The ripple effect of a great speech

A great speech is far more than a fleeting moment on stage.

Instead, a great speech has the power to set a ripple effect in motion, creating a profound impact not just today, but in the weeks, months and even years ahead.

The ripple effect you create with your next great speech might be felt inside organizations.

Among networks.

Throughout an industry.

And even in society.

Sometimes, a great speech can even become your legacy.

(Think Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford commencement address on life, love, failure and death; Simon Sinek’s 2009 start-with-why TEDx speech, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”; and Malala Yousafzai’s 2013 United Nations speech calling for universal education, especially for girls.)

This infographic, “The Ripple Effect of a Great Speech,” captures the transformative potential of one great speech – IF you are intentional upfront about the outcomes you seek.

Whether you speak to colleagues, present at a conference or address a global audience, the words you choose and the message you convey have tremendous power.

A great speech can motivate … spur discussions … foster collaboration … drive new initiatives … change behavior … empower teams … build strategic partnerships … inspire new standards … shape public dialogue … be your career-defining moment … and so much more.

This infographic is intended to disrupt how you think about speeches: no longer as one-time, one-off events but instead the chance to shape deliberate OUTCOMES in at least nine IMPACT ZONES.

Study this infographic, and discover what’s possible.

Then resolve today to think beyond the podium.

Craft your next great speech with purpose.

Create a ripple effect!

And be an intentional architect of lasting change.