Why great speakers use quotes

My late father was my first—and greatest—public speaking coach. As I've reflected on his life and the many lessons he taught me, I've come to realise how deeply they influenced my own speaking journey and continue to shape the way I teach through Soapbox today. I'm sharing these stories as a tribute to him—and because I believe they hold value for others too.

One of the biggest challenges in presentations isn’t what to say—it’s how to make it stick. 

An excerpt from one of my dad's favourite poems by Alexander Keates. He first learned it as a young boy and recited it to me many times throughout my life—even just weeks before he passed away.

My dad was a man of few words, but he is remembered for the words he spoke.

He was best known for reciting lines from influential voices across history—authors, poets, great leaders. Proverbs, too. He’d just drop them into conversation. Somehow, he always had the right words for the moment.

They made us smile.

And more importantly, they drove a point home—and stayed with us.

It’s something I think about often in my work.

Because when it comes to presentations, a well-chosen quote can do a lot.

It can reinforce a point powerfully—often in a more concise way.

It can capture attention and leave a lasting impression.

And it can break the monotony of a talk—especially when the words evoke emotion or humour.

It’s something I use often—personally and professionally. Funny enough, it wasn’t until now that I realised the connection to my dad.

You’ll find quotes on my fridge, my walls, and woven throughout my coaching and training.

At Soapbox, I encourage speakers to use them intentionally—whether to open a talk, reinforce a key idea, or leave the audience with something that lingers.

It’s a small technique—but a powerful one.

Sometimes, the right words can stay with people long after you’re finished speaking.