Public Speaking Between the Art and Theory 

“Public speaking isn’t an optional extra for the few. It’s a core skill for the 21st century. It’s the most impactful way to share who you are and what you care about. If you can learn to do it, your self-confidence will flourish, and you may be amazed at the beneficial impact it can have on your success in life; however, you might choose to define that.”  – TEDX Curator Chris Anderson

Public speaking is a great tool, but many people think it only serves communicators and people who naturally speak a lot in public. If you believe so, read this blog, as it might help you change your perception of a key skill in today’s world!      

Public speaking is both an “Act” and an “Art.” While everyone can perform the act, not everyone can master the art unless equipped with the skills and proper tools. 

It is the art of making your talk remembered, felt, and cherished. It is how your words can drive persuasion and actions. Whether you talk to the media, business partners, work colleagues, students, and others, you are probably informing them about something: a piece of news, a new business launch, an investment, or an affiliation. 

Public speaking is wider, and the intentions of the public speaker are different! When you want to state facts and give clear messages, you don’t listen to a public speaker; you listen to the news or read the newspapers. But you go through public speaking when you want to influence the hearts and minds. This is why Gerald R. Ford mentioned that “Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” 

Let’s go back to basics; what is the dictionary definition of public speaking?

1: the act or process of making speeches in public

2: the art of effective oral communication with an audience

In today’s world, this definition changed to “it is the art and science of delivering mass communications/messages” and here are the main principles of public speaking. 

Principles of public speaking

Public speaking is all about being clear, engaging, and authentic. It’s not just about delivering information—it’s about connecting with your audience. To really make an impact, your message needs to be simple and easy to follow, with a few engaging stories or examples to keep people interested. Preparation is key, but flexibility is enough to adapt to the room’s energy. And the real secret? Be yourself. Speak passionately and sincerely, and your audience will be much more likely to connect with your words.

Now, let’s dig deeper and tackle some of the world’s famous public speakers’ techniques to discover what made their words influential and alive to date! 

Masters of the craft: Blending skill with the art of public speaking 

Public speaking is often regarded as both an art and a science, with diverse speakers deploying different styles to influence their audiences. The art part lies in the unique ways these speakers connect, persuade, and inspire, each drawing upon their strengths and experiences. 

In this article, I gathered cases from some of the World’s top influential speakers, who contributed in different ways to the communities around them, at the social, business, or political level. Starting with Tony Robbins, who possesses a style driven by high energy and excitement, creates an atmosphere that energizes his audience in every session – whether online or in person. He is an artist who makes people absorb his energy, which makes his speeches not only highly influential but also drives the level of adrenalin and motivates his audience instantly. 

Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. mastered the emotional aspect of public speaking, using their rhetoric to inspire visions of a better future. Their speeches didn’t only aim to present ideas but to move people and influence their emotional connections with their audiences.

Oprah Winfrey is known for her famous storytelling technique. To a greater extent, she relies on sharing some of her personal stories, moments, and experiences, revealing her authentic self. This fact made her speeches relatable to others and drove inspiration, motivation, and hope throughout the years. Storytelling has become a trend over the past decade, highlighting a major shift in public speaking styles.

For instance, Oprah Winfrey and Martin Luther King Jr. spoke passionately about Black rights and minority issues, setting standards in their respective eras because they communicated their real-life experiences. Authenticity moves people, makes the content relatable, and equally drives the audience’s inspirations and aspirations. It’s said that “stories are 99% more influential than facts.” 

Steve Jobs and Indra Nooyi also demonstrate this trend. While both were known for their strong presence – especially within business forums, they frequently maneuvered between storytelling and stating facts. Influential speakers are those who can smoothly switch between different public speaking techniques. 

What’s your next public speaking occasion? We would love to hear your stories. Share how you relate to this blog article and highlight your pain points when speaking in public.