Leading Through Language

14 THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP IS…PASSIONATE

On September 20, 2014, Emma Watson, the British actress best known for her role in the Harry Potter movies, delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations' headquarters in New York. Her presentation launched the HeForShe campaign, a global movement designed to promote gender equality.

Watson presented a compelling case for gender equality around the world. And people listened: at the time of this writing, just eight months after her speech, over 300,000 men (including me) have been inspired to take the “I am HeForShe” pledge to “commit to taking action against gender discrimination and violence in order to build a more just and equal world.”¹

Watson's speech was impressive for many reasons, but the one that stands out is how effectively she conveyed her passion for the cause of gender equality. She didn't do it with a booming voice, fiery gestures, or a commanding physical presence; she conveyed her passion through the words she chose.

Here are some excerpts:

I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women six months ago. And, the more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.…

I decided that I was a feminist, and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.… Why has the word become such an uncomfortable ...