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Garry Parker has over twenty years of experience as a public speaker. He is trainer, coach and mentor to politicians, plus private and public sector personalities in Finland. Garry is Chairman of the British and Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in Finland (B3CF), an institution he founded in 2008.
Churchill 2015 commemorations
2015 marks the 50th anniversary since Winston Churchill’s death. He has inspired and influenced millions of people around the world, including Garry himself. “The Second World War”, a book that won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953, has been standard schoolboy reading in the UK.
Churchill’s Legacy in Rhetoric and Public Speaking
Winston Churchill had a speech impediment (lisp) and he wasn’t the most confident speaker when he was young. He didn’t come to maturity until the onset of WWII and as Prime Minister he persuaded UK’s cabinet to make strong decisions in order to defend his country.
Churchill was very Shakespearean and often used old language to dramatize his words. As far as we know, he never had a speech writer.
The very best of Churchill in Public Speaking
A few days ago, on August 20th, was the 75th anniversary of his speech “The Few”.
Another famous speech of that time is “We shall fight on the beaches”.
In addition to his speeches, there are books about his anecdotes such as “The Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill”.
Speakers influenced by Churchill
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is heavily influenced by Churchill. However, these days we are more politically correct, and many of Churchill’s speeches, comments and views would not make sense to many people today. Another clear example of a speaker influenced by Churchill was Margaret Thatcher.
Related: Communication skills for entrepreneurs (previous interview with Garry Parker)
A Churchill’s quotation
Written to her wife when she was away:
“I think a lot about you my darling … and rejoice that we have lived our lives together; and have still some years of expectation in this pleasant vale…. I feel this has been a great experience and adventure to you and that it has introduced a new background to your life, and a larger proportion; and so I have not grudged you your long excursion. But now I do want you back.”
Recommended book
The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History by Boris Johnson
Routine to Shine
- Smile at yourself in the mirror.
- Like many opera singers do, eat ice cream.
Links
British and Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in Finland
Churchill 2015 – 50th Anniversary events and activity
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[…] this year commemorated 50 years of Winston Churchill’s decease, a historical character who continues to inspire speakers […]