Top 10 Living Communicators Who Influence Change

Article written by Ronn Torrossian : CEO of 5WPR

Great communicators can influence change, whether political, cultural or in business. From Winston Churchill to Ronald Reagan, Steve Jobs to Martin Luther King, history is full of individuals who, through their words and deeds, have shifted public opinion and behavior. Barack Obama, Stephen Colbert, and the “Oracle ofOmaha” Warren Buffet are all hailed as great communicators – no argument here. President Obama’s communication abilities are absolutely phenomenal. Mr. Colbert, through humor and wit, scores political points and creates cultural references (“Truthiness” anyone?) that resonate with legions of fans. And of course, it’s not just the financial public that eagerly anticipates Warren Buffet’s yearly shareholder letter –Main Streetdoes, too.

These people are always on “most influential” lists for good reason. But this 10 Powerful Living Communicators is about living people who have sparked “change” and so the list looks beyond these usual suspects. I’m sure you’ll miss some favorites like Starbuck’s Howard Schultz and Bill Clinton – both consummate communicators.

Let’s shake things up a bit and consider some other people whose ability to change the world, shape opinion, or use innate creativity to leave a long lasting cultural mark are unique. What this diverse group has in common is their ability to reach people emotionally, shift attitudes, and spark trends. There’s something we can learn from each of them about our own ability to make a mark. This is not an academic list – it’s a list from a PR Frim owner.

In no particular order, here’s my list of the Top 10 Living Communicators Who Influence Change:

1. Chris Anderson: Founder of the popular TED Talks, Anderson is a visionary who figured out a way to make speech giving sexy, widely popular, and powerful.  Getting an invitation to do a TED Talk is the gold standard when it comes to speaking engagements.Anderson’s ability to spread the message of famous and little known thinkers, scientists, writers, philosophers, and activists remains unprecedented.

Take-away: Generosity with ideas can change people’s lives.

2. Mark Zuckerberg: The story of Facebook is now legendary (not to mention a major motion picture, The Social Network). Zuckerberg co-founded the social-networking website from his Harvard dorm room. It proved so popular he ditched school in his sophomore year to focus on building the site, which now boasts more than 250 million users worldwide. Oh, and the risk has made the 28 year old a billionaire in the process.

Take-away: Good ideas are worth taking a risk on.

3. Oprah: This media mogul is much, much more than a talk show host – she is an ultimate communicator who has reached millions of people through her television shows, movies productions, a network (which admittedly still needs work), magazine, and “Lifeclass” seminars and webcasts. Her enthusiasm can sell an obscure novel or a new shade of lipstick – Oprah’s endorsement of a product has literally build brands overnight.

Take-away: Respect your constituents by practicing integrity, honesty and authenticity.

4. Jay-Z: Born Shawn Corey Carter in 1969, Jay-Z is the most financially and culturally successful hip-hop artist, rapper, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur in the world. According to Forbes, his net worth is about $450 million and he’s sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. He also has 14 Grammies under his belt, and there are surely more to come.

Take-away: See beyond the trend to the bigger picture, and capitalize on it.

5. Roger Ailes: The man has changed the news business – say his name at aManhattan cocktail party and you’ll get a range of reactions – from open disgust to whispered appreciation. Ailes is a polemic, combative figure to be sure, but he also changed the face of the news business when News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch brought Ailes to Fox in 1996 to start a news channel that could compete with CNN.

Take-away: When you see a need, fill it.

6. Lady Gaga: She communicates through music, fashion, and art. An American
original – no performance or outfit is ever the same; she’s the ultimate re-inventor. This diva’s communication skills don’t end with her ability to influence pop culture – she’s also proven herself to be a compassionate and intelligent speaker, starting with her powerful “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” speech inMaine.

Take-away: Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and express your originality.

7. Tony Robbins: The intelligentsia might criticize this self-help master – but who cares? Robbins’ gifts as a motivational speaker, bestselling author, “firewalker,” and success coach is unparalleled in the personal development business. Starting out with little in the way of education or financial resources, he began by promoting Jim Rohn’s career seminars before embarking on his own work as a self-help coach. Now, he’s an international phenomenon with success that his colleagues dream about achieving.

Take-away: Believe what you say and others will, too.

8. Richard Branson: The mogul might be best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies, including an ultra hip airline – and that’s saying a lot since most airlines suffer from dismal customer service and dreary on board accommodations. He’s also a consummate adventurer and world traveler, whose attempts to break world records and pull off PR stunts for his brand in air balloons and boats have captured the imagination of admirers the world over.

Take-away: If you want to grow, don’t just work on your business; work on the business of your business.

9. Benjamin Netanyahu: The Israeli Prime Minister is an iconic figure – the epitome of a strong, passionate leader with an unwavering commitment to the survival and strength of the Jewish state. His speech in front of AIPAC inWashington this past March is but one example of his incredible oratory skills, and his ability to argue a point gracefully even while pointing out the errors of those with whom he disagrees. “For fifteen years, I’ve been warning that a nuclear-armedIran is a grave danger to my country and to the peace and security of the entire world. For the last decade, the international community has tried diplomacy.

Take-away: Have convictions, and stick to them.

10. Jack Welch: He has been called the greatest CEO inAmerica. In practical terms, he earned the name because of General Electric’s unparalleled record of earnings growth and over more than two decades while he was chairman and CEO (1981-2001). He has attributed his success to an ability to focus on solutions and execute them using the right people. In order to do that well, you have to know how to communicate a message and at that Welch is a genius.

Take-away: Words are most valuable when backed up by deeds.

Of course, for many of us the top communicator for change is ourselves – no one is stronger than us in influencing change. Listen to yourself and affect change.

To see more of the top ten list check out the rest of the article from CommPro
or to learn more about Ronn Torossian follow him on Twitter @Rtorossian5wpr.