The Power of a Female Speech

This weekend was the ^18th birthday of one of my children. That automatically means at our house: time for a speech. And it means: fighting over who gets to do it. This time I won, mostly because my husband was sweet enough to give it to me. But he couldn't let it go completely, either. The days before he bombarded me with questions: what are you going to say? How are you going to do it? What stories are you going to use? How long have you thought about it?

This barrage made me wonder: where is the power of female speech? Is there such a thing as a female speech? Do we tend to do things or leave things?

During my little research, I came to the conclusion that the elements below may not be reserved for women, but that we find them in many female speeches - leaving aside for a moment all the posturing about generalizing. So everyone else, pay attention! And for those who already do: good for you!

1.it is a conversation
This is the Oprah way. With her, you never feel like you're in a lecture. With her, a speech feels like a dialogue. Because of her loose tone and because she involves you in her story. By making experiences universal. It makes you feel like she's not talking to you, but with you. And that is what you want to convey to your audience: that they belong, that there is a connection.

2.show don't tell
Inspirational speakers make you experience their story. They arouse images in your mind with a few striking details, making it feel like you were there and emotions are evoked faster. Remarkability is a prerequisite for this. The more consciously you experience the world around you and what you experience in it, the more vividly you can show it to your audience. Michelle Obama shows how precisely the small, understated descriptions make her message.

. Give voice to the system
We are all part of systems. Of friend, work and family systems, of social, global and ecosystems. By accounting for this in your speech or presentation and actively taking your place and/or role in such a system, you not only show that you take responsibility, but you also give extra weight and meaning to your story. As, for example, Tyler Swift here takes her position in the system by bringing attention to the rights of LGBT.

And as I said, maybe you're already doing it, then by all means keep it up. I would like to quote the wise words of the daughter of Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education). He spoke at De Balie this weekend on the program "Operation Interview. He described the moment he had been asked for the ministry and told his family he was going to do it. His daughter looked at him for a few seconds and said,' you go girl!'

How did I fare? The speech worked - it was 'just' a home game after all - my daughter (and the rest of the family) didn't keep it dry at the moments to her adulthood.

Enjoy your next speech or presentation!
And want to know more about speech and presentation? Contact us.