Speak like a leader | Simon Lancaster | TEDxVerona

Did you know there is a secret language of leadership that determines who reaches the top in politics and business?
In this fast-paced and frequently funny TEDx talk, top speechwriter, Simon Lancaster, sets out the techniques that you can use to speak like a leader. The talk culminates in Simon Lancaster instantly improvising a powerful leadership speech based on an idea suggested by the audience.
Simon Lancaster is one of the world’s top speechwriters. He started working as a speechwriter in the late 1990s to members of Tony Blair’s Cabinet and now writes speeches for the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world including Unilever, Intercontinental Hotels and HSBC. He is a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University, Henley Business School and author of two best-selling books on communication: Speechwriting: The Expert Guide and Winning Minds: Secrets from the Language of Leadership. His award winning workshops on the language of leadership have been run to great acclaim around the world: for more information, see www.bespokeleadershipdevelopment.com.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@sudeepsaha391]

2:08 1. Three Breathless Sentences 4:39 2. Three Repetitive Sentences 5:50 3. Three Balancing Statements 6:42 4. Metaphor 11:28 5. Exaggeration 12:08 6. Rhyme

[@antman2483]

your amazing

[@marloup]

you’re the best

[@hanmasan3992]

We need more people like you

[@Balgod]

gracias

[@TimBorny]

6 Rhetorical Techniques 1. Three breathless sentences 2. Three repetitive sentences (opening clause) 3. Balancing statements 4. Metaphor 5. Exaggerative statements 6. Rhyming statements

[@gleeh.8864]

Tim Borny very effective in public speaking.

[@TravisTennies]

Yes, but what about reality? This explains why complete idiots actually get enthusiastic followers to be *for* things that are very bad. This explains why there are people who think murderous rapists should be welcome into all countries. This explains why people like 0bama and the clintons have followers, even though they want horrible things for the USA. :( This Simon Lancaster is so into language, he is blind of reality and facts. This is why he is anti-Trump. Stupid elitist asshole!

[@gleeh.8864]

Whoah. Easy.

[@opeyemiidris4062]

Now I have nothing against you but copying and pasting your response several times inot different comment threads does not make you right. If anything at the second time I read it I started disregarding everything you said.

[@ashrutaryal7017]

what are balancing statements exactly like? can someone please elaborate it to me

[@samanthaocttaviani8565]

I love how he explained that rhetoric isn’t taught in schools as it once used to be. Now there’s so many young people out there that have no idea how to express themselves and it holds them back from making a difference. I somehow feel like this isn’t an accident. Someone was trying to hold us back.

[@danielsurman4669]

Read Power shift by Alvin Tofler; you will see who is holding us back...

[@stadler72]

Universities USED to teach the liberal arts. It's how we know right from wrong, regardless of what the government, church or other power structure tells us.

[@r3db34rd8]

Wife’s a high school English teacher. She teaches rhetoric. I suppose it depends on where you live.

[@zfolwick]

not being naught rhetoric also makes us susceptible to thinking that rhetorical devices are the same thing as good ideas.

[@mindvolution]

Let's Revive Rhetoric in Public Education! "It is absoulutely scandalous that, when in the world we're dealing with such huge challenges , financial inequalities, the apocalyptic threats of climate change, religious persecution unmatched since the 1940s, that we should be restricting debate to such a narrow minority (the politicians). Instead of teaching our children to sit down and shut up we should be teaching them to stand up and speak out. So, let's revive rhetoric (in education). Let's really reinvigorate debates around the world and let's really give the chance to every child on the planet to become a leader. How should we call this Grand Initiative? Well, here's an idea: How about Democracy!?" Simon Lancaster A strong finish! Superb indeed!

[@ArsyadKamili]

mindvolution I love this.

[@aceportgas240]

mindvolution momo

[@luxnox3785]

a strong Finish using what he Talked about in the Talk

[@TravisTennies]

A cult is not a religion. A cult is a group who's leaders say to take the lives of those who leave the group. A cult is a group who takes the lives of people who are not in their club. islam is not a religion, it's a cult.

[@1androo2]

state sponsored education is providing a substandard service? say it ain't so.

[@caribbeanhrdtv4046]

This has got to be one of the MOST useful TEDx Talks that I have ever seen! I'm impressed, very, very impressed.

[@tomoliveira871]

I can completely, 100%, see what you, sir, did there, right above, in this comment.

[@sarojthatte5420]

HRD TV to hygv

[@feartheghus]

HRD TV admittedly most tedtalks, and especially tedxtalks, suck.

[@timothywise9731]

This guy is obviously a socialist. He has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to the earths climate....he knows how to spew rhetoric all right. Before we stand up and speak we should first learn, as children, to shut up and listen! This guy has it backwards. It's because of people like this that we have the laziest and weakest generation in history. It will be the "do nothing" generation!

[@zheninghu3889]

WRONG

[@SeerWS]

That improv at the end was legendary.

[@PresidentialWinner]

Yeah man i would LOVE to be that good at impromptu speeches.

[@David_TH54]

This guy is amazing. Imagine being this good at public speaking! :0

[@nathanbutler5605]

I have watched this video so many times since the start of my sales career,, which was over 7 years ago. I have also referenced it as often as I get the chance. Its quality, every sales person should watch this.

[@joemurray]

Now this was a TED talk which is helpful! Very impressed

[@geneamoss7680]

Joe Murray Please don't Fart for your future. Lol.

[@sophialozano4264]

lol @@geneamoss7680

[@Engleasy]

@@geneamoss7680 Doctors constantly farting to save people's lives...

[@samt1705]

Actually a TEDx talk that was helpful..which there are so many!

[@anupamakumari4339]

this guy is just so good at his job...so convincing

[@celsojoven3525]

Bongbong

[@branchannel2610]

I could listen to this man all day long. You don't get to listen to such valuable words from real intelligent people at outside as they'd rather choose not to share their insights for free. One ted talk video a day can actually keep vacuous thoughts away, you know!

[@cedric_ly]

This talk deserves so much more views. Thanks for posting it !

[@TravisTennies]

This explains why complete idiots actually get enthusiastic followers to be *for* things that are very bad. This explains why there are people who think murderous rapists should be welcome into all countries. This explains why people like 0bama and the clintons have followers, even though they want horrible things for the USA. :( This Simon Lancaster is so into language, he is blind of reality and facts. This is why he is anti-Trump. Stupid elitist asshole!

[@quidproquo82]

Uh stop copying and pasting the same tripe and spamming people's comments.

[@quidproquo82]

This explains why people fall for simplistic answers to complex geopolitical issues. This explains why attacking convenient scapegoats and making sweeping generalizations appeals to simplistic minds. This explains why people like Trump attract so many followers, because they appeal to the most base parts of human nature.

[@allenculbertson8170]

God bless you and thank you

[@SuperAli2007]

This simply is the best speech I've ever heard in a long time. Its heart is in democracy and its wings are effective techniques. Powerful

[@Ghost-js5cg]

Very well done. Not only was he sharing information that can really help the people, but he was demonstrating how it can help by using it himself.

[@Venus-9421]

1. Three Breathless Sentences 2. Three Repetitive Sentences 3. Three Balancing Statements 4. Metaphor 5. Exaggeration 6. Rhyme ❤❤ Amazing speech

[@KajalSingh-md5ht]

I am watching this video for improving my English language 😂😂😂. It is amazing channel. Whenever I can so many things from this channel. I can learn from other's experience, and I can improve my pronounciation etc..... Whenever I free then I watch it 🙂. One day, I will speak on this stage front of everyone.

[@TyrionDies]

Apart from songs, this is possibly the only video I've watched repeatedly. Brilliant, from start to finish

[@neerajmohan5367]

Deserves to be viewed many more times. Simply brilliant...

[@irenashiloh8808]

Simon, you have summarized things we know about society (so your credibility is not at issue) in a beautiful, humorous, witty, eloquent, adventurous and unique way. You have talent for comedy, theater, etc. Excellent job - you are a born entertainer! ❤

[@ivan_dlt]

He is good. I'm from Russia, sitting at home, looking a guy in Italy, speaking English - all that is just because his speech is awesome. What a blossom!

[@serminhazer3987]

So far my favorite and the most broad talk I have watched. Simon thank you so much!

[@ashwinswaminathan1994]

One of the most intuitive and brilliant TED speeches I've ever listened to. Wonder why it doesn't have the number of views it deserves.

[@startupsavages]

Excellent breakdown of how to impact the world. Savage speech 💪🦁

[@VivekTiwari03]

This has to be one of the best TED talks of all of them. You learn so much in every single minute as it passes. And I bet you'll be coming back from time to time to see this one.

[@HW-es4dg]

Saw your comment here two years ago...

[@user-ws8pt3cc8t]

absolutely

[@sohambhattacharjee951]

Shinzou sasageyo

[@ediewall6360]

You would lose the bet with me. He is coming from the history and use of “ programming”. I see that as negative. It resonates with you. Not everyone thinks and perceives like you. Maybe you have yet to discover that. The number 3 is also used by Globalists / New World Order / Illuminati. I think we can do much better.

[@makingyouplacementready]

Impressive, educative and demonstrative- the experience is wonderful, the experience is enchanting, the experience is enthralling. It is not only a slide show but a real demonstration. A teacher leading his students through a forest of words, emotions and action. The talk is a great mover and shaker!

[@nickssupermoneychannel9064]

Jns Dkstjf

[@TwoSetAI]

Best Ted talk so far!

[@Rubri.C]

i cannot explain how thankful i am to have bumped into this! my gratitude knows no bounds

[@tjkoker]

Amazing Speaker, Amazing Topic, Amazing Presentation. Great job Simon!

[@laweacosmica2063]

Incredible! I have 11 years and my native language is Spanish, is very import for my understand this speech ❤ thanks Tedtalks for these meetings!

[@m.rgh.i9199]

Simon's speech was fantastic with different aspects. Like flying with time!

[@phyllislogie]

I have to say this iS by far the most enjoyable TEDX I have ever watched. THANK YOU!!

[@zohrehmalek2894]

I loved his 6 techniques and his improvising. Great job!

[@CelineLinesseCL]

goosebumps. absolutely loved this speech​.

[@internations6272]

A really talented man; just watch his ability to improvise a speech.. He was great.

[@martinkmugaba7228]

I feel blessed just listening to this brilliant gentleman speaking

[@MrGurdeep333]

The charm this person brings with himself, the body language, and his cute smile is fabulous. One of the best TEDx👍

[@guitarsoul78]

I watched this video lots ot time, thank You so much! dear Simon! All the best for You!!!

[@suryamanipradhan7004]

This video will be upcoming young generation inspire.

[@rahuldutt1358]

This Guy is brilliant. Got halfway through the speech, paused it to order Winning Minds - Secrets from the language of Leadership. He is my new guru.

[@FirozKhan-ut1iq]

Mr. Simon Lancaster is a rare breed who is a wonderful speaker; impressing listeners beyond description incredibly well. Islamabad Pakistan

[@justlive4themoment]

WOW!! DEFINITELY I WOULD VOTE FOR FOR THIS GUY!! HES AMAZING!

[@ousmanediallo8438]

I think, he has given us the best ways of speaking in public. without a doubt, his examples are great such as changing the tone's of the voice and gestures.

[@spartmohson282]

One of the best and most useful presentations I've watched in a long time! Very impressive!

[@HaleyMorgan2226]

Amazing talk. I LOVE this. I really liked how he used all the techniques after explaining them.

[@MaryannMurphyMSW]

This speech is powerful. This speech is convincing. This speech is brilliant. Thank you, Simon, from the bottom of my heart, for being a fountain of information and a shining star of inspiration.

[@prabhuduttanayak6793]

yyyyeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhahhhhhhhh!

[@LalramnunkimaCE--]

One of the best speeches i have ever heard!!Most useful, took a lot of notes

[@deshpreetvaid9592]

So meaningful! Love the way he uses examples to show his point,

[@kusokom]

Simply fantastic!👏👏👏👏Respect all the way from Ethiopia🇪🇹🇪🇹

[@RuiChui]

Very knowledgeable talk! A lot of concise information and applicable theory provided in less than 19 minutes. Leadership is one of those things that machines will never be able to do.

[@Khale23]

This guy's a natural! really enjoyed listenin 👏 💯

[@vijendarrao135]

This is an immensely powerful TED talk that I have ever watched!

[@Theleadersteacher]

Wonderful person with a professional presentation. I Can not have enough of this speech. Thank you for this Gift.

[@saschavonhobe7829]

I love it when people talk about something and are proving they can do it too in the same speech. It's both a nice example to learn from and it shows he knows what he's talking.

[@2dadsonamic687]

I loved how task driven this Ted Talk was. This is what you do, and this is how you do it. Not just someone rambling a bunch of statistics and facts. Well done!

[@Steven-nuddy]

He had me clapping like I was in the room. Brilliant !

[@hadisubagiyono2020]

Great sharing Simon, thank you very much.

[@guitarsoul78]

Love it! I wantch You video, dear Simon, from time to time, absolutely agree! Thank You so much from the buttom of my heart

[@wellbodisalone]

His coherence is simply remarkable! I like the way he talks about reaching goals.

[@midas0787]

Oh my god .. I fall in love with his accent, such a very powerful voice.

[@user-zn9dk2gi8f]

Мантра

[@nathong3229]

One of the best TED Talks I've seen, loved his examples as he went!

[@tvm-growthisunlimited9023]

This is what all TEDx Talks must emulate

[@elenatognetti864]

Simon for president!

[@DannyJMendez20s]

I must say, that improvisation was very impressive. Also, I have to agree that those 6 techniques(three breathless sentences, three repetitive sentences, balancing sentences, exaggeration, metaphors, and rhyming) all seem effective, and the examples he gave seem to back up his argument that they work.

[@blankshaliburton277]

Let's Revive Rhetoric in Public Education! "It is absoulutely scandalous that, when in the world we're dealing with such huge challenges , financial inequalities, the apocalyptic threats of climate change, religious persecution unmatched since the 1940s, that we should be restricting debate to such a narrow minority (the politicians). Instead of teaching our children to sit down and shut up we should be teaching them to stand up and speak out. So, let's revive rhetoric (in education). Let's really reinvigorate debates around the world and let's really give the chance to every child on the planet to become a leader. How should we call this Grand Initiative? Well, here's an idea: How about Democracy!?" Simon Lancaster A strong finish! Superb indeed!

[@dawnconner7403]

What made the improv even more impressive was that he was advocating for the opposite of what he thinks and believes in! A man that can come up a speech like that on the fly about something he doesn't even believe in, when he speaks of something that does align with his values... WATCH OUT!! He'll be selling ice to the Eskimos in no time!

[@kanishasmp4197]

Most incredible speech I ever listen to!!! Great!!!

[@nicom4996]

Insanly good. This guy is an absolute master of his art. I touched the winning price tonight, thanks!

[@mohammedsikander273]

I still remember when I watched 3 years back and now which is very helpful!

[@shalinisingh3300]

Absolutely brilliant talk..very natural 🙌🏾

[@3AMERICAN]

For Me , It's the best talks I've ever heard ... it includes every talks I've listened to : self confidence , Reach your goals , Change your way of thinking , and Change your life ... That's the thorough approach to achieve them ..

[@husseinhuwail2309]

The way he is presenting is an amazing one.

[@akkix1731]

Thank you, Simon Lancaster and TEDx Verona for this awesome education ...

[@BraulioPallares]

OMG!, this guy makes it seem so simple. Bravo!!

[@Alphamaleblueprintblog]

Yeah man he can really convey a message easily.

[@unccand]

He is a true master. Very good video. Thank you.

[@FabrizioNannini]

This guy is a genius, and a silver tongued one too.

[@MinhHNguyen]

Wow, my best TED for this year.

[@teatoxify]

This guy is amazing!

[@AnnaNaturalista]

WOW and Thank You!! These are more than just powerful steps of speech writing, You embody the message within your teachings which is brilliant! Simon for President! :-)

[@PursuitofPossibility]

The spontaneous demonstration he gave was powerful. Really put a smile on my face. What a great talk I'll be applying some of these concepts in my KZbin Channel and at work!

[@mary-lynnestadler9776]

An absolutely brilliant talk. Really thought provoking. Thank you.

[@Jagadeeshchandrakolli]

One of the best Ted videos. Thanks !! :)

[@ryanfrizzell736]

Thank you for the information. This improves my communication.

[@ConstantinPhillipou]

Truly amazing improv speech!!! wow, a natural...

[@jedisantos2455]

So love this! Thank you for this talk Simon! Very entertaining and informative 💌

[@PresidentialWinner]

I have to write my father's obituary, which i will present by speaking it in his funeral (of my own volition of course) And this TED talk couldn't have come at a better time. Not trying to impress any political voters, but am trying to honour my father memory and public speaking is not exactly my strongest suits.

[@patriciacole8773]

I’m sorry for your loss of your father’s presence in your life.

[@dawnconner7403]

"Whether you tell yourself "I can" or "I can't", either way you are right." "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they are yours." -- Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, 1977

[@anbarnawar1666]

One of the best ted talks I’ve watched! Kudos

[@philousmanedoukoure3101]

The best TEDx talk I have listened to. Thank you

[@anantchopra1663]

One of the best TEDx talks I've seen in a while. To the point, and quality content. Really useful!

[@TeatroAcustico]

Agreed. I found it by chance today after having heard it two years ago. I lost the link but today found it whilst looking for something else.

[@Jlizzy15]

So impressed! I'm amazed by his spontaneous improvising speech at the end. This one really gives me something to chew. Thank you.

[@thaomy4744]

So impressive. Thank you for making this wonderful speech

[@GregoryTroyTV]

So much to learn from this great video! Thank you Simon!

[@atulkurani8043]

Too much to learn from this 19 min lesson.. Excellent

[@Stretchinstructor]

This is definitely a video that all students need to see! It aligns perfecting with Speaking and Listening skills!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Very well outlined. I must make it a point to revisit this talk many times to keep the ideas fresh. (tHank you also to the many commenters for sharing your opinions).

[@drewbrazier]

Brilliant speech! Thanks for posting.

[@Swanky95472]

this guy is awesome!

[@uvuwuewuewueonyetueosas227]

i love how he includes everything that he speaks in his speech.

[@nickbeutell9727]

Outstanding video, the best TED talk that I have seen. Compelling, engaging, profound...

[@hailee7111]

One of the bestttttt TED talks ever!!

[@joncarter2436]

Amazing. Thank you! :D

[@mindvolution]

WOW! Simon Lancaster is awesome! :)) Such confidence, such high-end intelligences, such mastery of the Art of Rhetoric! Respect! Now that's a model for a true leader! Brave and revolutionary vision that he shares!

[@simonbullows]

one of the best ted talks ive seen, great stuff