Walter R. Kirkland

Walter R. Kirkland Speaking Topics

• Personal and Business Elevator Speech

  Creating a personal elevator speech involves crafting a concise and compelling introduction about yourself that can be delivered in the time it takes for an elevator ride, typically around 30 seconds to a minute. Here's a guide on how to create an effective elevator speech:

  Start with a Hook:

  • Begin with a strong and engaging statement that grabs attention.
  • This could be a question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement related to your identity or profession.

  Introduce Yourself:

  • Clearly state your name and your role or profession or company.

  Highlight Your Skills or Unique Selling Points:

  • Mention key skills, achievements, or experiences that set you apart.
  • Focus on what makes you valuable or interesting.

  Explain Your Purpose or Goal:

  • Share your current objectives or what you're passionate about.
  • This could be a project you're working on, a goal you're pursuing, or a cause you care about.

  Connect with Your Audience:

  • Tailor your elevator speech to the context and the interests of your audience.
  • Show how your skills or goals align with their needs or interests.

  End with a Call to Action:

  • Conclude with a clear call to action or a request for further conversation.
  • This could be an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, discuss potential collaboration, or learn more about the other person.

  Practice and Refine:

  Practice your elevator speech until it feels natural and flows smoothly. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and body language.

  Be Authentic:

  • Be genuine and authentic in your delivery. And use fact-based dollars and cents as it relates to financial performance for you or your company.
  • People are more likely to connect with you if you come across as sincere.

  Adapt to Different Situations:

  • Be prepared to adjust your elevator speech based on the context and audience.
  • Tailor it to networking events, job interviews, or casual encounters.

  Seek Feedback:

  Ask for feedback from friends, mentors, or colleagues. Use their insights to refine and improve your elevator speech. Remember that the goal is to leave a positive and memorable impression, so focus on the most relevant and compelling aspects of your identity and goals.

• Leadership

  Creating an effective leadership speech involves a combination of thoughtful planning, clear communication, and inspiration. Whether you're addressing a team, presenting to an audience, or speaking at an event, here are some steps to help you craft a compelling leadership speech:

  Know Your Audience:

  Understand the needs, expectations, and interests of your audience. Tailor your speech to resonate with them and address their concerns. Establish a Clear Purpose:

  • Define the purpose of your speech. Are you motivating, informing, or rallying support?
  • Clarify the key message you want your audience to take away.

  Start with a Strong Opening:

  • Capture attention with a compelling opening, such as a relevant quote, a powerful anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
  • Set the tone for your speech and create a connection with your audience.

  Share Your Vision:

  • Clearly articulate your vision or goal as a leader.
  • Help your audience understand the bigger picture and their role in achieving the shared vision.

  Provide Examples and Stories:

  • Use real-life examples and stories to illustrate your points.
  • Stories create an emotional connection and make your message more memorable.

  Highlight Core Values:

  • Emphasize the values that guide your leadership style.
  • Connect your values with the values of the team or organization.

  Acknowledge Challenges:

  • Acknowledge the challenges and obstacles that may be present.
  • Demonstrate resilience and a positive outlook on overcoming difficulties.

  Empower and Inspire:

  • Encourage and empower your audience by emphasizing their strengths and potential.
  • Use motivational language and inspire confidence.

  Address Concerns:

  • Anticipate and address any concerns or questions your audience may have.
  • Show that you understand their perspectives and are open to dialogue.

  Provide a Clear Call to Action:

  • Clearly articulate the actions you want your audience to take.
  • Whether it's a specific task, a change in mindset, or a collective effort, make it actionable.

  Be Authentic:

  • Be genuine and authentic in your delivery.
  • Authenticity builds trust and credibility with your audience.

  Practice and Refine:

  • Rehearse your speech to ensure a smooth delivery.
  • Pay attention to your tone, pace, and body language.

  Seek Feedback:

  Get feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. Use feedback to refine and improve your speech. Remember that a great leadership speech is not just about words; it's about conveying a sense of purpose, connecting with your audience emotionally, and inspiring positive action.

Change Management

Creating a change management speech requires careful consideration of the challenges associated with change, the vision for the future, and the strategies to navigate the transition. Here's a guide to help you craft an effective change management speech:

Understand the Need for Change:

• Clearly articulate why change is necessary.
• Identify the problems or challenges that the organization is facing and explain how the proposed changes will address them.

Acknowledge Concerns and Resistance:

• Recognize that change can be unsettling for individuals.
• Acknowledge common concerns and address potential resistance to change.

Establish a Compelling Vision:

• Paint a vivid picture of the future state after the change is implemented.
• Clearly communicate the benefits and positive outcomes of the change.

Connect with Values and Purpose:

• Align the proposed changes with the core values and purpose of the organization.
• Help employees understand how the changes support the overall mission and goals.

Communicate Openly and Transparently:

• Be transparent about the reasons behind the change and the decision-making process.
• Foster open communication channels to address questions and concerns.

Empathize with Employees:

• Acknowledge the emotional aspect of change and empathize with the concerns and feelings of employees.
• Express understanding and validate their experiences.

Highlight Success Stories:

• Share success stories from other organizations that have successfully navigated similar changes.
• Highlight positive outcomes and lessons learned.

Define Roles and Responsibilities:

• Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of individuals during the change process.
• Provide clarity on expectations and how everyone contributes to the success of the change.

Provide Support and Resources:

• Ensure that employees have the necessary resources, training, and support to adapt to the changes.
• Demonstrate a commitment to helping individuals through the transition.

Encourage Collaboration:

• Emphasize the importance of collaboration and teamwork during the change.
• Create opportunities for employees to share ideas and contribute to the change process.

Celebrate Small Wins:

• Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements and milestones along the way.
• Recognize the efforts of individuals and teams in embracing the change.

Address the ""What's In It For Me"" (WIIFM):

• Clearly communicate how the change will benefit individuals personally and professionally.
• Address the WIIFM factor to motivate employees to support the change.

Reiterate the End Goal:

• Reinforce the vision and end goal of the change throughout the speech.
• Keep the focus on the positive impact the change will have on the organization.

Invite Questions and Feedback:

• Encourage an open dialogue by inviting questions and feedback.
• Demonstrate a willingness to listen and address concerns.

End with a Call to Action:

Conclude your speech with a clear call to action. Inspire commitment and active participation in the change process. Remember to tailor your speech to the specific context and culture of your organization. Change management speeches should be a balance of empathy, vision, and practical guidance to guide individuals and the organization through the change process.

Youth Mentoring

Creating a speech on youth mentoring involves addressing the importance of mentoring, the impact it can have on young individuals, and motivating others to get involved. Here's a guide to help you craft an effective speech on youth mentoring:

Start with a Compelling Opening:

• Begin your speech with a captivating anecdote, statistic, or quote related to youth mentoring.
• Capture the audience's attention and emphasize the significance of the topic.

Define Youth Mentoring:

• Clearly define what youth mentoring is and how it differs from other forms of support.
• Highlight the role of mentors in guiding, supporting, and empowering young individuals.

Share Personal Stories or Examples:

• Illustrate the impact of mentoring through real-life stories or examples.
• Personalize the speech by sharing experiences of individuals whose lives have been positively influenced by mentoring.

Discuss the Benefits of Youth Mentoring:

• Highlight the various benefits that mentoring provides to both mentors and mentees.
• Discuss academic, social, and personal development outcomes.

Emphasize Positive Role Models:

• Stress the importance of positive role models in the lives of young people.
• Discuss how mentors can inspire, motivate, and provide guidance to help mentees reach their full potential.

Address Challenges Faced by Youth:

• Acknowledge the challenges and obstacles faced by today's youth.
• Explain how mentoring can provide support and guidance during critical stages of their lives.

Highlight the Need for Mentors:

• Discuss the current demand for mentors and the shortage of positive role models.
• Emphasize the difference one person can make in the life of a young individual.

Promote Diversity and Inclusion:

• Stress the importance of diverse mentors who can relate to the unique experiences of different young individuals.
• Advocate for an inclusive approach to mentoring.

Encourage Audience Involvement:

• Encourage the audience to reflect on their own experiences with mentors or consider becoming mentors themselves.
• Provide information on local mentoring programs and opportunities.

Discuss Mentorship Programs:

• Briefly mention existing mentorship programs and organizations.
• Provide information on how individuals can get involved or support these initiatives.

Speak to the Mentor's Role:

• Discuss the qualities of a good mentor, including patience, empathy, and active listening.
• Emphasize that mentoring is a two-way street, benefiting both mentors and mentees.

Address the Long-Term Impact:

• Discuss how mentoring can contribute to positive community and societal outcomes.
• Emphasize the long-term impact of investing in the future of young individuals.

Provide a Call to Action:

• Conclude your speech with a clear call to action.
• Encourage the audience to consider becoming mentors, supporting mentorship programs, or spreading awareness about the importance of mentoring.

End on an Inspirational Note:

• End your speech with an inspirational quote or message that leaves a lasting impression.
• Reinforce the idea that everyone can play a role in shaping the future through mentoring.
• Remember to adapt the speech to the specific audience and occasion, keeping it engaging, informative, and inspiring.