An essential skill of a Toastmaster is the ability to critique a speech be it his own or another speaker. The most significant thing to analyze would be the speaker’s objectives.
Objectives such as to motivate, to entertain, to persuade or to educate would influence the way the speech is studied. The objectives, first and foremost, would be achieved if the person delivering it is the right person.
One of the most inspiring speeches ever delivered to date is that of Steve
Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech in 2005. He is the CEO, chairman and co-founder of Apple Inc. and Pixar. Mr. Steve Jobs is considered a leading figure in the computer and entertainment industries.
The speech is delivered to a large enthusiastic group of people and the speaker was able to capture their attention from start to finish. It was both insightful and thought provoking.
Steve Job talked about the journey of his life starting his speech with a captivating statement. He promised students “just three stories” from his life and that this journey began even before he was born. He called this “connecting the dots”.
He made use of inspiring words that would make one think and appreciate life’s blessings stressing that in both personal life and work, it is important to follow your heart, live everyday as if it was the last, and that destiny is a matter of choice and not of chance.
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“You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something-your gut, life, karma whatever. This approach has never let me down and it has made all the difference in my life”, he said.
If we end up doing want we want and work towards our goal we are productive all the time. Life is a continuous learning experience, it is important to listen to an inner voice, growth springs from continuous studying and perfecting your craft.
Interesting facts were also mentioned, that of the short history of Apple, NeXT and Pixar. He ended his speech with a caption from a respected best selling magazine of the sixties, The Whole Earth Catalog where on its final issue, at the back page an image was printed with a caption, “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.” He shared this phrase with his audience and wished the graduates the best.
The speech can be viewed at YouTube.com. Feel free to check it out for yourself and get touched the way we were.