The King's Speech

Bertie was forced to become King of England after the death of his father King George V and the notorious abdication of the throne by his brother King Edward VIII. Bertie suffered from a debilitating speech disorder which left him scared and afraid of his own shadow.  

Based on a true story the movie “King’s Speech”, starring Colin Firth, resonates the strength of a great orator who comes out of his shadow of fear and becomes the voice of his nation. A public speaker that inspires and unites his country England that is at the brink of war with Germany.

The story goes like this, the future queen of England, Bertie’s wife, hires a very eccentric unorthodox speech therapist that not only works on his speech but more importantly on his confidence. Bertie is skeptical that this therapist or any therapist for that matter would be able to help him. He is an introvert plagued by his own disability. He does not want the limelight a king enjoys nor be standing in public, let alone be a public speaker. The therapist on the other hand is convinced that all the king needs was a little self-belief and confidence.

A cat and mouse game ensues. The therapist works on Bertie’s self-confidence by doggedly trying to convince him that he could be the king who could lead his people. Bertie, under-confident and overshadowed by his inability to speak fluently is anguished by this intrusive and pushy therapist and is convinced that he is now bordering on teasing him. In a poignant moment in the film, the therapist nudges the king a bit excessively in an attempt to make him believe, resulting in a very angry and frustrated king who blurts out, “Listen to me, listen to me!!” The therapist retorts: “Why should I waste my time listening to you?” The King explodes and says: “Because I have a voice!!” The therapist pauses, affirms and says, “Yes… you do!” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYAnINmQTYo) It was at that moment the king realizes that he does indeed have a voice and that it can make an impact on others.

A deep bond and friendship develops between the two that carries the king through his very critical task of motivating the country to stand united in war against a ruthless enemy. Between the two men, there was an unspoken respect. They used humor, wit, self-mockery and a spirit between them in this journey of self-affirmation. This was the beginning and birth of a great orator, one that was just waiting to happen.

A great orator is one who is a public speaker that moves his audience. That feels the pulse of the audience and more importantly speaks a language the audience wants to hear. Good speakers can rally a nation, boost morale, inspire others and set foundations for future generations. Orators many a times have to fight their own private war but place eloquent dreams before their audience with a promise that motivates and also conveys a message. This story confirms the fact that you can train someone to be a good orator.  

There are also others who become good orators because of their own belief systems. Like civil rights activist, Martin Luther King when he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It was a simple, clear and powerful message. It was also something that thousands of African American and other ethnic groups wanted to hear during the sixties.

Feeling the pulse of the audience, engaging with the audience and empathizing with the audience brings out a great orator. An orator is a leader as he/she uses their ability to communicate to their listeners and motivate them. They speak from their heart as their voice reverberates and resonates with those who listen to them. All they really need is an idea, a dream, a vision and most importantly a belief in their own self to make it all come true.