“Every single individual makes an impact every single day”
In 2003 the legendary Jane Goodall delivered a TED Talk entitled “What Separates Us From Chimpanzees?” It is an excellent example of her signature speaking style, which was itself reflective of her life’s work.
Goodall’s biographer referred to her as ‘the woman who redefined man’ in reference to the importance of her discoveries in observation of primate behaviour. For example, she observed chimpanzees stripping leaves off twigs to create tools for fishing termites out of mounds, a behavior previously thought to be exclusive to humans.
In fact the term that best describes Jane Goodall’s presence as a speaker and her legacy in the hearts and minds of millions is humanising.
A Communication Superpower
In 2022 Jane Goodall participated in an event at Washington University – “Inspiring Hope Through Action”.
Dr. Goodall was asked to share her advice for other scientists, specifically how they might become better at communicating their work with the broader public. She said:
“I think the best advice I can give is to tell stories. Don’t use scientific jargon.”
And then she went on to humanise this advice by sharing her own realisation of the importance of communication and her personal commitment to the craft of public speaking:
“When I first had to give a talk I was so nervous. It was at Yale University I think. And so I made a vow at that time, when I talk I will never read a speech… and I will not say umm and errr. I will not be afraid of the silence while I think of the next word.”
Deliver a Message of Hope
In her 2003 TED Talk Goodall tackles some dire subjects, including devastating deforestation, abject poverty in the developing world and the greed of the developed world. The risk is that the audience would see the problem as too great. They might then lose hope, or worse turn to anger.
But Goodall pivots to a message of hope, making reference to a program she launched in Tanzania called ‘Roots and Shoots’.
“Roots and shoots is a program for hope. Roots make a firm foundation. Shoots seem tiny but to reach the sun they can break through brick walls. See the brick walls as all the problems we’ve inflicted on this planet. Then, you see, it is a message of hope.”
From the Universal to the Personal
It’s one thing to raise awareness of an issue and to create the ‘burning platform’ for your audience. Too often speakers stop at that point. Jane Goodall reminds us that if change is to happen it must happen at the individual level.
Her message is both hopeful and empowering. Connecting her with the audience on an emotional level, Goodall manages to create a shared sense of purpose and more importantly, a desire to take action.
… The most important message of Roots and Shoots is that every single individual makes a difference. Every individual has a role to play. Every one of us impacts the world around us everyday.
Sometimes leaders find that people don’t change and they wonder why their messages don’t land. It could be that we have failed to make the first step small enough. We must remember it is not enough to communicate lofty position statements. It may not even be enough to spark the desire for change.
Be specific.
Act in alignment with your own message.
Set expectations.
Empower your audience to do something.
“Now that we know what the problems are around the world, human brains, like yours, are rising to solve those problems…Its really up to us. We’re the ones who can make a difference. If we lead lives where we consciously leave the lightest possible ecological footprints. If we buy the things that are ethical for us to buy. And don’t buy the things that are not – we can change the world overnight.”