60 Years Later: What We Can Learn From The March on Washington Pt. 1

A long time ago, something really important happened. A bunch of people got together in a big city to ask for fairness and kindness for everyone. This big event in 1963, called the March on Washington, can teach leaders some important things about how to communicate with others.  

Today I’m giving two presentations at a high school in Virginia and it doesn’t escape me how the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. King helped pave the way for thousands of people like me.

If you’re a leader reading this here are some things I believe we all can learn from The March on Washington that we can use to move our world forward.

Having a Clear Idea: The march worked because everyone knew exactly what they wanted. Leaders should also know what they want to say and tell others in a clear way. This helps people understand and want to help.  

Using Friendly Words: At the march, the leader spoke in a way that included everyone. Leaders today can learn to use words that make everyone feel included and important, no matter who they are.  

Working Together: Many leaders joined hands for the march. This shows that when leaders and their teams work together, their message becomes stronger and more people listen.  Making Pictures with Words: Just like the "I Have a Dream" speech, leaders can use words that make pictures in people's minds. This makes their message more exciting and helps people remember.  

Being Yourself and Brave: The march leaders were very brave and honest. Leaders today can learn from them by being themselves, talking honestly, and not being afraid to say what's right.  

Being Patient and Not Giving Up: The march didn't change everything right away. Leaders can learn that sometimes, it takes time for things to change, but they shouldn't stop trying.  

So, leaders can learn a lot from the 1963 March on Washington. We still need leaders to unite their companies, organizations, families, and communities. The March on Washington was iconic, let’s continue to make change inevitable.

Odell Bizzell II is a communication expert that works with organizations that want to teach their leaders the skills necessary to thrive in a diverse ever changing workforce. He gives inspirational presentations all across the country. His presentations are described as: “Motivational conversations you have with a friend or a cool uncle.” He’s also a prolific author of books and articles like the one you just read. His proudest professional accomplishment was he was voted the 85th funniest person in North Carolina back in 2008. You can hire him to speak at your company or organization by visiting www.OdellSpeaks.com.