Great speeches distill complex ideas into moments of clarity. These addresses—delivered by leaders, creatives, and thinkers—offer profound insights into ambition, resilience, creativity, and the human experience.

01. Steve Jobs – “You’ve Got to Find What You Love” (Stanford Commencement, 2005)

A deeply personal speech where Jobs shares three pivotal stories from his life—on connecting the dots, love and loss, and facing mortality. His message: follow curiosity, embrace failure, and trust that seemingly disconnected experiences will ultimately make sense.

02. David Foster Wallace – “This Is Water” (Kenyon College Commencement, 2005)

Wallace’s reflection on awareness, default thinking, and the conscious effort required to see beyond our own limited perspective. He urges us to live with intention and recognize the “invisible” realities shaping our day-to-day lives.

03. John F. Kennedy – “We Choose to Go to the Moon” (Rice University, 1962)

A speech that defined ambition. Kennedy’s words inspired a generation to think beyond limitations, framing the space race as a challenge worth pursuing—not because it was easy, but because it was hard.

04. Charlie Munger – “The Psychology of Human Misjudgment” (Harvard, 1995)

Munger dissects cognitive biases that distort decision-making, offering one of the most insightful breakdowns of human behavior and rational thought. Essential listening for anyone in design, business, or leadership.

05. J.K. Rowling – “The Fringe Benefits of Failure” (Harvard Commencement, 2008)

Rowling speaks on the power of failure as a creative and personal turning point. She shares how hitting rock bottom allowed her to rebuild with clarity, making this speech an essential reflection on resilience.

06. Barack Obama – “A More Perfect Union” (Philadelphia, 2008)

A masterclass in speechwriting, Obama addresses race in America, weaving historical context with personal experience. He demonstrates the power of storytelling and nuance in leadership.

07. Brené Brown – “The Power of Vulnerability” (TEDxHouston, 2010)

One of the most-watched TED Talks, Brown explores how vulnerability fuels creativity, connection, and courage—challenging the idea that strength comes from invulnerability.

08. Neil Gaiman – “Make Good Art” (University of the Arts, 2012)

Gaiman’s speech to graduating artists is a call to embrace uncertainty, take creative risks, and persist despite failure. His advice: when in doubt, make good art.

09. John Cleese – “Creativity in Management” (Video Arts, 1991)

In this lecture-style presentation, Cleese humorously and insightfully discusses how creativity is not a talent but a way of operating. He introduces the concepts of ‘open’ and ‘closed’ modes of thinking, emphasizing the importance of playfulness and the ability to switch between these modes to foster creativity.

10. Simon Sinek – “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” (TEDxPuget Sound, 2009)

Sinek introduces the concept of the “Golden Circle” and explores how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust, and change by starting with ‘why.’ This talk emphasizes the importance of purpose in leadership and innovation.