best leadership motivational speeches

The 24 Best Motivational Speeches Our Employees Have Ever Heard

Published: July 19, 2023

It was halftime during one of my 7th-grade football games. And we were losing 14 - 0. With our knees planted in the grass, my team was quietly huddled, drenched in sweat and defeat. Suddenly, it was game over.

That's when our assistant coach burst into our circle and shattered our pity party, delivering one of the best motivational speeches I've heard to this day.

I can't directly quote him because he said some inappropriate things for a blog post (and, in hindsight, probably for a bunch of 13-year-olds too).

The point is he harnessed the power of words to rejuvenate a physically and emotionally drained team. And we came back clawing to win the game.

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Motivational Speech

A motivational speech can come from anywhere or anyone, but it usually has a specific audience in mind.

Whether it's a graduation speech, an all-company meeting, a championship sporting event, or a conference keynote, these speeches are designed to change how their listeners see the challenges facing them in the future.

Like in sports, being motivated at work is crucial for your performance. This rings especially true when you have a looming deadline, an important meeting, or colleagues or customers depending on your performance.

Think about the last time you felt generally unmotivated. What brought you out of that feeling? Sometimes all it takes to get you going is a good night's sleep or witnessing the benefits of your labor.

Still, other times, you might listen to someone say something that resonates with you — that alters how you've been looking at a particular task or problem.

Motivational speeches and speakers can come in all different forms, but this is the one thing they have in common — resonance. They resonate with the right listener at the right time and in the right way.

Who knows, this article is doing some for you right now. (I can dream, can't I?)

We selected 24 of the best motivational speeches from business, sports, entertainment, and other fields to help you stay motivated no matter what your work throws at you. Watch these videos if you want to feel inspired by a project.

Trust me, I was wiping my eyes after I saw them. And while the messages vary from speech to speech, they can put you in the optimal frame of mind for tackling and crushing your next big challenge.

(Disclaimer: Some speeches may contain NSFW language.)

Elon Musk: "The Importance of Never Giving Up" (2020)

Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Al Pacino: "Inch by Inch" (1999)

Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

The Best Motivational Speeches of All Time

1. elon musk: "the importance of never giving up" (2020), theme of speech: perseverance and resilience.

Elon Musk's "The Importance of Never Giving Up" speech about perseverance and determination is decisive.

In this speech, Musk emphasizes failing and learning from failures as keys to success. He recounts his life and career, demonstrating how he overcame challenges.

One key takeaway from Musk's speech is his advice to adopt a growth mindset.

Musk encourages listeners to view setbacks as learning experiences. He also highlights the value of perseverance, persistence, and taking risks.

Elon Musk's word serves as an upbeat reminder that perseverance, patience, and the desire to attempt things repeatedly in the face of difficulty are essential for success.

"If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it."

2. Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Theme of the speech: empathetic leadership....

The "Leading with Empathy" talk by Angela Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and compassion in leadership.

According to Ahrendts, leaders must view their employees as whole people with lives outside of work. Leaders can instill trust, respect, and mutual support in their employees and organizations.

Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of team mission as well. Leaders can inspire their teams by connecting them to a greater goal.

She believes that working together fosters creativity, innovation, and growth.

"Leading with Empathy" is a powerful reminder that leadership requires more than technical knowledge. To truly inspire and motivate their employees, leaders must understand their emotional needs and create a supportive, inclusive environment.

"Empathy is the glue that holds relationships together, whether they are personal or professional."

3. Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Theme of the speech: sleep and productivity.

The Huffington Post's founder, Arianna Huffington, emphasized the importance of sleep to overall health. In her 2023 speech, "The Power of Sleep," she discusses how sleep deprivation affects our health, productivity, and happiness.

Huffington observes that we have been taught to sacrifice sleep for success. She also mentions that well-rested employees are more creative, efficient, and effective.

To address these issues, Huffington proposes a cultural shift that recognizes sleep as essential to health and wellness.

She advises individuals and organizations to prioritize sleep, avoid technology before bedtime, and create a restful sleep environment. Sleep, according to Huffington, is a necessity, not a luxury.

By recognizing the importance of sleep, people and businesses can enhance their health, productivity, and general well-being.

Arianna Huffington's "The Power of Sleep" speech in 2023 emphasizes the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep deprivation.

It promotes a culture where getting enough sleep is essential for health and well-being.

"Sleep is the Swiss Army knife of health, it does everything."

4. Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

Theme of the speech: inclusion and diversity.

Apple CEO Tim Cook advocates for inclusion and diversity. He has been instrumental in the company's initiatives to advance fairness and equality inside its ranks and across the technology sector.

Cook has prioritized diversity and inclusion at Apple because he believes it is proper and necessary for innovation and business success.

Unconscious bias training, diverse recruitment, and employee resource groups contributed to his success.

Outside of Apple, Cook has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform. He has raised awareness of these issues and advocated for social change as a business leader.

Tech leaders and others have lauded Cook's commitment to diversity and inclusion. He has raised awareness of these issues, leading to significant change at Apple and elsewhere.

"Inclusion and diversity are not just buzzwords, they are fundamental values that drive innovation and creativity."

5. J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Theme of speech: failure.

In J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement speech, the Harry Potter author explored how two phenomena -- failure and imagination -- can be crucial to success.

While failure can help you understand where your true passion lies, and where you should focus your energy moving forward, imagination is what will allow you to empathize with other people so you can use your influence to do good.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

"You have to understand your own personal DNA. Don't do things because I do them or Steve Jobs or Mark Cuban tried it. You need to know your personal brand and stay true to it."

6. Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Theme of the speech: gender equality and leadership.

Sheryl Sandberg's 2021 talk, "Lean In," encourages women to lean into their careers and leadership roles. She urges women to stand up for one another and themselves to overcome societal and cultural hurdles.

Sandberg highlights the need to have distinct objectives and goals and be prepared to take calculated risks to achieve them.

She also underlines how crucial it is for more female leaders to advance diversity and gender equality across all industries.

Sandberg's speech also emphasizes collaboration. She urges women to mentor other women and look for sponsors and mentors themselves.

The "Lean In" talk by Sheryl Sandberg emphasizes women's voices and perspectives in all aspects of society.

To remove barriers and foster more inclusive and varied workplaces and communities, Sandberg urges women to pursue their professional ambitions with confidence and with the help of their communities.

"We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."

7. Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Theme of speech: taking risks.

Jim Carrey might make a living as the goofiest comedian around, but in 2014, he combined classic Carrey humor with unforgettable insight at Maharishi University of Management's graduation ceremony.

Jim Carrey opened his speech dishing punchlines, but he eventually opened up about his upbringing and the role fear plays in our lives. You can actually hear the amazement in the students' reactions in the video above.

“I learned many great lessons from my father -- not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

8. Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Theme of speech: life and career.

Considering the YouTube video of Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford commencement speech has 24 million views, it's likely that you've seen this one already.

In the speech, Jobs plays on two themes: connecting the dots (anecdote: how taking a calligraphy class helped inspire the design of the Mac) and love & loss (anecdote: how getting fired from Apple helped inspire his greatest innovations).

Perhaps the most memorable part his speech comes at the end, when he quotes the (now-famous) lines from the final issue of his favorite publication, The Whole Earth Catalog:

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

9. Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Theme of the speech: discovering true happiness and fulfillment in life..

In "The Pursuit of Happiness," famed actor and motivational speaker Matthew McConaughey provides his enlightened viewpoint on obtaining true happiness and fulfillment.

McConaughey presents a genuine and approachable study of what it means to live a fulfilling life through sincere storytelling and personal anecdotes.

The speech discusses the significance of authenticity and remaining true to oneself. McConaughey encourages people to define their success rather than succumb to social pressures or external expectations.

He stresses aligning our behaviors and decisions with our fundamental values and passions.

McConaughey expresses his conviction in the power of thankfulness and the importance of living in the present moment. He encourages people to create a grateful mindset, recognizing the blessings and possibilities surrounding them.

By appreciating the present and finding joy in the journey, individuals can experience more profound happiness and fulfillment.

"Happiness is not a destination. It's a state of mind, a journey, and a choice we make every day."

10. Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

In his 2011 UPenn commencement speech, Denzel Washington highlighted three reasons why we need to embrace failure in order to be successful. First, everybody will fail at something at some point, so you better get used to it.

Second, if you never fail, take that as a sign that you're not really trying. And third, at the end of the day, failure will help you figure out what path you want to be on.

“Fall forward. Here's what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out twenty-six-hundred times in his career — the most in the history of baseball. But you don't hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs.

Fall forward.

Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn't know that—because #1,001 was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

11. Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Theme of speech: perseverance.

Last year at INBOUND, Vera Jones told a moving story about the life lessons she's learned from raising her blind son.

She explains how having faith in your future and letting it lead you toward your true purpose will help you overcome blinding obstacles.

She also discusses how following your passion and trusting your vision develops empathy, which is a critical leadership skill.

“Passionately play your position no matter how bad things get. You are significant. Why we are here is not for our own glory. Ultimately, we're here to lead and serve everybody else. By doing that, we encourage others to do the same.”

12. Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Theme of Speech: Self-Belief and Confidence

Oprah Winfrey's 2020 speech "The Power of Self-Belief" emphasized the importance of self-assurance. She attributed her success to her unwavering self-assurance.

According to Oprah, self-belief is not about being arrogant or overconfident. She stresses the significance of overcoming self-doubt and fear, which can prevent people from reaching their goals.

Oprah used personal stories to demonstrate how self-confidence has aided her in life and work. She encouraged her audience to believe in themselves and to embrace their inner strength.

The Power of Self-Belief" reminded us how important it is to have faith in ourselves and our ability to succeed.

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."

13. Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Best known for his role in the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, actor Charlie Day had lots of wisdom to share during the 2014 commencement speech at his alma mater, Merrimack College.

Day explained to the audience how college degrees are inherently valueless, since you can't trade them in for cash. Instead, it's you, your hard work, and the risks you take that provide real value in life.

“You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing the things that will make you great. You cannot succeed without the risk of failure.

You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism. You cannot love without the risk of loss. You must take these risks.”

14. Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

The video above is an animated excerpt from researcher Brené Brown's speech, " The Power of Vulnerability ." In the speech, Brown explores how our fear of not being good enough (among other fears) drives us to shield ourselves from our own vulnerabilities.

The alternative to wearing this emotional suit of armor: Embrace vulnerability through empathizing with others.

"Empathy is a choice, and it's a vulnerable choice. Because in order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling."

15. Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

Theme of the speech: embracing dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of greatness..

Bryant emphasizes setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. Through captivating storytelling and personal anecdotes, he reveals the sacrifices and relentless effort required to excel at the highest level.

Bryant's speech is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and a growth mindset in attaining greatness.

The speech also explores embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Bryant shares how setbacks and challenges can fuel personal growth and resilience.

He encourages individuals to embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as motivation to push beyond their limits.

Bryant's speech goes beyond the realm of sports, offering valuable insights and life lessons applicable to all areas of life.

His relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering commitment to excellence inspires individuals striving to achieve their goals and dreams.

"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.'

We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it."

16. David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

From the opening minutes of David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech , in which he questions commencement speech conventions, it's clear that Wallace has some serious wisdom to share.

The crux of his speech: Many of us are oblivious to our own close-mindedness. We picture ourselves as the centers of our own, individual universes, instead of seeing the bigger, more interconnected picture.

“If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is and who and what is really important, if you want to operate on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable.

But if you've really learned how to think, how to pay attention, then you'll know you have other options.

It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer hell-type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred — on fire with the same force that lit the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down.”

17. Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Theme of the speech: cultivating a growth mindset for personal and professional development..

In "The Growth Mindset," Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, and author, delivers an enlightening speech on the power of adopting a growth mindset for personal and professional growth.

Dweck's extensive research on mindset and achievement provides the foundation for her impactful message.

Dweck explains the difference between a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their abilities are fixed traits, and a growth mindset, where individuals believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

She demonstrates how a growth mindset fosters resilience, learning, and innovation through relatable stories and compelling examples.

Dweck's speech resonates with individuals seeking personal and professional development, as she provides insights into how adopting a growth mindset can positively impact all areas of life.

Her research-based approach and engaging speaking style make "The Growth Mindset" an inspiring resource for individuals striving for continuous growth and improvement.

"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

Famous Short Speeches With Inspirational Takeaways

18. al pacino: "inch by inch" (1999), theme of speech: teamwork.

Yes, this speech is from a football movie (Any Given Sunday), but trust me: This isn't your stereotypical rah-rah-go-get-'em sports speech. It's deeper than that. It's about life, and loss, and ... gosh darn it just listen to Al Pacino.

He's pouring his soul out!

“Either we heal as a team or we're gonna crumble, inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me.

And we can stay here and get the $&#@ kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell, one inch at a time.”

19. Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Theme of the Speech: Empowerment and Collaboration

Satya Nadella's 2023 lecture, "Empowering Others," emphasizes the importance of leadership that empowers others rather than focusing on personal success.

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging in which everyone feels respected and able to accomplish their best work.

Nadella also discusses the significance of technology in positive development. Some of society's most important issues may be resolved by technology, but proper development and application are required.

According to Nadella, empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for outstanding leadership. He suggests that Leaders listen to and understand. their team members' needs and motivations.

Leaders can develop a culture of trust and collaboration that will help the team flourish.

Satya Nadella's "Empowering Others" provides a special message about leadership in the current day. By emphasizing diversity, empathy, and responsible innovation, Nadella encourages audiences to strive for excellence while being mindful of their impact on others and the world.

"Success is not just about what we achieve individually, but what we enable others to achieve."

20. Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Theme of speech: never give up.

I had to put this one next since it plays along the same themes as Denzel Washington's UPenn speech. In the scene above, from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, the title character (played by Sylvester Stallone) is having a heart-to-heart with his son.

The advice he gives him: Don't let your failures or the adversity you face slow you down. Keep. Moving. Forward.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

21. Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Theme of speech: don’t let them bring you down.

Here's another speech from the big screen, this time from the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the scene above, Will Smith's character explains to his son why he shouldn't pursue basketball (because he'll end up being "below average") before having a major change of heart.

“Don't ever let somebody tell you ... you can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they want to tell you can't do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”

22. Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Action and Overcoming Self-Doubt

The "The 5 Second Rule" speech by Mel Robbins promotes action to achieve goals and overcome concerns and doubts.

When confronted with a decision or action that needs to be completed but you are hesitating or procrastinating, countdown from 5, and then act. According to Robbins, this method breaks habit loops that keep us unhealthy.

Counting down and taking action may assist us in overcoming uncertainty and self-doubt and moving toward our objectives. For success, Robbins also promotes mentality and self-talk.

She believes that to realize our potential, we must consciously reframe negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.

Mel Robbins' presentation "The 5 Second Rule" is a practical and efficient technique to overcome procrastination and achieve goals.

Robbins inspires listeners to take command of their lives and achieve by emphasizing attitude, self-talk, and positive actions.

"You are never going to feel like doing the things that are tough, difficult, or uncertain, but you have a choice."

23. Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Spirit and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth examines the significance of perseverance and resilience in achievement in her book "The Power of Grit." According to Duckworth, grit—passion and determination—is essential for long-term success and overcoming obstacles.

Duckworth addresses grit and mentality, believing that people who view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than threats will develop resilience and determination over time.

She advocates for a growth mindset, which believes people can acquire intelligence and other qualities through hard work. Duckworth places a premium on rigorous practice to achieve skill and mastery.

She recommends soliciting feedback, setting challenging goals, and intentionally improving abilities and succeeding. Angela Duckworth's "The Power of Grit" illuminates long-term achievement.

Duckworth emphasizes attitude, focused practice, and resilience to urge listeners to acquire grit and pursue their passions with tenacity.

"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality."

24. Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

Theme of speech: inspiring and believing in your team.

The Miracle on Ice is still considered the biggest upset in Olympic hockey history. And for good reason. The Soviet Union won six of the last seven Olympic gold medals, and the U.S. team consisted only of amateur players.

It was obvious the Soviets were better. But, in the movie Miracle, which told the incredible story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Kurt Russell's character — Coach Herb Brooks — knew that this game was different.

The U.S. was better than the Soviets that day. And his speech conveyed such a strong belief in his team that they pulled off one of the greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

“If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game… Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can!

Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time.”

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10 Of The Greatest Leadership Speeches Of All Time

The world may be dominated by social media these days, but we should never underestimate the power of a great speech..

In fact, despite the prevalence of Facebook and Twitter, videos of some of the  greatest leadership speeches are still immensely popular. Here are 10 examples of fantastic, motivational speeches that will show you why.

1.    Martin Luther King: I have a dream

Any article featuring inspirational speeches must include this ground-breaking speech. 

On 28th August 1963, Martin Luther King addressed a crowd of over 250,000 . In it, he calls for an end to racism and equality for all. In 1999, this speech was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century in a 1999 poll of scholars of public address.

2.    Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

In 2005, Steve Jobs gave a Commencement Address to Stanford University that will leave you with goosebumps. It’s a brilliant speech, and also a great lesson from one of the most influential presenters in history.

3.    President Obama: Seeking a new beginning

In June 2009, President Obama gave a rousing speech at Cairo University . This speech shows Obama at his best, building a fantastic rapport with his audience.

4.    Randy Pausch: The last lecture

Carnegie Mellon Professor, Randy Pausch, gave his last lecture to a crowded auditorium. 

This presentation is about achieving your childhood dreams and it’s a great one to study for tips on building a connection with your audience and really getting them on your side.

5.    Rosalinde Torres: What it takes to be a great leader

In this incredibly inspirational speech, Torres describes 25 years of observing great leaders at work and then shares ways to learn how to lead .  

6.    Bill Clinton: 2008 Speech to the Democratic National Convention

If you’re looking for an example of fantastic communication skills, look no further than this former US President . This speech shows how great content, teamed with exceptional delivery, can really bring the house down.

7.    J.K. Rowling: Harvard Commencement

Commencement addresses are always very inspirational speeches and this is no exception. Rowling immediately gets her audience on side, inspiring and delighting as she goes.

8.    John Wooden: The difference between winning and succeeding

As the coach of UCLA basketball team, John Wooden led his team to record wins that remain unbeaten. In this speech, he redefines success with incredible simplicity.

9.    Richard St. John: 8 secrets of success

In this amazing TED Talk, Richard St. John delivers an incredibly motivational speech asking why people are successful. Is it because they’re clever, or lucky ?

10.    Nelson Mandela: Inauguration speech

When you’re thinking about leadership speeches, Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech in 1994 must be on the list. Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. He led his country through the end of apartheid and into a united history they had never seen before. 

These 10 examples of leadership speeches show you just how powerful the spoken word can be. These speakers are all experts in their field and captivate their audiences to give incredible, motivational speeches, which lift and inspire . 

Want more inspiration? Get motivated by other brilliant famous team leaders here . 

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10 Inspirational Speeches and Emails by Leaders

Table of Contents

• 10 Best Leadership Emails and Speeches by Leaders 

Have you ever felt greatly moved and inspired after listening to a speech by your role model? Or read an email by your CEO that made your day? Nothing can compare to the power of the right words at the right time, especially when they come from someone we respect and appreciate. 

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for some motivation or preparing to inspire your team on a big day. In any case, we have got you covered with examples of the best leadership speech examples (and some leadership email examples too!)

10 Best Leadership Emails and Speeches

Here is a curated list of some of the most inspiring speeches and emails from leaders across the world in different industries.

1. Email by Starbucks’ ex-CEO Howard Schultz, August 2015

Whether you like him or not, you have to admit that Schultz knows how to make a difference. In August 2015, signals of a Chinese economic slowdown sparked panic, causing more than $1 trillion worth of losses in the Asian markets. This brought the Dow down by 588 points and gave birth to the popular hashtag #GreatFallOfChina.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ CEO at the time, wanted to make sure that all 190,000 of the company’s employees were aware of the issue. As a result, he sent a persuasive message, asking them to pay special attention to customers. Excerpt:

“Our customers are likely to experience an increased level of anxiety and concern. Please recognize this and—as you always have—remember that our success is not an entitlement, but something we need to earn, every day. Let’s be very sensitive to the pressures our customers may be feeling, and do everything we can to individually and collectively exceed their expectations.

…The experience we deliver in our stores, the strength and equity of our brand, and the primary reason for our current and future success is because of all of YOU. I believe in you and have never been prouder to be your partner.”

It’s not only about using inspirational words. It’s not just reassuring employees that Starbucks, as a publicly-traded company, will continue to do well despite market volatility. 

It’s not even about Schultz’s admiration for his partners alone. It isn’t just one of them; it is all of them.

2. “A Tryst With Destiny” by Jawaharlal Nehru, August 1947

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is one leader whose words and actions touched the populace. Nehru gave the “Tryst with Destiny” address on the eve of Independence Day. It shed light on India’s century-long fight against the British Empire.

It addressed issues that go beyond India’s history. It is regarded as one of the finest leadership speech examples of the 20th century. This pivotal address captures the triumphant finale of India’s largely nonviolent freedom movement against the British empire.

Excerpt: 

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance….” 

Tryst with Destiny is definitely one of the orations that not just Indians, but people across the world, will keep going back to.

3. “Learning From the West” by Narayana Murthy, 2001

One of Narayana Murthy’s most compelling speeches was given at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management. It focused on certain Western values that all Indians should imbibe, such as intellectual independence, professionalism, and accountability, among others. 

“As it is said in the Vedas: Man can live individually, but can survive only collectively. Hence, the challenge is to form a progressive community by balancing the interests of the individual and that of the society. To meet this, we need to develop a value system where people accept modest sacrifices for the common good.” 

4. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s email to employees, 2017

In 2016, Microsoft launched a Twitter bot called “Tay” to enhance artificial intelligence communication between humans. However, things went horribly wrong when hackers and others forced Tay to start making racist and vulgar comments, causing Microsoft to shut down Tay and apologize just a few hours later.

Without a doubt, the “Tay crew” was devastated by this failure. You may imagine their surprise when they received the following statements in an email from their CEO.

“Keep pushing, and know that I am with you … (The) key is to keep learning and improving.”

This is one of the top leadership email examples. Your team needs to know you’re looking out for them. We all make errors. The point is, how can you assist your employees in recovering from their mistakes?

5. Stanford commencement address by Steve Jobs, June 2005

Steve Jobs delivered a commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, and it will give you goosebumps. It’s an awe-inspiring speech, as well as a wonderful lesson in determination from one of history’s most prominent speakers. 

“You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever,” he said. “This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” 

You must watch the full speech. It will leave you inspired and motivate you to do better. 

6. “Go Kiss the World” by Subroto Bagchi at IIM Bangalore, 2006

Bagchi, the co-founder of Mindtree, spoke to the Class of 2006 at IIM Bangalore about how to define success. His blind mother’s final words to him were, “Go kiss the world.

This speech is an inspiration to India’s youth, encouraging them to recognize and develop their inner qualities, allowing them to fulfill their truest potential.

“… success is your ability to rise above your discomfort, whatever may be your current state. You can, if you want, raise your consciousness above your immediate surroundings. Success is not about building material comforts – the transistor that he never could buy or the house that he never owned.”

7. V.K. Krishna Menon’s speech at the United Nations, January 1957

V.K. Krishna Menon defended India’s position on Kashmir in a remarkable eight-hour address. The speech given on January 23, 1957, is still the longest-ever given at the United Nations Security Council.

“Why is it that we have never heard voices in connection with the freedom of people under the suppression and tyranny of Pakistani authorities on the other side of the cease-fire line? Why is it that we have not heard here that in ten years these people have not seen a ballot paper? With what voice can either the Security Council or anyone coming before it demand a plebiscite for the people on our side who exercise franchise, who have freedom of speech, who function under a hundred local bodies?”

8. Email by Jeff Bezos after Times criticism

The New York Times published a critical article in the summer of 2015, positioning Amazon as a cruel employer, that prioritizes company performance over employee well-being.

Amazon’s CEO, in an internal memo, asked his employees to read the Times article and to “escalate to HR” any incidents similar to those reported, even urging them to email him directly. 

“I strongly believe that anyone working in a company that really is like the one described in the NYT would be crazy to stay. I know I would leave such a company.

But hopefully, you don’t recognize the company described. Hopefully, you’re having fun working with a bunch of brilliant teammates, helping invent the future, and laughing along the way.”

Criticism is never pleasant, but it sure helps us identify blind spots and opportunities for progress.

9. Kiran Bedi’s speech on visionary leadership, 2010

The talk by India’s first female IPS officer at TEDWomen on innovative leadership was truly amazing and inspiring. In her speech, Kiran Bedi shares her journey to become who she is and what visionary leadership entails.

“I joined the Indian Police Service as a tough woman, a woman with indefatigable stamina because I used to run for my tennis titles, etc. But I joined the Indian Police Service, and then it was a new pattern of policing. For me, policing stood for power to correct, power to prevent, and power to detect. This is something like a new definition ever given in policing in India—the power to prevent.”

10. Email by PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi after Donald Trump’s presidential victory

Last but not least is an email from Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo. She wrote to non-American citizens to cast aside their fear of joblessness after Donald Trump’s victory in the election for the 45th President of the US. 

She knew that an America under Donald Trump could cause a slew of issues for her minority-race staff. She wrote to her employees an email, an excerpt of which is mentioned below.

“We serve more countries and territories than the United Nations, and our associates encompass virtually all of the world’s nationalities, cultures, faith and traditions. That diversity is a source of strength, an engine of creativity, dynamism, and prosperity. And it reflects the simple recognition that no matter what our differences, each of us is committed to doing our part for one another and this company that fills us with pride.”

An unforgettable leadership email example, this well-written piece of communication went a long way in reassuring the employees at PepsiCo.

As humans, we need to inspire and be inspired from time to time. We hope this list of the best leadership speech examples, as well as emails, will help you get inspired. If you have come across any interesting leadership speech ideas , do let us know!

Here are some examples of excellent speeches that inspire.  – “Tryst with Destiny” by Jawaharlal Nehru  – Narayan Murthy’s speech on the role of Western values in Indian society – The Stanford commencement address by Steve Jobs  – “Go kiss the world” by Subroto Bagchi – Kiran Bedi’s speech on visionary leadership

There are many ways to start a speech. You can begin with a quote, personal anecdote, powerful statement/phrase, an interesting statistic, a “what if” scenario, and so on.

You can greet the audience with phrases, such as the following. “Hello, ladies and gentlemen.” “Good morning/good afternoon/good evening.” “Welcome, fellow colleagues.” “It is my pleasure to have you all here.” “Thank you for joining me today.” 

Speeches hold the power to motivate us, especially when they come from someone we respect and appreciate.

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10 Famous Motivational Speeches You Need to Hear

• Carolyn Manion Kinnie
• April 1, 2024

Table of Contents

At The Speaker Lab, we’re dedicated to helping you launch and scale your speaking business. Since we’re dedicated to helping speaking professionals succeed, it stands to reason that we have a few favorite examples of our own! Today, we want to share some of the motivational speeches that our team thinks are most worth the listen. While you can find hundreds of inspirational talks on the internet, we think there’s something really special about these ten talks. Whether you want to be a speaker yourself or just need a mood boost, each of these examples is sure to leave you ample fuel for motivation and reflection! 

Topics of the speeches we cover today range from psychology and relationships, to goal-setting and growth, to effective leadership, to personal stories that carry weighty lessons. For each speech, we’ll include some insights into what really sets these talks apart. We also highly recommend setting some time aside to give each on its own and form your own opinions! Let’s dive into some of these amazing motivational speeches so you can see (or hear!) for yourself why we love them so much. 

1. Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability

We’re going to start with almost a too-obvious choice. You will see Brené Brown’s name pop up on just about any  list of important motivational speeches. And with good reason! This 2011 TED talk isn’t just one of the most-watched TED talks of all time. It’s an incredible investigation into the roles that connection, shame and vulnerability play in human relationships. It’s also an eye-opening exploration into why we all tend to shrink from vulnerability and what could happen if we flipped the script. And from a purely public speaking standpoint, it’s a great display of Brown’s wit and charisma. If you struggle with vulnerability in your own life or are trying to understand why a loved one keeps shutting you out, Brown’s short but impactful talk might have some answers for you. 

We covered this motivational speech in our recent article about pathos because Brown is a master of emotional connection. She backs up her argument with ample academic research, but connects her message to real, relatable experiences throughout. As she narrates her own experiences in a therapist’s office, she invites the audience to walk through those experiences with her. Making psychological research accessible to the masses is no easy feat, but Brown manages to do it with storytelling and humor. Her greatest lesson, perhaps, comes in how vulnerability can teach how to treat ourselves kindly.

“Our job is to look and say, “You know what? You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”

2. Simon Sinek: “How great leaders inspire action”

Simon Sinek is a world-renowned author and speaker with an incredible knack for delivering profound and easily intelligible advice on leadership, business, and success. He has written several books and delivered many motivational speeches. His TED talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” which grew out of his first book, is perhaps the most well-known. Similarly to Brown’s speech, we think no list of the best motivational speeches would be complete without it. In short, it’s an analysis of how people like Steve Jobs and Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers managed to accomplish amazing, unheard of things. Sinek theorizes that there is a unique way that great leaders communicate, and that’s how they get things done. 

If you’re a leader but don’t understand why your marketing and sales fall flat, or if you long to start a company but don’t know how to tap into what makes people excited about a business, Sinek has wisdom to share for you. His speech is for you if you’ll ever be in a leadership position or struggle to pinpoint your professional mission. And if you’re curious about why people trust certain political leaders and not others, you’ll want to listen to this speech. Sinek is a master of words and he distills a lot of fascinating information into simple stories and lessons about innovation and leadership. Give this one a listen to get fired up about what you believe and how you can make an impact with those beliefs. 

“ People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.

3. Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement speech  

Commencement addresses can be hit or miss. Sometimes they fill graduating seniors with energy and inspiration for the life ahead, other times they get a few laughs and more than a few yawns. Even celebrities and business leaders aren’t always up to the task of sending young adults off into the world. But in 2005 at Stanford University, Steve Jobs not only rose to the task, but outstripped expectations by delivering an iconic motivational speech that today is the most-watched commencement speech on YouTube. 

If you’ve been around The Speaker Lab for a while, you know we’re big fans of storytelling . Steve Jobs illustrates our favorite speaking strategy by structuring his remarks as three stories. The first: his experience as a college dropout and how it paved the path to his future. The second: his expulsion from Apple that allowed him to found Pixar and meet his wife, among other endeavors. And finally: his first brush with cancer and the second chance at life he was provided. While the last story rings differently in light of Jobs’s death in 2011, the wisdom he draws from the twists and turns of his life is applicable to far more than college seniors. 

The lessons of Jobs’s commencement address are myriad, and it’s a speech you’ll keep coming back to at different points in your life. Fortunately he summed them up himself:

“ Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” 

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4. Randy Pausch: “The Last Lecture: Really Achieving your Childhood Dreams”

Randy Pausch was a pioneer in software and virtual reality development and a longtime professor at Carnegie Mellon University. In his 40s, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just a few months to live. He delivered a final lecture as part of a series where academics were asked to give a talk on a topic that was deeply important to them–and he spoke about his childhood dreams.

Pausch showed his cancer scans at the start of his presentation, letting his audience sit with the reality of his terminal diagnosis. But his regular jokes (including onstage pushups) lightened the mood and allowed his audience to embark on a journey following his personal and professional ambitions. His lecture became a viral motivational speech and even landed him an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show a few weeks later.

Everybody has childhood dreams. Some people don’t accomplish them, but few forget them. Pausch’s lecture testifies to how having those big dreams can bear great fruit in your personal and professional life. He also provides great examples from his own journey of how going the extra mile–even if it seems crazy–can help you achieve those dreams. This is a long speech, but we encourage you to listen (or read ) in full because it’s so full of inspiration. But in the meantime, here are a few of our favorite lines: 

“Never lose the childlike wonder. It’s just too important. It’s what drives us.” 

“Remember, brick walls let us show our dedication. They are there to separate us from the people who don’t really want to achieve their childhood dreams. Don’t bail. The best of the gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap.”

5. Kelly McGonigal: “ How to make stress your friend “

Stress is something we all deal with, sometimes to an overwhelming degree. Many people try every possible hack to eliminate stress for their lives or live in fear of it. But what if we treated stress as something helpful–or even as a friend? What if we trusted ourselves to cope appropriately with stress rather than letting it ruin our lives? That’s what health psychologist Kelly McGonigal explores in this viral TED talk. 

Challenging the common parlance of stress as the bogeyman is no small task. McGonigal backs up her research with several studies to show that while stress can have deleterious effects on health, it doesn’t have to. She also undertakes some of our favorite tactics here at The Speaker Lab by interacting with her audience to further engage them. While a pop quiz from the stage probably wasn’t on their bingo cards, her in person audience members got a real-time taste of the “social stress test.” (To fully appreciate McGonigal’s point, we recommend pretending you’re in the auditorium with her and attempting to perform what she commands.) Then, she walks her audience through the stress reaction they just experienced and explains how, equipped with new strategies for leveraging stress, they could use that same reaction to approach the situation constructively.  

McGonigal’s research, which has also been published in book form, is not without controversy in the psychology space. But in an ever increasingly stressed out society, her talk could be the motivational speech you need to tackle your stressors head-on. The best part? Turning to the communities around you during stressful events can help you rather than drain you! As McGonigal says:

“People who spent time caring for others showed absolutely no stress-related increase in dying. Zero. Caring created resilience.”

6. Carol Dweck: “The power of believing that you can improve ” 

You’ve probably heard the term “growth mindset” thrown around in the professional and educational space. But do you know who coined it? Carol Dweck is a Stanford psychologist who researches the impact of mindset on how we approach failure and success. She has studied how believing in one’s ability to learn and improve can radically affect our reaction to challenges. Her research claims that by focusing on effort and strategy, we can help students expand their minds and overcome barriers by having a “growth mindset” rather than a “fixed mindset.” 

While her research focuses on students, her TED talk discusses principles with universal application, such as the profound impact of believing we can change for the better. She also explores ideas for constructive communication with the next generation to set them up for success. Do you feel limited by externally applied standards? Have you been put in a box your whole life that you struggle to break out of? Do you throw in the towel easily because you feel that you just can’t win? Dweck’s motivational speech might give you more confidence in your abilities. Our favorite line?

“…praising the process that kids engage in, their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement. This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient.”

7. Malala Yousafzai: “16th birthday speech at the United Nations”  

Malala Yousafzai is the world’s youngest Nobel laureate and one of the best known human rights advocates of her generation. Her speech before the U.N. in 2014 is a passionate appeal for setting worldwide injustices right. From her harrowing story of being shot in the head, to her advancement of nonviolence, this motivational speech is a moving reminder of how much work each and every one of us can do to lift the burden of the oppressed. 

Though her audience at the time of the speech was a group of world leaders, we can all learn a lot from Malala that applies to our own lives. In addition to her stirring personal story, she lays out a variety of action items that we can all undertake in our communities to lay a foundation for justice. Furthermore, she emphasizes how education and tolerance rather than violence and politics can help win the fight against terrorism. If you ever feel at a loss for what you can do to change the word, Malala is the motivator you need. This speech is also a great model for using your personal story and character or ethos to persuade your audience, which we cover here .

“Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness. We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced.”

“One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.”

8. Joel Osteen: “The power of I am”

Oprah described this sermon by pastor Joel Osteen as life-changing, and you might find it so too! Osteen is a clergyman, but many of his sermons are functionally motivational speeches that can inspire your life regardless of whether you’re religious or not. “The Power of I Am” is about how excessive negativity can control our lives. Osteen argues that when we say “I am ______,” we’re inviting whatever that is into our lives. If we repeatedly say “I am” statements followed by something negative or something we hate about ourselves, we are just digging ourselves deeper into that hole. 

Osteen’s words are badly needed in a world where the internet encourages negative comparison and loneliness is epidemic. He uses examples from Scripture and from his own life to show how talking yourself down becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. This is something we all experience at some point! You mess up, say “I’m an idiot,” and for the rest of the day your idiocy, clumsiness, or incompetence suddenly seems like the most noticeable thing about you. Or maybe an authority figure once identified you with your failures and you internalized it for years and years. Osteen’s sermon is an amazing call to do better. We can carry ourselves with confidence, not pride, and disconnect our flaws from our sense of self. 

“My encouragement is never say negative things about yourself. Most of us would never go up to another person, at least to their face and criticize them yet we have no problems criticizing ourselves. “I am so slow. I am so unattractive. I am so undisciplined”. That is cursing your future. Do yourself a favor and zip that up. We have enough in life against us already. Don’t be against yourself.”

9. Nicole Walters: “Why Excuses Are the #1 Thing Keeping You From Your Goals”  

Nicole Walters is an incredible entrepreneur and businesswoman who quit her successful corporate career to start her own company when she realized her blog was generating her significant passive income. This keynote from a conference for online creators outlines how she managed to do it all…with blood, sweat, tears, and no excuses! 

While Nicole dishes out amazing strategies for building your business and avoiding excuses, this is also an incredible example of how to give a great motivational speech. Our founder Grant Baldwin even did an analysis of her professional speaking performance here . Nicole uses humor, storytelling, and credible examples from her career to show how to avoid excuses and maintain sustainable innovation as you build your personal brand. If you want to start a business or expand your content creation but struggle with ambition and motivation, Nicole is your girl.

Get ready for some hard truths and a lot of humility, because it’s not easy! You can hear even more of her tips on our podcast here . She also came on our podcast for a conversation about race in the speaking industry , sharing her experience as a black woman who speaks professionally. This is a must listen if you’re interested in DEI and how the speaking industry can improve its diversity and inclusivity. 

Nicole is an abundant source of amazing one-liners and truth bombs. Here are two of our favorites to finish off: 

“Excuses are tools of incompetence. Those who specialize in them, are seldom good at anything else.”

“You’re not Kim Kardashian.” 

“Automate systems, not relationships.” 

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10. William Faulkner: Banquet Speech  

For our final must-listen motivational speech, we’re heading back in time. William Faulkner delivered this speech when he received the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature. The threat of nuclear war hung heavy at the time Faulkner received the award. Faulkner himself eschewed the acclaim and reward that his talent deserved. His speech is a testament to the immortality of art and literature. His words elegantly express how art and literature can help humanity survive beyond dark times. 

Especially in an age of AI, media cycles, and overwhelming access to information, a reminder of the power and importance of art is badly needed. Faulkner’s speech is short, but it’s extremely moving. Every sentence drips with the weight of writers and artists who went before him, carrying humanity through crises and catastrophes and helping rebuild and process their wake. Faulkner himself says it best: 

“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.”

Mastering how to deliver a great motivational speech is no easy task. We think these paragons of motivational speaking deserve special attention for their mastery and inspiration! And having a solid list of inspirational content to fall back on when you’re feeling down, bewildered, or uninspired is always a good idea.  If you want to become a motivational speaker yourself , taking inspiration from these great talks will help you find your own voice in the speaking industry. ( We can help too! ) 

• Last Updated: April 4, 2024

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TOP 10 MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES OF ALL-TIME

Motivational speeches are like the nuclear option for leaders. And they are typically a part of every good leaders toolkit. The motivational speech is a powerful tool that can be used to motivate and engage an audience into action and delivering a specific set of results. The motivational speech speaks directly to the hearts and minds people, cutting through the fluff and the inessential, to get right to the heart of the matter.

Having said that, chances are you’re here because you’re either looking for some good material to give your own motivational speech to fellow colleagues and team members. Or, you’re here looking to follow the path of self-leadership, by purposely listening to empowering motivational speeches to galvanize yourself into action. Despite the reason, one thing is for sure, you’re looking for the best motivational speeches of all-time, and you’ll find them here.

So, let’s dive in and see how much we can spur ourselves into action with these powerful motivational speeches:

Note: These motivational speeches are listed in order of lives touched, a.k.a. the amount of views they’ve managed to garner over the years. Our list starts from 10 and counts down to the #1 most watched speech.

10. Les Brown, “It’s Possible”

Year: 2014 – Views: 6.8 million

Setting: Les Brown is a legendary motivator, coach, author, and is considered one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers. He’s given thousands of speeches all of the world, but this motivational speech is one of his most popular. The date for the video is the publication date of when Les added it to YouTube; however, the speech was likely given years before. That said, here’s one of our favorite quotes from his speech:

“Act on your dream as if your life depends on it. Why? Because it does.” – Les Brown

9. J.K. Rowling, “Harvard Commencement Speech”

Year: 2008 – Views: 7.5 million

Setting: J.K. Rowling is arguably one of the most popular and successful author’s in the world, who’s responsible for the famous book series; ‘Harry Potter’. Rowling gave this speech at a Harvard commencement ceremony on the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination. That said, her speech is still one of the most popular motivational speeches of all-time; which is why it’s made our list. Here’s our favorite quote from her speech:

“Rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life”. – J.K. Rowling

8. Any Given Sunday, “Inches”

Year: 1999 – Views: 10.1 million

Setting: This “Inches” speech given by Al Pacino in the hit move ‘ Any Given Sunday ‘ is definitely one of the most powerful motivational speeches ever given in movie setting. Sure, there are other speeches in other movies that may give some competition, but this one hits hard, because it deals with more than just sports, it speaks to life.

Having said that, here’s our favorite motivational speech quote:

We’re in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me. And, we can stay here and get the sh** kicked out of us… or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell one inch at a time.” – Coach Tony D’Amato

7. Eric Thomas, “You Owe You”

Year: 2015 – Views: 11.7 million

Setting: Eric Thomas is an extremely popular motivational speaker, author, and educator who’s raw and no-nonsense message about what it takes to succeed in life has helped millions of people all over the world. In fact, this “You Owe You” speech, which he gave in one of his workshops in New Zealand, is his quintessential work. And it’s one of his most love speeches of all-time. Here’s our favorite quote from his speech:

“Become a victor, not a victim” – Eric Thomas

6. Rocky Balboa, “Sunshine and Rainbows”

Year: 2006 – Views: 20 million

Setting: This powerhouse speech is from “Rocky Balboa”, just one of the many great movies created as part of the inspiring Rocky series. Certainly there are other great speeches included in all of the other Rocky movies, but this one in particular is a masterpiece. that said, here’s our favorite line from this short but sweet motivational speech.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.” – Rocky Balboa

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Rules of Success”

Year: 2009 – Views: 31 million

Setting: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s classic “Rules of Success” speech was given at USC’s 2009 commencement speech. His speech is so popular, that it’s been chopped up and added to countless other motivational montages over the years, which are not included in the 31 million views Tally. That said, it is by far, one of Arnold’s greatest motivational speeches of all-time. Here’s are favorite line from his speech:

“I wanted to become a champion; I was on a mission. So rule number one is, of course, trust yourself, no matter how and what anyone else thinks.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

4. Mel Robbins, “How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over”

Year: 2011 – Views: 31.2 million

Setting: Mel Robbins  is a former lawyer who became a television host, then best-selling author, and now motivational speaker. She’s already sold millions of books, with her most famous being ‘The 5 Second Rule’. That said, this was one of her first motivational speeches which she gave at a Ted Talk, and before she became the success icon that she is today. Our favorite quote from this speech is the following:

“You wouldn’t hang out with people who talk to you the way you talk to yourself.” – Mel Robbins

3. Denzel Washington, ‘Put God First’

Year: 2015 – Views: 34 million

Setting: Denzel Washington is one of the most famous and highly respected actors in the world. With 60 different films under his belt, three Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and a Tony Award, people want to know what he has to say. So, in 2015 Denzel was invited to give a commencement speech at Dillard University. And it was a speech that would turn out to be one of best motivational speeches of all-time. Here’s our favorite line from his inspiring speech:

“Put God first in everything you do. Everything that you think you see in me. Everything that I’ve accomplished, everything that you think I have – and I have a few things. Everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift.” – Denzel Washington

2. Steve Jobs, ‘Stanford Commencement Speech”

Year: 2005 – Views: 46 million

Setting: Steve Jobs  was the visionary founder and CEO of Apple. He pioneered the personal computer, founded a handful of other companies, and became a multi-billionaire before passing. That said, he was an inspiration to many, and in 2005 he was invited to give a commencement speech at Stanford. It was a speech that would just about break the internet. Here’s our favorite quote form this motivational speech:

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – Steve Jobs

1. Admiral William H. McRaven, “Make Your Bed”

Year: 2014 – Views: 51 million

Setting: Admiral William H. McRaven served as the 9th commander of the United States Special Operations Command. In 2014, McRaven gave a commencement speech to UT Austin’s graduating class. His speech would go viral, leading it to become what is now one of the most viewed motivational speeches of all-time. Here’s our favorite quote from this powerful speech:

“If I have learned anything in my time traveling the world, it is the power of hope. The power of one person, a Washington, a Lincoln, King, Mandela, and even a young girl from Pakistan, Malala, one person can change the world by giving people hope.” – Admiral William H. McRaven

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our collection of what we believe to be (and which are supported by the numbers) the best motivational speeches of all-time. If this collection inspired you, please do us, and the world a favor, and the share the page with somebody. You never know who’s life you could touch or change with a few powerful words.

Till you reach your aims,

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The STRIVE is on a mission to inspire and uplift 1 billion people by 2032. Our primary aim is to help as many people as possible believe in the uncommon thought, that they can be more than they are, do more than they've done, and achieve more prosperity than they've ever dreamed possible. Let's achieve the impossible together.

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100+ INSPIRING EFFORT QUOTES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL

One of the key ingredients to achieving success and winning in life, is effort .  In fact, it may be the one sole ingredient to success that each human alive has the ability to control.   Which is why we’ve dedicated this page specifically to effort quotes.

“Effort is the Key to Unlocking Our Potential.”

From most of our research (and life experiences) we’ve observed that the amount of effort and intensity one applies to a given task, goal, or vision; directly impacts the quality and swiftness of that goal’s completion.  Without a doubt, effort is a critical factor in goal achievement. But more importantly, effort is the key to unlocking our potential.

As such we want to help as many people as possible embrace such a philosophy by sharing some of the most powerful quotes on effort we could find.  Please know, that these are the best of the best effort quotes you’ll find. 

There’s no doubt these effort quotes will serve as a reliable reminder of effort’s role in your success. In addition, they will help encourage you to unleash your untapped levels of effort .  And when that happens you will begin unlocking your potential and a bit more success in the process.

So without further ado, here is your new reliable list of the 100 most motivating effort quotes available.  Let them motivate you so you can go forth and unleash your potential!

EFFORT QUOTES TO HELP YOU UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL

1.   “The heights by great men reached and kept, Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2. “For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.” –  Jim Rohn

3. “I am grinding while your sleeping.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

4. Plough deep while sluggards sleep.” – Benjamin Franklin

5.  “All the so-called “secrets of success” will not work unless you do.” – Anonymous

6. “The only thing that has kept me around is my effort.” – Ray Lewis

7. “Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt.” – José Ortega y Gassett

8. “There’s not a person on my team in 16 years that has consistently beat me to the ball every play.  That ain’t got nothing to do with talent, That’s just got everything to do with effort, and nothing else.” – Ray Lewis

9. “Ideas don’t work for people unwilling to do the work.” – Robin Sharma

10. “Effort is grossly underrated.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

11. “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” – William James

12.  “A great work demands a great sacrifice, and who is not capable of a great sacrifice is not capable of a great work.” – Muriel Strode

13.  “All I ever knew, was that effort would get me seen on tape, effort would get me noticed to get to the league, effort would one day take care of my mom and my kids.  Effort, which is between you and you. Nobody else can give you effort.  Effort is what is inside” – Ray Lewis

14. “If a man is called a street-sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street-sweeper who did his job well.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

15.  “You can’t have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic.” – Anonymous

16. “ Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

17. “They indeed are fools who are satisfied with the fruits of their past effort and do not engage themselves in self-effort now.” – Swami Venkatesananda

18. “An industrious dunce is often more successful in life than his learned neighbor.” – James Lendall Basford

19. “I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ” –  Anonymous

20. “Success is dependent on effort.” – Sophocles

21. “If you can’t excel with talent, triumph with effort.” – Dave Weinbaum

22. “I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” – Larry Bird

23. “Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.” – Zig Ziglar

24. “When I was young, I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. So I did ten times more work.” George Bernard Shaw

25. “Great effort springs naturally from great attitude.” – Pat Riley

26. “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” – Theodore Roosevelt

27. “About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.” – Gloria Pitzer

28. “Success is a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets.” – Anonymous

29. “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” – T.S. Eliot

30. “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi

31. “Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men and women who kept on working.” –  Anonymous

32. “Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” –  William James

33 . “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Emile Zola

34. “Continuous Effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Winston Churchill

35. “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” – Napoleon Hill

36.   “The view is better when it is earned.” – Anonymous

37. “Put in 5% more effort than “there’s only so much I can do” and you’ll be way ahead of the game.” – Terri Guillemets

38. “Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment.” – Heywood Hale Broun

39. “The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.” – Sarah Brown

40.   “Much effort, much prosperity.” – Euripides

41. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

42. “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” – Abraham Lincoln

43. “There’s nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing anyway.” – Mark Burnett

44. “Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” – Swami Sivananda

45. “The mode by which the inevitable comes to pass is effort.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

46. “In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.” – James Allen

47. “Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat.” – Ann Landers

48. “The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” – Anonymous

49. “The level path is easy, but it will not bring you to the mountaintop.” – Dr. Idel Dreimer

50. “Much good work is lost for the lack of a little more.” – Edward H. Harriman

Temperature Check on These Quotes About Effort

One of the things we love most about quotes, is their ability to inspire, uplift, and encourage .  And in the case of these effort quotes, they also have the ability to energize.  If you’ve gotten to this point and have started to feel a bit charged up, then keep reading, because it means the quotes are working.

After you read the next 50 quotes on effort, don’t be surprised if you feel the urge fire up a pot of coffee and start hatching up plans to take over the world!

Related: Work Hard and You Will Succeed

51.  “The elevator to success is not running; you must climb the stairs.” – Zig Ziglar

52. “We all have dreams.  But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” – Anonymous

53. “Men are made stronger on realization that the helping hand they need is at the end of their own arm.” – Sidney J. Phillips

54 . “Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and thought.” – Napoleon Hill

55. “The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort.” – Colin Powell

56. “Gold medals are made out of sweat, blood, and tears and effort in the gym every day.” – Gabby Douglas

57. “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

58. “Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.” – Aeschylus

59. “Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.” – Michael Jordan

60. “Life can be boring unless you put some effort into it.” – John C. Maxwell

61. “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” – John Wooden

62. “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” – Sam Ewing

63.  “Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.” – Mahatma Gandhi

64.  “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” – Vince Lombardi

65.  “The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” – Denis Waitley

66. “You’re always learning.  The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world.  This is not correct. The world is always moving.  You never reach the point you can stop making an effort.” – Paulo Coelho

67. “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” – Napoleon Hill

68. “Make each day count by setting specific goals to succeed, then putting forth every effort to exceed your own expectations.” – Les Brown

69. “It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.” – Claude M. Bristol

70.  “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson

71. “It doesn’t matter if you lose, it matters if you don’t try.” – Unknown

72. “The real tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort, who never stretches to his full capacity, never stands to his full stature.” – Arnold Bennett

73. “God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.” – Mother Teresa

74. “Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

75.   “Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” – Stephen Kaggwa

76. “I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

77.   “Each man is the smith of his own fortune.” – Appius Claudius

78. “A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood.” – George S. Patton

79. “Hard work is the price we must pay for success.  I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.” – Vince Lombardi

80. “The one thing that matters is the effort.” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

81. “The man who succeeds is a man who has withstood the tests of time, trials, and has made every effort count.” – Hermann J. Steinherr

82. “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” ― Earl Nightingale

83.   “People are rewarded in public for what they’ve practiced for years in private.” – Anthony Robbins

84. “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

85. “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” – Henry J. Kaiser

86. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” – Seneca

87. “He who seeks rest finds boredom….He who seeks work finds rest.” –  Anonymous

88. “We are all self-made, but only the successful will admit it.” –  Earl Nightingale

89. “Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.” – Lowell Thomas

90.   “There is no substitute for work.” – Vince Lombardi

91. “Be willing to give that extra effort that separates the winner from the one in second place.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

92.  “Confidence is not something that comes out of nowhere.  It is the result of months and years of practice, constant work, effort, and determination.” – Anurag Prakash Ray

93. “A little more persistence a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn into a glorious success.” – Elbert Hubbard

94.  “As one makes an impartial study of successful people, one is drawn to inevitable conclusion that persistence, concentration of effort and definiteness of purpose are the major sources of their achievements.” – Napoleon Hill

95.  “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” – John Wanamaker

96. “I never dreamed about success.  I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder

97. “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” – Vince Lombardi

98. “If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you.” – Michael Jordan

99.   “Success in anything will always come down to this:  Focus & Effort, and we control both of them.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

100. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

101. “Very few people are really capable of sustained effort, and that’s the reason why we have comparatively few outstanding successes.” – James McDonald

102.   “Effort is the route available to the underdog, I may not be able to outspend you, but I can outwork you.” – Malcolm Gladwell

103. “Everything gets easier when you stop expecting it to be easy.” – Tim Grover

104. “Talent without effort is wasted talent. And while effort is the one thing you can control in your life, applying that effort intelligently is next on the list.” – Mark Cuban

105. “Make every effort matter, and always make the following effort better than the last one.” – Hermann J. Steinherr

106. “No matter what you ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck

107. “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

108. “It takes hard work to make it to the top. It takes twice the effort to stay at the top.” – Patrick Bet-David

109.   “Consistency of effort over the long run is everything.” – Angela Duckworth

110. “To double your gains you must triple your effort.” – Anonymous

Bonus Effort Quote

Bonus: Here’s our last and final effort quote. We set this one aside because we believe it’s powerful and says a lot a bout what it takes to succeed, namely, that you just have to be willing to put in the effort. Enjoy.

“Do The Work. Everyone Wants To Be Successful, But Nobody Wants To Do The Work.” – gary vaynerchuck –

Final Thoughts on These Effort Quotes

Alright, you made it through the internet’s most inspiring collection of effort quotes.  Hopefully these quotes got you fired up, and ready to go the extra mile in everything you do.

It’s all about effort friends.  We all have the ability to dial it up, or dial it down in our lives.  We can choose to try valiantly to accomplish, or we can choose to just go through the motions. The choice is ours.

That said, we must never forget that we all have the ability to win . Despite what the world tries to tell you, putting in a little more effort and winning more that normal is an option that is available to us all. We are in complete control of how much winning we get to experience in this life through effort .

So, use these powerful effort quotes as a resource to help you live with more intensity.  Let them encourage and support you in all your efforts towards reaching your potential, maximizing your achievements, and creating your own story of success .

Till you reach those aims,

PS – If you enjoyed these effort quotes, then you’ll love these related quotes:

Hard Work Quotes | Hard Work Pays Off Quotes | Work Hard Play Hard Quotes

Winning takes place by going the extra mile, and this new tool was specifically designed to help you go the distance .

TOP 35 QUOTES ABOUT BETTERING YOURSELF

Personal growth is the process of improving yourself over time. It consists of developing new skills, improving your attitude and actions, and it can have a dramatic effect on your over all well-being and outlook on life. In short, bettering yourself is one of the easiest ways to better your life. So, to inspire you to dig deep and put in the time and effort to change your life for the better, we’ve rounded up these handful of bettering yourself quotes.

Use them to remind yourself how important it is to change yourself before you can change your life. That said, if you’re ready to be inspired, let’s dive right into these quotes:

BEST BETTERING YOURSELF QUOTES

1. “The time is now. Stop hitting the snooze button on your life.” – Mel Robbins

2. “Every morning, we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better.” – Alan Bonner

3. “Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” – William Faulkner

4. “There’s always room for improvement.” – Joey Logano

5. “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn

6. “Look within, for within is the wellspring of virtue, which will not cease flowing, if you cease not from digging.” – Marcus Aurelius

7. “By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.” – Benjamin Franklin

8. “Be yourself, but always your better self.” – Karl G. Maeser

9. “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass

10. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho

11. “I’m a big believer in growth. Life is not about achievement, it’s about learning and growth, and developing qualities like compassion, patience, perseverance, love, and joy, and so forth.” – Jack Canfield

12. “Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential.” – Bruce Lee

13. “The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” – William James

14. “No matter where you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’re from, you can always become a better version of yourself.” – Madonna

15. “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell

16. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” – T.D. Jakes

17. “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

18. “The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.” – Simon Sinek

19. “You’ve got to have rule to live by, and one of mine is always say yes. Put yourself in danger of something amazing happening to you.” – Tom Bilyeu

20. “Always be a work in progress.” – Emily Lillian

21. “Make the most of yourself….for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

22. “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway

23. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

24. “You’re either green and growing or you’re ripe and rotting.” – John Addison

25. “We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.” – Max DePree

26. “Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy, strength and peace. By right choice, and true application of thought, man ascends to divine perfection. By the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast.” – William James

27. “If you truly want to become a better you, it is imperative that you learn to feel good about yourself.” – Joel Osteen

28. “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” – Tiger Woods

29. “If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.” – Stephen R. Covey

30. “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.” – Joe Paterno

31. “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” – Aldous Huxley

32. “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” – Nelson Mandela

33. “The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development.” – Robin Sharma

34. “We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”  – Oprah Winfrey

35. “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.”  – Rick Warren

Related: Inspiring One Word Quotes

FINAL THOUGHTS

Great job making it to the end of these quotes about bettering yourself. We hope they inspire you to reach for your potential in all that you do.

Remember, if you’re trying to better yourself, you’re further ahead than most. Why? Because most people don’t try to be better, and because the don’t try they rarely hit the mark.

So aim high, reach for the stars, and strive for your potential, and someday you will.

PS – If you enjoyed these bettering yourself quotes then you may also enjoy these self-growth quotes or even these quotes on progress and growth .

TOP 100 SUCCESS AND MOTIVATIONAL BLOGS FOR 2024

They say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – and that’s why we recommend you check out some of these top motivational blogs daily.

The Official Top 100 Motivational Blogs From Around The World

Why do we recommend such a thing? It’s because we know striving for goals and dream-chasing isn’t easy.  Hustling, grinding, and reaching for our dreams is no walk in the park. 

In fact, just about every person who is striving for a goal or a dream will at some point lose their motivation during their pursuit. Of course you won’t fully lose your motivation, nor will it be forever.

But you’ll have your down days. As such, it is our aim is to minimize such occurrences.  So how do we plan on doing this?

Well, here’s how…

We plan to help you better strive for your potential and reach for your dreams by providing you with a few awesome resources…100 of them actually.  But, these are not just any resources, these are 100 of the most encouraging and motivational blogs from around the world. 

Our hope is that you’ll be able to at least find some of these motivational blogs useful for maintaining your motivation. Certainly you’ll be able to find something within these blogs to stay fired up for consistent achievement throughout the year.

NOTE:  The following list of motivational blogs have been updated recently

We’ve been keeping track of the very best and most popular motivational blogs since 2017. And without fail, we’ve updated this list every year since.

Some of the blogs listed have an inspirational and self-improvement focus, but the common thread among them all is their ability to motivate you to be, do, and have more.  A handful of the motivational blogs listed are quite mainstream, so you may already be aware of them.

However, there are others that are up-and-coming sites that provide immense value, and are highly motivational as well.

“People Often Say That Motivation Doesn’t Last. Well, Neither Does Bathing – That’s Why We Recommend It Daily.” – Zig Ziglar –

What is Motivation?

Before we get into the rankings, let’s briefly discuss what motivation is.  Why?  Because clarity leads to awareness, awareness leads to better decisions, and better decisions leads to better results.

One of our favorite definitions of motivation, is simply, “Motivation is the driving force by which humans achieve their goals.” We like it because it sums up why we all want to be motivated.   We all want to achieve something.

Another great definition of motivation is “Motivation as the state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something.”

Both definitions speak to the fact that most people want to be motivated to achieve.  They both demonstrate that we all wish accomplish those things we’ve made up their minds to do, and know that feeling motivated plays a big part in how much success we find.

How to Use This Resource

To get the most out of this resource, bookmark it.  This way, when , not if , you start to run low on motivation, you’ll have a reliable resource you can easily come back to when you need to find more resources to help you stay motivated.

Start Taking Action on  Your Goals

In a way, you can consider using this page as type of motivational refueling (or recharging) station.   If you start to run low of motivation , just come on back and pick one of the 100 listed motivational sites to help you refuel your empty tank or recharge.

“Without Ambition One Starts Nothing. Without Work One Finishes Nothing. The Prize Will Not Be Sent To You. You Have To Win It.” –  Ralph Waldo Emerson –

Use this motivational resource and stay fired up to win it .

The Ranking

In the past the ranking used for these motivational blogs was acquired by using Alexa rankings; however, Alexa was unplugged last year. As such we’ve employed a different ranking methodology for this year’s list. The rankings below have been determined by the popularity of each site. We’ve compiled an estimated monthly search volume for each site listed using the combined services of Ahrefs, SEMRush, and UberSuggest.

Now, we know traffic doesn’t necessarily convey how “motivational” a blog or site is, but it does demonstrate a level of value that the market and search engines have placed on them, which is why we’ve chosen to use monthly traffic as a ranking factor.

With that being said, the rankings on this resource page may change over the course of the year, as traffic volumes for sites change seasonally.  Also, some of the motivational sites listed may be ranked lower than you’d expect based off your own experience with the brand, but that’s because the site’s listed below do not account for a blogs/brands YouTube traffic and audience.

At the moment, this is the most comprehensive list of motivational blogs on the internet for 2024. So, check each of them out, and allow them to keep you fired up to unleash your potential daily. 

Without further ado, here is your list:

Top Motivational Blogs

Note: The traffic volumes listed above are estimates based off of our research at the time of our rankings. The figures do change from month to month.

Got Motivation?

Want to achieve your goals – but can’t stay motivated long enough to find success?  Then  this is f or you .

Stay Motivated

As students of human potential, we are always looking for ways to improve.  But just like you, we are only human, and some days our fire wanes.  And well, a fire half lit leads to potential half fulfilled. 

As such, we lean on many of these resources to keep us motivated to put forth the effort and enthusiasm necessary to live and work to our potential every single day, and so should you.

The STRIVE  supports big thinking and deep self-belief , and aims to produce as much motivation as possible to get you striving towards your grand ideas, so you can become  all that you were born to be. Our hope is that these top motivational blogs will contribute to your motivation as well, and as a result, to your overall success in life.

Without a doubt, happy, actualized, confident people, fired-up and fearlessly following their dreams are the ones truly set to make this world better.  So, if you found value in this resource, please share it with your friends, family, or colleagues by using the share buttons on the bottom of this page.  You never know what kind of magic a little motivation will create in one’s life.

“It’s Hard To Beat a Person Who Never Gives Up.” – Babe Ruth –

PS – If you enjoyed this list of top motivation blogs, then you’ll absolutely love our list of top inspirational sites .

If you’re seeking out some of the greatest warrior quotes of all-time, then you’ll love this page. However, before we dive into them, consider this fact. There is an animating force within us that we’ve increasingly suppressed over the years. This innate and extremely valuable energy that exists within us all has been ignored, devalued, and diminished with each passing decade.

Unfortunately, this animating force is none other than your fighting warrior spirit. And it’s a fighting spirit that needs to be cultivated, because we all go to battle daily — we battle with internal demons, like our struggles to get motivated, to conquer bad habits, or improve our personal lives — or our external battles, like striving to create a life, business, and career that we can be proud of.

“We Are All Warriors.” – stephen pressfield –

In short, we are all warriors in a sense. And because we are all warriors, it is important to keep our fighting spirit strong. As such, we aim to reignite this heroic quality of yours with these exceptional and highly motivational warrior quotes. We hope these quotes will reanimate that heroic warrior spirit within you, so that you can lean into your challenges. But most importantly, we hope these Warrior Quotes guide, motivate, and better equip you to be victorious over those daily battles you experience in your day-to-day life.

BEST WARRIOR QUOTES AND SAYINGS

1. “Every victorious warrior draws his strength from the highest source; his love.” – Tapan Ghosh

2. “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but soon or late the one who wins is the one who thinks he can!” – Walter D. Wintle

3. “There has been a constant war, a war with fear. Those who have the courage to conquer it are made free and those who are conquered by it are made to suffer until they have the courage to defeat it.” – Alexander The Great

4. “In the warrior’s code there’s no surrender, though his body says stop… his spirit cries, never!” – Survivor, Burning Heart

5. “Strategy is the craft of the warrior.” – Miyamoto Musashi

6. “All men are warriors and life for everything in our universe is nothing but war.” –  David Zindell

7. “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee

8. “Warriors want a worthy opponent. There is no redress in fighting the pathetic.” – Donna Lynn Hope

9. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” – Sun Tzu

10. “Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.” – Karl Von Clausewitz

11. “Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” – Sun Tzu

12. “Feel no fear before the multitude of men, do not run in panic, but let each man bear his shield straight toward the fore-fighters, regarding his own life as hateful and holding the dark spirits of death as dear as the radiance of the sun.” – Spartan Proverb

13. “The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.” – Plutarch

14. “We choose whether to be warriors or to be ordinary.” – Carlos Castaneda

15. “ Discipline is your best friend. It will take of you like nothing else can.” – Jocko Willink

16. “Victory are reserved for those warriors who are willing to pay it’s price.” – Sun Tzu

17. “You should reach the limits of virtue before you cross the border of death.” – Aristodemus, Spartan Warrior

18. “A warrior’s greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius.

19. “Rise up, warriors, take your stand at one another’s sides, our feet set wide and rooted like oaks in the ground. ‘‘…learn to love death’s ink-black shadow as much as you love the light of dawn. ‘Here is courage, mankind’s finest possession, here is the noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win.” – Tyrtaeus, Spartan Poet

20. “He who sweats more in training bleeds less in war.” – Spartan Warrior Creed

21. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by sheep: I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” – Alexander The Great

22. “To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.” – Miyamoto Musashi

23. “A true warrior fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” – G.K. Chesterton

24. “You should reach the limits of virtue before you cross the border of death.” – Aristodemus, Spartan Warrior

25. “To hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” – Miyamoto Musashi

26. “A warrior has to believe, otherwise he cannot activate his intent positively.” – Theun Mares

27. “The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win.” – Miyamoto Musashi

28. “Be a warrior, not a worrier.” – Warrior Saying

29. “But if you choose the way of the warrior, living a life of service, it will demand of you the best you have. You may not need to be great, but the world needs your greatness.” – Erwin Raphael McManus

30. “A warrior seeks to act rather than talk.” – Carlos Castaneda

Fearless Warrior Quotes

One attribute that separates a great warrior from the average is their fearlessness. A great warrior knows that being fearless is not about never being afraid, but it’s about feeling the fear, and diving in anyway. With that said, here are some powerful fearless quotes to inspire that fearless warrior that resides within you.

31. “It’s natural to feel fear. All great warriors are afraid. Only the stupid and the delusional are not.” – Rick Riordan

32. “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within.” – Miyamoto Musashi

33. “All men die, but not all men really live.” – William Wallace

34. “But where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live.” – Inazo Nitobe

35. “The warrior stands, ready to defend, ready to fight for those he serves. He is a warrior of virtue, A knight of conscience. He is who we all wish to be.” – Anthony Hincks

36. “Toil and risk are the price of glory, but it is a great thing to live with courage and die leaving an everlasting fame.” – Alexander The Great

37. “Fear is the first taste of defeat! The Warrior only breathes the air of the brave and Warrior only feasts on the fruit of victory!” – The Ultimate Warrior

38. “Warriors should suffer their pain silently.” – Erin Hunter

39. “A warrior with a cause is the most dangerous soldier of all.” – Michael Scott

40. “There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her child.” – N.K. Jemisin

41. “You’re a warrior. Warriors don’t give up and they don’t back down. Pick up your sword, your shield, and fight.” – Warrior Quotes

42. “A warrior lives by acting, not by thinking about acting, nor by thinking about what he will think he has finished acting.” – Carlos Castaneda

43. “A warrior never worries about his fear.” – Carlos Castaneda

44. “To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment of your life.” – Chogyam Trungpa

45. “A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.” – Shissai

46. “I do what I do because it is the right thing to do. I am a warrior, and it is the way of the warrior to fight superior odds.” – Paul Watson

47. “The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.” – Steven Pressfield

48. “Warriors don’t raise to the level of expectations , they fall to the level of their training.” – Archilochu

49. “Any great warrior is also a scholar, and a poet, and an artist.” – Steven Seagal

50. “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time” – Leo Tolstoy

Motivational Warrior Quotes

Life challenges us constantly. And this goal and dream chasing stuff can make our daily battles seem all the more challenging. But the great news is, we got your back. We are here to encourage and push you forward when setbacks come your way.

With that being said, keep digesting these powerful warrior quotes. Each one consumed only strengthens and emboldens that heroic fighting spirit.

51. “The big difference between a warrior and a victim is that the victim represses and the warrior refrains.” – Don Miguel Ruiz

52. “A warrior must believe in his strength of will, of purpose, of heart and soul.” –  David Gemmell

53. “Competition doesn’t scare a true warrior, it makes him better.” – Andrew Whitworth

54. “Come back with your shield, or upon it.”  – Spartan Mother

55. “A fool is ‘happy’ when his cravings are satisfied. A warrior is happy without reason. That’s what makes happiness the ultimate discipline” – Dan Millman

56. “Every great warrior must learn to endure and overcome the adversities of life.” –  Lailah Gifty Akita

57. “One mark of a great soldier is that a great soldier fights on his own terms or fights not at all.” – Sun Tzu

58. “Warriors know when to pick their fights.” – Sara Maa

59. “Surprise is the warrior’s greatest weapon.” – Erin Hunter

60. “The warrior fights with courage not with anger.” – Ashanti Proverb

61. “Fear doesn’t go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.” – Steven Pressfield

62. “The wise warrior avoids the battle” – Sun Tzu

63. “Tomorrow’s victory is today’s practice.” – Chris Bradford

64. “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You can not withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.'” – Warrior Quote

65. “Defeat exists but not suffering. A true warrior knows that when he loses a battle, he is improving the skill with which he wields a sword. He will be able to fight more skillfully next time.” – Paulo Coelho

66. “A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does.” – Dan Millman

67. “Some warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage.” – Deng Ming-Dao

68. “Silence is the warrior’s art — and meditation is his sword. With it, you’ll cut through your illusions.” – Dan Millman

69. “A cowardly man thinks he will ever live, if warfare he avoids; but old age will give him no peace, though spears may spare him.” – Havamal

70. “Come and take it.” – Leonidas

71. “A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.” – Shissai

72. “Before a battle, planning is everything. Once the fighting has begun, it’s worthless.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

73. “Protecting yourself is self-defense. Protecting others is warriorship.” – Bodhi Sanders

74. “The essence of warriorship, or the essence of human bravery, is refusing to give up on anyone or anything.” – Chogyam Trungpa

75. “When you become fully responsible for your life, you can become fully human; once you become human, you may discover what it means to be a warrior.” – Dan Millman

76. “ God doesn’t give the hardest battles to his toughest soldiers, he creates the toughest soldiers through life’s hardest battles” – Warrior Saying

77. “Weapons may be carried by creatures who are evil, dishonest, violent or lazy. The true warrior is good, gentle and honest. His bravery comes from within himself; he learns to conquer his own fears and misdeeds.” – Brian Jacques

78. “You are a warrior! Built to endure. Able to conquer. Nothing can hold you down.” – Beatrice Garrett

79. “Untroubled, scornful, outrageous – that is how wisdom wants us to be: she is a woman and never loves anyone but a warrior.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

80. “Better to fight and fall than to live without hope .” – Volsunga

Inspirational Warrior Quotes

This next batch of warrior quotes when reflected upon will inspire and encourage you. Read them out loud, embrace them, and then allow them to unleash the courage that resides deep within you.

81 . “In case of doubt, push on just a little further and then keep on pushing.” – George S. Patton

82. “Warriors do not lower themselves to the standards of other people; they live independently; according to their own standards and code of conduct.” – Bohdi Sanders

83. “Some must be warriors, that others may live in peace.” – Mercedes Lackey

84. “We are all warriors.” – Steven Pressfield

85. “The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn’t look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to keep digging, he’s going to keep trying to do right and make up for what’s gone before, just because that’s who he is.” – Joss Whedon

86. “A true warrior, like tea, shows his strength in hot water.” – Warrior Quotes

87. “Cowards shrink from challenges, weaklings flee from them, but warriors wink at them .” – Matshona Dhliwayo

88. “Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Heraclitus

89. “During times of persistent hardship is when the warrior learns the most about his fortitude.” – Bodhi Sanders

90. “Being a warrior is an attitude!!” – Santosh Kumar

91. “Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no on has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is on who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.” – Sitting Bull

92. “Of every one-hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are nothing but targets, nine are real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one of them is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Heraclitus

93. “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.” – Emiliano Zapata

94. “Being a warrior is not about the act of fighting. It’s about being so prepared to face a challenge and believing so strongly in the cause you are fighting for that you refuse to quit.” – Michael J. Asken

95. “A warrior is not a person that carries a gun. The biggest war you ever go through is right between your own ears. It’s in your mind. We’re all going through a war in our mind, and we have to callus our minds to fight that war and to win that war.” – David Goggins

96. “I am a warrior not because I always win but because I will always fight.” – Warrior Quotes

97. “Hard work, dedication, and discipline – these are the keys to becoming a successful martial artist and warrior. Without them, you will never achieve your full potential.” – Khabib Nurmagomedov

98. “The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or a curse.” – Carlos Castaneda

99. “To be heroic is to be courageous enough to die for something; to be inspirational is to be crazy enough to live a little.” – Criss Jami

100. “Weakness is strong. I must be stronger.” – Jocko Willink

101. “Long is the way and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.” – John Milton

102. “Nothing can resist a human will that will stake its very existence on its purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli

103. “A responsible Warrior is not someone who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, but someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment.” – Paulo Coelho

104. “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” – Aristotle

105. “I don’t know how I’m going to win, I just know I’m not going to lose.” – Gokham Saki

106. “I will either find a way or make one” – Hannibal

107. “I’ll tell you what bravery really is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done.” – Audie Murphy

108. “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” – George S. Patton

109. “Warriors don’t hide from their fears; they embrace them.” – Brittain Ladd

110. “It’s time to go to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

111. “You cannot expect victory and plan for defeat.” – Joel Olsteen

112. “A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free.” – John Stuart Mill

113. “For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.” – Charles De Gualle

114. “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight — it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

115. “ Your mind is a battlefield, be its commander, not its soldier.” – Anonymous

116. “I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive.” – Geronimo

117. “The warrior is always first a servant… The warrior does not serve because they cannot lead; they know that a person cannot lead if they do not serve.” – Erwin Raphael McManus

118. “In war, there is no substitute for victory.” – General Douglas MacArthur

119. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” – George Washington

120. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander The Great

121. “An action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.” – Genghis Khan

122. “If you are a true warrior, competition doesn’t scare you. It makes you better.” – Andrew Whitworth

123. “Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.” – Miyamoto Musashi

124. “Be a warrior when it comes to delivering your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love.” – Robin Sharma

125. “Warrior poets are lovers of truth and lovers of people, and we’re defenders of both.” – John Lovell

126. “Messenger boy: The Thessalonian you’re fighting, he’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen.  I wouldn’t want to fight him. Achilles:  That is why no one will remember your name.” – Troy

127. “I don’t believe a champion is the biggest, baddest, meanest dude in the world. I think the champion is like a warrior; it’s like the head knight or lead samurai: humble men of integrity, respect, and honor that treat people kindly.” – Jon Jones

128. “A true warrior isn’t measured by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their heart.” – Anonymous

129. “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human who led an easy life.” – Teddy Roosevelt

130. “It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than to be a gardener in a war.” – Miyamoto Musashi

131. “The road of life is long and unforgiving, no place for a child.” – Anonymous

132. “Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste death but once.” – Julius Caesar

133. “Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.” – George Washington

Bonus Warrior Quote

Bonus: Want to know how to become mightier than the mightiest warrior? If your answer is yes, then you’ll want to heed the insight of this last warrior quote. It is by far one of our favorites, and we stand behind it 100%.

“He Who Conquers Himself Is The Mightiest Warrior.” – Confucius –

There you have it, the most powerful warrior quotes and sayings ever uttered. No doubt, life is a battle. So is work, raising a family, and chasing your dreams, all of it. So, never forget, you are a warrior.

With that being said, we hope these warrior quotes have not only helped you reanimate your fighting spirit, but also reawakened within you the spirit of victory. To get the most out of them, bookmark the page, and come back often. Use them whenever you need a little encouragement as you take on life’s battles head on. Use them to help you WIN !

PS – If you enjoyed these warrior quotes, then you’ll probably love these Spartan Quotes , and you may even enjoy this write up about the warrior mindset and success .

STOP WAITING, START DOING:  100+ QUOTES ABOUT TAKING ACTION

I had a mentor in my younger years who would always tell people about this special poem his father had him memorize while he was growing up.

The father posted this special poem on their fridge so that he and his brother could see the words from this poem every single day before going to school.  You could say it was the father’s way of ensuring his kids realized the importance of taking action and striving to realize their life’s potential.

A Story of Action

This is what the poem read:

“Spring has past, summer has gone and winter is here…. And the song that I was meant to sing…. remains unsung, for I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument.”

That poem was powerful because it was written by a man whose heart was filled with regret over living a life half lived.  It’s was written by a man who was always getting ready to sing the great song of his life, he was always getting ready to start achieving, he was always getting ready to start fulfilling all the possibilities of what his life was meant be…but he got busy being busy.  He didn’t take action, and so his life became a story of inaction.

Unfortunately, far too many people can relate to this poem. Far too many people have already become stuck in a similar cycle of never getting started on “that thing”, be it a dream, a desire, or that goal that really stirs their heart.

The result?

Potential unrealized.  Happiness unrealized.  A great and fulfilling life… unrealized.

If you’re reading this, and you feel like you’ve been waiting on the sidelines of life for far too long, perhaps today is the day you stop stringing and unstringing your instrument .  Perhaps today is the day you stop waiting and start doing .  The day that you decide your story will be a story of action.

Here’s Your Nudge

So is it?  Is today the day you start taking action on all the things you want for you and your life? If you’re not sure, let me nudge you in the right direction. Here are some of the best stop waiting quotes and quotes about taking action. If you’re ready to get off your couch and into action let’s dive right in:

TAKE ACTION QUOTES TO INSPIRE YOU TO STOP WAITING AND START DOING MORE TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY

1. “Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”  –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” – J. Paul Getty

3. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”  –  Thomas Jefferson

4.  “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”  –  Dale Carnegie

5. “If you want to become a multi-millionaire in three years, no matter how much you pray and think positively, it will not happen if you do not take action.” – Robin Sharma

6.    “God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.” – St. Augustine

7.    “We uncover our nature through action.” – Steven Pressfield

8.  People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.”  –  Lewis Cass

9. “Your doubts create mountains. Your actions move them.”  –  Mel Robbins

10.   “Start small and dream big.” – Robert Kiyosaki

11. “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.”  –  Norman Vincent Peale

12. “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”  –  Peter Marshall

13. “You are what you do, not what you say you do.”  –  Carl Jung

14. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” –  Confucius

15.  “If you never want to be criticized, for goodness’ sake don’t do anything new.”  –   Jeff Bezos

16. “There is only one proof of ability—action.”   –  Marie Ebner-Eschenbach

17.  “Clarity comes from action, not thought.” – Marie Forleo

18.   “Doing nothing gets you nothing.”  – Sean Reichle

19.   “Work never killed anyone. It’s worry that does the damage. And the worry would disappear if we’d just settle down and do the work.”  –  Earl Nightingale

20  “Action is the foundational key to all success.”  –  Pablo Picasso

22. “Nothing will work unless you do.”  –  Maya Angelou

21. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”  –  Tony Robbins

23.   “The longer you’re not taking action the more money you’re losing” – Carrie Wilkerson

24.  “If you wait until you are ready, as the saying goes, you will wait forever.”  –  Gene Simmons

25. “For every reason it’s not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.”  –  Jack Canfield

26. “Don’t rest and don’t stop – ever. Most valuable chips you have are your mind-set, actions, persistence, and creativity.” – Grant Cardone

27. “I’m not a person who defends myself very often. I kind of let my actions speak for me.”  –  Tom Brady

28. “Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.” –  Theodore Roosevelt

29. “ Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.” – T. Harv Eker

30. “Take action in order to move toward your goals.” – Les Brown

31. “Take action! An inch of movement will bring you closer to your goals than a mile of intention.” – Steve Maraboli

32. “You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” – Irish Proverb

33 . “Men of action are favored by the goddess of good luck.” – George S. Clason

34 . “Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.”  –  Chinese proverb

35. “One day or day one. It’s your decision.” – Take Action Quote

36. “Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.” – W. Clement Stone

37. “The greatest wisdom not applied to action and behavior is meaningless data.” – Peter Drucker

38. “Believe. Take action. Have confidence. Be Disciplined .” – Take Action Quotes

39 . “Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” – E. H. Chapin

40. “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but the one thing I might regret was not trying” – Jeff Bezos

41. “Knowing is not enough: we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

42. “The best way to create a future is to set a goal and take action.” – Debasish Mridha

43. “Don’t wait until you are ready to take action. Instead, take action to be ready.” – Jensen Siaw

44. “You take action based on where you want to be, not based on where you are.” – Terry Crews

45. “It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Honore de Balzac

46. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

47. “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs

48. “To wish for change will change nothing. To make the decision to take action right now will change everything.” – Nick Vujicic

49. “Our emotions are the motivating kicks in the rear that alert our bodies that it’s time to take action and make a thought a physical reality.” – Jen Sincero

50. “An acre of performance is worth a whole world of promise.” – James Howell

Halfway There

Alright, you are more than halfway through our take action quotes. Be sure to keep reading till the end to fully prime yourself for massive action. Let’s go!

Related: Hustle Quotes to Inspire Action

51. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

52. “Insight without action is worthless. Taking action is the only path to change.” – Marie Forleo

53. “The momentum of continuous action fuels motivation, while procrastination kills motivation.” – Steve Pavlina

54. “I never worry about action, but only inaction.” – Winston Churchill

55. “Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.” – Benjamin Disraeli

56. “Words can inspire but only action creates change.” – Simon Sinek

57. “The undertaking of a new action brings new strength.” – Richard L. Evans

58. “Disciplined, consistent, and persistent actions are more of a determining factor in the creation of success than any other combination of things.” –  Grant Cardone

59. “The key to success is action, and the essential in action is perseverance.” – Sun Yat-Sen

60. “Stop waiting, start doing.” – The STRIVE

61. “Actions speak louder than words man.” – Kevin Hart

62. “If you actually get up everyday and you got that action, and you got that energy that’s like ‘I have to go and do this because I’m trying to get here.’ You know everyday you’re working towards that, well you’re going to get there. It may take you longer, some may do it shorter. But,  you’re not going to lose .” – Kevin Hart

63. “If you have ambition, your actions have to match that, and too many people are just like not putting in the work.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

64. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton

65. “Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action.” – Mel Robbins

66. “Let your actions do your talking for you.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

67 . “Take big, audacious action in the direction of your dreams and do not let the fact that you’re wetting your pants stop you.” – Jen Sincero

68. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Ghandi

69. “What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations … is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one’s own efforts.” – Hannah Arendt

70. “Well done is better than well said.”  –  Benjamin Franklin

71. “It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once and then everyone can tell you that you are an overnight success.” – Mark Cuban

72. “The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action.” – Alexander Graham Bell

73. “Knowledge without action cost money .” – David Bach

74. “Stop thinking, stop pondering, stop strategizing, stop debating. go do.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

75. “Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez

76. “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan

77. “Take action: If you win , you will be happy, if you lose, you will be wise.” – The STRIVE

78. “A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” – Confucius

79. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

80. “Action is the bridge between your dreams and its fulfillment.” – Nathan Lee Morales

81. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

82. “We all have the same 24 hours a day. You ever stop to think about that? But how we use that 24 hours makes the difference between success and failure.” – Mary Kay Ash

83. “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the ones you did.” – Mark Twain

84. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” – Seneca

85. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

86. “Do it now. Sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never.'” – Anonymous

87. “If we seek for the best times to act, we may miss some opportunities. We must seize the moment and make it great.” – Orly Wahba

88. “Do something now. If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?” – Theodore Roosevelt

89. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander The Great

90. “The path to success is to take massive determined action.”  –  Tony Robbins

91. “Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.” – Anonymous

92. “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” – Henry Ford

93. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

94. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

95. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

96. “The Universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

97 . “The perils of overwork are slight compared to the dangers of inactivity.” – Thomas Edison

98. “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau

99. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

100. “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” – Wayne Dyer

101. “Either you make a mark on the world, or the world will make a mark on you.” – Paulo Coelho

102. “Dream big, start small, but most of all, start.”  –  Simon Sinek

Related: Seize Your Moment Quotes

Bonus Take Action Quote

Bonus Quote: This is our last and final quote on taking action. If there is any quote you remember from this page, it should be this one. Read it, embrace it, live it!

“Whatever You Can Do, Or Dream You Can, Begin It. Boldness Has Genius, Power, And Magic In It.” – johann wolfgang von goethe –

Stop Waiting, Start Doing

Today is the day my friend.  No more excuses , no more wasting time, no more putting off your dreams till tomorrow.

Leverage these take action quotes to stop waiting and start doing.  You got this!  Now go take some action today!

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed these take action quotes, then you’ll love these encouraging quotes to help you follow through on your dreams .

Success and achievement are so much easier to reach when you have momentum. Unlike motivation, momentum is an action, and can be kept regardless of how we feel. With momentum, progress comes much more readily. However, without it, our progress and the likelihood of achieving our goals quickly fades. So, to help you jumpstart the momentum in your life, and inspire you to keep pushing forward, we’ve decided to publish some of the best quotes on momentum.

Our hope is that these momentum quotes will keep you on track to push through those slumps that would normally get you off track of your goals and aspirations. So, if you’re ready to dive into these inspiring quotes about momentum, let’s get to it:

BEST QUOTES ABOUT MOMENTUM FOR SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT

1. “People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed.” – Tony Robbins

2. “It’s not about speed, it’s about momentum.” – Anonymous

3. “Momentum is whatever your attitude determines it to be.” – Lou Holtz

4. “Never confuse motion with action.” – Benjamin Franklin

5. “Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities.” – Nick Vujicic

6. “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha

7. “Success is like a snowball… You gotta get it moving and the more you roll it in the right direction the greater it gets.” – Steve Ferrante”

8. “The rhythm of daily action aligned with your goals creates the momentum that separates dreamers from super-achievers .” – Darren Hardy

9. “The momentum of continuous action fuels motivation, while procrastination kills motivation.” – Steve Pavlina

10. “Just keep going. Everybody gets better if they keep at it.” – Ted Williams

Momentum Motivation Quotes

The section above consisted of our top 10 momentum quotes, but this next section is the by far the most motivational momentum quotes we’ve come across. Leverage these momentum motivation quotes if you’re looking for a good nudge to start taking action.

11. “The law of momentum: An object in motion will stay in motion until it meets a resisting force. Keep pushing forward.” – Momentum Quote

12. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

13. “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

14. “Excitement must lead to immediate action or you will lose the power of momentum. More dreams die because we fail to seize the moment. Do it now!” – Tony Robbins

15. “Momentum demands movement.” – Anonymous

16. “One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” – Michael Korda

17. “One play can change your momentum forever.” – Sherman Alexie

18. “Daily action, is how momentum is built. Add vision, goals and learning to your doing, and you will be unstoppable.” – Devani Alderson

19. “Most of life is routine – dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.” – Ben Nicholas

20. “It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

21. “Motivation is knowing you are learning, growing, and succeeding toward your desired outcome while sustaining positive momentum.” – Jaren L. Davis

22. “If you have time to judge other people, you have way too much time on your hands. Get off your ass and do something meaningful.” – Shane Gibson

23. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

24. “Always work hard. Intensity clarifies. It creates not only momentum, but also the pressure you need to feel either friction, or fulfillment.” – Marcus Buckingham

25. “Momentum solves 80% of your problems.” – John C. Maxwell

26. “Let fear give you the momentum to move forward — not hold you back.” – Richard Branson

27. “Sometimes being pushed to the wall gives you the momentum necessary to get over it!” – Peter de Jager

28. ‘When you find yourself in the thickness of pursuing a goal or dream, stop only to rest. Momentum builds success.” – Suzy Kassem

29. “Always get up and keep moving forward… It may be slow but it is still progress.” – Diana Morrow

30. “If we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.” – John Wooden

Inspiring Positive Momentum Quotes

If you’re looking for some inspiring positive momentum quotes then this collection is for you. Every quote curated for this section is meant to inspire you to strive to make momentum a positive habit you embrace. Enjoy.

31. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

32. “The momentum of the mind can be vexingly, involuntarily capricious.” – Gregory Maguire

33. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis

34. “I just wanna build momentum again. Keeping yourself in work is one thing, keeping yourself in good work’s is another. But if it doesn’t work out, so be it. As the Taoists say, learn to accept that which you cannot change.” – Ian Hart

35. “Choose to believe something good can happen. Expecting it to happen energizes your goal and actually gives it momentum.” – Nikita Koloff

36. “People with momentum can get so much done. Momentum is easy to lose and almost impossible to fake.” – Shaun King

37. “Once you believe that what you’re setting out to do will be worth the effort , dedication and sacrifice that you’re about to put in, you’ve already taken the first step in creating momentum.” – Amanda Rider

38. “Momentum? Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.” – Earl Weaver

39. “Momentum in success does not mean just moving.” – Ryan Hicks

40. “Commitment is the ignitor of momentum.” – Peg Wood

41. “With momentum, you can literally do anything. Momentum is the energy that takes a few small steps and turns the results into something you could never see coming.” – Tim Denning

42. “Get momentum on your side and your life won’t look the same.” – Benny Hsu

43. “The act of building momentum is pretty much a stepping stone to real change: creating a new habit.” – Aly Juma

44. “To stay present in everyday life, it helps to be deeply rooted within yourself; otherwise, the mind, which has incredible momentum, will drag you along like a wild river.” – Eckhart Tolle

45. “For any movement to gain momentum, it must start with a small action.” – Adam Braun

46. “It’s the same with success and failure. There’s always the momentum thing, but you just have to put whatever happened in the past behind you.” – Ben Stokes

47. “Build confidence and momentum with each good decision you make from here on out and choose to be inspired.” – Joe Rogan

48. “Momentum is essentially the force created by a moving object. You likely heard about this concept in your high school physics class, but momentum goes far beyond the laws of motion. Momentum, when applied to ideas of motivation, enables you to start thinking clearly, see that your goals are reachable, and find a sense of purpose , power, and direction. Learning how to build momentum is, therefore, one of the first steps to finding success in life.” – Brendan Baker

49. “Momentum crushes any creative resistance you have, eliminates the need to be motivated and helps you in invisible ways you can’t even see.” – Tim Denning

50. “Momentum begets momentum, and the best way to start is to start.” – Gil Penchina

Keep Up The Momentum Quotes

Momentum is all about keeping things moving in the right direction, and these keep up the momentum quotes should definitely assist you in doing just that. So, leverage these quotes to keep yourself encouraged and inspired to keep up the momentum in whatever endeavor you’re undertaking at the moment. Keep to it!

51. “If you want to achieve the greatest success life has to offer, you need to make a habit of building unstoppable momentum.” – Anthony Moore

52. “You must tell yourself, “No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, I’m going to make it.” – Les Brown

53. “The moment you want to quit, is the moment when you need to keep pushing.” – Anonymous

54. “You have to believe in yourself and keep up the momentum when no one else does — that makes you a winner right there.” – Venis Williams

55. “Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum.” – Tom Watson

56. “Forward momentum. That’s my new motto. No regrets. And no going back.” – Gayle Forman

57. “Just keep going like crazy and look back when it’s over. Otherwise you just get confused.” – Cliff Burton

58. “Almost any decision is better than no decision – just keep moving.” – Danielle LaPorte

59. “It takes a leader to create the momentum, it takes a vision to direct the momentum, it takes a massive action to build on the momentum, and it takes self-discipline to sustain the momentum.” – Farshad Asl

60. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful men keep moving.” – Conrad Hilton

61. “Most of life is routine – dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going.” – Ben Nicholas

62. “Momentum helps build positive thinking and energy to help you progress towards your goals.” – Brendan Baker

63. “The key to building up your momentum is to get yourself involved in the progress. When you take action and make progress, you are in the cycle. The momentum will come and you will want to do more.” – Shawn Lim

64. “Keep pushing. You’re making more progress than you know and it will all be worth it in the end.” – Atlas Rowe

65. “You get some momentum going, get the adrenaline flowing and anything can happen.” – Frank Permuy

66. “When you turn 60, the key is to not stop moving. Once you start to stop moving, you rust. You got to just keep going.” – Christie Brinkley

67. “It’s very simple; just look at your life to see where you’re heading. You’re always in a momentum of something.” – Maria Erving

68. “The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” – Frances Willard

69. “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” – Henry Ford

70. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn

Quotes About Momentum For Entrepreneurs, Businesses, and Success

This final batch consists of quotes about momentum for business, entrepreneurs, and success in general. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone who is currently doing some dream chasing, then you’ll appreciate these momentum quotes for the ambitious.

71. “Momentum is really a leader’s best friend. Sometimes it’s the only difference between winning and losing.” – John C. Maxwell

72. “Develop and maintain momentum by working continuously toward your sales goals every day.” – Brian Tracy

73. “Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.” – Aldous Huxley

74. “Consistency is the key to achieving and maintaining momentum.” – Darren Hardy

75. “The one great element in continuing the success of an offensive is maintaining the momentum.” – George C. Marshall

76. “The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure that as soon as you set them, you immediately begin to create momentum.” – Tony Robbins

77. “Without momentum, you can’t triple and quadruple your business.” – Dean Graziosi

78. “I want to measure momentum as much as I want to measure accomplishment.” – Simon Sinek

79. “In my own personal life and in my business I am looking for new ways to understand and measure momentum.” – Simon Sinek

80. “Everything in life needs attention, and if you don’t give it attention, you lose it.” – Patrick Bet-David

81. “Be more intentional about the attention that you’re giving to different aspects of your life that are important to you and you will not lose momentum. But if you take attention off, be prepared to lose momentum in that part of your life.” – Patrick Bet-David

82. “Momentum is key to any business’s success and can often be elusive, which is why it is so important to know how to build a momentum model.” – Ken Gosnell

83. “To achieve the life you want to live requires momentum to be in your favor.” – Patrick Bet-David

84. “What separates the achievers from the couch potato? Momentum. It’s something every successful person or business possesses.” – Benny Hsu

85. “If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum.” – Holly Near

86. “If you just do one thing everyday in the pursuit of the growth of your business you’re going to find yourself in a new rhythm, you’re going to find yourself in a position of developing some momentum.” – Eric Worre

87. “One overlooked ingredient to successful organizations and leaders is the ability to create and sustain momentum.” – Ken Gosnell

88. “In an economy that already has lost some momentum, one must remain alert to the possibility of weakening asset values in financial markets.” – Alan Greenspan

89. “The number one reason why so many entrepreneurs lose momentum is because of start/stop.” – Patrick Bet-David

90. “While a good leader sustains momentum, a great leader increases it.” – John C. Maxwell

91. “When you have momentum in business, everything seems to roll forward, stuff gets done, things happen, employees are proactive, customers are happy and extraordinary results are produced.” – Benard Mokua

92. “Success requires first expending ten units of effort to produce one unit of results. Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort.” – Charles J. Givens

93. “Over time, the momentum of your consistency creates the friction needed for progress against the gravity of inertia.” – LeAura Alderson

94. “Always keep momentum, it’s this prime directive for managing a startup.” – Sam Altman

95. “Movement is the prerequisite for growth, growth is the prerequisite for velocity, velocity is the prerequisite for momentum, so get moving.” – Holly L

96. “I will go anywhere as long as it is forward.” – David Livingston

97. “The engine of your business isn’t you, your product, nor your stellar supply chain– it’s the momentum you have. The only true job of a leader is to inspire momentum in their teams and then ensure this movement is heading in the right direction.” – Raj Jana

98. “Momentum builds slow with hard work. But, lousy leaders let the steam out quickly. Of all the things you do, make building momentum a priority.” – Dan Rockwell

99. “Want to know how to build momentum in your business? Well, the key is consistent effort. When you take action day after day despite not seeing results, that work will pay off for you.” – Dan Holstein

100. “ Execution  is the foundation for momentum.” – Tony Jeary

101. “Every knock is a boost.” – Elbert Hubbard

102. “Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to stand up and strike.” – Arthur Ashe

103. “Good work has a snowball effect , it keeps leading to more good work.” – Richa Chadha

104. “One positive step can put an end to negative momentum. Now is when you can take it.” – Ralph Marston

105. “Our future is only limited by our commitment to keep the momentum going.” – Anne Sweeney

Bonus Quote on Momentum

Bonus: Here is our last quote on momentum. We believe it summarizes how and why of momentum the best. So, observe closely and apply generously.

“Effort Creates Action, Action Creates Momentum, Momentum Creates Success.” – DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK” JOHNSON –

We hope you enjoyed our collection of Momentum Quotes. If you found any that inspired you in any way, please consider sharing it with someone who could use a good reminder on the power of momentum.

With that said, don’t hesitate to leverage these quotes yourself whenever you feel like you need a little push to keep your own momentum going.

PS – If you enjoyed these momentum quotes, then you’ll probably enjoy these inspiring quotes on progress and growth , as well as these motivational quotes on never giving up .

50+ MONDAY GRIND QUOTES TO HELP YOU SMASH THROUGH PROCRASTINATION

Monday mornings can be hard, even for the best of us. The very thought of getting on with the new week can feel like a long arduous journey up a mountain must first be maid, but with an elephant tied to our backs. It’s a feeling we all experience, but successful people know how to smash through those feelings and get their grind on regardless of how they feel. And that’s exactly what we want to help you do with these Monday grind quotes.

“Either You Run The Day Or The Day Runs You.”

So, if you’re looking for some powerful words to help you start your week off right, then you’ll love these Monday Grind quotes. If you’re ready for that nudge, let’s dive in:

TOP MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR THE MONDAY GRIND

1. “Monday, I grind. Tuesday, I grind. Wednesday, I grind. Thursday, I grind. Friday, I grind. Saturday, I grind. Sunday, I grind. And, that’s why I’m here today.” – Eric Thomas

2. “New week. Focus more. smile more. And grind harder.” – Anonymous

3. “Monday is another day to be KILLING IT.” – Monday Grind Quote

4. “It’s Monday, and the grind continues.” – Anonymous

5. “There are many opportunities in every single day, and Monday is the perfect day to seize them all.” – Isabella Koldras

6. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you, you will have to WIN IT.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan

8. “Grind while they sleep, learn while they party, live like they dream.” – Anonymous

9. “It is only through labor and painful effort , by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”  –  Teddy Roosevelt

10. “Monday is for people with a mission.” – Cristina Imre

11. “If you want this week to be better than last week, push harder today.” – The Strive

12. “You can’t expect to succeed if you only put in work on the days you feel like it.” – Monday Grind Quotes

13. “Talk less, GRIND more.”  –  Atlas Rowe

14. “Only I can change my life, no one can do it for me.” – Carol Burnett

15. “The past is gone. Today is full of possibilities.” – Karen Casey

16. “Grind in silence and let your achievements make the noise.” – Anonymous

17. “Every morning starts a new page in your morning. Make it a great one today.” – Doe Zantamanta

18. “Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.”  –  Napoleon Hill

19. “My entire life can be summed up in four word: I hustled. I conquered. ” – Anonymous

20. “All I know is grind.” – Ray Lewis

21. “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”  –  Stephen C. Hogan

22. “It takes time, it’s a grind. There are no shortcuts. You have to grind and grind.” – Mark Cuban

23. “I SEE. I WANT. I GRIND. I GET.” – Monday Grind Quote

24 . “The world is yours and everything in it, it’s out there – Get on your grind and get it.” – Young Jeezy

25. “Good things happen to those who hustle.” – Anais Nin

We know the right motivational quote can inspire just about anyone into action, even on Mondays. So, if you are still dragging those feet, procrastinating, or lacking the fire to get moving, then keep pouring on these Monday Grind quotes.

Let’s go!!!

Related: Monday Motivation Quotes

26. “Don’t wish things were easier. Wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn

27. “Invest in your dreams. Grind now. Shine later.” – Monday Grind Quote

28. What I lack in talent, I compensate with my willingness to grind it out. That’s the secret of my life. – Guy Kawasaki

29. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” – George Burns

30. “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.”  –  J. Paul Getty

31. “I am grinding while your sleeping.”  –  Gary Vaynerchuk

32. “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.”  –  J. J. Watt

33. “G + R + I + N + D = Get Ready It’s a New Day.” – The Strive

34. “Success is not for the lazy.” – Anonymous

35. “All the money you could want is out there. All you have to do is go after it.” – Curtis Carlson

36 . “You competition doesn’t care that it’s Monday, they are up and they are grinding.” – The Strive

37 . “You can’t cheat the grind, it knows how much you have invested. It wont give you anything you haven’t worked for.” – Eric Thomas

38. “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working on it.” – Michael Jordan

39. “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.” – Ken Poirot

40. “Hey, I know it’s a Monday. But it’s also a new day and a new week. And in that lies a new opportunity for something special to happen.” – Michael Ely

41. “If Joan of Arc could turn the tide of an entire war before her 18th birthday, you can get out of bed.” – E. Jean Carroll

42. “Believe on Monday the way you believe on Sunday.” Rita Schiano

43.  “The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

44. ” Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm” – Saikat Roy

45. “Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison

46. “Don’t whine for it, grind for it.” – Chanda Temple

47. “Success requires a positive mind and a steady grind.” – Grind Quote

48. “Everybody wants to be famous, but nobody wants to do the work. I live by that. You grind hard so you can play hard. At the end of the day, you put all the work in, and eventually it’ll pay off. It could be in a year, it could be in 30 years. Eventually, your hard work will pay off.” – Kevin Hart

49. “Success is what comes after your stop making excuses.” – Luis Galarza

50. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

51. “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” – Oprah Winfrey

52. “No grind, no grit, no greatness.” – Anonymous

53. “If you want to shine, you’ve got to grind.” – The STRIVE

54. “Surround yourself with people who dream bigger than you do.” – Jay Cutler

55. “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” – P.T. Barnum

Bonus Grind Quote

Bonus: Here’s one last Monday Grind quote to motivate you, encourage you, and push you into action.

“Greatness only comes before GRIND in the dictionary.” – The Strive

There you have it, the best quotes for finding that Monday grind motivation we all want and seek on those Monday’s that seem just a tad bit grueling. Now that you’ve gone through all the quotes, we hope any feelings you may have had to stall or procrastinate have vanished.

Remember, nothing comes easily, but if you’re willing to grind on the days you don’t feel like it (like Mondays), and push yourself into taking massive action, you can and will achieve amazing things.

With that being said, if you enjoyed this page please consider bookmarking it or sharing it. And if there were any individual Monday morning motivation quotes that really helped you smash through your procrastination, share the love. Keep grinding, and…..

PS – If you enjoyed these Monday grind quotes, then you’ll love these equally motivating quotes:

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• Work Ethic Quotes
• Grind Quotes

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Feel inspired by the 12 best TED Talks on leadership

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12 of the best TED Talks on leadership 

The secret to becoming a better leader keep learning.

Effective leadership requires intense motivation. And motivation wanes for everyone. Burnout , losing sight of a project’s “Why?”, and energy-draining obstacles can push anyone to a low point. 

Luckily, hearing from fellow leaders who’ve been there might provide just the inspiration you need to keep pursuing your professional goals .

Entrepreneurs, changemakers, and dreamers: pop in your earbuds. Thanks to TED Talks — short-form educational speeches from subject-matter experts — you can find inspiration in 18 minutes or less. We’ll explore 12 of the best TED Talks on leadership.

As a leader, you might feel like you must have all the answers and sufficient belief in a mission to always stay positive . But you also need to learn to collaborate , have rewarding conversations, and fuel your motivators. 

TED Talks are an excellent resource for this personal growth. You can learn from fellow leaders who’ve been in your situation. And the captivating style of these talks has the power to shift your thinking (and maybe even your mood) in just a few minutes. 

The following 12 TED Talks present inspiring leadership lessons anyone can benefit from, especially someone feeling stuck in their role.

1. How Great Leaders Inspire Action, by Simon Sinek

With almost 63 million views on TED’s platform alone, this prolific leadership talk from author Simon Sinek has been a significant source of inspiration for many. Simon breaks down why certain figures go further than the rest, even if their motivations, circumstances, and resources are similar to others’. He describes this phenomenon as “ The Golden Circle ,” at the center of which is the “Why?” that drives successful leaders. 

Simon maintains that inspired leaders, from Martin Luther King to the team at Apple, encourage others to believe in their “Why?” before their “What?”, starting from the heart instead of rational facts. Any leader questioning their purpose will feel invigorated by this inspiring talk that’s spurred tens of millions to see the world differently.

2. Lead Like the Great Conductors, by Itay Talgam

Orchestra conductor Itay Talgam knows a thing or two about leading a group and keeping them in rhythm — transforming mere sounds into symphonies. In his famous TED Talk , Itay provides a unique perspective from the creative world for business-minded leaders and vision-driven entrepreneurs . 

Itay runs through different conducting styles and invites the audience to participate in the talk. The take-home message is that no two great leaders are the same, but all devise creative ways to bring out others’ talents. This lecture is an enjoyable piece that’ll inspire anyone, from a professor to a CEO, to think like a conductor.

3. 10 Ways to Have a Brilliant Conversation, by Celeste Headlee

Writer and radio host Celeste Headlee has a wealth of experience interviewing others, making her an expert conversationalist. In her TED Talk , Celeste tackles the notion of avoiding honest conversations for fear of an argument. 

As someone who’s spoken to people she disagrees with in her career , Celeste has 10 valuable pieces of advice to help leaders have a conversation with anyone, even if the discussion turns difficult. 

With points like admitting when you don’t know something, avoiding pontification, and practicing active listening , Celeste encourages leaders to be open-minded , brief, and engaged. This talk is a worthwhile listen for anyone who hopes to have better conversations and leaders who want tips for navigating tense moments.

4. Everyday Leadership, by Drew Dudley

Leadership speaker and author Drew Dudley shares his wisdom in this six-minute TED Talk that invites the audience to consider the lives they change daily. With a sharp sense of humor, Drew reminds listeners that you don’t always catch when you’re influencing others. He uses a charming anecdote about a woman whose life he changed without knowing it to prove the point that those that do little things to brighten a day, or even just to get a laugh, could spur a major shift for someone else. 

This light-hearted talk is a must-listen for leaders lost in the big picture. Drew brings home the grounding point that great leadership comprises small everyday acts.

5. How to Start a Movement, by Derek Sivers

This three-minute TED Talk has racked up over 10 million views on the organization’s site, capturing the audience right off the bat with a quirky video. Derek Sivers narrates a scene where one person in a crowd starts a silly dance and, before long, others follow suit. The take-home point? One person can start a movement, but as Derek says, they must have “the guts to stand out and be ridiculed” and perform an act others can easily copy. 

In the video, that leader may be one brave dancer, and the act, a bit of arm movement, but that gesture becomes a figurative movement, too. It’s replicable and enticing enough for others to join in. 

This talk is perfect for a leader who needs a three-minute pep-talk, laugh, and food for thought for the day ahead. 

6. Dare to Disagree, by Margaret Heffernan 

In this talk , writer and former five-time CEO Margaret Heffernan reminds the audience of the power of disagreeing. Conflict can help leaders grow by learning from others and defending an opinion. 

Using the example of an early researcher of cancer in women, Dr. Alice Stewart, and a research partner who countered the doctor’s ideas, Margaret makes the point that echo chambers have less to teach leaders than allowing others to challenge their ideas. At one point in the talk, Margaret even refers to constructive conflict as thinking. 

This discussion reminds leaders to trust their knowledge but allow others to talk — a balance that promotes diversity of opinions and growth. 

7. The Puzzle of Motivation, by Dan Pink 

Even the best leaders need the motivation to overcome low moments at work . But this TED Talk , with tens of millions of views from bestselling author and career analyst Dan Pink, reminds audiences of the importance of inspiring others as well. 

Dan argues that sometimes reward-based motivation does more harm than good. If-then tasks may encourage people to get the job done because the objective is finite. But creative work? He argues that autonomy and purpose motivate more than material rewards , and he brings several studies to the table to prove it. 

This talk is excellent for leaders who want to help others thrive. A rising tide lifts all boats, and organizations full of empowered, self-motivated people, are healthy to the core. 

8. So We Leaned In….Now What?, by Cheryl Sandberg 

In this interview-style TED Talk , former Meta COO Cheryl Sandberg discusses being nervous to speak openly about women leaders. She touches on feeling insecure, being a mother , and sensing she didn’t belong. 

Unlike many of TED’s polished talks, this conversation is raw and unscripted. It’s the ultimate reminder that even high-ranking leaders of big-name brands struggle with self-doubt , the pressures of family life, and emotional reactions (yes, even in the workplace). Any leader dealing with these trials will find themselves in good company.

9. How to Manage for Collective Creativity, by Linda Hill

Business professor Linda Hill, who studies creativity, allows the audience to dream — collectively. Linda believes that creative ideas have great worth and drive some of the world’s most successful companies, especially when everyone can weigh in. She highlights the importance of innovation in a team, positing that one person’s ideas only expand when complemented by those of the group. 

Peers have genius to share, and Linda is all about tapping into it. Great leaders understand that employees have game-changing ideas and recognize them. This talk has hard-hitting points for leaders who need to refocus on the power of community and collaboration and its potential for innovation. 

10. What it Takes to be a Great Leader, by Roselinde Torres

Leadership expert Roselinde Torres suggests that most companies don’t give employees the skills to lead. Citing cases of talented leaders who failed and caused adverse consequences for a business, Roselinde shows the audience how she arrived at her driving questions: Why do some leadership training programs fail, and what are the ones that are doing it right? 

Roselinde believes that leaders who constantly learn from others and read about trends that affect them and their peers succeed. She also advocates for a diverse range of leaders within a workplace, as minds that think differently generate distinct routes toward the same goals. She takes the talk home with advice on being brave enough to let go of what’s not working. 

This TED talk is a must-stream for leaders who feel they’re stagnating and want to continue to grow. 

11. Authentic Leadership for the Future, by Irving Washington

Irving Washington III, the executive director of the Online News Association, relays an important message to leaders : their feelings count. Irving points out that the traits many usually associate with leaders aren’t actually core values . Instead, Irving argues, leaders should be vulnerable and bring their Whole Selves to work . 

Anyone can find themselves a fake-it-’til-you-make-it role and feel like a failure . For context, he shares a personal story of his experience as the executive director of a massive digital journalism organization — which was one of the worst times in his career due to stress and exhaustion. 

This is the ideal listen for any entrepreneur or manager who feels like an imposter despite their experience and credentials or who needs a reminder that leaders are human, too. 

12. As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify, by Yves Morieux

Consultant Yves Morieux felt concerned by greatly reduced engagement levels in the global workplace. He set out to understand it, and in this TED Talk , he explains his findings. 

Yves’s theory is that companies tend to over-complicate. Any time a business takes on a new requirement, it adds a slew of new processes to support it. Businesses become ever-expanding matrices of roles and responsibilities , and with employees maintaining focus on their assignments, they forget to collaborate. 

Cooperation, Yves argues, saves time and resources, and he gives the audience tips on helping coworkers work together and understand one another’s roles. 

This talk is jam-packed with information, making it a valuable resource for leaders who want to spark engagement, encourage collaboration, and improve the human side of the workplace. 

In the 21st century, there are so many ways to learn. You can gain valuable lessons from podcasts , video content like the best TED Talks on leadership, and good old-fashioned impactful reads . Squeeze some extra learning into the day with these resources and continue growing. 

In just the 12 talks shared here, there’s enough advice to incite important changes. Learn to sharpen leadership qualities , stay positive and insightful even in a proverbial storm, and appreciate others’ contributions and differences. Then, continue to explore with TED’s library of talks on becoming a great leader .

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TED Talks by women leaders

Who should run more of the world? Women. Until then, enjoy these talks by awesome women who lead fiercely and fearlessly.

The inside story of the Paris climate agreement

Why we have too few women leaders

My year of saying yes to everything

How Africa can keep rising

On being a woman and a diplomat

3 lessons on success from an Arab businesswoman

Why open a school? To close a prison

Why do ambitious women have flat heads?

My daughter, my wife, our robot, and the quest for immortality

How I stopped the Taliban from shutting down my school

An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter

Top 6 Speeches to Inspire Leaders

by Emily Waddell | Jun 14, 2018 | Explore , Quotes , Uncategorized |

While Merriam-Webster defines a leader as “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country”, we can all agree that in the past few decades , its become a lot more than that.  Leadership has become a mindset that is praised in most every field of work.  Even more recently, leadership has gained influence in the context of an individual’s personality.  We’ve compiled some great stories and influences that can easily be applied to your day to day routine or leadership development journey that enables you to create broader change.  Sit back, but don’t relax. Prepare to be inspired.

Enjoy 13 minutes of suave feminist politics as Justin Trudeau addresses Davos at the World Economic Forum.  

The Canadian prime minister informs the public of the integral role women play in society.  The reason we like to include this at the top of the list is how Canadian politics and their cultural attitude towards women has been translated into the public.  First, Canadian universities have very progressive women’s activist groups and women’s communities are prioritized in most fields of education. It’s proof that Trudeau and the Canadian government mean business, and that government has impact on cultural shifts towards inclusion.  As a Leader and Prime Minister, Trudeau is using his platform for good, and the next generation of Canadian women have a voice because of it. Lastly, note his authority and compassion throughout; these can be tools you use as a leader in your community.

Malala Addresses the UN Youth Takeover

Malala Yousafz ai is the selfless and young Pakistani girl who stands up for children’s rights.  I think that there is a few really powerful things we can learn from her in becoming leaders in our own right.  First, Yousafz inspires a sense of intention that makes us question our own; she has a passion for children’s rights that she knows is beyond her, but that doesn’t discourage her from trying.  

In addition, she exhibits the forgiveness and compassion that is a maturity most people don’t ever figure out.  In conclusion, Malala uses her platform that she acquired with the utmost act of bravery to speak for voices that cannot be heart, in the name of universal peace.  The speech caused me reflect and evaluate why I try to lead, is it for a cause bigger than me? Is it for status? I urge you to do the same in your leadership development.  

3.David Logan on Tribal Leadership

David Logan addresses University of Southern California at a TEDx talk to preach about a very important component that isn’t always brought to mind when one thinks about in becoming a leader; others.  Then, he employs the natural “tribe” creating process that humans socially undergo to teach how individuals can be leaders by advancing the group, or tribe, or “nudging them forward”. In addition, Logan defines the potential influence of a group of people who share a similar passion and calls individuals to recognize, mindfully, how they communicate with their tribe in efforts to improve the human condition universally.  

4. Barack Obama’s Speech on Leadership and Power

Former president Obama’s focused on Leadership and Power in his speech, and highlights practical applications of what he’s learned.  A few of the main takeaways:

• Failing publicly can be liberating.  
• Empower others.
• Power is isolating.
• It’s not enough to be the squeaky wheel.  
• Know how to shape public opinion in the internet age.  

A you can see, Obama inspires listeners to stand up for a cause and affect real change and provides insight on the tools to do it. He holds a place on Google’s list of Top Orators, so it’s worth the watch.

J.K. Rowling 2008 Harvard Commencement Speech

When J.K. Rowling gave the Harvard commencement speech in 2008, she focused on the power of failure with a humble wisdom and authenticity.  In doing something worthwhile, failure is inevitable at some point. Next Rowling comforts us (or really, the Harvard graduates) in that inevitability and brings to light the role creativity plays in rebuilding one’s life after that failure.  It had very much the colloquial spirit of being at “rock bottom”; where Rowling had nothing left to lose. And at this place, she indulged her failure to emerge with creativity and build the Harry Potter series.  Failure is often recognized as in integral ingredient in leadership development, where one can improve.  Lastly, she bravely credits her accomplishments to failure, from that, we should learn how to turn our failure into accomplishment.

  6.Learning from Leadership’s Missing Manual by Fields Wicker-Miurin

Social Entrepreneur Fields Wicker-Miurin connects leaders around globe the for her job; thusly, she delivers a breadth of wisdom to a TED talk audience.  She argues that we need new models of what it means to be a good leader. Wicker- Miurin meets with communities around the world, “ people who see the world differently, who are asking different questions, who have different answers, who understand the filters that they wear when they go out into the world.”  In other words, s he understands the value of seeking advice from other cultures to become a more holistically successful leader.  Watch the full talk to understand the impact of this work for the next generation and how you can achieve this cultural influence in your personal development

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30 of the best ted talks on leadership that every great leader should watch – 2nd edition.

Last updated: 4 March 2020

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Love inspiring Ted Talks on leadership? So do we!

That’s why we put together this list of our  crème de la crème TED Talks on leadership.

So next time you’re needing a little boost, take a 20-minute break to listen to one of these and learn from some of the most forward-thinking and innovative experts to discover what’s given them their little-known edge.

1.  How Great Leaders Inspire Action , by Simon Sinek

With more than 29 million views , Simon Sinek is now on the A-List of leadership gurus, after he gave this incredible talk.

As Sinek himself says, “As it turns out, all the great inspiring leaders and organizations in the world, whether it’s Apple or Martin Luther King, Jr. or the Wright brothers, they all think, act and communicate the exact same way. And it’s the complete opposite to everyone else. All I did was codify it, and it’s probably the world’s simplest idea. I call it the Golden Circle.”

For Sinek, the difference between these inspirational leaders and everyone else is they start with “why,” which is the core concept of his Golden Circle . By asking why, how and what, you can set yourself on a trajectory of tremendous success that, statistically speaking, very few people attain.

2.  The Puzzle of Motivation , by Dan Pink

To be an effective leader, you need to know what makes people “tick,” and especially what motivates them in the workplace to give you their best. Interestingly enough, money only takes you so far.

In this compelling video –which has clocked over 13 million views – Pink (author of  Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us ) untangles the web of motivation in a way that makes sense for leaders. Here’s a hint : traditional rewards aren’t always as motivating as we think.

3.  Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders , by Sheryl Sandberg

Sandberg left Google to become Facebook’s COO in 2008. In this video, she looks at why so few women make it to the C-suite, and offers up three important pieces of advice to women who want to buck the trend and get there. The key, in Sandberg’s view, is ensuring women remain in the workforce.

As it turns out, having more women remain in the workforce has other positive benefits on society and households, such as equal earning and equal responsibility between partners. As Sandberg notes, households that demonstrate this equality also have half the divorce rate.

4.  The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding , by John Wooden

To be a successful leader, what better place to start than by defining exactly what you mean by success? The man affectionately known as “Coach” redefines success to be much more than merely winning. Coach James Wooden explains this difference with profound simplicity, and urges everyone to pursue the best in themselves. The Coach’s 17-minute talk is uplifting as much as it is inspiring.

5.  What Makes us Feel Good About Our Work ? By Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely is a behavioral economist who has gained a deeper understanding of human motivation than most economists could ever hope for. He even designed experiments that would help solve the mystery of motivation, which is what this video is all about.

As it turns out, money isn’t the only thing that motivates us to work. It isn’t exactly joy, either. The real motivation for going to work every day is to make constant progress and lead a life of purpose . Strong leaders care about the bottom line, but are about much more than that. They have a sense of purpose, and get out of bed every single day to fulfill it.

6.  Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe , by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s material is so good that he’s the only one to appear twice on this list. You know building trust among your followers is important, but actually doing it is another thing entirely.

Sinek’s video on the topic will take your understanding of trust to a whole new level. After all, humans are emotional species who struggle with insecurities and vulnerabilities. A good leader brings his or her employees into a circle of trust. This is especially important in today’s economy, where jobs are destroyed as fast as they are created. Leaders have a responsibility to make their workers feel safe.

7.  Dare to Disagree , by Margaret Heffernan

When it comes to forming your dream team, the last thing you should do is surround yourself with what Heffernan calls “echo chambers” who only tell you what they think you want to hear. Mastering the art of disagreement is essential to effective leadership. Leaders must also be willing to cope with others disagreeing with them. Only through disagreement are ideas challenged.

Hefferman outlines a rubric for avoiding echo chambers and allowing ourselves to experience what she calls constructive conflict.

“So what does that kind of constructive conflict require? Well, first of all, it requires that we find people who are very different from ourselves. That means we have to resist the neurobiological drive, which means that we really prefer people mostly like ourselves, and it means we have to seek out people with different backgrounds, different disciplines, different ways of thinking and different experience, and find ways to engage with them. That requires a lot of patience and a lot of energy.”

8.  Lead Like The Great Conductors , by Itay Talgam

You’ve no doubt heard leadership described through the metaphor of conducting an orchestra. Itay Talgam operationalizes that metaphor by sharing what leaders can learn from 6 different 20th-century conductors. Don’t worry, this TED Talk requires no formal background (or interest) in the symphony.

Talgam describes the “magical moment” when a conductor turns chaos into blissful music. It’s a very small gesture, “not very pomp, not very sophisticated.” And suddenly, out of the chaos, noise becomes music.

9.  As Work Gets More Complex, Six Rules to Simplify , by Yves Morieux

Everyone knows that a staggering number of people are disengaged from their work. Yves Morieux argues that our reaction to the unfathomable complexity of modern work has a lot to do with that disengagement. Traditional organizational management certainly doesn’t help, either. His antidote includes 6 refreshing ways to engage in what he calls “smart simplicity.” The first rule is understand what your colleagues actually do. This is especially important for business leaders if they wish to simply the workplace and boost employee engagement.

10.  What It Takes To Be A Great Leader , by Roselinde Torres

Roselinde Torres has developed a deep understanding of what makes leaders effective. She poses 3 laser-like questions that will spur your own thinking on what it takes to be a great leader.

In a world filled with executive leadership programs and expensive seminars, Torres argues the best way to learn leadership might be right under your nose. Torres’ 9-minute talk is candid and to the point.

11.  A Life of Purpose , by Rick Warren

His book, Purpose-Driven Life, has sold more than 30 million copies. The church he pastors, Saddleback Church, has more than 22,000 members. Clearly, Rick Warren understands a few things about leadership.

This video is an intimate presentation of his own thoughts and crises around leadership. For anyone who’s ever looked at their existence and said, “There’s got to be more to life than this” will certainly find solace in Warren’s 21-minute talk.

12.  Listen, Learn… Then Lead , by Stanley McChrystal

Stanley McChrystal is a 4-star general who spent decades in the military. What he gleaned about leadership that can build a shared sense of purpose among an incredibly diverse set of followers boils down to how well you listen and learn, as well as how you position failure.

McChrystal’s view of leadership can be summarized with the following quote:

“[A] leader isn’t good because they’re right; they’re good because they’re willing to learn and to trust. This isn’t easy stuff.”

13.  Got a Wicked Problem to Solve? First, Tell me How you Make Toast , by Tom Wujec

Making toast is simple, right? But what happens when someone asks you to draw how you make toast? Suddenly things get interesting, and complicated.

This simple exercise reveals much about leading solutions to complex problems. Tom Wujec invites listeners to run the exercise themselves while explaining what he’s learned from observing thousands of people draw toast. From this talk, leaders will learn some important truths about how to handle real-world challenges .

14.  Everyday Leadership , by Drew Dudley

Drew Dudley’s whole approach is to make sure everyone understands how to bring out the leader within. Too many people think great leadership is reserved for extraordinary people.

His humorous take will remind you of all the little things leaders do each day. Leadership may be self-taught, but certainly isn’t reserved to a special segment of society. Dudley reminds us that leadership is an everyday act that should be celebrated.

15.  Tribal Leadership , by David Logan

It’s easy to think that as a species we have evolved far beyond the days of tribalism, but management consultant David Logan argues that effective leaders understand the 5 kinds of tribes that still crop up naturally in nearly any setting. Logan’s talk takes you through the 5 tribes, or stages, beginning with “Life sucks” and ending with “Life is great.”

16. Learning From Leadership’s Missing Manual , by Fields Wicker-Miurin

If you missed the opening line of this article, Fields Wicker-Miurin will remind you that leadership is self-taught. People who are looking for the holy grail leadership manual will wait forever in vain.

Leadership comes from within , but that shouldn’t stop you from developing the qualities that people admire in a great leader. Instead of looking for a how-to manual, learn the inspiring story of a local leader in your community. They’re not as far away or elusive as you might think.

17. How To Make Work-Life Balance Work , by Nigel Marsh

Leaders may be workaholics, but they also value work-life balance. That’s Nigel Marsh’s main thrust in this 2010 talk. Marsh shows you how to share a balance lifestyle between family, personal time and productivity. He also drops some inspiration from his books Fit, Fifty, and Fired Up and Overworked and Underlaid (yes, he has a great sense of humor).

Achieving an ideal work-life balance may seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but isn’t nearly as hard as our productivity-obsessed culture makes it out to be. Through small changes, you can have a big impact on work, relationships and life in general.

18. The Key To Success? Grit , by Angela Lee Duckworth

Successful consultant-turned-teacher Angela Lee Duckworth reminds us that success requires hard work and grit. While this is nothing we don’t know, why are these characteristics so difficult to apply? As Duckworth says, “as much as talent counts, effort counts twice.”

Duckworth’s quick talk is an essential listen for anyone getting suckered into taking shortcuts. As it turns out, all the old adages about success and hard work are true.

19. The Secret Structure Of Great Talks , by Nancy Duarte

The ability to move others through motivational speech is one of the greatest qualities of a true leader. Author and CEO Nancy Duarte gets it, and that’s why she developed this 18-minute talk to help aspiring leaders take their presentation skills to the next level.

Duarte dissects the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Steve Jobs to uncover the essential qualities of a great presentation. If leadership is your passion, be prepared to spend a lot of time talking in front of people.

20. How To Start A Movement , by Derek Sivers

Don’t let the name of this short TED Talk fool you – Derek Sivers isn’t calling for revolution or political anarchy. Using interesting footage, Sivers shows you how surprisingly easy it is to start a movement. As they say, it takes two to tango. That’s all that’s needed for leaders to inspire a movement.

21. Got A Meeting? Take A Walk , by Nilofer Merchant

“Sitting has become the smoking of our generation.” – Nilofer Merchant

In her TED Talk, business innovator Nilofer Merchant offers a simple message about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle . Leaders spend a lot of time in meetings. Merchant suggests you turn your next one-on-one meeting into a “walking meeting.” Not only do you hit two birds with one stone – by meeting and elevating your heart rate – the simple act of walking allows your ideas to flow much better than they otherwise would sitting in a cramped office.

22. The Leaders Who Ruined Africa, And The Generation Who Can Fix It , Fred Swaniker

Africa has struggled to live up to its development goals, and its leaders are to blame, says TED Fellow and founder of the African Leadership Network Fred Swaniker.

Having lived throughout Africa, Swaniker highlights the vital role true leaders play in building a society, and what can happen in their absence. Swaniker’s description of the next great African leaders is anybody who wants to make a difference in their society, especially where strong institutions are lacking.

23. The Happy Secret To Better Work , by Shawn Achor

It’s generally assumed we have to work to be happy, but what if we have it backwards? That’s the argument psychologist and CEO Shawn Achor makes in this 2012 talk. Achor says we need to be happy independently of work , and only then will we be able to increase productivity and success in the workplace.

Searching for happiness in the workplace can be a deep rabbit hole that often leads to less happiness overall. This is an important message for leaders, who seek to inspire other people in their line of work. It just so happens that developing happiness outside the 9-5 hours is the most important for our health and success.

24. How to Fix a Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard , by Linda Cliatt-Wayman

You don’t have to be a teacher to appreciate Linda Cliatt-Wayman’s inspirational talk about her time as principal at a failing school in Philadelphia. It didn’t take long for her to realize that leadership was more than just “laying down the law.” We won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say she managed to turn around her struggling school. There were 3 key principles that helped her get there.

25. Trial, Error and the God Complex , by Tim Harford

If the title of Tim Harford’s TED Talk doesn’t pique your interest, nothing will. Harford, an economics writer who studies complex systems, talks about the importance of trial and error in achieving success. Except he doesn’t just “talk” about it, but presents the findings of his studies on complex systems.

As the title suggests, Harford’s talk centres on the concept of a God complex – refusing to admit the possibility of being wrong regardless of the complexity of the situation – and the importance of trial and error in achieving better results.  Go down the list, virtually every successful business leader used trial and error to perfect their craft.

26. The Surprising Habits Of Original Thinkers , by Adam Grant

“The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they’re the ones who try the most.” – Adam Grant

Suffice it to say, all aspiring leaders want to be recognized for their creativity and originality. While creativity often lies within, psychologist Adam Grant studies the lives of “originals” – thinkers whose ideas transform the world. Over the course of 15 minutes, Grant explains the unexpected habits of original thinkers, and their fearlessness in the face of failure.

Fear of failure is one of the biggest inhibitors to success in all of life’s endeavors. While never easy, leaders must learn to overcome that fear. Studying the habits of original thinkers will teach aspiring leaders they “need a lot of bad ideas in order to get a few good ones.”

27. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are , by Amy Cuddy

Four years and more than 38 million views later, Amy Cuddy’s powerful TED Talk has resonated with many aspiring leaders. As a social psychologist, Cuddy explains how “power posing” – showcasing a posture of confidence even when you don’t feel confident – can affect your brain chemistry and move you to positive action.

While some of the findings presented in the study are controversial among social scientists, Cuddy’s talk is a great reminder of the importance of projecting confidence in every situation . Whether that holds up to tests of academic rigor are less important.

28. How to Get Your Ideas To Spread , by Seth Godin

If you think the answer to Seth Godin’s talk is “social media,” try again. This TED Talk took place back in 2007, a few years before social media became as ubiquitous as it is today. As a leader, getting your ideas to spread requires more than just a Twitter handle. Godin, himself an author and marketing guru, explains the importance of standing out, and why even the craziest ideas can become the most successful ones.

29. Secrets Of Success In 8 Words, 3 Minutes , by Richard St. John

Analyst and bestselling author, Richard St. John, managed to condense 7 years of interviews into an unforgettable 3-minute presentation about what it takes to be truly successful. Believe us, nobody is as cognizant of your time as St. John. This 3-minute talk is normally presented as a 2-hour presentation to high school students.

30. Why We Do What We Do , by Tony Robbins

No list of inspiring TED Talks is complete without Tony Robbins, the globally renowned life success coach who has spent decades helping people achieve their dreams. Robbins shattered many preconceived notions about his work a mere 36 seconds into his presentation.

“I’m not here to motivate you, you don’t need that, obviously. Often that’s what people think I do, and it’s the furthest thing from it. What happens, though, is people say to me, ‘I don’t need any motivation.’ But that’s not what I do. I’m the ‘why’ guy. I want to know why you do what you do.”

He then goes into detail explaining the “invisible forces” that make us do the things we do. He also high-fives Al Gore in the front row. With more than 18 million views, Robbins’ TED appearance is one of the most popular.

There you have it. More than 8 hours of pure leadership inspiration to help turn you into the type of leader others admire, respect and want to follow.

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16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches & What You’ll Gain from Them

It’s all very well reading about ways to get ahead in life, but no account will ever reach you in quite the same way as hearing someone speak about their own experiences. While these people may be household names now, it wasn’t always that way, and this collection of some of the best motivational speeches will move you and inspire you to make your own dreams come true.

From Arnold Schwarzenneger talking about how he filled every moment of every day with steps to fulfil his ambition of becoming Mr. Universe, to J.K. Rowling’s life as an impoverished single mother, these speeches will fill you with the drive and determination to reach your full potential, and not let anything stand in your way.

Some are long, and some last just a few minutes, but each one will make you want to grab life with both hands and go for what you want, whatever it is.

“Most people have done all that they’re ever going to do – they raise a family, they earn a living, and then they die.”

That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Wrong! Life is made for greater things, and you are meant for greater things.

When Les Brown was a child, he was labeled ‘educable mentally retarded’, and until a chance encounter with another teacher, he believed that he would amount to nothing. But this one teacher planted the seeds in Les’ head which would blossom and grow, and eventually make him one of the best motivational speakers of all time.

This speech will give you permission to rise above other people’s opinions, to break free of their prejudices, and make a success of whatever you do. Watch ‘It’s Not Over Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible’ and take those first steps towards following your passion and making your dream come true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0nIhDpXuU

“Stress doesn’t come from the facts, stress comes from the meaning that we give the facts.”

Life is about choices. Every day we’re faced with hundreds of choices, and this speech by Tony Robbins will help you see that it’s the choices, not the conditions, which shape our lives.

Take a moment during this speech to pause and reflect on some choices you have made in the past, and really think about the direction your life took because of them, both good and bad. Tony Robbins explains in his inimitable way that we have the choice to focus on what we want, and that when we focus, we can achieve whatever we want.

Part of Tony’s speech explains how, when the economy is down, some people thrive and some people crash and burn, and the COVID 19 pandemic is the perfect example. Small businesses took a huge hit, and while some of them threw up their hands in despair and said ‘that’s it, it’s over for us’, others adapted, and saw it as an opportunity to expand, diversify, and turn the situation to their advantage.

And that’s the cornerstone of this video – how we react, how we adapt, and how we choose is the difference between success and failure.

“So every rep that I do gets me closer to accomplishing the goal to make this goal – this vision – into reality.”

Be inspired by Arnold Schwarzenneger as he talks about his goal of becoming Mr. Universe. Never wasting a second of his day, Arnie worked in construction, spent 5 hours in the gym, and went to acting classes, all of which took him further along his journey to making his dream come true.

We all have a propensity to waste time, but if you have a goal, if you have a passion that smolders away, take a leaf out of Arnie’s book and make sure that everything you do propels you forward.

And don’t be afraid to fail.

“Your conviction and your convenience don’t live on the same block.”

If you are a fan of The Secret, you will be familiar with Lisa Nicholls. In this video, Lisa tells Tom Bilyeu how she was willing to leave everything and everyone behind in order to grow into the version of herself that she knew she wanted.

Lisa explains how, as a young mother, she was forced to wrap her baby in a towel for two days because she had no money for diapers, and how it was at that moment that she vowed never to be that broke or that broken again.

Change, success, drive…they’re all inconvenient and disruptive, and Lisa Nicholls demonstrates that wonderfully in this emotional and highly motivating interview in which she declares “your story is not meant to be your fortress, your story is meant to be your fuel.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toQmqLwNtho

Eric Thomas had a dream, a goal, and that goal was to be the best motivational speaker in the world. He didn’t achieve this by giving 70%, or 80%…he didn’t achieve it by staying in bed late in the mornings. He achieved it by giving 100% every minute of every day.

Listen to Eric’s words, hear the passion in his voice, and feel the lessons he is giving to you if you want to be the best at whatever you do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtuHZC-ObA8

“If we don’t take control of our environment, it takes control of us.”

This short piece by Tony Robbins has been designed to show you that you are in control of your own environment. Whether you realize it or not, what goes on around you has a massive influence on the way you feel and the way you act.

By taking leadership of your own life, you can defy outside influences and set your own tone for the day ahead, regardless of whatever or whoever is exerting pressure from the outside.

Follow Tony’s example of taking 10 minutes for yourself at the start of every day – for gratitude, prayer or wishes for family and friends, and a recap of what you want to accomplish that day, and your day will continue on that same path of thankfulness, hope, and goals.

“Your mind doesn’t know the difference between something you vividly imagined and something that’s real, literally!”

If you want to emulate the way successful people behave, take these 10 billionaires’ habits and adopt them yourself for 21 days.

Billed by Jim Kwik as being ‘like a magic pill’, these habits will rewire your brain into thinking and behaving like some of the world’s most successful people.

In this 8 minute clip, Jim shares how, for instance, your brain reacts the same way when you imagine your dog walking in as it does when your dog actually walks in, and this can apply to anything. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

As much as this applies to positive things, it also can be applied to negative things, so if you imagine failure, that’s what you will get. Fill your mind with thoughts of success and that’s what will happen.

None of these habits are difficult to accomplish, but in doing so you will change your entire mindset into one of a hugely successful person, no matter what you want to achieve in life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzGPwY40Cw

“Don’t leave crumbs.”

If this sounds more like a housekeeping hint and less like a motivational affirmation, you’re 50% right. Our lives do need housekeeping, and not leaving crumbs – i.e. regrets – which will come back and rob your tomorrow of joy, is one of the chores you need to do on a daily basis.

Matthew McConaughey delivers a powerful speech in a gentle way at the University of Houston Commencement Address.

Discussing the five rules he lives by, he will show you how to avoid falling into a trap of entitlement, and why ‘Unbelievable’ is the stupidest word in the dictionary.

With some invaluable life lessons contained inside a highly watchable speech, Matthew McConaughey is an unlikely but very inspiring speaker who has stayed humble despite all his successes.

“There are a lot of sharks in the world; if you hope to complete the swim, you will have to deal with them. So if you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.”

Spoken with eloquence and quiet assuredness, this six-minute speech draws on US Navy Admiral William McRaven’s experience of survival in the Navy Seals.

He explains how making your bed, while seemingly insignificant and even pointless, will set a series of tasks in motion which will ensure that at best, the first job of the day is done, and at worst, you have a neat, tidy bed to fall into at the end of a trying day.

The world is full of people who want to bring you down (the sharks) but if you stand your ground, they will eventually swim away, leaving you to go on to bigger and better things.

“Sometimes life’s gonna hit you in the face with a brick…don’t lose faith.”

Steve Jobs, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Apple Inc. was hit in the face with more than one brick during his 56 years on earth. From being given up for adoption as a baby, to being fired from the very company which he founded, he never let anything get in his way.

In this commencement speech at Stamford University in 2005, Steve explained how his love for what he did spurred him on to rebuild his life in spectacular fashion.

Life dealt a further blow when, in 2003, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

This speech focuses on three stories which, when combined, show how life offers opportunities for change and growth, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Steve Jobs never graduated college, but when he died in 2011, aged just 56, he had a net worth of US$7 billion. He achieved this by doing what he loved, and in this speech he will inspire you to do the same.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously than you might as well not have lived at all. In which case, you fail by default.”

Let J. K. Rowling inspire you with this 2008 commencement speech at Harvard University. Extolling the virtues of failure and imagination, she tells the graduates how being at rock bottom set her free to pursue her dreams of being an author.

As poor as it is possible to be without being homeless, she created the world of Harry Potter and went on to amass a fortune of £795 million, but that without her failures in life, she would never have had the opportunity to do so.

Let her words become your own mantra, and view every failure in your life as a future success.

“We shine, because baby you just can’t dim the sun.”

A beautiful antidote for anyone who has ever felt or been told that they are ‘too much’, Gina Hatzis’ winning Speaker Slam speech of 2018 will give you permission to be unashamedly you.

Although written by a woman for women, this powerful and sometimes humorous speech about being your own authentic self will inspire anyone – man or woman – to shine and never dim their own light to suit other people.

“The first step you need to take is just that…step.”

If you are in need of a short, sharp burst of motivation, listen to this speech by ex Navy Seal, Jocko Willink.

Running for less than three minutes, this recording will inspire you to take a step into whatever you want to achieve. Awarded both the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for service, Jocko Willink is no stranger to taking those brave steps, having come face to face with Iraqu insurgents in Ramadi. He will spur you on to put one metaphorical foot in front of the other, and will leave you in no doubt as to what you need to do to achieve your goals.

“On the other side of your maximum fear are all of the best things in life.”

If you like your motivation with a side order of laughter, watch Will Smith as he talks about fear. Agreeing to skydive on a night out with friends, Will realizes that he actually has to go through with it.

Discussing how fear ruins things (he couldn’t sleep or eat before the jump), Will also discloses that beyond fear was the most blissful experience of his life, and how that principle can be applied to anything in life.

“Only those that can see the invisible, can do the impossible.”

Tyrese Gibson knows success, and in this speech he talks about how it can be achieved, by anyone who wants it.

Actor, singer, author, model…Tyrese seems to have the Midas touch, but he didn’t get it by luck. Follow his words as he gently but passionately guides you along the path you need to take if you have goals and dreams in life.

“I refuse to be another man who lived and died, and wasn’t significant’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzl3CQXMRVo

“If it is written, so shall it be.”

When Steve Harvey’s teacher crushed his dreams of being on TV, the one person who believed in him was his father. He told him to put a piece of paper with his dreams on in his drawer, and to read it every morning and every night.

His dreams came true.

It didn’t always come easy for Steve Harvey though – he spent years living in his car when he had nowhere else to go, but the one thing he never lost was his ambition and determination to see his dreams through to fruition.

A firm believer in the Law of Attraction, Steve still has vision boards and still commits his dreams to writing, and encourages you to do the same in this speech that made Obama cry.

These motivational speeches, and many more like them, show how having guts, determination, and a vision will get you anywhere you want to go, no matter your beginnings in life. These inspirational speakers have suffered loss, sickness, and unbelievable hardships, but the one thing that got them through was their desire to win and their belief that they could.

Immerse yourself in their words of wisdom, and take that next step into your best life.

More on Motivation

• 8 Rituals to Cultivating True Self-Motivation That Lasts
• 10 Monday Morning Habits for a Successful Week
• Motivational Quotes

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15 Inspirational Speeches to Share with Your Team

These days, you might be feeling on the edge of burnout. Finding the time and mental energy to get everything done is simply overwhelming.

Whether you’re managing fine or barely holding on, this is a great time to reflect on your well-being and build habits that bring you long-term success.

If you’re ready to take it to the next level and make 2021 your year, start by inspiring yourself and your team with a mind-expanding talk. We’ve put together 15 inspirational speeches ranging from educational to motivational that are sure to get you ready to grow yourself in 2021.

1. Are you an ideal team player?-  Patrick Lencioni

Best-selling author and team dysfunction expert Patrick Lencioni breaks down the questions every member of your team can ask themselves to improve their teamwork.

2. Developing a Growth Mindset-  Carol Dweck

Developing a growth mindset is critical for successful advancement in life. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck explains why growth mindsets are so powerful and how to develop one in this Ted Talk classic.

3. The Art of Stress-Free Productivity – David Allen

Productivity guru David Allen explains his simple method for ensuring you get things done. This is a must-watch for any team struggling with procrastination and prioritization.

4. The power of vulnerability-  Dr. Brené Brown

Pioneering vulnerability researcher Brené Brown shares her findings on the impact embracing emotional transparency can have on teams and relationships. This is a must-watch for any team looking to improve their communication and teamwork.

5. The 3 Most Important Things for Every Entrepreneur-  Verne Harnish

Verne Harnish, EO Founder and best-selling author of Scaling Up , is a popular speaker at business conferences around the world, as well as the host of his own . His message resonates with entrepreneurs and business leaders with entrepreneurial mindsets.

6. These Are Not Unprecedented Times – Simon Sinek

Delivered over Zoom at the start of the pandemic, popular speaker Simon Sinek gives an optimistic message for anyone stuck in the dark tunnel of coronavirus quarantines and lockdowns. The Start with Why  Author’s message also resonates with those emerging from the tunnel and motivating themselves for what’s ahead.

7. The Science of Habits – Marco Badwel

Harvard researcher Marco Badwel shares the secrets of forming successful habits as explained by science. If you or you’re team is trying to adopt a new habit, this talk is for you.

8. The 5 hindrances to self-mastery – Master Shi Heng Yi

Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi shares lessons for a fulfilling life and from his time as a traditionally educated monk living in the west. “The universal law of being successful and happy at the same time means finding the balance”, says master Yi.

9. What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness-  Robert Waldinger

Looking to motivate your team to find fulfillment in their work-life harmony? Look no further than this classic ted talk on the research of what’s important to life-long happiness.

10. The habits of happiness-  Matthieu Ricard

Former molecular biologist and Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard explains how to develop habits of well-being to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment. This is a great watch for anyone working to find balance and peace in their lives.

11. Oprah Winfrey- Spelman College Commencement Address 2012

Among the greatest commencement addresses ever, Oprah Winfrey’s 2012 speech lays out a motivational path to success anyone can connect with.

12. 2005 Stanford Commencement Address-  Steve Jobs

This classic speech by the famous Apple CEO makes a lasting impact on all that listen to it. Steve Jobs pushes the listener to aim high with their goals and take advantage of every setback.

13. Darkest Hour (2017) – We Shall Fight on the Beaches Scene

Nothing stirs the soul like Sir Winston Churchill’s timeless words that roused a nation to arms against a great evil. During tough times, a little cinematic and historic motivation may rouse your team.

14. A Pep Talk from Kid President to You

If you’re looking for a feel-good pick-me-up, look no further than this viral classic from Kid President.

15. Van Down By The River – Saturday Night Live

When you’re sick and tired of motivational speeches, watch the greatest parody of motivational speakers ever made. Chris Farley gives a legendary performance in this video that is just to delight and inspire change.

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Motivational Speech on Leadership – Tips and Examples

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Giving a motivational speech on leadership is quite different from preparing to deliver any other regular talk. This is because motivational speeches are meant to inspire change and spur action. They are intended to cause your audience to do different and do better.

While giving a motivational speech on leadership will be rewarding for the audience, it will also be very impactful on the one giving the address to know that they are doing something to make the world a better place.

It would help if you prepared beforehand to ensure that you deliver the speech successfully. Let us look at some of the few tips that will ensure your delivery is on point and that your speech influences action.

Tips on delivering a motivational speech on leadership

Some of the critical things to put in mind while giving a motivational speech on leadership are capturing your audience’s attention, being relatable, grasping your topic well, inspiring emotion, and compelling action. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each tip and how they’ll help ensure your speech delivery is successful.

1.    Capture The Attention of Your Audience

To get your audience’s attention, you need to know what they expect to gain from the talk. You will need to engage your audience to be able to interact with them. You should also ensure that you have their attention before getting into the real content on leadership to ensure that they don’t miss a thing.

You can start the speech by asking a lingering question. It can be about the leadership skills that your audience has. You can also inquire where they see themselves in the future applying those leadership skills. This will get the audience in the right mindset and get them thinking about leadership. You can also present your audience with interesting facts about leadership to raise their curiosity and want to hear what more you have to say.

Humor can also be a great way to pick the interest of your audience. You can tell funny personal stories or those you have heard from other leaders. Jokes are always a great conversation starter, and you cannot go wrong with that. It will also help reduce the room’s tension and create a conducive atmosphere to have a serious conversation.

2.    Be Relatable

Getting the attention of your audience is one thing, but maintaining it is something else. You have to deliver your motivational speech on leadership in a simple way that interests your audience and also be relatable to create a rapport with them.  Make them talk about the challenges they might face on their leadership journey and how they will be impacted.

3.    Grasp Your Topic Well

You cannot speak and inspire a group of people on something that you have no idea of. When giving your speech, ensure to provide specific examples. You can prepare statistics in advance and provide details on the leadership skills that will enable your audience to succeed.

Research your topic and have an outline of the key things to talk about. This will ensure that you are well organized and you will be able to speak with confidence. You will also talk passionately since you will be well prepared, and the motivational speech will be memorable.

4.    Inspire Emotion

You should evoke emotions in your audience and make them as passionate as you are about leadership. Try and make your speech make them feel strongly about being different and starting change. People tend to remember more the things that happened while they were deep in their feelings.

You are likely to have more memories of experiences you have had while extremely happy or sad, frightened or disappointed. When speaking to your audience about leadership, creating vivid mental pictures of where they are and where they would like to be will help make them feel strongly about the issue.

It is the feeling that you invoke in your audience that will then compel them to take action.  They will want to see change, and the passion within will cause them to be the changemakers. To do better and be better.

5.    Compel Your Audience to Take Action

As mentioned before, inspiring emotion in your audience and making them passionate about leadership will compel them to take action. However, you should know your audience first to ensure you are on the same page.

Ensure that the audience is engaged before starting to enable them to grasp the contents of your speech. Once you have their attention, have them feel inspired, and then call them to action. You can do this by using a call-to-action, which is a statement or question after your motivational speech that will persuade and guide the audience to take action to get to where they want to be.

When making a call-to-action, make it very direct and straightforward. Ensure that the audience acts promptly. You can also help explain to your audience how they can overcome obstacles and reduce barriers that prevent the action. You should also explain why it is essential for the action to be taken and make it as specific as possible to help them know what they are working to attain.

It is crucial that you not only leave your audience thinking about making a difference but also motivate them actually to do something.  

Examples of Motivational Speeches on Leadership

Example 1: what differentiates a leader from a boss.

“It is my greatest pleasure to be addressing the world’s top CEOs today. I have never been in a room full of power like this, and I am truly humbled.

Have you ever wondered if your employees listen to you because they respect you and whatever you say makes sense, or because you are the boss? Do they consider you a leader? What do they say about you behind closed doors?

I can see you are all thinking about it now. I know you wish to know what your employees have to say about you. If you haven’t been the best of leaders, worry not because leadership is a learning journey. Today I want to talk to you about what differentiates a leader from a boss. Being a CEO does not automatically make you a leader.

You must be wondering, what difference does it make if your employers see you as a leader or boss? The truth is, it matters. It will even affect the output you get from your employees.

All a boss does is manage their employees. On the other hand, a leader motivates and inspires innovation. A leader helps employees to think creatively and innovatively. If, as a leader, you are chasing greatness, your employees will follow you and even have you as a role model or mentor. This translates to them pursuing greatness and giving their jobs the best. Eventually, the organization does well. A boss or manager just has people working for them.

While a business needs to have set goals for the employees to achieve, a leader sets more than goals. They offer the organization a vision. A boss will push employees to attain their goals, while a leader will ensure they share the same vision for the organization with the employees. The organization will, therefore, be working with a long-term existence in mind.

Being a manager means mimicking and adopting an already existing leadership skill. However, leadership calls upon the individual to be bold and proud to walk in their shoes. As leaders, you need to work extremely hard to build your brands to stand out. Authenticity and transparency are all part of the leadership journey.

Some of you in this room have taken huge risks for your organizations. If you have, then pat yourself on the back because you are a great leader! Leaders always take risks for their businesses. Bosses work to avoid risks.

To be a boss or manager, you will need to have proven your skills already. There is no pressure to grow and horn your skills once you are up there. Therefore, it is no shock when some of you think that this is the end of the journey for you; being a CEO. However, leadership is an endless journey of learning. To better and improve your skills. It is upon you to seek personal growth every day.

It is expected of a boss to direct and give employees instructions on how to get things done. Leaders coach their employees and offer guidance to make them be at their best. Leaders are optimistic about their employees and believe that they know what is expected of them. Therefore, they refrain from telling the employees what to do and barking orders.

As movers and shakers in your various fields, I must clarify nothing wrong with being a boss or manager. However, it is crucial that you also take charge and be a leader. Your organization needs both—an excellent manager who is a great leader. Therefore, I urge you to take charge today and see your organizations flourish with the excellent leadership that you offer”.

Example 2: What makes a Great Leader?

“It is my greatest honor today to be addressing the young leaders and changemakers of this great country. Having been in the leadership scene for a while now, I have seen many leaders rise to the top. I have also seen the unfortunate fall of some.

Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader? Leadership is a journey, and it takes time to horn your skills.

To be an excellent leader, you need to be thoughtful. You should be able to portray that you have a strategic vision in place. As a leader, you need to be conscious of what is happening around you to make wise decisions. Leadership is about having a voice. You should be bold and confident enough to communicate clearly to people under you.

Dear young changemakers, do not be fooled into believing that you are the only one with a say since leadership is about being the guiding voice. Many a time in this journey, leading will require you to listen and learn. This will also present you with an opportunity to groom other leaders. And when such an opportunity arises, do not be selfish. Share your skills. You do not dim your shine by lighting others.

You cannot walk this journey of leadership alone. You will need to have a mentor that will hold your hand and guide you. This will allow you to learn from both their mistakes and experiences. You will be lucky as you will have first-hand guidance on how to overcome some barriers and obstacles.

How will you be able to meet other movers and shakers if you live in your small bubble? Get out there and connect. In the current times,  the world is run through social media, and you must connect with people. Volunteer for seminars and workshops or even organize events. Take part in committees and remember to network with purpose in mind.

As a leader, think positively and proactively. Always aspire to be part of the solution and not the problem. Exchange ideas with fellow leaders or people under you. You can also seek guidance from your mentor on how to solve certain issues. Be enthusiastic and passionate about what you do. It is only by doing so that you can pass on the passion and convince others to do better.

I urge you, young leaders of today and tomorrow, to hold each other hands. This journey of leadership is not a short race but rather a marathon. That to eventually get there and see the change that we want, we must start now. No matter how small, just start”.

When preparing to deliver a motivational speech on leadership, take time to learn from your audience. Find out what motivates and drives them and where they see themselves in the future.  Assist them in envisioning their leadership journey and keeping the fire within them burning. At the end of your speech, your audience should be left knowing very well and leadership is a journey, and every day is a learning process.

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3 Great military speeches to inspire you as a leader

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The world sorely needs great leaders, whether in the workplace, in the public square, or in the home. History offers compelling lessons and examples of what such wise governance could look like.

These three historic speeches offer a blueprint for what a great leader might say to inspire his team to give their best effort and get through hard times.

1 Remind your team of who they are.

One of the earliest great speeches on record is the Funeral Oration delivered by Pericles, an eminent Athenian politician, at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War. He made the speech at a public funeral held annually for the war dead.

Instead of speaking only of the men who had died , Pericles chose to describe the history of Athens itself, specifically what made it distinct from other city-states. He recalled the efforts with which Athenian ancestors had built up the city:

I will speak first of our ancestors, for it is right and seemly that now, when we are lamenting the dead, a tribute should be paid to their memory. There has never been a time when they did not inhabit this land, which by their valor they will have handed down from generation to generation, and we have received from them a free state. But if they were worthy of praise, still more were our fathers, who added to their inheritance, and after many a struggle transmitted to us their sons this great empire. And we ourselves assembled here today, who are still most of us in the vigor of life, have carried the work of improvement further, and have richly endowed our city with all things, so that she is sufficient for herself both in peace and war.

Then he extolled Athens’ reputation and fame compared to its neighbors, making clear that such a magnificent city was worth every sacrifice :

Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors’, but is an example to them… For we have compelled every land and every sea to open a path for our valor, and have everywhere planted eternal memorials of our friendship and of our enmity. Such is the city for whose sake these men nobly fought and died; they could not bear the thought that she might be taken from them; and every one of us who survive should gladly toil on her behalf.

After making the case at length for the glory and power of Athens, he assured his audience, “So died these men as becomes Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier outcome.” His statement that these men were “worthy of Athens” carried enormous weight, given all he had said before.

Pericles exalted the history and identity of Athens to remind his listeners of who they were and what set them apart. The pride and honor of their heritage would inspire them to continue the war with renewed vigor.

This is a valuable strategy for modern-day leaders: Remind your team of their great achievements of the past. List all the reasons they have to be proud of their efforts. Recalling past accomplishments is one way to spur them on to future triumph.

2 Describe your vision for great things to come

The year was 1415, and the English army was badly outnumbered when it collided with French forces at Agincourt, France, during the Hundred Years’ War. But the English king, Henry V, delivered a rousing speech that inspired his soldiers to achieve a decisive victory on October 25, the feast of St. Crispin. The exact words of King Henry V’s speech have been lost to history, but Shakespeare captured its themes and spirit in his play Henry V , in a passage known as the St. Crispin’s Day Speech .

This address is exemplary for so many reasons, such as its focus on brotherhood, honor, and pride. It’s also a wonderful example of a simple but powerful leadership tactic: getting through a difficult period by describing in detail the glorious things to come.

Rather than enumerate the terrible odds facing his army, King Henry V vividly outlines how the battle’s veterans will remember this day for the rest of their lives:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors, And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.” Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.” Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day.

He promises that not only the soldiers themselves but their neighbors, the rest of the country, and indeed all the world will remember their valor on this day:

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd— We few, we happy few, we band of brothers … And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

“We happy few” is a stroke of rhetorical genius; his soldiers know that being comparatively “few” in number will be their weakness in the coming battle, but Henry V turns it around and presents it as a strength, since “few” warriors means more glory for each of them. 

Henry V describes in great detail the glory to be won in the coming battle, glory that will attend each soldier forever. His words reveal a strategy for modern-day leaders: Paint a verbal picture of the coming reward for the hard work and difficult times. Having that vision of the future to look forward to can make all the difference.

3 Acknowledge the worst-case scenario and address it directly.

Most people don’t want to talk about really scary possibilities. They want to plan for the safest options and pretend the worst can’t happen. But leaders are not silent about hard things. Instead, they acknowledge the most fearsome dangers, face them head-on, and outline a plan for overcoming them.

That’s what Winston Churchill did on June 4, 1940, when he addressed the British House of Commons after the Battle of Dunkirk, during the Second World War. The nation was in a euphoric mood. A week before, the Allied Forces had been perilously trapped at the Dunkirk port in France and all seemed lost, but every possible seafaring vessel (including small civilian fishing boats!) had come to their aid and carried over 338,000 troops to safety on British soil.

Despite the immense relief following the successful evacuation, the Allied Forces were in a disastrous situation. They’d had to abandon not only enormous amounts of military equipment but also literally the continent of Europe; the German army had beaten them back to the shores of the British isle, costing the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. Nobody wanted to admit it, but the grim prospect of a German invasion was looking more and more likely.

Winston Churchill addressed that terrifying possibility directly in his speech that day . He not only acknowledged that the nation’s worst fear could happen, but he told the British people that they would meet that fear, if it came, with their characteristic indomitable courage:

I have, myself, full confidence that … we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone … Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

His bold response would rouse any heart to courage! Churchill outlined this response to a German invasion of Britain, but the strategy can work for any leader. For your team, what’s the worst-case scenario, the fear no one wants to talk about? What would be the ideal response to it that you would want to see?

Clearly lay out this plan before it ever becomes necessary. Knowing that you have a carefully considered and courageous plan in place for even the worst-case scenario inspires your team to imitate that fearlessness and go forth with confidence.

These are only a small fraction of the countless bold and noble speeches recorded in history’s pages. Winston Churchill once said, “Study history, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.” In history, too, lie all the secrets of great leadership—of commanding and supporting a team, in both victory and defeat. No better manual or guide book can be found.

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The best leadership speech: Are you ready to lead?

Last week a client aggressively urged me to watch ‘the best leadership speech ever’. He’s a pretty good leader himself, with a world class creative team of over 100 people.

I watched it this weekend and it’s pretty good.

The video is long – 50 minutes – but here’s what you get: A unique piece of public speaking that is funny, heartbreaking, honest and motivational.

This leadership speech is by  General Mark Welsh , Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, speaking to 1,000 cadets at the US Air Force Academy.

It illuminates the life and death gravity of leadership in the armed forces, but it’s the opposite of what you might expect of a military speech. Rather than a tone of ‘You have to do this because it’s an order’, we are treated to an incredibly engaging and persuasive speech that awakens desire in the audience  to be a great leader.

What makes this leadership speech great?

His audience

Men and women 20-25 years old who have a 75% chance of graduating the Academy’s four-year program, which is intended to give cadets the skills and knowledge that they will need for success as officers.

Informal tone to connect

His opening word: “Yo”.

The start is a bit slow but appropriate in that environment.

Pretty soon you see the speaker’s ability to combine life and death issues with personal humour and light-hearted approachability. The subject is serious, but the speaker regularly has a laugh. He seems friendly and welcoming, yet clear about what matters.

He isn’t ‘heavy’ ALL the time. The contrast of light and heavy make the important areas stand out.

Flexible structure

The speech is structured around the profiles of dozens of people under the General’s command. Their pictures are shown and their stories told. His  messages are made concrete  by the fact they follow a real story. Tell a story – make a point. For example:

‘Everybody has a story. If you don’t know the story you can’t lead. Learn the story.’

Clear, personalized messages

This leadership speech is worth watching just to see how the speaker makes all his messages personal.  For example, instead of saying;

“Are you ready to lead”

“Are you ready to lead him ” after explaining a person’s story.

Instead of;

“You are expected to be a great leader”

‘ He expects you be be ready to lead his people. In fact he demands it.’ After telling a story about the head of a division.

Here are some more messages peppered throughout the talk.

• You better be willing to make decisions. Sometimes without all the information you want. Get ready.
• You better be good. ‘Your job is to lead them… are you ready?”
• You will make a difference.
• We are a team. All the people are important.
• Attention to detail is it important. You better have it.
• Leadership is a gift given by those who follow.
• Are you ready to lead? If not, rededicate yourself to the effort.

Great Explanations

There’s is nothing dramatic about his delivery skills, but he’s comfortable enough to act out a character (‘my son walked over like John Wayne…’).

He doesn’t rush.

This is vital. When information is rushed, it doesn’t seem as important. His pace allows the ideas to come alive. He appears calm, thoughtful, genuine. Present in the moment.

Do you connect with your team this way? Can you stand calmly on stage in silence – allowing your ideas to absorb?

Clear and personal ending

A good ending is important to deliver the key message and make the ideas feel complete (and therefore easier to remember).

“Thank you for being good enough to be here. Make sure you’re good enough to graduate. Take care of yourselves. I’ll see you out there.”

Do your speeches inspire people to follow you?

A great speech like this can strengthen a team or ogranization more powerfully than 10,000 hours of work. It can engender belief and dedication that lives on for years . How powerful are your leadership speeches? —– If you’d like to develop your leadership presentation, consider:

• Presentation Skills Training
• Presentation Skills public course
• Message Development Sessions

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com:  What’s Your Message?: Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

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By Hannah L. Miller Leaders Staff

Hannah L. Miller

Senior Editor

Hannah L. Miller, MA, is the senior editor for Leaders Media. Since graduating with her Master of Arts in 2015,...

Learn about our editorial policy

Updated Oct 6, 2023

78 Leadership Quotes to Inspire Leaders

Inspirational leadership quotes, greatest takeaways from these top quotes.

Whether learning from leaders throughout history or studying the craft from modern teachers, obtaining information and insight from others’ knowledge helps today’s leaders guide to the best of their abilities. With this in mind, what does leadership mean ? Which leadership qualities do leaders need? And what is the purpose of a leader? These inspirational quotes about leadership from some of the greatest leaders of all time serve to answer these questions.

Share and discuss these motivational leadership and learning quotes with your team, an accountability partner, or mentor to dive deeper into their meaning.

1. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” —Jack Welch

2. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

3. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” —Ronald Reagan

4. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell 

5. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” —Peter Drucker

6. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.”—Douglas MacArthur

7. “A boss has the title, the leader has the people.”—Simon Sinek

8. “If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following you, then you are just taking a walk.”—John C. Maxwell

9. “Leadership is an action, not a position.”  — Donald McGannon

10. “Leadership is influence.” —John C. Maxwell 

11. “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.” —Bill Bradley

12. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”  — Rosalynn Carter

13. “You manage things; you lead people.”  — Grace Murray Hopper

14. “The role of leadership is to transform the complex situation into small pieces and prioritize them.”  — Carlos Ghosn

15. “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.”  — Warren G. Bennis

16. “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”  — John C. Maxwell

17. “The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” — Henry Kissinger

18. “Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.”  — Pete Hoekstra

19. A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”  — Leroy Eimes

20. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”  — Warren G. Bennis

21. “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.” — Klaus Balkenhol

22. “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” — Sam Rayburn

23. “The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.”  — Dwight D. Eisenhower

24. “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.”  — Brian Tracy

 25. “The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.”  — Tony Blair

26. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” —John F. Kennedy

27. “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”  — Ray Kroc

28. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”  — Margaret Fuller

29. “The fastest way to change team culture is to change the leadership.” — Josh Axe

30. “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.”  — Brian Tracy

31. “If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you.” — Indra Nooyi

32. “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”  — Stephen Covey

33. “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” — Arnold Glasow

34. “A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.” — M. D. Arnold

35. “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” — John C. Maxwell

36. “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, it’s always about the goal.” — Lisa Haisha

37. “The X-factor of great leadership is not personality, it’s humility.” —Jim Collins

38. “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.” —Andrew Carnegie

39. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” —Ralph Nader

40. “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” —John Buchan

41. “Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar.” —Orrin Woodward

42. “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” —John C. Maxwell

43. “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” —Bill Gates

44. “You can only lead someone as far as you are willing to go yourself” —Josh Axe

45. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

46. “Winning companies win because they have good leaders who nurture the development of other leaders at all levels of the organization.” —Noel Tichy

47. “The challenge of leadership is to: be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

 48. “Growing other leaders from the ranks isn’t just the duty of the leader, it’s an obligation.” —Warren G. Bennis

49. “True leadership is servant leadership. Leaders put the interests of others ahead of their own and look to add value by serving them and meeting their greatest needs.” —Josh Axe 

50. “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” —Arnold Glasgow

51. “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” —Sam Walton

52. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower

53. “Leadership is like a tree, in order to survive and bear the fruit of success you must have the deep roots of character, convictions, values, and purpose.” —Josh Axe  

54. “Leaders surround themselves with great people, delegate authority, then get out of the way.” —Ronald Reagan

55. “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” —John Wooden

56. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” —Warren Bennis

57. “The very essence of leadership is casting a vision that people are willing to sacrifice for and then following your lead into seeing that vision become a reality.” —Josh Axe 

58. “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” —Lao Tzu

59. “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” —Harvey S. Firestone

60. “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” —Vince Lombardi

61. “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

62. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” —Dolly Parton

63. “If you delegate tasks, you create followers. If you delegate authority, you create leaders.” —Craig Groeschel

64. “Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.” —Steve Jobs

65. “Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership.” —James Humes

66. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” —Colin Powell

67. “Servant leadership is all about creating clear goals, then rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to help your people win.” —Ken Blanchard 

68. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” —John C. Maxwell

69. “Earn your leadership every day.” —Michael Jordan

70. “Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.” —Diogenes of Sinope

71. “One of the tests of leadership is to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” —Arnold Glasgow

72. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” —Alexander the Great

73. “Leaders don’t adapt to the energy in a room, they influence the energy in a room.” —Josh Axe

74. “A leader is a dealer in hope.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

75. “A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.” —Maya Angelou

76. “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

77. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

78. “A genuine leader is not in search of consensus, but a molder of consensus.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each person listed at the end of these leadership quotes formed their words through lived experiences guiding and teaching others. While they all held different positions and had different leadership styles , they share common beliefs about what being a leader means. Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about influence. Great leaders inspire and motivate people to come together and serve a cause greater than themselves. In doing so, they change the world.

Additionally, one of the other greatest points made in these quotes is that leaders multiply leaders at all levels. Their words and actions are teaching moments. The leaders that come before us are guides and mentors who help us model our own behavior as we continue choosing the journey to serve others. There’s a reason one or more of these leadership and learning quotes sent a rush of inspiration running through your heart and mind. They speak truth into who you are, who you want to be, and who you’re becoming.

Learn more on how to become a great leader by checking out these articles next:

What is Leadership, and How is Influence the Answer?

The Difference Between Leadership and Management

Servant Leadership: The Ultimate Key To A Healthy Business

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30 Famous and Short Inspirational Speeches (5 minutes or less)

• December 13, 2023

This post is all about the best short inspirational speeches.

If you are in need of a quick boost of inspiration and motivation, you will find that in this post. I am one of those people who loves to get motivated. That sounds weird, right?

Well, a lot of people these days tend to give motivation a hard time because they don’t believe that it has lasting effects. In other words, they believe that what’s most important is your own self-discipline, because that’s what you have to rely on when motivation isn’t there.

And while I do agree with that sentiment in general, I will never pass up a great motivational podcast or YouTube video! 😀 There’s just something about them that even if they might not have lasting effects, they do truly help pump me up in the moment to get work done. And that’s usually what matters to me the most when I am looking for them in the first place.

So, here are the very best short motivational speeches so you can get that quick fix of motivation that you’re looking for, and ultimately move closer to your goals and dreams.

Short Inspirational Speeches

Believe in yourself speeches.

If you lack confidence or you are doubting yourself, these short motivational speeches will help you to believe in yourself again.

1. Rocky’s Inspirational Speech to His Son | ROCKY BALBOA

In less than 5 minutes, you’ll watch Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) explain to his son that if he wants to have the life he desires, he needs to believe in himself. He needs to stop listening to the people that tell him who he is, and instead go be his own person, and stop looking for someone to blame when things aren’t working out for him because ultimately it’s on HIM. This is one of the greatest inspirational speeches of all time.

2. Find Your Purpose | David Goggins – Motivational Speech

David Goggins is truly incredible. A former Navy SEAL, he has broken records and ran more races than you’d imagine. But the one thing that really stands out about him is his mindset.

Listen to this video if you want to be great. He tells you exactly what you need to do to get there.

Also, if you’ve never read David Goggins’ book “Can’t Hurt Me” , I highly recommend it. He talks about his rough upbringing, and how he was able to essentially become an entirely new person to become a Navy SEAL.

3. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF – Motivational Video (ft. Jaret Grossman & Eric Thomas)

This video is all about how important it is to have the proper belief system. If you truly believe that you are one of the best, you will start acting that you are one of the best, and eventually you may just be one of the best.

4. DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS DIE – Motivational Speech

This YouTube short by Mel Robbins is so good, I had to share it. A light bulb went on in my head when I first watched this. If there is something that is always on your mind, don’t let it haunt you forever because you never put yourself out there to try it. Go and DO!

Motivational Speeches About Not Giving Up

The following short motivational speeches are all about not giving up on your dreams. If you are losing hope, these short motivational speeches will inspire you to keep going.

5. Brené Brown It’s Not The Critic Who Counts

This speech will give you chills, and it is packed with great lessons about life. Brené Brown is a researcher who went viral for a Ted Talk, and here she talks about how to overcome critics and to keep believing in yourself no matter what. If you are worried about what people think of you, you NEED to watch this.

6. Amazing Motivational Speech by Denzel Washington 

This is another video that gave me chills. The main theme of this famous speech is “ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship”. Stay consistent even when it’s hard. Easy task after easy task won’t get you to where you want to be.

7. Steve Harvey – Inspirational Speech | Motivational Short Video | Incredible You

This short motivational speech by Steve Harvey is short but impactful. If you are someone who stepped out of your comfort zone to pursue something really difficult, and you’re thinking about giving up, this speech may just prevent you from doing so.

8. Ed Mylett on The Power of One More

Ed Mylett shares the story of how his father stayed sober until his dying day, and how Ed himself uses that same philosophy to never give up. Personal stories like these are always the most inspiring.

By the way, if you REALLY want to push yourself and become the best, read Ed Mylett’s most recent book on this same topic, “The Power Of One More” .

Motivational Speeches If You’re Feeling Behind

Are you feeling behind in life? If so, let’s change that. Watch these videos to be reminded that you are on your own unique path. You have no competition other than your past self. These short motivational videos will help you believe that.

9. Before You Feel Pressure – WATCH THIS | by Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty talks to a school class about how there’s no one “perfect” life timeline to follow, and that we are all on our own clock. 

10. Kevin Hart Motivational Speech

If you’ve made mistakes in your life (haven’t we all) this is a great story from Kevin Hart (famous comedian and actor) that will remind you of the power of making mistakes and pushing through hard times.

11. Oprah Winfrey | 5 Minutes For The NEXT 50 Years of Your LIFE

In this video, Oprah talks about the importance of really knowing who you are and what you want in your life. She talks about surrounding yourself with great people, and how to have enormous success. “Let excellence be your brand.”

Listen To These If You Need Perspective

Sometimes in life, we get so caught up in the day to day that we forget what truly matters – the people we love. If you are having trouble with something in life, give these videos a listen, because they just might help you realize what is really important.

12. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Organize Your Day | 1 MINUTE MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO

Are you the kind of person who always complains that you don’t have enough time to do something? If so, you’re not alone. We are all busy humans, running around doing a million things. But if you aren’t prioritizing what you know you should be doing, listen to this video.

13. How to Judge Your Life Using 3 Simple Questions | Brendon Burchard Speech| Goalcast

Have you ever heard of Mortality Motivation? It’s essentially what it sounds like… being motivated by the impending reality of your death. It sounds a little morbid, but it’s actually quite beautiful and it can be really beneficial if you harness it for good.

In this video by motivational speaker Brendon Burchard, he shares how a car accident when he was 19 gave him mortality motivation and changed everything for him.

14. FALL, SUFFER AND LEARN | MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH BY OPRAH WINFREY

This speech by Oprah was given to Harvard graduates, and it’s a unique speech because she talks about failing, even after the major success of her television show for over 20 years.

It’s refreshing to hear that even the most successful people fail. What really matters, though, is what you do with your failure. Do you learn from it and move on? Or do you give up?

15. YOU VS YOU – Best Motivational Video

This is a pretty intense video about competition. If your #1 competition is someone else, you need to change your perspective. Your only competition is YOU. The only thing preventing you from moving forward is you.

16. The Speech That Brought This Entire School To Tears

This is a speech about a man who never really paid much attention to his mother, until she passed away. It’s an emotional reminder to cherish the time you have with your loved ones, because you never know if the next time you see them will be the last time.

In my opinion, this speaker embodies many qualities of the best motivational speakers because he really knows how to capture the audience’s attention and pull on their heart strings.

17. 5 Minutes to Start Your Day Right! – MORNING MOTIVATION

This motivational speech is by a Navy SEAL who will remind you to start each day with a task completed, respect everyone, take risks, step up during tough times, and never give up. If you do these things, the next generation, and the generations that follow, will live better lives than we live today.

18. The Real You – Jim Carrey

This video is one of the best motivational speech examples because it reminds you of something so important: sometimes we can be so focused on earning more money, gaining fame, and becoming admired that we lose ourselves or we lose sight of what’s really important to us in the process.

Jim Carrey talks about how he is a great example of that. He got all of the money, fame, and admiration, and admits that that wasn’t really who he was. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that money and fame, or even getting to the top of the corporate ladder, while nice, aren’t going to be the thing that brings you fulfillment when it’s all said and done.

19. Ed Mylett Motivational Speech

I posted another motivational video by Ed Mylett above, but if you don’t know much about him, prepare to have your world rocked. He’s probably my absolute favorite motivational speaker because he is successful and he works hard, but he’s also (seemingly) a kind, family guy who’s been through a few things.

In this video, he talks about being “the one” that changed his family tree. Take a listen because I’m sure it’ll get you thinking on whether or not you can be “the one” in YOUR family.

P.S. If you love personal growth content, you should check out Ed Mylett’s podcast . I listen to it every week and it is one of my favorites.

20. If You Feel LOST, LAZY & UNMOTIVATED In Life, WATCH THIS! | Tony Robbins Motivation

If you are someone who is constantly blaming others or your circumstances for your unhappiness, you need to listen to this video by Tony Robbins . Bad things happen to us all, it’s up to you to focus on what you can control.

Great Inspirational Speeches About Hard Work

How hard do you think you work? Could you be doing more? If there’s a little voice inside of your heart that knows you could be doing more and better, these motivational videos about the value of hard work will help you push yourself.

And a side note: your chances of having good luck increase the harder and longer you work.

21. You’re Not Tired, You’re Just Weak – David Goggins Motivation

If you’re feeling lazy or like you don’t want to do something, watch this video til 2:25 . It will give you the push you need to put your head down and do the work. It’ll remind you to keep pursuing your goals and to keep challenging yourself. Key takeaway: push yourself beyond your perceived limits.

22. Hard Work & Patience – A Gary Vaynerchuk Original Film

If you want to be motivated to work hard, listen to Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary Vaynerchuk is a creative genius known for his marketing tactics. This famous motivational speech is all about playing “the long game”, as in, working for a long time and having patience instead of working hard for a short period of time and expecting to win quickly.

23. OBSESSION – Best Motivational Speech

This is one of my favorite short motivational speeches because it makes me feel a little more normal for being “weird”. I’m the kind of person who chooses to work on the weekends instead of hanging out with people. Crazy, right? But it’s because I’m working toward a dream of mine and it’s something that’s really important to me. The most important thing to remember: it’s okay to devote yourself to something. It’s the only way to get what you want in life.

24. WORK LIKE HELL – Best Motivational Video

This is a series of motivational speeches about doing a little bit more and outworking your competition. I’m not going to lie – I’m up late writing this post and listening to this very video is what’s motivating me to keep going.

25. The video EVERY woman should watch!

Whether or not you’re a Rachel Hollis fan may be up for debate (and that’s okay!) but I happen to think she’s a great motivational speaker. This entire speech will inspire you to work hard and take massive action – today.

26. NEVER SURRENDER – Powerful Motivational Speech (by Kobe Bryant)

This one minute video by the late Kobe Bryant is one of the most famous short speeches. I read a book recently by his former personal trainer and I learned that Kobe really outworked everyone. He talks about a quote in this video that really stuck with him, and I think it’s great advice if you’re the kind of person who needs motivation to keep working hard.

Motivational Speeches About Working Smart

Have you ever heard the saying “work smarter, not harder”? That saying is all about ensuring that the work you are doing is actually efficient. Are you getting to where you want to go with all of the work that you are putting in? Are you getting closer to your goals and your dreams? Or are you sprinting like a hamster on a wheel and just running in circles?

Here are great videos on the importance of working hard but also working intentionally.

27. SET SYSTEMS RATHER THAN GOALS – Motivational Speech – James Clear

A goal gives you a sense of direction, but if you don’t spell out precisely how you are going to get to a goal, it is useless. You must develop systems. Listen to this James Clear video to gain valuable life lessons.

By the way, James Clear is an author who wrote perhaps my favorite book of all time: “Atomic Habits” . It’s life-changing if you haven’t read it yet.

28. Matthew McConaughey | 5 Minutes for the NEXT 50 Years of Your LIFE

This is one of the best motivational speeches of all time about how to live a great life for YOU. It’s filled with little pieces of wisdom that’ll really get you thinking about how you live your life and in what direction you want to go.

29. Visualization is the key – Bob Proctor

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction? If not, I have to say I’m surprised! I’ve experienced it in my own life more than once, and it is incredibly powerful. Here’s a great video that sums up the power of visualization, and if you want to learn more about the Law of Attraction or manifestation in general, read this post .

This video shows the true power of words, thoughts, and feelings that you have.

30. How to Stay Motivated – Carla Harris

Here is a YouTube short with very practical advice from Carla Harris on HOW to stay motivated. It’s all about having a vision!

This post was all about short inspirational speeches. Which one was your favorite?

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About Taylor

A few years after graduating college, Taylor made it her mission to become debt free. After paying off all $60k of debt, she began to blog about what she's really passionate about: personal development. Nowadays, Taylor blogs about the topics of Mindset, Money, Health, and Career for women.

"It's Per$onal" is a super popular and anonymous blog series about the personal lives and finances of women all over the world. Check it out!

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30 Best Motivational Speech for Success in Life

• Updated on  
• May 18, 2024

In today’s fast-paced environment and competitive world, it is very easy to lose track of one’s passion and goals and become overwhelmed by the challenges one faces no matter which walk of life one hails from. If they speak particularly of people involved in business endeavors across industries, the candidates often face constant pressure to perform at their best and achieve success either in their career or personal lives. In this article, we have listed down the 30 best motivational speeches for success in life.

• Define Your Why: Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all. What truly motivates YOU? Is it helping others, creating something beautiful, or pushing your limits? A clear purpose fuels your drive. Embrace the Climb: The road to success has twists and turns. There will be setbacks, but don’t confuse them with dead ends. Learn from your mistakes, dust yourself off, and keep climbing.

Success in Life Speech: Short and Long Speech

Befriend Persistence: Success isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. There will be days you doubt, but consistent effort is the key that unlocks your potential. Celebrate small wins, and they’ll build into a symphony of achievement.

• Befriend Failure Too: It’s not a foe, but a teacher in disguise. Every misstep holds a valuable lesson. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and emerge stronger.
• Set SMART Goals: Specificity is your friend! Make your goals S pecific, M easurable, A ttainable, R elevant, and T ime-bound. A clear roadmap keeps you focused and motivated.
• Unleash Your Inner Learner: The world is your classroom! Never stop feeding your curiosity. Read, take courses, and learn from others. Growth is the fuel of success.
• Find Your Tribe: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in you. Their encouragement will be the wind beneath your wings.
• Embrace Continuous Improvement: There’s always room to grow. Seek out feedback, identify areas for improvement, and constantly strive to be the best version of yourself. Celebrate Every Step: Don’t wait for the finish line to pop the champagne. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, big and small. It keeps your motivation tank full. Believe in Yourself: This is the ultimate hack. Doubt is a dream killer. Believe in your abilities, your potential, and your right to succeed. The world needs your unique spark.

10 Inspiring Success Stories Steve Jobs, J.K Rowling

• Silence the Inner Critic: That voice in your head whispering doubts? Challenge it! Focus on your strengths, visualize your success, and drown out negativity with self-affirmation.
• Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Growth happens just beyond your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, embrace new experiences, and watch yourself soar.
• Find Your Passion: When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Pursue your passions with fervor, and success will naturally follow in its wake.
• Turn Fear into Fuel: Fear is a natural reaction, but don’t let it paralyze you. Instead, channel it into action. Use fear as a motivator to push past your perceived limitations.
• Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to appreciate the good things in your life, big and small. Gratitude fosters a positive mindset that fuels success.
• Embrace the Power of Visualization: See yourself achieving your goals in vivid detail. Feel the accomplishment, the pride. Visualization programs your brain for success.
• Give Back: Helping others isn’t just good karma, it’s a motivator. When you contribute to something bigger than yourself, it fuels your own sense of purpose.
• Find Your Flow: There’s a state where everything clicks, and you’re completely absorbed in the task at hand. Identify what gets you into flow and create a routine to cultivate it.
• Celebrate How Far You’ve Come: Look back and acknowledge your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come will motivate you to keep pushing forward.
• Enjoy the Journey: Success takes time. Savor the learning experiences, the connections you make, and the journey itself. The road to achieving your dreams can be just as fulfilling as the destination.
• Own Your Story: We all have a unique narrative. Embrace your experiences, both triumphs and challenges, because they shape who you are and the path you take to success.
• Become a Master of Focus: Distractions are everywhere. Learn to manage your time effectively, prioritize ruthlessly, and create a focused environment to conquer your goals.
• Fuel Your Body and Mind: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. A healthy body fuels a sharp mind.
• Develop Grit: There will be setbacks, but don’t let them define you. Cultivate resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges and persist even when things get tough.
• Learn to Fail Forward: Failure is inevitable, but it’s not a dead end. Learn from your mistakes, adapt your approach, and use those experiences as stepping stones to success.
• Embrace Continuous Learning: The world is constantly evolving. Stay curious, read widely, and seek out opportunities to develop new skills. A growth mindset is key to staying ahead.
• Find Your Cheerleaders: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in you. Their encouragement will lift you up on challenging days.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Forgive yourself, learn, and move on.
• Unleash Your Creativity: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Challenge the status quo, innovate, and find creative solutions to problems.
• Find Your Why and Revisit It Often: Reconnect with your core purpose, that fire that ignites your passion. Remembering your “why” will reignite your motivation when the path gets tough.

Speech About Life for Students in English

Now you have read it! The best and the brightest Thought for the Day. Write these quotes down or share them with anyone who needs an added dose of inspiration. You can also follow our page for more motivation.

Anjali Chowdhury

An enthusiastic content writer with a total experience of almost 2 years. Dedicated to help students with study abroad.

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