Why Has Mark Carney’s Speech Had Such an Impact?
It is not often that people make a big deal about a politician’s speech. Normally, it is when it is really bad or the politician has said something very foolish. And yet the world is making a big deal of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum.
What is the big deal about the Prime Minister’s speech?
It is not because he said something that would (and did) make American President Donald Trump upset. The frustration about Trump’s recent words and actions of course played a part in it.
Courage
Mark Carney demonstrated courage in this speech. In a climate where a country can be punished with tariffs for upsetting a leader, many nations have chosen the way of appeasement. Many leaders publicly say what is wanted while privately try to change things behind the scenes.
Mark Carney said things that many people were afraid to say. Whether or not you agree with his words, what he said took courage. People are attracted to courage. They are looking for someone who is willing to say what others are afraid to say.
Winsomeness
Many people would have liked to have heard some cheap shots against Trump. Carney would have made some points with certain people. And yet he did not go that route. Even in the conversation after his speech, Mark Carney remained respectful.
He said some strong things and yet it was done without any personal attacks. Mark Carney set a high bar for people who want to respond to either a person or a movement.
Intelligence
Public presentations can aim for the lowest common denominator or can try to be a scholarly presentation. Mark Carney was able to present an intellectually stimulating and yet accessible presentation on important issues.
The content of his speech had plenty for those with an academic bent but was also something that the average person could understand. Politicians are not necessarily known for demonstrating great intelligence in their speeches. Not that they are unintelligent but they often aim for small sound bites. Carney gave something that people could chew on and still digest.
A Powerful Image
Carney shared some statistics and data related to finances and international affairs. He described agreements and partnerships. But he framed it with an image.
He talked about the sign in the window in a communist country that people were afraid to take down. What was needed for someone to be brave enough to take that sign down. Carney did not use that to point to himself but as a challenge for others to take the sign down and say what everyone believes. That image spoke volumes.
I do not know what you think of Mark Carney’s speech. You may think that he did not go far enough or that he went too far. Whatever you think, it can not be denied that it made an impact.
This speech resonated with people around the world. It made people think and it made people feel. What the longterm results will be cannot be predicted. But what he has done is a model for anyone who wants to communicate something of importance.
