121
years ago On 11th September 1893, Mr. Narendra Nath Dutta better known as Swami
Vivekanand, delivered his first speech in the Parliament of the World's
Religions in Chicago, which is recorded in the annals of world history as one of
the greatest speeches ever delivered.
He started his speech by addressing the audience
as “Sisters and Brothers of America” the western audience was pleasantly
shocked as no one ever addressed them like that, they were used to being
addressed as Ladies and Gentleman. Upon uttering these words, Vivekanand
received 2 minutes standing ovation from the 7000 strong crowd.
Swami
Vivekanand spoke “Sisters and Brothers of America, It fills my heart with
joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you
have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in
the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you
in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.”
The
tone was full of humility and content had sense of pride. This pride translated
into confidence. Only a confident person can motivate and inspire.
Almost 121 years
later on September 28th, 2014 another Narendra, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime
Minister of India stood before an audience of over 20,000 Indians at Madison
Square Garden in the United States and inspired and motivated his audience.
Mr.
Narendra Modi started his speech as “Bharat Mata ki Jai! (Hail Mother India!)
My
dear brothers and sisters in America! All the respectable dignitaries of
American politics especially present here for this ceremony and my fellow
Indians watching this programme today on television and the internet. My
greetings as well to the people who could not make it to this auditorium and
are standing outside. Wishing you all a Very Happy Navratri!”
New
York Times reported - “At Madison Square Garden, Chants, Cheers and Roars for
Modi”
His speech, when it came, did not
disappoint. Casting himself as a man of humble origins with the intention to do
big things for small people,” he vowed to promote Indian economic growth, clean
up the polluted Ganges River and improve the lot of the country’s poor and
disadvantaged. He promised to make it easier for those of Indian descent to
obtain visas, so that members of the Indian diaspora might bring their talents
back to the homeland.
Both
the speeches were appreciated and remembered, the common element in both the
speeches were passion and inspiration. Both these addresses were filled with
fervor and emotion.
Powerful,
memorable addresses are the result of the speaker’s deep passion for his or her
subject. It is virtually impossible to inspire others if you are not personally
committed.
It
is not enough to speak with passion and enthusiasm – you must transfer those
same feelings to your audience. That’s why its vital that you put the laws of
speaking into action. The transference comes through your voice, your gestures,
your body movement and your mastery of platform skills.
Inspiration
is contagious – even more so in the hands of a capable leader. Nido Qubein, an
American Lebanese-Jordanian businessman, motivational speaker, and president of
High Point University advises, “If something is wonderful, say it like it’s
wonderful; if something is sad, say it like
it is sad; if something is important, say it like its important.
Every
speaker faces speech anxiety, it never goes even with lot of experience, only
as seasoned speakers we learn to disguise it. But this anxiety goes away after
you have spoken for few minutes; it is when you allow the emotions to fill your
heart. When you allow your passion and belief take the front seat. New York Times bestselling author famous
speaker and businesswoman Raoxanne Emmerich says “When you are so committed to
the meaning of your message you can’t contain yourself there is no energy left
for being nervous.”
But
it is not always passion which would be a desired trait. It depends on the occasion,
audience, subject and content. If your assignment is to give a data-filled,
informative season, overexcitement and express demonstration of passion is not
appropriate.
If
you watch professionals speak, you will find that apart from being great in
content and presentation it’s also a deft execution of a well thought of plan
to captivate the audience. They don’t overplay their emotional cards during the
first half of their presentation. They let the speech simmer and build to a
boil – slowly raising the temperature along the way, then they explode. At the
conclusion, everything is bubbling over – the conviction, the intensity and the
power.
“It
is energy that makes you visible, that gives you presence. It’s called “performance
energy” and is the bias of dynamic leadership” says speaking coach Martha
Burgess.
It
can’t be faked, it can’t be acting, because it will show and the audience will automatically
sense that there is something amiss. The connection would snap the moment fakeness
creeps in. You cannot fake enthusiasm; it must rise to the surface from within.
There is no substitute for the fire-in-the belly passion that causes your
audience to feel something.
As
Thomas Arnold says – The difference between one man and another is not mere
ability – it is energy.
It
is not what you think, it is what you believe.
Belief
and conviction are the fuel to bring out the energy and passion is the air
which keeps it glowing.
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