Why These Speeches Spread—And How Yours Can Too

The late great James Earl Jones delivers a speech that creates a sense of wonder. It's descriptive and captivating, and leaves the listener with a curiosity about the endless possibilities of the world. 

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Of course, James Earl Jones's iconic deep and commanding voice only adds to the allure and captivation of the story. His delivery and presence are both soothing and commanding at the same time. His conviction is absolute—much like that of General McRaven in his video above—instilling in the listener both a desire to lead and a willingness to follow.  

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Bobby McFerrin’s 2009 World Science Festival Performance  

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A brilliant singer, songwriter, and conductor, Bobby McFerrin magically creates unforgettable moments on stage. During this three-minute performance, he masterfully demonstrates how to set and fulfill expectations. 

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As he brings his audience together in song and hops on imaginary piano keys, he controls the room, creating every moment and timing each action, phrase, and reaction perfectly. The audience knows exactly what to do at every turn—and can’t get enough of it. 

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It’s totally unique and absolutely fascinating. His creativity in delivering such an unforgettable signature bit is certainly surprising and extremely effective. 

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Jim Carrey’s 2016 Golden Globe Awards Speech 

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While this isn’t a keynote speech, it is a really great example of how to use humor and self-deprecation to share an important message—without coming off as self-righteous. 

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In less than two minutes, Jim Carrey humorously points out the absurdity of Hollywood's superficial self-importance and self-congratulatory nature (without insulting anyone). He playfully conveys the idea that you are enough, and encourages the audience to remember their own self-worth. 

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Initially, the audience doesn’t know where he’s heading, but they trust that he does. He masterfully stays a step ahead of them, using deliberate pauses and contrast to keep everyone engaged and laughing. And of course, leading them to fully internalize his core message. 

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On a night when the emphasis is on competition and winning awards, his message reminds everyone of their intrinsic value and importance.

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Barack Obama’s Democratic Convention Speech 

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President Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention is a speech that is masterfully crafted—and even more masterfully delivered. The content unites the audience and rallies them together to support a common cause: the American Dream. It resonates powerfully and earns roaring applause. 

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But, while powerful, the content isn’t the driving force behind this speech’s success; Obama’s technical speaking skills are. He uses intentional pauses, timing, and a variety of tone inflections, to be as compelling as he can possibly be. The result? Listeners are drawn in and he earns their trust, admiration, and support. It’s both stirring and reassuring. 

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Most speakers don't realize that their message is only a small portion of their presentation. The real impact comes from how they deliver their message. 

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That’s why even the best ideas don't necessarily make the biggest impact. Even the best stories don't always captivate every listener. But the best storytellers? They do—they enthrall, influence, and transform their audiences over and over again, making a meaningful impact every time they speak. 

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Better choices, better outcomes 

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There’s no formula for transformational speeches like these. After all, this is an art, and there are a lot of ways to make art. Each speaker made specific choices regarding organizational strategies and structures. Each made different choices of words to emphasize and pauses to take, tone and intonation, and how to say each word.