aid and support of other persons or any team for the accomplishment of a common task or goal”. Read leadership speech here.

Importance of Leadership

Initiates the action or the work: Leader is someone who initiates the work. The work starts by communicating the policies and plans. The plans and the policies are discussed with the assistants and the followers from where the work or the task actually begins.

Provides Motivation

The leader fills the employees with motivation. In addition, employees get economic and non-economic rewards. And thereby the leader gets the work from the subordinates or the juniors following him/her.

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Provides Guidance

A leader, not just only supervises the team that follows him/her but also plays a guiding role for them. Guidance here means instructing and training the subordinates or the juniors in the way they have to execute their work effectively and efficiently at the same time.

Generates Confidence

Confidence is a very important element for an individual. An individual can achieve confidence by expressing the work efforts. Moreover, one can provide confidence by explaining them clearly their role to achieve the target effectively. It is also necessary to hear the employees with regards to their objections or problems.

Developing Morale

Morale generally denotes the willing co-operation of the employees towards their work. Moreover, by getting them into confidence and gaining their trust and loyalty. A leader can be a morale enhancer by accomplishing full co-operation so that the team performs best. When the team or the individuals perform better, then it becomes much easier to achieve the goals.

Maintains Work Environment

Management gets things done from the people effectively. An efficient working atmosphere helps in stable growth. Therefore, human relations should be kept in mind by a mentor or a leader. The leader must have personal contacts with the employees and should listen to their problems personally and solve them. The leader should treat the employees on humanitarian terms and should respect them and their good work.

Generates Co-ordination

One can accomplish the co-ordination in an organization or a team through reconciling personal interests with organizational goals and objectives. Thus, we can achieve management through proper and effective coordination. Perfect management should be the primary motive of any leader or mentor.

Role of a Leader

Necessary at all Levels

Leadership is a function and system that is important at all levels of management in an organization. At the topmost level, it is necessary to get co-operation in preparation of the plans and the policies.

In the middle level and the lower level, we need it for interpretation and execution of plans. The top-level management of an organization plans the programs.

A representative of the organization: A leader is said to be the representative of the entire organization. He has to represent the concern at various seminars, conferences, general meetings, and events.

Leadership is the key element of an organization or enterprise. Leadership helps in controlling the crowd with the power and authority of a leader. A leader plays the role of the mentor for the team or individuals that follow his/her instructions.

Read Essays for Students and Children here !

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Speech for Students

• Speech on India for Students and Children
• Speech on Mother for Students and Children
• Speech on Air Pollution for Students and Children
• Speech about Life for Students and Children
• Speech on Disaster Management for Students and Children
• Speech on Internet for Students and Children
• Speech on Generation Gap for Students and Children
• Speech on Indian Culture for Students and Children
• Speech on Sports for Students and Children
• Speech on Water for Students and Children

16 responses to “Speech on Water for Students and Children”

this was very helpful it saved my life i got this at the correct time very nice and helpful

This Helped Me With My Speech!!!

I can give it 100 stars for the speech it is amazing i love it.

Its amazing!!

Great !!!! It is an advanced definition and detail about Pollution. The word limit is also sufficient. It helped me a lot.

This is very good

Very helpful in my speech

Oh my god, this saved my life. You can just copy and paste it and change a few words. I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, because I had to research a few words. But my teacher didn’t know about this website, so amazing.

Tomorrow is my exam . This is Very helpfull

It’s really very helpful

yah it’s is very cool and helpful for me… a lot of 👍👍👍

Very much helpful and its well crafted and expressed. Thumb’s up!!!

wow so amazing it helped me that one of environment infact i was given a certificate

check it out travel and tourism voucher

thank you very much

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Leadership Speech

Long and Short Speech on Leadership for Students

A leader is someone who has a powerful intellect and not mere intellect. Leadership is a skill that not everyone is blessed with, a skill that allows an individual to lead people for the greater good of society. Leadership can not be learned or taught but it is a skill that is developed through time. Leadership is all about guiding and leading the people in a group or organization which leads to the success of the group. Leadership is all about having a vision that will help in bringing a change in society.

We often see that many people claim they are leaders all based on the position they are in. They might be the managing directors or the CEO of the company. Does that mean having a good position is directly linked to being a good leader? And what are the qualities that make up a good leader?

Here we have provided long and short leadership speeches and along with that we have also given 10 line pointers about the leadership speech for students.

These speeches of great leaders will help the students to understand the qualities required to be a good leader.

Long Speech on Leadership Qualities

Good morning to everyone present here today. Today I am going to give a leadership speech and I hope it’s helpful. I would like to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity to speak about leadership.

So who is a leader? and what is leadership?. A leader is someone who can think and question and does not merely follow the herd. A true leader has a powerful intellect and they impact the people around them to work hard.

Throughout history, the world has produced great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, and the list goes on. So what is common between all these leaders that makes them truly grateful? What is the quality of all these leaders that made people believe in them?. Well, the answer is that they could guide huge populations of people for the greater good. A quality leader will always think about people and help them in solving problems and that’s what all the great leaders in the past have done.

Mahatma Gandhi after being in South Africa for twenty years came back to India after witnessing the discrimination that was done by the white people against fellow Indians. He taught people about Satyagraha and the nonviolent ways through which everyone could fight back the British. During all the nonviolent protests he was not just commanding people, he walked with everyone, he led the movement and that is the true quality of a leader.

Similarly, Barack Obama after becoming the 44th president of the united states of America, helped the country to fight the recession. American people were suffering during 2008 because of the recession as the country's economy was falling slowly. The middle class could not pay bills, There were no insurance policies for the poor and the country's growth was declining slowly.

Barack Obama was able to understand the difficulties that everyone was facing and he did what every great leader does, he guided the country out of recession. He made sure to lead from the front and fight the difficulties that his people were facing and that is the quality of a true leader.

So after getting to know about great leaders in the past, how can anyone figure out a leader? Well, there are a few qualities that define a good leader. A great leader motivates you to be successful. A leader is a great influencer who does not force anyone to follow him but due to his actions, people follow him on their own. A strong leader is also characterized by having a strong personality. An aura that makes people listen to him or her. A good leader is not about commanding people to do their work but it is always about helping people to get the work done.

For example, if a task is assigned to a group, a good leader will always make sure to distribute the task equally within the group and will also make sure to help anyone if they are facing difficulties. He or she also makes sure that there are no loopholes in the process and he makes sure that everyone finishes their work in time.

Leaders are not born, they are made throughout time and leadership is not an easy task. It cannot be done by people who allow their emotions to take control. Leadership is all about having a good aim and vision. A leader will always think about achieving the goal even if there are many hurdles in the way. 

Leadership is always about impacting people in such a way that it will help them to reach their goals. It is about having the ability to decide on the worst picture possible. It is about seeing the bigger picture for a better future. Leadership is linked to communicating with the team and finding the answer. It is about showing determination towards your goal, it is about listening to the team and helping each other to find a solution, and above all leadership is about earning respect from the team and accepting the challenge without fear.

The qualities found in a leader are not cultivated in a day or a week but it is done after seeing a lot of failures and learning from them.  Does that mean you can never be a leader? Anyone can be a leader and it can be done by learning through failures. Leaders who possess great leadership qualities have earned and learned them with time. Leadership is all about thinking for the benefit of everyone even if it means you are at loss in the beginning. It is about thinking of society and how your leader's goals could help in the betterment of the country.

To conclude this speech I want to say that great leaders were not born great, they made themselves great by observing their surroundings and doing their best to change them. The real essence of leadership is when a leader pays attention to the needs of the followers and works in the direction to fulfil all those needs.

As I said before, history is filled with examples of great leaders, and one thing that is common in all leaders in the act of selflessness. They never thought about their gain but they always strived for the betterment of everyone. To be a great leader you need to have led people for the greater good. To be a great leader you have to be a good human first, show kindness to every living organism. So start cultivating the habits that will make you a good leader and I can assure you that the world will benefit from it. Thank you very much for listening. Have a great evening.

Short Speech About Leadership

Good morning to everyone present here. I feel grateful that I was chosen to give a small leadership speech for students. I hope my speech inspires everyone to be a good leader.

A leader is someone who is characterized by many qualities. Teamwork, hard work, calm, selflessness, help.

A leader is someone who always thinks and questions a situation to bring a solution. A leader never follows the herd but he or she is the one who is followed by people because of his or her ability to create an impact on people.

Great leaders in the past such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and so on have always thought of the greater good of society. They have always led by example and have always directed people in the right direction.

The qualities found in leaders are not formed within a day or weak but they are cultivated through years of hard work, patience, and learning from failures.

To conclude I want to say that great leaders are not born great but they make themselves great by being selfless. They always think about the bigger picture and will always try to help people who are in trouble. To be a great leader you need to be a good human first who shows kindness to every living organism around him or her. You can also be a great leader by cultivating these habits. 

10 Lines About Speech on Leadership Qualities

A great leader will always lead the people for a better future.

Leadership is all about selflessness. It is about thinking about the goals of society before personal goals.

A good leader will always lead by example and will always be focused on his or her goals.

Leadership is about understanding the followers and understanding them completely.

Leadership is about actively listening and adapting to the changes.

A leader is not born but anyone can become a good leader by applying constant efforts.

Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, Barack Obama, and many more great leaders have always thought about the better good of society.

leadership is linked to selflessness, determination, loyalty, teamwork, and efficiency.

While writing speeches of great leaders remember to always include examples of leaders in the past who have helped society.

Some of the famous speeches by leaders that changed society are Martin King Luther’s speech, Mahatma Gandhi’s speech, Barack Obama’s speech before getting elected as the 44th president of the United States of America.

The following points also can be used as a reference for the students to include in their speeches and have a better understanding of the features and styles of leadership.

Features of Leadership

Leaders play an important role in the growth of any organization. A great leader can establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships with subordinates or followers and motivate them to achieve their desired organizational goals.

Here we are discussing some important features of leadership that every good leader possesses.

Influence the Behaviour of People - Leadership is the skill of an individual that influences the behaviour of other people or employees in any organization so they can work together to achieve a common business goal.

Interpersonal Process - This process occurs between the leader and his followers. The relationship of the employees with the leaders determines how efficiently and effectively the business goals would be met.

Achieving Similar Organizational Goals - The objective of leadership is to provide a direction to the employees to attain common business objectives. The leader combines the people and their efforts for the same.

Continuous Process - Leadership is a time-consuming and continuous process. At every point, employees need guidance from the leader to ensure that they are working in the right direction and their efforts will pay them back. Moreover, a good leader makes sure that his employees are not deviating from the path.

Group Process - Leadership is certainly a group process. Imagine if there are no followers then to whom will the leader guide? Therefore, leadership involves the interaction of two or more people that allows them to discuss their issues with their mentors and get relevant solutions.

Dependent on Situations - A leader is dependent on the situations that he has to tackle in the current scenario. His leadership style changes when the situation changes. The advice which he gives to solve a situation will also be effective to tackle other problems.

Leadership styles

Leadership style refers to the approaches or strategies adopted by a leader for motivating his followers while trying to achieve common targets. As discussed above, leadership style is dependent on situations. This means that the way of handling a problem can change depending upon the present scenario.

Leadership styles are classified into three types. These are-

Autocratic Leadership Style - In this style, the leader takes all the necessary decisions by himself without discussing them with his followers.

Democratic Leadership Style - Here, the leader consults his subordinates before taking the final decision.

Free-Rein Leadership Style - It is also known as the Laissez-faire style. In this, the leader gives complete freedom to his followers to take the decision.

FAQs on Leadership Speech

1. What is the exact meaning of leadership?

Leadership is the quality or skill of an individual which helps the individual to lead people in the right direction, inspire them and build confidence in them. The person who has this leadership quality is known as the leader. With this skill, the leader takes steps for the good of society. 

Not everyone in this world is blessed with this ability. Leadership is the ability that is developed with time and cannot be learned. The people possessing this quality effectively influence people to reach their goals. In other words, it is the ability that turns vision into reality.

2. What are the best leadership qualities?

Some of the best leadership traits are listed below:

Trustworthiness - A leader must be honest and should not hide anything from his people. This trait creates a strong relationship between the leader and the group members.

Responsibility - It is the leader who is responsible for his actions. Also, the leader has the responsibility of his members.

Vision - It is the leader who has the vision and knows the methods to reach their goals. The leaders turn their ideas into actions.

Good Communication Skills - A leader must have this skill so that he can openly talk to his group members.

Self-Confident - A leader needs to be self-confident. This skill enables them to believe in themselves and gives success in most situations.

3. What are the major differences between a boss and a leader?

Underneath are the differences between a boss and a leader:

A boss is in charge of people or a company.

He is the person who takes away all the credit. 

The boss uses people for his and his company's benefit. 

He blames others for the breakdown.

He commands people to do the task.

A leader inspires and influences others to complete the goals.

He is the person who gives credit to his members. 

The leader helps people in developing their skills.

With the help of the members, a leader fixes the breakdown.

He asks people to do the task.

4. Give an example of any person who has the quality of leadership.

Barack Obama is the best example of transformational leadership. He was the first African - American president of the United States for 8 years. He saw possibilities and opportunities in every situation while others saw obstacles in those situations. He made a friendly atmosphere for his staff members so that they can share things with him. He was honest and transparent towards his people. 

He also organized a campaign named "Yes We Can". This rally inspired and convinced many people that there is a better future if they get united with him and trust the government. He was the best leader who thought and did well for the country.

• Self Confidence
• Public Speaking
• Communication
• Communication Skills

LEARNER STORIES

• Kanhaiya Sharma
• Ashfaq Sorathia
• Prateek Chawla

OTHER TOOLS

• Comparative Analysis

On This Page

Ever thought about how some leaders can say things that stick with us forever? Speech on leadership qualities by leaders are like magic words that can change the course of history. They’re not just talking— a true leader guides , inspires, and makes a big impact.

As we dig into speech on leadership qualities , we want to figure out why some words become so powerful. What’s the secret sauce that turns a bunch of sentences into something that shapes the future? Come along as we figure out the mysteries of leadership speeches. We’re diving into how simple words can have a huge impact and how great leaders use speeches to change the world. Let’s get started!

10 Speeches Of A Good Leader

Let’s explore impactful speeches that changed the world. From times of war to moments of hope, these speeches made history.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

In the heart of the American Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “ I Have a Dream ” speech on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Facing a crowd of over 250,000 people, King spoke passionately about racial equality and justice.

This speech became a defining moment in the fight against racial discrimination. King’s words echoed across the nation, inspiring millions to join the struggle for civil rights. The speech contributed significantly to passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , landmark legislations that dismantled segregation and protected voting rights for African Americans.

King’s dream wasn’t just for him; it was a vision of a more just and equal America, which made him a great leader. His speech became a rallying cry for those seeking an end to racial injustice. Its enduring impact is evident today, as King’s dream continues to shape conversations about equality and justice worldwide.

Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” Speech (1940)

Winston Churchill delivered his famous speech, “ We Shall Fight on the Beaches ,” to the House of Commons on June 4, 1940, during World War II. The speech was a response to the evacuation of British and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk .

Churchill’s resolute words provided a rallying cry for the British people in the face of imminent invasion by Nazi forces. The speech bolstered national morale and determination during a critical juncture of the war. 

Churchill’s speech is remembered as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. It is an enduring symbol of determination and the refusal to succumb to tyranny. The words “We shall never surrender” inspire individuals and nations confronting challenges.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (1863)

In the middle of the Civil War in America, thousands of soldiers lost their lives in a battle at Gettysburg . It was a tough time for the country, and people were feeling sad and divided. After the battle, Abraham Lincoln stood in a cemetery to honour the soldiers who died and to remind everyone of the principles the nation was built upon.

Lincoln’s short but powerful speech focused on unity and the idea that a nation dedicated to freedom and equality should stay strong. It was a call to action , urging people to work together to make sure the country stayed united and that the principles of liberty and equality didn’t fade away.

This speech is remembered because Lincoln reminded everyone in just a few words of the importance of a united nation. He made people think about the sacrifices of the soldiers and the principles that make America special. The Gettysburg Address became a symbol of national unity and a commitment to the ideals that the United States was built upon. Even today, it’s one of American history’s greatest speeches.

Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Address (1994)

In 1994, South Africa went through a significant change. Nelson Mandela became the first black President, marking the end of apartheid —a system that segregated people based on race. His inaugural address was a crucial moment in the nation’s history.

Mandela’s inaugural address was a call for reconciliation and unity. He emphasised forgiveness and the need to move forward as a united nation. It set the tone for a new era, promoting equality and understanding among South Africans. 

This speech is significant because it signalled the end of a dark period in South Africa’s history. Mandela’s words were a commitment to building a nation where everyone, regardless of their race, could live in harmony. The inaugural address was a cornerstone in the journey towards reconciliation, and Mandela’s leadership became a beacon for peaceful coexistence and the dismantling of apartheid.

Steve Jobs’ iPhone Introduction (2007)

On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs took the stage at the Macworld Conference & Expo to introduce a revolutionary device that would change the landscape of technology—the iPhone. Jobs began by emphasising Apple’s intention to reinvent the phone , unveiling a product that seamlessly combined an iPod, a phone, and an Internet communicator.

Jobs’ announcement of the iPhone marked a watershed moment in the tech industry. The sleek design, innovative features, and the convergence of multiple functionalities into one device captivated the audience and set a new standard for smartphones.

The introduction of the iPhone transformed Apple’s trajectory and revolutionised the entire smartphone industry. Jobs’ visionary presentation showcased the device’s capabilities and created immense anticipation and excitement among consumers and competitors alike. The iPhone’s launch redefined user expectations and set the stage for a new mobile communication and computing era.

Malala Yousafzai’s United Nations Speech (2013)

In 2013, Malala Yousafzai , a young Pakistani activist, addressed the United Nations on her sixteenth birthday. Malala had survived an attack by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education, and her speech was a powerful plea for the right to education for all children, especially girls.

Malala’s speech brought attention to the importance of education and the challenges faced by girls in many parts of the world. It sparked a global conversation on the right to education and the empowerment of young people, especially girls, in societies where education is often denied.

This speech is significant because it highlights the bravery of a young girl standing up for what she believed in. Malala’s words transcended her personal experience, becoming a rallying cry for the universal right to education. The speech inspired movements and initiatives focused on ensuring access to education for all children, regardless of their gender or background. Malala’s advocacy continues to make a lasting impact on the fight for educational opportunities worldwide.

Emma Gonzalez’s March for Our Lives Speech (2018)

In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Emma Gonzalez, a survivor and student activist, delivered a powerful speech during the March for Our Lives rally. The event called for stricter gun control measures in the United States.

Emma’s speech became a rallying cry for the movement against gun violence. Her raw honesty and determination captured the frustration and anger of many young people demanding action on gun control. The March for Our Lives movement gained momentum and drew attention to the urgent need for reform.

This speech is crucial because it amplified the voices of young activists advocating for safer schools and stricter gun control. Emma’s direct and passionate words resonated with a generation tired of living in fear of gun violence. The March for Our Lives movement, sparked by speeches like Emma’s, contributed to a national conversation about gun policy, prompting discussions on how to make communities safer and protect the lives of students.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor Address (1941)

On December 7, 1941, the United States faced a surprise attack by Japan at Pearl Harbor , leading to the country’s entry into World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation the next day, delivering a speech that would shape the course of American history.

FDR’s speech motivated the American people, uniting them in the face of a devastating attack. It led to the United States officially entering World War II , with the president rallying the nation to respond to the aggression and defend democratic values.

This speech is a pivotal moment in history because it marked the turning point for the United States in World War II. Roosevelt’s words reflected the shock and determination of a nation suddenly thrust into a global conflict. The phrase “a date which will live in infamy” became synonymous with the attack and mobilised the country for a unified response against the Axis powers. The speech remains an iconic call to action during a time of great challenge and sacrifice.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India Speech (1942)

In 1942, during India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule, Mahatma Gandhi delivered the “ Quit India” speech . He urged the British to leave India, emphasising nonviolent resistance as the means to achieve freedom.

Gandhi’s speech motivated the Indian masses to join the Quit India Movement , a pivotal chapter in the fight for independence. The call for nonviolent resistance inspired millions to peacefully demand an end to British rule.

This speech is significant because it marked a crucial turning point in India’s struggle for independence. Gandhi’s call for nonviolence and mass participation stirred a nationwide movement against colonial rule. The Quit India Movement led to widespread civil disobedience and protests, ultimately contributing to India gaining independence in 1947. Gandhi’s emphasis on nonviolence and unity became a guiding principle for liberation movements worldwide.

Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” (1987)

In the middle of the Cold War , with East and West Germany divided by the Berlin Wall, President Ronald Reagan delivered a historic speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. The speech urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to bring down the Berlin Wall and symbolised a call for freedom.

Reagan’s words became an iconic moment, expressing a powerful demand for the reunification of East and West Germany and the end of Cold War divisions. The speech inspired hope for a world without ideological barriers.

This speech is remembered for its boldness and the message it conveyed. Reagan’s direct challenge to Gorbachev demonstrated the unwavering commitment to freedom and the belief that the Berlin Wall was a symbol of oppression that needed to come down. The eventual fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany marked the end of an era and a significant step toward the conclusion of the Cold War.

Moving from talking about giving powerful speeches, let’s now look at the essential qualities that make leadership communication effective.

Exploring Speech On Leadership Qualities

In this section, we break down what makes a leader’s speech truly powerful.

Clarity and vision: A leader articulates a clear vision for the future, ensuring their message is easily understood. A well-defined vision guides both the speaker and the audience towards common goals.

Empathy and connection: Effective leaders connect emotionally with their audience. They express empathy, understanding the concerns and aspirations of those they lead, fostering a sense of unity.

Inspiration and motivation: A leader inspires by instilling a sense of purpose and motivation. Their words spark enthusiasm and a collective drive to achieve shared objectives.

Adaptability and resilience: A leader’s speech should reflect adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. Acknowledging difficulties while expressing confidence in overcoming them builds trust.

Authenticity: Authenticity is key. A leader speaks genuinely, aligning their words with their beliefs. Authenticity builds trust and credibility among the audience.

Effective communication: A leader communicates with precision and impact. They choose words that resonate, crafting messages that are both persuasive and easily understood by diverse audiences.

Importance Of Speech On Leadership

Leadership speeches are more than just spoken words; they are transformative forces that shape the course of nations and individuals alike.

Here, we go into the depths of understanding why these speeches matter and their far-reaching impact:

Inspiring collective action: Leadership speeches serve as catalysts, inspiring individuals to join forces toward a common goal. By fostering a shared sense of purpose and motivation, leaders mobilise communities to take collective action.

Framing a shared vision: These speeches articulate a compelling vision for the future, providing a roadmap for progress. A leader uses their words to create a shared narrative that aligns followers with a common direction and purpose.

Building trust and unity: A well-delivered speech builds trust among followers, forging strong bonds within a community. By acknowledging challenges, expressing empathy, and offering solutions, leaders create an environment of unity and collaboration.

Guiding through uncertainty: In times of uncertainty, leadership speeches offer stability and assurance. Leaders communicate a sense of confidence, providing guidance and fostering resilience among followers facing challenges and adversity.

Cultural and historical legacy: Iconic leadership speeches become integral to the cultural and historical fabric of a society. They stand as enduring symbols of pivotal moments, reflecting the values, struggles, and triumphs of a community or nation.

Writing A Speech On Leadership

Crafting a leadership speech is an art that requires a thoughtful blend of substance, style, and strategic communication. Here’s a deep dive into the key elements, frameworks, techniques, and resources for writing a compelling leadership speech

Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is the cornerstone of effective communication. Employing the Empathy Map framework allows you to delve into the minds of your listeners, uncovering their perspectives, desires, and challenges. By conducting surveys or interviews, you gain direct insights, ensuring your speech resonates with the audience on a personal level. Utilise online demographic tools and social media analytics as resources to refine your understanding. The importance lies in forging a deep connection, fostering a sense of relatability that enhances the impact of your message.

Define a Clear Message

The clarity of your message is paramount in capturing and retaining your audience’s attention. The Message Box framework aids in defining your core message, supporting points, and audience benefits. Crafting a concise elevator pitch condenses your message for impact. Explore writing guides and templates to ensure precision. The importance here is in creating a well-defined narrative that not only informs but leaves a lasting impression, guiding your audience toward a distinct takeaway.

Structure with Purpose

Structuring your speech with purpose ensures coherence and engagement. Employ the Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS) framework to organise your content effectively. Weave a compelling narrative using storytelling techniques like the Hero’s Journey , captivating your audience from start to finish. Use speech writing software and templates as resources to guide your structural choices. The importance lies in providing a clear path for your audience to follow, enhancing the overall impact of your message.

Infuse Authenticity

Authenticity is the bedrock of impactful leadership speeches. Utilise the Johari Window framework to enhance self-awareness, allowing your authentic self to shine through. Share personal anecdotes and experiences that align with your message, creating a genuine connection with your audience. Seek guidance from public speaking coaches and TED Talks on authenticity to refine your approach. The importance here is in building trust, as authenticity fosters a deeper connection and resonates with your audience’s own experiences.

Utilise Engaging Techniques

Engagement is the key to holding your audience’s attention. Apply the Monroe’s Motivated Sequence framework to organise your speech for maximum impact. Incorporate the Rule of Three , using triads to make your speech rhythmic and memorable. Explore public speaking courses , books on rhetorical techniques, and speech analysis tools as valuable resources. The importance lies in creating a dynamic and memorable experience, ensuring your audience is not just informed but actively involved in the message you convey.

Power Of Leadership Speeches

In conclusion, it’s clear how powerful leadership speeches are—they shape societies and ignite positive change. Think of the qualities of impactful speeches, like building blocks that make a lasting impact. For leaders aiming to craft speeches that stand the test of time, embracing audience understanding, clear messaging, structural purpose, authenticity, and engaging techniques is key. Let these insights be your guide, ensuring your words don’t just inform but also inspire, guide, and leave a mark on everyone’s minds. As leaders step onto the stage, here’s to their messages resonating, creating waves of positive influence that last through the ages.

By Rishabh Bhandari

Top 10 best leadership development programs [2024], spiritual leadership and the interplay with spirituality in management.

Igniting Potential: Youth Leadership Explored with Inspiring Quotes

Kapable © 2024

• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• Fast, Fluent & Structured Thinking
• Confident Communication and Public Speaking
• Leadership & Team Management
• Power Presentation & Storytelling
• Negotiation and Persuasion
• Influence and Charisma

Home Inspiring Leadership Now

30 of the best ted talks on leadership that every great leader should watch – 2nd edition.

Last updated: 4 March 2020

>> Pssst! Want to discover insider secrets from some of the most dynamic and inspirational leaders and entrepreneurs? Join our Leader’s Edge 14-day free trial to receive practical tools on how to be a leader, run a business and live a successful, fulfilling life!

Love inspiring Ted Talks on leadership? So do we!

That’s why we put together this list of our  crème de la crème TED Talks on leadership.

So next time you’re needing a little boost, take a 20-minute break to listen to one of these and learn from some of the most forward-thinking and innovative experts to discover what’s given them their little-known edge.

1.  How Great Leaders Inspire Action , by Simon Sinek

With more than 29 million views , Simon Sinek is now on the A-List of leadership gurus, after he gave this incredible talk.

As Sinek himself says, “As it turns out, all the great inspiring leaders and organizations in the world, whether it’s Apple or Martin Luther King, Jr. or the Wright brothers, they all think, act and communicate the exact same way. And it’s the complete opposite to everyone else. All I did was codify it, and it’s probably the world’s simplest idea. I call it the Golden Circle.”

For Sinek, the difference between these inspirational leaders and everyone else is they start with “why,” which is the core concept of his Golden Circle . By asking why, how and what, you can set yourself on a trajectory of tremendous success that, statistically speaking, very few people attain.

2.  The Puzzle of Motivation , by Dan Pink

To be an effective leader, you need to know what makes people “tick,” and especially what motivates them in the workplace to give you their best. Interestingly enough, money only takes you so far.

In this compelling video –which has clocked over 13 million views – Pink (author of  Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us ) untangles the web of motivation in a way that makes sense for leaders. Here’s a hint : traditional rewards aren’t always as motivating as we think.

3.  Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders , by Sheryl Sandberg

Sandberg left Google to become Facebook’s COO in 2008. In this video, she looks at why so few women make it to the C-suite, and offers up three important pieces of advice to women who want to buck the trend and get there. The key, in Sandberg’s view, is ensuring women remain in the workforce.

As it turns out, having more women remain in the workforce has other positive benefits on society and households, such as equal earning and equal responsibility between partners. As Sandberg notes, households that demonstrate this equality also have half the divorce rate.

4.  The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding , by John Wooden

To be a successful leader, what better place to start than by defining exactly what you mean by success? The man affectionately known as “Coach” redefines success to be much more than merely winning. Coach James Wooden explains this difference with profound simplicity, and urges everyone to pursue the best in themselves. The Coach’s 17-minute talk is uplifting as much as it is inspiring.

5.  What Makes us Feel Good About Our Work ? By Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely is a behavioral economist who has gained a deeper understanding of human motivation than most economists could ever hope for. He even designed experiments that would help solve the mystery of motivation, which is what this video is all about.

As it turns out, money isn’t the only thing that motivates us to work. It isn’t exactly joy, either. The real motivation for going to work every day is to make constant progress and lead a life of purpose . Strong leaders care about the bottom line, but are about much more than that. They have a sense of purpose, and get out of bed every single day to fulfill it.

6.  Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe , by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s material is so good that he’s the only one to appear twice on this list. You know building trust among your followers is important, but actually doing it is another thing entirely.

Sinek’s video on the topic will take your understanding of trust to a whole new level. After all, humans are emotional species who struggle with insecurities and vulnerabilities. A good leader brings his or her employees into a circle of trust. This is especially important in today’s economy, where jobs are destroyed as fast as they are created. Leaders have a responsibility to make their workers feel safe.

7.  Dare to Disagree , by Margaret Heffernan

When it comes to forming your dream team, the last thing you should do is surround yourself with what Heffernan calls “echo chambers” who only tell you what they think you want to hear. Mastering the art of disagreement is essential to effective leadership. Leaders must also be willing to cope with others disagreeing with them. Only through disagreement are ideas challenged.

Hefferman outlines a rubric for avoiding echo chambers and allowing ourselves to experience what she calls constructive conflict.

“So what does that kind of constructive conflict require? Well, first of all, it requires that we find people who are very different from ourselves. That means we have to resist the neurobiological drive, which means that we really prefer people mostly like ourselves, and it means we have to seek out people with different backgrounds, different disciplines, different ways of thinking and different experience, and find ways to engage with them. That requires a lot of patience and a lot of energy.”

8.  Lead Like The Great Conductors , by Itay Talgam

You’ve no doubt heard leadership described through the metaphor of conducting an orchestra. Itay Talgam operationalizes that metaphor by sharing what leaders can learn from 6 different 20th-century conductors. Don’t worry, this TED Talk requires no formal background (or interest) in the symphony.

Talgam describes the “magical moment” when a conductor turns chaos into blissful music. It’s a very small gesture, “not very pomp, not very sophisticated.” And suddenly, out of the chaos, noise becomes music.

9.  As Work Gets More Complex, Six Rules to Simplify , by Yves Morieux

Everyone knows that a staggering number of people are disengaged from their work. Yves Morieux argues that our reaction to the unfathomable complexity of modern work has a lot to do with that disengagement. Traditional organizational management certainly doesn’t help, either. His antidote includes 6 refreshing ways to engage in what he calls “smart simplicity.” The first rule is understand what your colleagues actually do. This is especially important for business leaders if they wish to simply the workplace and boost employee engagement.

10.  What It Takes To Be A Great Leader , by Roselinde Torres

Roselinde Torres has developed a deep understanding of what makes leaders effective. She poses 3 laser-like questions that will spur your own thinking on what it takes to be a great leader.

In a world filled with executive leadership programs and expensive seminars, Torres argues the best way to learn leadership might be right under your nose. Torres’ 9-minute talk is candid and to the point.

11.  A Life of Purpose , by Rick Warren

His book, Purpose-Driven Life, has sold more than 30 million copies. The church he pastors, Saddleback Church, has more than 22,000 members. Clearly, Rick Warren understands a few things about leadership.

This video is an intimate presentation of his own thoughts and crises around leadership. For anyone who’s ever looked at their existence and said, “There’s got to be more to life than this” will certainly find solace in Warren’s 21-minute talk.

12.  Listen, Learn… Then Lead , by Stanley McChrystal

Stanley McChrystal is a 4-star general who spent decades in the military. What he gleaned about leadership that can build a shared sense of purpose among an incredibly diverse set of followers boils down to how well you listen and learn, as well as how you position failure.

McChrystal’s view of leadership can be summarized with the following quote:

“[A] leader isn’t good because they’re right; they’re good because they’re willing to learn and to trust. This isn’t easy stuff.”

13.  Got a Wicked Problem to Solve? First, Tell me How you Make Toast , by Tom Wujec

Making toast is simple, right? But what happens when someone asks you to draw how you make toast? Suddenly things get interesting, and complicated.

This simple exercise reveals much about leading solutions to complex problems. Tom Wujec invites listeners to run the exercise themselves while explaining what he’s learned from observing thousands of people draw toast. From this talk, leaders will learn some important truths about how to handle real-world challenges .

14.  Everyday Leadership , by Drew Dudley

Drew Dudley’s whole approach is to make sure everyone understands how to bring out the leader within. Too many people think great leadership is reserved for extraordinary people.

His humorous take will remind you of all the little things leaders do each day. Leadership may be self-taught, but certainly isn’t reserved to a special segment of society. Dudley reminds us that leadership is an everyday act that should be celebrated.

15.  Tribal Leadership , by David Logan

It’s easy to think that as a species we have evolved far beyond the days of tribalism, but management consultant David Logan argues that effective leaders understand the 5 kinds of tribes that still crop up naturally in nearly any setting. Logan’s talk takes you through the 5 tribes, or stages, beginning with “Life sucks” and ending with “Life is great.”

16. Learning From Leadership’s Missing Manual , by Fields Wicker-Miurin

If you missed the opening line of this article, Fields Wicker-Miurin will remind you that leadership is self-taught. People who are looking for the holy grail leadership manual will wait forever in vain.

Leadership comes from within , but that shouldn’t stop you from developing the qualities that people admire in a great leader. Instead of looking for a how-to manual, learn the inspiring story of a local leader in your community. They’re not as far away or elusive as you might think.

17. How To Make Work-Life Balance Work , by Nigel Marsh

Leaders may be workaholics, but they also value work-life balance. That’s Nigel Marsh’s main thrust in this 2010 talk. Marsh shows you how to share a balance lifestyle between family, personal time and productivity. He also drops some inspiration from his books Fit, Fifty, and Fired Up and Overworked and Underlaid (yes, he has a great sense of humor).

Achieving an ideal work-life balance may seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but isn’t nearly as hard as our productivity-obsessed culture makes it out to be. Through small changes, you can have a big impact on work, relationships and life in general.

18. The Key To Success? Grit , by Angela Lee Duckworth

Successful consultant-turned-teacher Angela Lee Duckworth reminds us that success requires hard work and grit. While this is nothing we don’t know, why are these characteristics so difficult to apply? As Duckworth says, “as much as talent counts, effort counts twice.”

Duckworth’s quick talk is an essential listen for anyone getting suckered into taking shortcuts. As it turns out, all the old adages about success and hard work are true.

19. The Secret Structure Of Great Talks , by Nancy Duarte

The ability to move others through motivational speech is one of the greatest qualities of a true leader. Author and CEO Nancy Duarte gets it, and that’s why she developed this 18-minute talk to help aspiring leaders take their presentation skills to the next level.

Duarte dissects the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Steve Jobs to uncover the essential qualities of a great presentation. If leadership is your passion, be prepared to spend a lot of time talking in front of people.

20. How To Start A Movement , by Derek Sivers

Don’t let the name of this short TED Talk fool you – Derek Sivers isn’t calling for revolution or political anarchy. Using interesting footage, Sivers shows you how surprisingly easy it is to start a movement. As they say, it takes two to tango. That’s all that’s needed for leaders to inspire a movement.

21. Got A Meeting? Take A Walk , by Nilofer Merchant

“Sitting has become the smoking of our generation.” – Nilofer Merchant

In her TED Talk, business innovator Nilofer Merchant offers a simple message about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle . Leaders spend a lot of time in meetings. Merchant suggests you turn your next one-on-one meeting into a “walking meeting.” Not only do you hit two birds with one stone – by meeting and elevating your heart rate – the simple act of walking allows your ideas to flow much better than they otherwise would sitting in a cramped office.

22. The Leaders Who Ruined Africa, And The Generation Who Can Fix It , Fred Swaniker

Africa has struggled to live up to its development goals, and its leaders are to blame, says TED Fellow and founder of the African Leadership Network Fred Swaniker.

Having lived throughout Africa, Swaniker highlights the vital role true leaders play in building a society, and what can happen in their absence. Swaniker’s description of the next great African leaders is anybody who wants to make a difference in their society, especially where strong institutions are lacking.

23. The Happy Secret To Better Work , by Shawn Achor

It’s generally assumed we have to work to be happy, but what if we have it backwards? That’s the argument psychologist and CEO Shawn Achor makes in this 2012 talk. Achor says we need to be happy independently of work , and only then will we be able to increase productivity and success in the workplace.

Searching for happiness in the workplace can be a deep rabbit hole that often leads to less happiness overall. This is an important message for leaders, who seek to inspire other people in their line of work. It just so happens that developing happiness outside the 9-5 hours is the most important for our health and success.

24. How to Fix a Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard , by Linda Cliatt-Wayman

You don’t have to be a teacher to appreciate Linda Cliatt-Wayman’s inspirational talk about her time as principal at a failing school in Philadelphia. It didn’t take long for her to realize that leadership was more than just “laying down the law.” We won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say she managed to turn around her struggling school. There were 3 key principles that helped her get there.

25. Trial, Error and the God Complex , by Tim Harford

If the title of Tim Harford’s TED Talk doesn’t pique your interest, nothing will. Harford, an economics writer who studies complex systems, talks about the importance of trial and error in achieving success. Except he doesn’t just “talk” about it, but presents the findings of his studies on complex systems.

As the title suggests, Harford’s talk centres on the concept of a God complex – refusing to admit the possibility of being wrong regardless of the complexity of the situation – and the importance of trial and error in achieving better results.  Go down the list, virtually every successful business leader used trial and error to perfect their craft.

26. The Surprising Habits Of Original Thinkers , by Adam Grant

“The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they’re the ones who try the most.” – Adam Grant

Suffice it to say, all aspiring leaders want to be recognized for their creativity and originality. While creativity often lies within, psychologist Adam Grant studies the lives of “originals” – thinkers whose ideas transform the world. Over the course of 15 minutes, Grant explains the unexpected habits of original thinkers, and their fearlessness in the face of failure.

Fear of failure is one of the biggest inhibitors to success in all of life’s endeavors. While never easy, leaders must learn to overcome that fear. Studying the habits of original thinkers will teach aspiring leaders they “need a lot of bad ideas in order to get a few good ones.”

27. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are , by Amy Cuddy

Four years and more than 38 million views later, Amy Cuddy’s powerful TED Talk has resonated with many aspiring leaders. As a social psychologist, Cuddy explains how “power posing” – showcasing a posture of confidence even when you don’t feel confident – can affect your brain chemistry and move you to positive action.

While some of the findings presented in the study are controversial among social scientists, Cuddy’s talk is a great reminder of the importance of projecting confidence in every situation . Whether that holds up to tests of academic rigor are less important.

28. How to Get Your Ideas To Spread , by Seth Godin

If you think the answer to Seth Godin’s talk is “social media,” try again. This TED Talk took place back in 2007, a few years before social media became as ubiquitous as it is today. As a leader, getting your ideas to spread requires more than just a Twitter handle. Godin, himself an author and marketing guru, explains the importance of standing out, and why even the craziest ideas can become the most successful ones.

29. Secrets Of Success In 8 Words, 3 Minutes , by Richard St. John

Analyst and bestselling author, Richard St. John, managed to condense 7 years of interviews into an unforgettable 3-minute presentation about what it takes to be truly successful. Believe us, nobody is as cognizant of your time as St. John. This 3-minute talk is normally presented as a 2-hour presentation to high school students.

30. Why We Do What We Do , by Tony Robbins

No list of inspiring TED Talks is complete without Tony Robbins, the globally renowned life success coach who has spent decades helping people achieve their dreams. Robbins shattered many preconceived notions about his work a mere 36 seconds into his presentation.

“I’m not here to motivate you, you don’t need that, obviously. Often that’s what people think I do, and it’s the furthest thing from it. What happens, though, is people say to me, ‘I don’t need any motivation.’ But that’s not what I do. I’m the ‘why’ guy. I want to know why you do what you do.”

He then goes into detail explaining the “invisible forces” that make us do the things we do. He also high-fives Al Gore in the front row. With more than 18 million views, Robbins’ TED appearance is one of the most popular.

There you have it. More than 8 hours of pure leadership inspiration to help turn you into the type of leader others admire, respect and want to follow.

>>To discover more invaluable leadership lessons from some of the most successful and inspirational leaders and leadership experts, become a Leader’s Edge monthly member to receive practical tools on how to be a leader, run a business and live a successful, fulfilling life! Hurry, join now to take advantage of our 14-day FREE trial !

Inspiring Leadership Now

You may also be interested in...

6 Strategies Women in Management Should Try

What Is Employee Experience (EX) And Why Is It Becoming A Management Trend

Legal stuff.

• Terms And Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Earnings & Disclaimer
• Terms Of Use

• Importance of Public Speaking →

Importance of Public Speaking in Leadership

In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, effective leadership is more important than ever. One essential skill that sets great leaders apart is their ability to communicate through powerful and influential public speaking.

This blog post explores the importance of public speaking in leadership, showcasing how it not only enhances communication but also motivates and inspires teams to achieve remarkable results.

Packed with valuable insights and practical tips, you’ll discover why mastering public speaking can be a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills .

Key Takeaways

• Effective communication is crucial for successful leadership, and public speaking helps leaders inform, persuade, and motivate their team members towards achieving common objectives.
• Leaders need strong public speaking skills to communicate visionary messages effectively, build trust and credibility with their team, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Public speaking enhances communication and persuasive skills while inspiring and motivating team members towards achieving common goals. Regular practice can lead to better leadership skills overall.

Understanding The Link Between Public Speaking And Leadership

Effective communication is essential for leadership, and public speaking plays a key role in facilitating effective communication by helping leaders inform, persuade and motivate their team members.

Effective Communication Is Essential For Leadership

Effective communication is the backbone of successful leadership, as it enables leaders to convey their vision, goals, and expectations clearly to their team members. It’s through strong verbal and non-verbal communication that a leader can inspire, empower, and guide others towards achieving common objectives.

In order for public speakers to achieve similar success in today’s fast-paced environment filled with distractions and competing priorities, they must be equipped with robust communication skills.

A significant aspect of these skills is honing their public speaking abilities since every message we send has an impact on our listeners.

Key Role Of Public Speaking In Effective Communication

Public speaking plays a key role in effective communication, especially when it comes to leadership. Leaders must be able to communicate their ideas and vision clearly so that team members can understand and follow through with their objectives.

Public speaking allows leaders to share important messages, inform, persuade, motivate and inspire their team members.

By mastering the art of public speaking, leaders can enhance communication skills that are required for decision making and performance development within teams. Leaders who have strong public speaking skills can easily articulate visions and create buy-in from team members by presenting persuasive arguments backed up by relevant facts.

Public Speaking Helps Leaders Inform, Persuade And Motivate Their Team Members

Public speaking is an essential tool for leaders to convey their messages effectively to their team members. Whether it is informing the team about new strategies or convincing them to work towards a common goal, public speaking can help leaders achieve their objectives with ease.

Motivation is also a key factor in successful leadership, and public speaking plays a crucial role in inspiring and motivating team members. By sharing stories of success or outlining the importance of meeting goals, leaders can inspire individuals to work harder and deliver outstanding results.

Why Leaders Need Strong Public Speaking Skills

Leaders need strong public speaking skills to effectively communicate their visionary and directional messages, build trust and credibility with their team, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Communication Of Visionary And Directional Messages

Leaders are responsible for setting a clear vision and direction for their team members. However, this message can only be effective if it is communicated in a way that resonates with the audience.

Public speaking provides leaders with an opportunity to communicate their visionary and directional messages effectively.

For instance, when  Martin Luther King Jr.  delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the Civil Rights Movement, he communicated his vision of equality in a way that moved people to action.

As public speakers, leaders must make sure that their messages are tailored to suit the needs of their audience while still conveying an impactful message.

Builds Trust And Credibility With The Team

One of the key benefits of developing strong public speaking skills as a leader is that it can help to build trust and credibility with your team. When you’re able to deliver clear, confident messages that resonate with your audience, people are more likely to believe in your vision and direction.

For example, imagine you’re delivering a speech outlining a new project for your company. By speaking clearly about your vision for the project, addressing any concerns or questions from team members, and demonstrating an enthusiastic commitment to its success, you’ll be much more likely to win over skeptics on your team who may have been hesitant about getting involved.

By building trust in this way through public speaking, leaders can create stronger bonds with their teams overall which ultimately leads them towards higher productivity levels as well as advancements in their careers.

Development Of Critical Thinking And Problem-Solving Abilities

Strong public speaking skills not only improve verbal communication and presentation abilities, but they also help develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

When delivering a speech or presentation, speakers need to anticipate questions and counterarguments from the audience, forcing them to think critically about their message and how it relates to their team’s objectives.

Additionally, public speakers are often tasked with finding creative solutions to difficult problems as they strive to influence others or persuade them toward a particular course of action.

By engaging in regular practice through speeches or presentations, public speakers can strengthen these important leadership traits while simultaneously improving their overall communication effectiveness.

How Public Speaking Helps Build Leadership Skills

Public speaking helps leaders share their vision and direction with the team, enhances communication and persuasive skills, and inspires and motivates team members towards achieving common goals.

Sharing Of Vision And Direction With The Team

Sharing a clear and compelling vision with your team is one of the most critical aspects of leadership. A well-articulated vision provides direction, inspires motivation, and helps to align the entire organization towards common goals.

As a public speaker, you have the unique opportunity to share your vision and direction with others in a dynamic and engaging way.

By delivering powerful speeches that convey your ideas effectively, you can inspire others to take action towards achieving your shared objectives.

When communicating any sort of message through public speaking, it’s important to understand your audience’s needs and tailor your speech accordingly. This means considering factors like their backgrounds, motivations, communication styles and adapting appropriately so as not to lose engagement or attention from them throughout the speech.

In summary, sharing visionary messages effectively is critical for leadership success — both in terms of getting buy-in from team members and motivating them towards progress toward organizational goals –and public speakers play an instrumental role in bringing these ideals home by crafting impactful speeches that resonate with audiences on multiple levels.

Enhancement Of Communication And Persuasive Skills

One of the most important benefits of public speaking for leaders is the enhancement of their communication and persuasive skills. Leaders who are comfortable speaking in front of a crowd can more effectively communicate their vision and message to their team members.

Through public speaking, leaders learn how to craft compelling messages that engage and inspire others.

In addition to strengthening communication skills, public speaking also enhances persuasive abilities. Leaders often need to persuade others to follow a particular course of action or make critical decisions that affect the organization’s direction.

Through regular practice in front of an audience, speakers learn how to use persuasive techniques like storytelling , humor, metaphors, analogies, and emotional appeals effectively.

These techniques not only help persuade listeners but also better engage them by making speeches more entertaining and memorable.

Inspiration And Motivation Of Team Members

Public speaking is an essential skill for leaders to inspire and motivate their team members. A good speaker can easily communicate their messages in a clear, concise, and engaging manner that resonates with the audience.

By inspiring people with their words, public speakers can encourage team members to work harder towards achieving a common goal.

Leadership requires communication skills that are fluent in both verbal delivery and visual aids such as body language.

Overall, public speaking remains one of the most effective ways through which leaders inspire teams or individuals towards greatness while instilling confidence in each member along the way.

Tips For Improving Public Speaking Skills

Regular practice and preparation are crucial for improving public speaking skills. Conducting audience analysis and customizing messages can make speeches more impactful while the use of visual aids and body language can enhance delivery.

Regular Practice And Preparation

One of the most important tips for improving your public speaking skills is to practice and prepare regularly. By practicing, you can work on smoothing over any areas where you may struggle, such as pacing or tone of voice.

Rehearsing also helps to build confidence and reduce anxiety about speaking in front of an audience.

Famous speakers like  Barack Obama  highlight the importance of regular practice and preparation when giving speeches. He used to rehearse his speeches until he was comfortable with delivering them impromptu; this helped him come across more confident during his speeches.

With dedication, discipline, consistency, and feedback from others who have mastered the craft, anyone can develop good public speaking skills through regular practice.

Audience Analysis And Customization Of Messages

It’s important for public speakers to analyze their audience and customize their message accordingly. This means understanding the demographics, interests, knowledge level, and expectations of the audience.

For instance, a motivational speech delivered to a group of college students will differ from one given to business executives.

Customizing messages can also involve using language that resonates with your specific audience. You may use examples or anecdotes that are relevant to them or incorporate humor that will appeal to their sense of humor.

Effective communication is essential for leadership development because it helps build trust and credibility within teams while enhancing critical thinking skills among leaders in decision-making processes.

Use Of Visual Aids And Body Language

One effective way to enhance your public speaking skills is through the use of visual aids and body language. Visual aids such as slides , videos or images can help in capturing the audience’s attention and keeping them engaged throughout your presentation.

Body language also plays a vital role in effective communication. It includes nonverbal cues such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and posture that convey emotions, energy and confidence.

For instance, maintaining eye contact with the audience shows that you are confident and trustworthy.

By incorporating visual aids and utilizing appropriate body language techniques into your presentations, you can become a much more persuasive communicator who inspires action from your team members while building credibility among colleagues.

Professional Training And Coaching

Professional training and coaching are essential for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills. Working with an experienced coach who can provide personalized feedback and guidance is one of the best ways to identify areas for improvement and refine your delivery style.

There are many different types of public speaking training available, from online courses to in-person workshops. Some popular options include  Toastmasters International , which offers a supportive community for speakers at all levels, and  Dale Carnegie Training , which focuses on developing leadership skills alongside communication abilities.

Many successful public speakers credit their growth to professional training or coaching. For example, Oprah Winfrey has spoken publicly about how working with a speech coach helped her overcome her nerves and become more confident on stage.

Conclusion: Leadership and Public Speaking

In conclusion, public speaking is an essential skill for leaders who want to effectively communicate their vision and direction to their team members. It allows them to build trust and credibility with their team while also enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

With regular practice and preparation, audience analysis, the use of visual aids and body language, as well as professional training and coaching, anyone can improve their public speaking skills.

By strengthening this crucial communication skillset, individuals can not only become better leaders but also inspire others towards success.

1. Why is public speaking important in leadership?

Public speaking is a critical skill for leaders as it helps to build trust and credibility with their audience, inspire action and rally support around important ideas or initiatives. It also allows leaders to communicate their vision clearly, engage stakeholders effectively and establish themselves as thought leaders in their respective fields.

2. What are some tips for improving public speaking skills?

Effective public speakers know how to connect with their audience by using engaging stories and examples, maintaining eye contact, projecting confidence through body language, proper pacing of speech delivery and using visual aids such as slides or graphics to enhance the message they are conveying.

3. How can poor public speaking skills impact a leader’s effectiveness?

Poor public speaking skills can negatively impact a leader’s ability to connect with his/her audience, reduce engagement levels among stakeholders and decrease credibility of the overall brand resulting in missed opportunities for growth or investment when compared against competing interests that have more effective communication strategies.

4. Can public speaking be learned by anyone?

Yes! Public Speaking is an acquired skill which means that anyone who invests time & effort towards improving this area needs only patience & persistence while practicing consistently over time if they want to see increased results overtime.. Coaching sessions plus exposure/instruction from workshops/seminars/webinars/etc all help solidify what has been learned during those practice times so individuals even faster than ever before become better polished speakers whenever presenting anything publicly (i.e., keynotes/presentations/performances).

Register for Summer Camp!

Resource 1: Advocacy: The Heart of a Leader

Advocacy: the heart of a leader.

Redefining Advocacy

Advocacy skills are an important tool to help leaders bring people together around significant issues and compel them to action. On a personal level, people can develop into leaders when they can clearly and persuasively communicate their needs and seek opportunities to take on more responsibility.

Advocacy is at the heart of leadership and needs to be communicated with heart.

As with many forms of public speaking, advocacy is less effective when the message is purely for the benefit of the speaker and fails to account for the need to build community around an issue. Advocacy should not be analogous with venting, but instead be a persuasive technique used intentionally to create a catalyst for personal or societal change. Ultimately, the most authentic advocacy is when a speaker has the ability to inspire others to be part of solving problems together.

Reflecting on the Problem

While we often see the final product of advocacy -- that final speech at the podium, the rallying cry at political events, the marches, the policies put into place -- it does not begin there. To clearly express your ideas as an advocate, the process begins with reflection. Sometimes, it is hard to know how to identify the problem you are trying to solve, or where that problem comes from. Without being clear on the problem, it will be difficult to even begin organizing a speech or crafting talking points that get your message across. Depending on the issue at hand, you might reflect on your personal struggles, internal emotional barriers, or external societal barriers that get in the way and give you a reason to advocate. Ask yourself about:

• Am I able to speak up for myself? How about the people I care about?
• What issues impact everyday life, both for me and the people I care about?
• Where should we ideally be heard and on what issues?
• What happens when I can’t speak up for myself? What does it feel like? What does it look like?
• How do we hold ourselves back from communicating our needs and concerns?
• What fears or emotions get in the way?
• What habits prevent us from moving our message forward?
• What types of situations or people silence us?
• How have past experiences or histories gotten in the way?
• What danger or harm might we face by speaking up?
• What forms of institutional oppression might we face?

Beyond reflecting on the barriers, advocates should also reflect on what the ideal world looks like. What would the world look like if your message was taken seriously and people changed their actions? How is this world different from the status quo, in terms of social, economic, political, relational, or even emotional change? How might this positive change cause a ripple effect that results in benefits in other areas of society?

Positioning the Advocate

Even when we conclude that our message needs to be heard, some individuals are able to position themselves as advocates while others still cannot. According to decades of social science research, this happens because our identities are shaped by “social positioning”, or how powerful we are viewed by others and ourselves. Being able to take a stand on an issue already implies that we believe we are capable of communicating in service of ourselves and others. Beyond believing that our voices are important, speaking up sometimes involves deciding to speak despite the real risks and dangers that we might face due to sources of institutional barriers and oppression. To develop the capability to face the vulnerability and danger associated with public speaking, emerging advocates need experiences that position their voices as so important that speaking up is worth the risk.

Throughout our lives, there are both positive and negative “positioning moments”, which can form patterns that stick over time and can shape what type of person people think we are, how capable we think we are, and whether we can be an advocate. When we have had encounters that help us believe that we are capable and experiences when we are positioned by others as an expert, it becomes much easier to take up powerful positions and advocate. Some examples of positive and negative positioning include:

Learning Environment for an Emerging Advocate

Because social positioning influences advocacy, it is important that your development as a speaker takes place in an environment and culture where your voice is positioned as important. Personal and societal issues that warrant advocacy are hard to communicate, and in the future, you may be speaking to an audience that is hostile or unwilling to listen. By the time you get to that audience, it is important to build your confidence and hone your message with people who will be there for you or can act as a thought partner. Practice your content in low-stakes environments before you move to high-stakes environments. Surround yourself with people who understand where you are coming from and gather information from their experiences to strengthen your message.

At the same time, developing a strong message cannot take place in a vacuum or “echo chamber”, where you only speak to people who agree with you. Part of strengthening your message means working your way to more high-stakes environments and remaining open to learning from differing perspectives. Resist the temptation to “other” people who think differently than you, making generalizations about them or thinking of them as enemies. When this happens, it becomes difficult to communicate effectively in a way that builds connections and brings people together. This does not mean that you must accept intolerance, discrimination, or oppressive behavior and there are times when openness and connection might not be possible. Still, take care not to rush to judgment based on a single moment and prioritize listening and information. Strong advocacy speaking skills requires extensive knowledge and awareness of views that may differ from your own. The Final Takeaway

Advocacy is a skill that goes beyond communication and the way we express ourselves can go a long way to making sure our message is heard. Advocacy skills are strengthened when we take the time to reflect on personal, internal, and external barriers and gradually build from low-stakes to high-stakes audiences. For beginners and young speakers, advocacy can be challenging for those who think that their perspective is not as valuable or as important as others. Leaders have a social responsibility to help people who may feel silenced or may even silence themselves. In the words of the late Toni Morrison, “If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”

Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

By Hannah L. Miller Leaders Staff

Hannah L. Miller

Senior Editor

Hannah L. Miller, MA, is the senior editor for Leaders Media. Since graduating with her Master of Arts in 2015,...

Learn about our editorial policy

Updated Oct 6, 2023

78 Leadership Quotes to Inspire Leaders

Inspirational leadership quotes, greatest takeaways from these top quotes.

Whether learning from leaders throughout history or studying the craft from modern teachers, obtaining information and insight from others’ knowledge helps today’s leaders guide to the best of their abilities. With this in mind, what does leadership mean ? Which leadership qualities do leaders need? And what is the purpose of a leader? These inspirational quotes about leadership from some of the greatest leaders of all time serve to answer these questions.

Share and discuss these motivational leadership and learning quotes with your team, an accountability partner, or mentor to dive deeper into their meaning.

1. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” —Jack Welch

2. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

3. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” —Ronald Reagan

4. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell 

5. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” —Peter Drucker

6. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.”—Douglas MacArthur

7. “A boss has the title, the leader has the people.”—Simon Sinek

8. “If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following you, then you are just taking a walk.”—John C. Maxwell

9. “Leadership is an action, not a position.”  — Donald McGannon

10. “Leadership is influence.” —John C. Maxwell 

11. “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.” —Bill Bradley

12. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”  — Rosalynn Carter

13. “You manage things; you lead people.”  — Grace Murray Hopper

14. “The role of leadership is to transform the complex situation into small pieces and prioritize them.”  — Carlos Ghosn

15. “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.”  — Warren G. Bennis

16. “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”  — John C. Maxwell

17. “The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” — Henry Kissinger

18. “Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.”  — Pete Hoekstra

19. A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”  — Leroy Eimes

20. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”  — Warren G. Bennis

21. “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.” — Klaus Balkenhol

22. “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” — Sam Rayburn

23. “The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.”  — Dwight D. Eisenhower

24. “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.”  — Brian Tracy

 25. “The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.”  — Tony Blair

26. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” —John F. Kennedy

27. “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”  — Ray Kroc

28. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”  — Margaret Fuller

29. “The fastest way to change team culture is to change the leadership.” — Josh Axe

30. “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.”  — Brian Tracy

31. “If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you.” — Indra Nooyi

32. “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”  — Stephen Covey

33. “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” — Arnold Glasow

34. “A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.” — M. D. Arnold

35. “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” — John C. Maxwell

36. “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, it’s always about the goal.” — Lisa Haisha

37. “The X-factor of great leadership is not personality, it’s humility.” —Jim Collins

38. “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.” —Andrew Carnegie

39. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” —Ralph Nader

40. “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” —John Buchan

41. “Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar.” —Orrin Woodward

42. “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” —John C. Maxwell

43. “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” —Bill Gates

44. “You can only lead someone as far as you are willing to go yourself” —Josh Axe

45. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

46. “Winning companies win because they have good leaders who nurture the development of other leaders at all levels of the organization.” —Noel Tichy

47. “The challenge of leadership is to: be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

 48. “Growing other leaders from the ranks isn’t just the duty of the leader, it’s an obligation.” —Warren G. Bennis

49. “True leadership is servant leadership. Leaders put the interests of others ahead of their own and look to add value by serving them and meeting their greatest needs.” —Josh Axe 

50. “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” —Arnold Glasgow

51. “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” —Sam Walton

52. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower

53. “Leadership is like a tree, in order to survive and bear the fruit of success you must have the deep roots of character, convictions, values, and purpose.” —Josh Axe  

54. “Leaders surround themselves with great people, delegate authority, then get out of the way.” —Ronald Reagan

55. “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” —John Wooden

56. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” —Warren Bennis

57. “The very essence of leadership is casting a vision that people are willing to sacrifice for and then following your lead into seeing that vision become a reality.” —Josh Axe 

58. “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” —Lao Tzu

59. “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” —Harvey S. Firestone

60. “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” —Vince Lombardi

61. “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

62. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” —Dolly Parton

63. “If you delegate tasks, you create followers. If you delegate authority, you create leaders.” —Craig Groeschel

64. “Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.” —Steve Jobs

65. “Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership.” —James Humes

66. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” —Colin Powell

67. “Servant leadership is all about creating clear goals, then rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to help your people win.” —Ken Blanchard 

68. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” —John C. Maxwell

69. “Earn your leadership every day.” —Michael Jordan

70. “Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.” —Diogenes of Sinope

71. “One of the tests of leadership is to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” —Arnold Glasgow

72. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” —Alexander the Great

73. “Leaders don’t adapt to the energy in a room, they influence the energy in a room.” —Josh Axe

74. “A leader is a dealer in hope.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

75. “A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.” —Maya Angelou

76. “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

77. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

78. “A genuine leader is not in search of consensus, but a molder of consensus.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each person listed at the end of these leadership quotes formed their words through lived experiences guiding and teaching others. While they all held different positions and had different leadership styles , they share common beliefs about what being a leader means. Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about influence. Great leaders inspire and motivate people to come together and serve a cause greater than themselves. In doing so, they change the world.

Additionally, one of the other greatest points made in these quotes is that leaders multiply leaders at all levels. Their words and actions are teaching moments. The leaders that come before us are guides and mentors who help us model our own behavior as we continue choosing the journey to serve others. There’s a reason one or more of these leadership and learning quotes sent a rush of inspiration running through your heart and mind. They speak truth into who you are, who you want to be, and who you’re becoming.

Learn more on how to become a great leader by checking out these articles next:

What is Leadership, and How is Influence the Answer?

The Difference Between Leadership and Management

Servant Leadership: The Ultimate Key To A Healthy Business

Search Leaders.com

Speech on Leadership For Youth

Leadership is like a big adventure, especially for young people like you. It’s about guiding others and making important decisions.

In the journey of leadership, you’ll discover your strengths and learn how to use them. It’s a skill that can help you in school, sports, clubs, and even in your future career.

1-minute Speech on Leadership For Youth

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Leadership is like being a captain of a ship. It’s about guiding the crew, your team, through calm and stormy weather, towards a shared goal.

Imagine, you are the captain of your life’s ship. You have the power to steer it. You decide where to go, how to get there, and who to take along. That’s leadership. It’s not about being bossy. It’s about making decisions, taking responsibility, and helping others.

Now, why is leadership important for you, the young people? Because you are the future. You will be the ones making big decisions, solving problems, and leading the world. But to do that, you need to start practicing now. You need to learn how to be good leaders.

Being a good leader doesn’t mean you have to know everything. No! It’s about learning, growing, and improving. It’s about listening to others, respecting their ideas, and working together. It’s about being brave, not afraid to make mistakes, and always trying your best.

So, how can you be a leader? Start small. Take charge of a school project, help a friend, or volunteer in your community. Remember, every little act of leadership adds up.

In conclusion, leadership is not just for adults. It’s for you, the youth, too. It’s about being the captain of your life’s ship, making decisions, taking responsibility, and helping others. So, let’s start today. Let’s learn, grow, and lead together. Because you are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today.

2-minute Speech on Leadership For Youth

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to talk about a topic that is as important as it is intriguing – ‘Leadership for Youth’. Leadership is not just about being in charge, it’s about guiding, inspiring, and influencing others. It’s about making a difference.

Let’s start by understanding what leadership is. Picture a captain of a football team. He doesn’t just wear a special band and shout orders. He is the one who motivates his team, plans the game, and leads by example. He is a leader. Similarly, in life, a leader is someone who inspires others, makes good decisions, and takes responsibility.

Now, why is leadership important for youth like us? Well, we are the future! We are the ones who will grow up to be the next scientists, teachers, doctors, and maybe even the president. Learning to be a good leader now prepares us for these roles. It helps us to make good choices, to work well with others, and to solve problems.

But how can we become good leaders? It’s not as hard as you might think! Firstly, we must be good listeners. We need to understand people’s ideas and feelings. This helps us make better decisions. Secondly, we should be responsible. If we make a mistake, we should admit it and learn from it. Lastly, we need to be brave. Leaders often need to make tough decisions. It’s okay to be scared, but we mustn’t let fear stop us.

Remember, leadership is not just for the big stuff. It’s for the little things too. You can be a leader in your classroom by helping a friend who is struggling. You can be a leader in your family by doing your chores without being asked. You can be a leader in your community by picking up litter or planting trees.

But don’t forget, being a leader doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. A good leader knows when to ask for help. They understand that everyone has different strengths and that we can achieve more when we work together.

In conclusion, leadership is about making a difference. It’s about guiding, inspiring, and influencing others. It’s about being responsible, brave, and a good listener. And most importantly, it’s about working together. So, let’s be leaders, not just in the future, but right now. Let’s make a difference, in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

• Speech on Leadership For Students
• Speech on Traffic Light
• Speech on Traditional Food

We also have speeches on more interesting topics that you may want to explore.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Harvard Crimson

• Editor's Pick
• Today's Paper

Boston, Cambridge-Area High School Students Block Mass. Ave. in Support of MIT Encampment

Harvard Encampment Members Refuse ID Checks, Raise Palestinian Flag as Tensions Rise

Cambridge City Council Passes Resolution Supporting Pro-Palestine Protesters at Harvard, MIT

More Than 300 Harvard Faculty Urge Garber To Negotiate with Pro-Palestine Protesters

• Protesters March To Harvard President Garber’s Home, Demand Start of Negotiations

The Harvard Crimson Raises More Than $15 Million in Historic Capital Campaign

Harvard Innovation Labs Co-Founder Jodi Goldstein To Serve as Coop CEO

‘Vehement Arguments’: Romney Talks Importance of Free Speech at Harvard Business School

{shortcode-e128e871e08bb775fffff77ae25dde49ec762f2f}

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) discussed the importance of leadership and preserving free speech in a Harvard Business School event Monday evening.

Moderated by Harvard professor and former HBS dean Nitin Nohria, the event was a part of the “Harvard Dialogues” series, a recent University initiative to foster constructive communication in light of recent campus turmoil over the Israel-Hamas war and Claudine Gay’s resignation .

Nohria said while institutions of higher learning idealize “true, productive, constructive dialogue,” there is growing distrust in elite schools such as Harvard due to perceived failures to live up to those ideals.

“People worry that these institutions, maybe we’ve strayed from these higher aims, and we have turned them into squabbles that are again squabbles of identity more than, in fact, a real concern with what is true or just,” he said.

Romney said that these concerns over American institutions are prevalent around the world.

“I noticed in a report that came from Davos that people around the world are saying ‘What has happened to America?’ and they see us being driven by identity, not by issues,” Romney said.

To address the recent turmoil on college campuses nationwide, Romney suggested a recommitment to norms of free speech but drew a clear line at any speech that posed “a threat to one’s bodily harm.”

Romney, a graduate of HBS and Harvard Law School, said an educational institution should have “full expression of political points of view.”

“Let’s have vehement arguments, but let’s respect one another and show people that we have respect for other ideas and for people who are different than ourselves,” he added.

Nohria said while this moment in history has been “the most difficult time” in his life, he remained steadfast in the need to find a way forward.

“As much as I think about these difficult times, I’m quickly reminded that there are generations before us who lived through the Cold War, there are generations before us who lived through the Depression,” he said. “So don’t feel sorry for yourself — there are other people who met that moment and did extraordinary things, and maybe that is our challenge as leaders of this generation to meet this moment and find a way of moving forward.”

—Staff writer Kyle Baek can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X @KBaek53453 .

—Staff writer Benjamin Isaac can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X @ benjaminisaac_1 .

Read more in News

• Protesters Won’t Say if Harvard Encampment Will Continue as Garber Threatens Major Disciplinary Action
• Why Harvard Faculty Should Reject a Faculty Senate
• Harvard President Garber Breaks Silence on Encampment, Threatens ‘Involuntary Leave’ for Protesters
• In Photos: Pro-Palestine Protesters March to Harvard President’s Residence

Popular Videos

Pro-Palestine Protesters March to Harvard President Garber's Residence

Harvard's "Water Bottle Guy"

Beacon Street Takes the Stage at Harvard's Yardfest

From our advertisers.

Check out our top picks for innovative apps like Cash App, Grammarly, Paradigm, and more — designed to make your life more convenient, productive and enjoyable!

With a consistently competitive pool of applicants submitting essays to top medical schools each year, it is essential to gain a high-level understanding of what a successful application reads like. Browse through our list of successful medical school applications below from students who were accepted to elite universities and hear from expert college consultants on what made these pieces a success.

In this article, Val Misra, Mr. MBA®, will break down the often stressful and challenging college application process and provide professional, practical advice for students and parents. After all, Val was once an ambitious high school student applying to his dream Finance school in NYC, NYU Stern School of Business.

Innovation in Taiwan is just one shining example of the ever-changing landscape of technological advancements happening around the world. However, Taiwan is unique—despite its small size, it boasts a history of being a powerhouse in hardware.

It’s the season of loving, of friendship, and of romantic rendezvous. Love is in the air at Harvard University, and there is no reason why everybody should not be a part of that love too!

‘Access to information is the basis of democracy’ – Interview with environmental journalist Miriam Jemio on World Press Freedom Day

On world press freedom day, un women spoke with miriam jemio, an environmental journalist from bolivia, on pressing issues and safety of journalists..

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to E-mail

The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our times, impacting our lives and entire ecosystems. It threatens progress on gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. By 2050, climate change will push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty .

Exposing the climate and biodiversity crisis is the first step towards beginning to find solutions. Yet, dis- and misinformation campaigns continue to challenge scientific knowledge and information about the unfolding crisis, clouding people’s understanding and risking our future. Against this backdrop, the freedom and safety of journalists reporting from the front lines of the climate crisis is critical.  This year, World Press Freedom Day (3 May) is focusing on the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the face of the environmental crisis.

On this occasion, UN Women interviewed Miriam Jemio, an independent environmental journalist from La Paz, Bolivia. Jemio was among 163 Bolivian journalists who received training in design thinking and reporting on gender-based violence through a Media Lab project by UN Women and the Foundation for Journalism in December 2023.

The importance of environmental journalism in the face of dis- and misinformation

Miriam Jemio has been a journalist for nearly three decades. For most of her career, she has almost exclusively covered environmental issues, because she considers them to be as important as political or economic issues.

For Jemio, it is incredibly important to reflect the socio-environmental crises that indigenous and rural women are facing, with empathy and sensitivity. “It is essential to cover indigenous issues, because they are a vulnerable population”, she said. “Two decades ago, I had the opportunity to visit many rural municipalities and when I compare their condition today with what I had seen then, there have been very few changes.”

“Therefore, it is necessary to make their needs visible, to show where the State is not fulfilling its duty, and to show the specific ways that the indigenous peoples face social and environmental problems.”

Jemio reported from COP 15 events in 2009, highlighting the stories of indigenous peoples from the Amazon who were facing the impacts of climate change.

“Coverage of environmental issues is essential in the face of the crises we face as humanity, and to combat the disinformation that preys on the public”, she said. “We have to show who is behind the disinformation, expose their interests, and provide verified information to the public so that they can make informed decisions, and we can protect the planet that houses all of us.”

But there is another challenge that haunts her: “how to motivate our audience to take action. We are now turning to "solutions journalism" to inspire action”, she said.

The climate crisis impacts women differently

“Extractivism and the climate crisis have profound socio-environmental impact on indigenous populations, but these impacts affect women differently (than men),” said Jemio. “Women are the ones to face and respond to the effects of climate change, but their role is not understood, much less made visible.”

She gives the example of indigenous women in the Chiquitanía (a region in eastern Bolivia), whose traditional care responsibilities for their families include fetching water. “Water is increasingly scarce, making it more difficult for them to access it. In the Chiquitanía, there are seasons when women have to travel to another community or even to the nearest city to bring water to their homes.”

“And when excessive rainfall causes flooding, women are the first to respond to save their children and animals. In many communities, indigenous women grow kitchen gardens to cover their nutritional needs. When they lose their crops (because of lack of water or during floods) they do not have enough to cook and feed their families.”

Safety of journalists and press freedom

“In Bolivia, due to the polarization in the country, several journalists have been verbally and physically attacked in recent years. Environmental journalists are in the crosshairs of the mining actors and journalists are often labeled as being "with" or "against" the government”, shared Jemio.

In 2019, while doing a live broadcast, Jemio was verbally and physically assaulted by a group of protesters. “I felt very vulnerable, it was a mixture of rage and helplessness, because I could not defend myself and I had to flee”, she recalled.

“The security to do our work must be provided by the State”, Jemio stressed. Her message on World Press Freedom Day is clear: “Access to information is the basis of democracy. That is what we are losing if journalists cannot safely cover issues such as the climate crisis, deforestation, biodiversity loss, extractive activities… the public will not have the information they need to take action on issues that affect their lives.”

• Climate change
• Indigenous women
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Environmental protection
• Communications and media

Related content

In the Pacific coast of Colombia, guardians of the mangrove sow seeds of change

Op-ed: Improving women’s access to decent jobs

Speech: Gender equality – just, prudent, and essential for everything we all aspire to

CJ Koome directs magistrates’ courts to finalise cases pending for over 3 years

Delivering a keynote speech virtually at the start of the 11th Annual Heads of Station Forum on Monday, she urged courts to prioritise active case and docket management strategies.

The 2024 magistrates’ forum is taking place in Kisii County under the theme: "Enhancing organisational growth and sustainability through shared leadership".

Chief Justice Martha Koome has directed magistrates’ courts across the country to conduct Rapid Results Initiatives to finalise cases that have been pending for over three years.

"It is active case and docket management that will help reduce case backlog by ensuring timely delivery of justice and management of our caseload," CJ Koome stated.

She pointed out that digital-ready courts and the uptake of ICT are vital for streamlining processes and making justice more accessible.

She underscored the importance of generating reliable justice data, which is a key pillar of informed policymaking.

"Robust data will guide our strategies and ensure our initiatives have the intended impact. We are therefore using technology to enhance the accountability of our processes and to get reliable performance data that ensure informed and evidence-based decision making," she said.

The Chief Justice informed her audience that the functionality of the Case Tracking System (CTS) has been enhanced to improve the tracking and management of cases, and strengthen systems and data integrity.

Part of the measures taken, she said, include upgrading the CTS to require mandatory uploading of judgments and rulings before updating case outcomes.

This is to ensure litigants or advocates and other stakeholders get immediate access to court decisions.

"In addition, we are making the cause list portal the single reference point for scheduled case events. All courts are required to generate their cause lists and notices directly from the CTS," she said.

"Another upgrade is with respect to the process of submitting monthly court returns by judges and judicial officers has been automated through the Monthly Returns Portal."

This will facilitate easier filing and analysis of case progress data, with monthly returns being submitted by the fifth of every month.

At the same time, CJ Koome commended the performance of magistrates’ courts in the first nine months of the 2023/24 Financial Year.

This is following the resolution of 281,211 cases compared to 289,576 cases filed in the same period last year, attaining a Case Clearance Rate (CCR) of 97 per cent.

The CJ emphasised the need to strengthen specialised courts, including Children’s Courts, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Courts and the Small Claims Courts.

She said their distinctive roles in addressing unique justice questions amplify the impact of justice in society.

Koome also called for the active pursuit of prison decongestion by ensuring that Community Service Orders (CSO) Case Committees are included as a standing item in the Court Users Committee (CUC) meeting agendas.

"I wish to bring it to your attention, that going forward, we will intensify initiatives to reduce prison overcrowding as a measurable target in our Performance Management and Measurement Understanding (PMMU)," she indicated.

In her remarks, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said there will be greater involvement of judicial officers and staff at the station level in the budget-making process, improvement of infrastructure, mentorship and peer review.

"Embrace intergenerational leadership to guide each other, particularly the younger team members in your station, " she said.

"I would encourage you to walk the talk yourself and create a framework for mentorship and peer review within your station. Be your brother and sister’s keeper."

Mokaya stated that her core priority is to support CJ Koome in delivering on the STAJ agenda.

This is especially its innovative people-centred justice model, unlocking the potential that the judiciary fund presents, improving the management of judicial resources and properly systematising policies to results cycle.

Attending the forum was Kisii Governor Simba Arati who noted that his county has developed a child protection policy which has since been approved by the Cabinet and is pending approval by the County Assembly.

"The policy seeks to institutionalise the social protection and welfare of the child. The policy would provide a framework for implementation of child protection responsive and preventive services in Kisii county," he said.

"This is a road map for collaboration and partnership with state and non-state actors for child protection in Kisii, strengthening the existing systems as well as the establishment of new structures for the social and economic empowerment and protection of children."

Arati also assured that the county has identified and set aside land and premises where the judiciary can build courts in three more sub-counties, to take justice closer to the people.

"I am pleased to inform you that the premises and paperwork are now ready. In our view, the premises are sufficient to equally house a Mediation Centre as well as the Small Claims Courts," he said.

Arati pledged to work with the judiciary in the rollout of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS), which he believes will have a positive impact on access to justice for the people at the grassroots level.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

Stepping into a Leadership Role? Be Ready to Tell Your Story.

• David Sluss

Hit the ground running with a thoughtful personal pitch.

Stepping into a role as a leader — whether as a seasoned executive or a neophyte supervisor — is both challenging and exciting. How you handle this transition can have a huge impact on your career. You need to hit the ground running not only with your bosses and key stakeholders but also with your direct reports. Research shows that having a 90-day plan with 30-day and 60-day milestones along the way increases your chances of success. But while these plans are great tools, direct reports will evaluate who you are and what you bring to the table long before you hit those milestones. Indeed, they’ll make “sticky” evaluations of you from the very first conversation. That’s why I think you should have a “Day 1” plan, or what I like to call a “new-leader pitch.”

• David Sluss is an associate professor of organizational behavior at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business. Through his research and teaching, he strives to help leaders create personalized and productive relationships at work. Follow him on LinkedIn .

Partner Center

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin more confident than ever after inauguration speech; plot to 'kill Zelenskyy' stopped

Vladimir Putin has been officially sworn in as Russian president for a new six-year term, although many Western nations did not attend. The ruler seems more confident than ever. Elsewhere, Ukraine says it has foiled a plot to kidnap and kill President Zelenskyy.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 19:09, UK

• Putin sworn in again as president | Claims Russia would work with West
• 'We elect our president': Kremlin defends 'purely democratic' Russia
• Ivor Bennett analysis: Painted as a modern-day Tsar, Putin seems more confident than ever
• Plot to 'kidnap and kill Zelenskyy' stopped, Ukraine says
• Many nations boycott Putin's inauguration ceremony
• Putin has 85% approval rating - here's why
• Big picture : What you need to know as a new week begins
• Your questions answered: Why can't Ukraine destroy key Crimean bridge?
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell  and Ollie Cooper

We're pausing our live coverage of the war in Ukraine for the time being - thanks for tuning in.

Before you go, here is a recap of today's developments.

• Vladimir Putin was officially sworn in again as Russian president, marking the start of his fifth term in office;
• During his inaugural speech, Mr Putin said he is willing to work with the West, but it is down to them to cooperate with Russia;
• Two people have been arrested after Ukraine's intelligence agency foiled a plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy;
• The widow of former Putin critic Alexei Navalny criticised Mr Putin on the day of his inauguration calling him a murderer and a liar.

By Ivor Bennett , Moscow correspondent

Held inside the throne room of the Tsars, the ceremony felt almost like a coronation rather than an inauguration.

And that was part of the point. The symbolism was key.

Andreyevsky Hall, where Vladimir Putin took the oath of office, is dripping with gold. 

It oozes power. 

I think this was an attempt to paint him as a modern-day Tsar, who is the rightful ruler of Russia.

The other aim was to add the stamp of electoral legitimacy to his leadership, and his policies. 

The Kremlin’s chief spokesman Dmitry Peskov told me beforehand that this was just part of the "democratic" political process (see our 13.35 post).

The speech was typical Putin - talking up Russia's greatness, blaming the West for Moscow's isolation and doubling down on his current path of conflict abroad and a crackdown at home.

He said he ranks the safety of the Russian people "above all else".  

Translation - we're in this for the long haul. 

But whose fault is Russia’s status as a global pariah? 

Not ours, he said. 

This was all part of the Kremlin's narrative to portray the West as the aggressor, and Russia as the victim.

What might concern people both at home and abroad was the tone of the speech.

For example, he gave a thinly veiled warning that protest will not be tolerated, saying it’s important "not to forget the tragic price of internal turmoil", adding that Russia must be "absolutely resistant" to it.

And the last line: "We will overcome all obstacles and bring all our plans to life."

Vladimir Putin seems more confident than ever.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said Europe needs to spend "big money" in order to prevent other powers in the world from "raising a hand against it". 

Speaking at a conference in the Polish city of Katowice, Mr Tusk called on European countries to take joint action to increase spending on defence by at least €100bn (£85bn).

"Europe must be prepared in the next dozen or so months and the entire next five years for a situation in which no power in the world will dare raise a hand against it," he said.

"Big money will move the war away from Europe's borders for a long time, perhaps permanently."

He also repeated the idea of building a common European air defence system - saying Europe has "more initiatives than real actions". 

Due to the war in Ukraine, Poland is strengthening its defence capabilities, allocating over 4% of its GDP.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, agreed Europe must spend more on defence and declared that if she remains in office for another term she will propose new defence projects.

A Russian national has been sanctioned in the UK, US and Australia for his alleged role as the creator of the most prolific ramsomware group in the world. 

The sanctions target Dmitry Khoroshev who has been identified as one of the leaders of LockBit, the ransomware group responsible for extorting over $1bn from thousands of victims globally. 

In the US, Khoroshev has been charged with 26 counts of allegedly developing and administering a malicious cyber scheme.

The UK's foreign office said the LockBit group was behind attacks on over 200 UK businesses and major public server providers and 25% of all global ransomware attacks. 

Pro-Russian Chechen forces are baring the brunt of the frontlines in Ukraine and training Russian troops behind the scenes, the UK's Ministry of Defence says.

Around 9,000 personnel are currently serving within the Pro-Russian Chechen forces in Ukraine, which has been pushed back onto the frontline since the withdrawal of Russia's private military company, Wagner, the MoD said in its daily intelligence update. 

At the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, Chechen forces became known as "TikTok troops" for their presence on social media.

But, they have since provided personnel and given training to Russians at The Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya. 

The MoD said troops receive up to 10 days' training at the so-called university. 

Chechnya has historically always supported Russia's military action in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of using banned toxins on the battlefield. 

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is in The Hague, said that all accusations were "insufficiently substantiated".

But it added: "The situation remains volatile and extremely concerning regarding the possible re-emergence of use of toxic chemicals as weapons." 

Neither side has asked the OPCW to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons.

Last week, Russia denied allegations from the US that it had used the choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops and utilised riot control agents "as a method of warfare".

Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, any toxic chemical used with the purpose of causing harm or death is considered a chemical weapon.

We've been covering the fifth inauguration of Vladimir Putin as Russian president.

The ceremony took place in Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace, and our correspondent Ivor Bennett was there to experience the entire event.

He also interviewed Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov about the state of democracy in Russia and the lack of opposition during the presidential election back in March.

Bennett asked Mr Peskov: "Western leaders and Western governments believe that Vladimir Putin has turned Russia into a dictatorship, why do you think that’s not the case?"

Mr Peskov replied: "This is not the case.

"It's just propaganda, it's rough propaganda, nothing else."

He went on to say Russia was "purely democratic", adding: "We choose our power. We elect our power. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president.

"And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it.

"And we don’t want a third country to interfere in our choices, in our preferences."

Pressed on whether the lack of opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia was democratic, Mr Peskov said: "But there is opposition inside the country, of course the conditions are much tougher here because we are in war conditions."

Mr Peskov used the word "war" twice in the interview - typically, the Kremlin refers to its invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation" - a term he also used once.

Ivor Bennett then asked if it was even more important for the public to have the right to speak out in wartime.

"No, to the contrary. It needs tougher measures to ensure the victory, to ensure that we reach our goals," Mr Peskov replied.

Asked whether this was democratic, Mr Peskov insisted: "It is, it is."

He added that the Western media in Europe and the US exists in the "same circumstances".

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside The Hague's Peace Palace in The Netherlands to protest the inauguration of President Vladimir Putin. 

The protesters, many of whom had travelled from Germany, carried a giant carnival float that showed a caricature of the Russian leader with blood on his hands in a striped prison uniform.

They also held Ukrainian flags and placards saying: "Putin to The Hague" - which is the home of the International Court of Justice.

Dina Musina, who works for a Berlin-based charity that supports Russian prisoners, said they need to "raise awareness about Putin's crimes internationally".

A plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been uncovered by Ukraine's state security service (SBU).

The SBU claimed two agents who were posing as Ukrainian state guard servicemen were tasked by Moscow to figure out a way to capture Mr Zelenskyy and later kill him. 

They also planned to kill other high-ranking Ukrainian officials, the SBU said in a statement on Telegram . 

Head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, described the plot as a "gift to Putin before the inauguration".

The SBU said two suspects have been detained after an investigation gradually documented their alleged criminal actions.

Ukrainian claims that plots to kill Mr Zelenskyy are not new. 

The president said in 2022 there had been at least 10 attempts to assassinate him since the start of the war.

The widow of former Putin critic Alexei Navalny has criticised President Vladimir Putin on the day of his fifth inauguration as Russian leader. 

In a video posted on YouTube shortly before the ceremony took place in Moscow, Yulia Navalnaya called Mr Putin a liar, a thief and a murderer. 

She added that the war in Ukraine is "bloody and senseless" and no one wants it apart from the Russian leader.

"Huge sums of money are stolen from all of us every day to fund bombings of peaceful cities, riot police beating people with batons, propagandists spreading lies. And also for [the elite's] own palaces, yachts and private jets," she said.

"And as long as this continues, we can't stop the fight."

Having been exiled from Russia, Ms Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her late husband, who died in an Arctic penal colony on 16 February. 

She has accused Mr Putin of having him killed, an accusation which the Kremlin has always denied.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free