If you are looking for inspiration on your own public speaking journey, you should listen to some of today’s top female motivational speakers. Not only do these women have powerful stories, but they all use proven public speaking techniques to deliver TED-worthy speeches.
Who Should You Listen to and Why?
Some of today’s women motivational speakers span industries, from female entrepreneurs and social activists to thought leaders and women with transformative stories. There is a lot that you can learn from them. In this article, we will uncover their secrets, from story-telling techniques and how to structure your speech to how to capture people’s attention. By listening to these women, you can create and deliver an award-winning speech too.
What Do These Sensational Women Speakers Have in Common?
Our list of the best female motivational speakers have all created speeches that:
- Inspire
- Empower
- Create meaningful connections
Many of these women have been keynote speakers at events, delivered TED talks that have racked up millions of views and have raised awareness around pivotal issues. They address topics prevalent to women like how to build confidence, how we can find meaning in our lives, and so much more.
Tune into these inspiring voices and find out what techniques they use to be one of the top female motivational speakers.
The 10 Top Female Motivational Speakers
1. Mel Robbin
Mel Robbins is here to change your life. She is a renowned motivational speaker and author of “The 5 Second Rule.” She inspires people to be confident and take action to reach their personal and professional goals.
What we can learn from Mel Robbin’s Talk: She is full of tough love and passion. Mel can cut through the noise and create intimate connections with her audience. She addresses her listeners as “you,” and invites them into a conversation in a workshop-style approach.
Every speech has such a personal and emotive value attached to it that you cannot help but listen and feel compelled to jump up and take action afterward.
Mel’s secret to empowering others is that she uses persuasive language, humour, and repetition.
2. Brené Brown
Brené Brown is a social worker and the author of multiple books. Her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” has inspired millions of people to embrace vulnerability and be brave which could benefit you at work and home.
What we can learn from Brené Brown’s Talk: Brené is a master storyteller who weaves stories and humor together effortlessly.
Brené’s top secret is that she practices what she preaches. In her speeches, she is vulnerable and this enables her to create connections with her audience.
3. Amy Cuddy
Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist, author, and speaker, and has taught at competitive business schools. She helps women around the world build confidence through power poses and shows us how to be present as a leader.
What we can learn from Amy Cuddy’s Talk: Amy starts her speech by making us aware of our body language which immediately makes us attentive, she draws us into the present moment. Her speeches are packed with value, funny clips, and insightful anecdotes about non-verbal language.
Amy’s secret is in her message. Her talks use power poses, a confidence-building exercise, and her body language is open which shows confidence and transparency – fundamentals for any good speech.
4. Terri Trespicio
Terri Trespicio is a speaker, writer, and former editor who speaks about how we can live a meaningful life and a better alternative to “finding our passion.”
What we can learn from Terri Trespicio’s Talk: Terri sprinkles humor into all her speeches and is vulnerable, starting her speech with when she got laid off. By sharing her personal stories, she seems authentic and relatable.
Her secret to inspiring others is in her use of personal anecdotes, humor, and a relatable message.
5. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul who made her mark early in her career as a news broadcaster and since then, has never stopped inspiring women across the globe. She is known as one of the top female motivational speakers.
What we can learn from Oprah’s Talk: Oprah has a commanding presence on stage as she can vary her pitch and ramp-up to potent moments. Oprah never lectures people. Instead, she has conversations with people, uses powerful stories, and repeats powerful phrases.
What makes Oprah’s speeches so impactful is that every speech is underpinned by her intention or her “why.” This is her secret to constantly delivering empowering speeches.
6. Kelly McGonigal
Kelly McGonigal is known for her famous talk, “How to Make Stress Your Friend.” She is a pragmatic leader who is driven by compassion. She wants to lift others, tackle the anxiety endemic we currently face, and create a biology of courage.
What we can learn from Kelly’s Talk: Kelly’s message is a profound one in today’s stressful and fast-paced environment.
Kelly is a great woman speaker because she uses practical advice, facts, and relatable examples. Her top secret to success is that her speeches are driven by her mission to care for others and help them use stress to lead healthier and happier lives.
7. Greta Thunberg
Greta has become the poster girl for climate change through her emotional messages and devoted actions. She has delivered many viral speeches and continues to raise awareness around one of our biggest threats – climate change. Greta is an iconic leader and one we can learn a lot from as a female speaker.
What we can learn from Greta’s Talk: Greta is blunt and doesn’t use any humor but you cannot take your eyes off her when she speaks. She uses a few powerful public speaking techniques like addressing the audience as “you” and repeating powerful, gut-wrenching phrases like, “How dare you.”
She also uses stats in her speech to emphasize points and drive them home and doesn’t break eye contact with the audience.
Ultimately, Greta’s secret to delivering hard-hitting messages is that she embodies what she wants to communicate – seriousness, anger, and intent.
8. Mariana Atencio
Mariana Atencio is a journalist who covered the 2016 election for NBC News and went on to start her media empire. She has become a sought-after female motivational speaker who inspires millions of people to embrace what makes them special.
What we can learn from Mariana Atencio: In her TED talk with over 24 million views, she shares a story of attending summer camp in America as a young girl from Venezuela. She also uses thought-provoking exercises by asking us to write down what makes us special. At the end of her speech, she asks us to think about what other people wrote down.
Every conclusion should reinforce a paramount point that will make your speech memorable and purpose-driven. And Mariana Atencio uses this secret tip to prepare an impactful and unforgettable speech.
9. Michelle Obama
As a former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has used her platform to speak about education, health, and the empowerment of women and girls. She also has written one of the best self-improvement books for women, Becoming.
What we can learn from Michelle’s Talk: Her speeches are known for their warmth, wisdom, and incredible insights. Michelle can break barriers and be authentic despite having a life that is very far from normal.
Michelle’s secret to being a successful public speaker is her use of vulnerability to share a message that people love and support wholeheartedly.
10. Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, philanthropist, and motivational speaker. As a female entrepreneur and mompreneur, she empowers businesswomen and leaders to become inventors and think big.
What we can learn from Sara: In her speech, Sara shares how she started her business. She is both authentic and humble. She challenges us to not exclusively associate inventors with men. We need to challenge assumptions and think of women as inventors too.
Sara’s talks are structured, easy to follow, and authentic. Her authenticity and “realness” is her secret weapon. It is what makes her relatable, likable, and inspiring to every type of woman.
Why We Need More Women Speakers
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Women bring new insights, fresh perspectives, and a different discourse, which is why women need to take centre stage. They can help other women feel empowered, break down barriers, and be role models for other girls. They can cultivate confidence in women, a top challenge for female entrepreneurs, and help you to think big and act bold.
Public speaking is essential for women who want to break barriers, lead authentically, and inspire change. From boardrooms to starting businesses, this is a skill every woman should possess and use to lead and inspire others.
How to Get Started in Public Speaking as a Woman
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Now that you have watched some of the most inspiring female speakers of our time, you may wonder how can I do that too. Do you want to nail a pitch, sell an idea, or become an inspiring leader? We can help you get started.
Understand the 7 elements of public speaking:
- The speaker
- Your message
- The audience
- The channel
- The content
- Timing
- Feedback
Here is how to prepare an impactful speech:
- Coming back to your why or intention
- Using story-telling techniques
- Refining your message
- Making the ending powerful
Here is how to deliver a spell-binding speech:
- Use power poses
- Pause in all the right places
- Create a positive mindset and use positive affirmations
- Practice on repeat
For a more in-depth guide on how you create and deliver an award-winning speech, read Public Speaking 101 for Women.
Find Your Voice
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We can’t wait for more women to take center stage, share their stories, and inspire more women to do the same.
By watching these sensational female motivational speakers, not only can you listen to their profound messages but you can learn to deliver an impactful message. From story-telling techniques to intention and pitch, these are tactics you can use to make a lasting impact.
Who knows, maybe you will deliver a TED Talk too one day.