The art of communication is the language of leadership.
One secret of leadership is that the mind of a leader never turns off. Leaders even when they are sightseers or spectators, are active; not passive observers.
Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership.
I don't like jokes in speeches. I do like wit and humor. A joke is to humor what pornography is to erotic language in a good novel.
Most speakers speak ten minutes too long.