Make a Speech Like Desmond Tutu

It’s you and your audience

Desmond Tutu Pinterest

Giving a speech can be a confidence builder for an executive. It’s you and your audience. Wonderful when things go as planned. Terrifying when you are not prepared.

When you were planning what you were going to say, you had a target listener in mind. You worked at making your speech more interesting.

You may have even researched to increase your chances of an audience. You wanted to make sure things went as smoothly as possible.

Years ago, I was at a national conference of executives. As you can imagine, the keynote address is an attraction. Getting the nod to stand up and deliver the keynote is another level altogether.

That evening, more than 24,000 professionals entered a large hall to hear the keynote address. Scheduled to speak was Desmond Tutu. Anticipation filled the hall. There was a buzz of excitement.

The status of this man and his achievements are immense. When you think of what YOU do and what HE does every day, you gain a profound sense of how one person can influence the world.

As thousands waited to file in through the front doors, I decided I could be seated faster by finding a different entrance and slipping in. I did just that. I went around to the side. I wanted to waltz in and grab a chair. When I got past the crowd at the door. I saw more people.

I angled around a little to get a better look at what the crowd was doing. It was Archbishop Desmond Tutu receiving guests. I could not have been more than ten feet from him as I passed that end of the receiving line.

Looking at my watch, I thought the line would go fast enough to say hello and maybe shake his hand. The event staff kept well-wishers at bay. I inched forward with the line. Only a small number of the people in line actually greeted him. I was close but not close enough to get a whiff of the man’s garlic. I figured it was a nice try. I respectfully bailed and headed for a seat. The hall was filling up fast.

It was time for Mr. Tutu to come out on stage. Everything was ready for his arrival. If you didn’t know his story or about his Nobel Prize. If you didn’t know his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. You have heard his name. A man at home on a world stage. A true leader. He has achieved personhood.

He was there to give a speech. He was there to deliver a message. Once the roar that welcomed him settled, he began to speak. He started by saying.

People are good.

That’s it. People are good.

In his first three words, Mr. Tutu had a crowd of 24,00 eating out of his hand. He didn’t have to work that hard to get his massive audience involved. He needed just three words.

The cavernous hall was still. He spoke slowly, his pace was measured, his words made you feel something. He had a lock on his listener.

He was connected to his message. HE WAS THE MESSAGE. The first few minutes of his speech were electric. I am sure he knew what his impact was. He knew what he was doing.

Speechwriters will say that what you don’t say is just as important as what you do say. The books all tell you to target your listeners. How you talk to a group of concerned homeowners at a Wednesday night HOA meeting is different from presenting at an international trade show dinner.

Gear your material, your choice of words, topics, tone, delivery, to the interests and priorities of the group you are addressing.

Why are you up here talking in the first place? Are you there to inform you of the latest product launch, defend an industry practice, or change a policy? Your speech may even have more than one purpose. Just make sure you plan your words. Have someone listen and rehearse long and hard.

The better you know your material, the easier it will be to deliver a flawless presentation.

Building a speech that works. Structure! Keep it simple. Make your points easy to follow and understand. Work from a key-point outline and ensure you are making your case. Have information to back up your position. Having backup material is key to building self-confidence.

I did a radio show several years ago. I wrote, produced, and presented an hour-long radio program on KLAV 1230AM in Las Vegas. The show was called Talent Manager’s Journal. While I worked from a well-defined format, the last page of my script was a plan B. Twenty well thought out minutes of material at the ready in case something went wrong. I could pivot to plan b and keep going.

Put ideas near the beginning of the speech. Keep the structure simple to help the audience follow your ideas. Include supporting examples and facts, but only a little detail.

Desmond Tutu hooked his audience early.

Throughout his speech, he interjected his hook. The hook was used as punctuation. He established a rhythm. It was like a heartbeat when I think of it now. The hook? People are good.

He did not say ANYTHING funny. He was spartan with words. He did not use double entendres, make puns or jokes, blue thoughts, or sass. I associate mastery like that with confidence. He was poised, in control, and supremely confident.

One of my radio friends introduced me to what he called a radio voice. After doing radio shows over and over, you become comfortable with what you are doing. Terror and panic give way to eloquence. The same goes for public speakers as they earn quiet confidence. A sense that you WANT TO BE in front of the audience.

Mr. Tutu used words to create a powerful image. Yes, video screens were running along the sides to the back. You could see his facial expression. You could see him smile as he looked. You watched his eyes blink as he looked around the vast hall.

They say to use expert quotes or stats to drive home your point. His authority made his words more convincing.

His use of the phrase. People are good, reinforced, reassured, and made an impact. While Mr. Tutu spoke, I turned around and looked at faces in the crowd behind me.

This speech was a celebration. People made long chains with their neighbors by holding hands. Some were clearly in prayer, and many people had tears streaming down their faces. Some stood still and absorbed the wisdom of his words. Judging from what I saw, I am willing to say more than a few people may have had a religious experience. Emotion stirred by words carefully delivered.

They say fix your eyes on the back wall of the room you are speaking to. That way, it looks like you are making positive eye contact. Another tip is to bend your knees slightly and rock forward off your heels a bit. This will stop you from swaying from side to side. Gripping the podium with both hands tenses you up and makes you look like you are water skiing for the first time. The root is preparation.

Remember, loosy goosy in front of the crowd.

When you are ready to conclude your speech, it is helpful to signal your intention. You can skillfully wrap it with a summary. Revisit key points. Pull together those ideas to make a bigger idea and deliver that as the takeaway of your time together.

I recommend you watch professional presenters and listen carefully. Try to lock onto their rhythm. Note where and when they breathe during a phrase. Study eye movements and body language. Compare and contrast a comedian’s monologue with a political speech. Watch the Steve Jobs product launch events carefully. He was in control every second.

Learn to work from a script. Leave nothing to chance.

In the words of Desmond Tutu.

People are good.

Be ready when it is your turn.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer and journalist based on the West Coast. His writing resonates with those passionate about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, agriculture, lifestyle, historical events, equestrian and rodeo, and millionaire travel.

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If you’d like to connect & tell me your story, make a new friend, or book my services, contact me here: dp1@sawyertms.com.

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