How to Give Your Farewell Speech

Your farewell speech is typically something that you have the privilege to give on your own terms, at work, with colleagues or perhaps at an office party. Even Colonel Gaddafi had a good attempt at his very own farewell speech in Tripoli, Libya in 2011.

And even in the chaos of the time the Colonel came out with some gems.

What are we, Palestinians? Somalis?

Gaddafi just about got the rambling speech broadcast and then it was the nasty business of the endgame for the Colonel. But it's not always the case. Lance Armstrong did, of course, manage to step away from Livestrong, his own charitable foundation with a farewell speech on his own terms, soon after the doping scandal was exposed. But it was brutal.

But when your government or your business goes spectacularly wrong, you're unlikely to get the type of opportunity offered to Lance Armstrong or even the former Archbishop of Canterbury, who had the opportunity of speaking in the House of Lords soon after his abrupt resignation in 2024.

Your Farewell Speech Shouldn't be Rushed

Late last year, President Bashar Assad is such a case study, as the independent journalist Vanessa Beeley explains in her Syria dispatches. Apparently Bashar al-Assad, who was the 19th President of Syria, had prepared a 400-word speech before his sudden exit from Syria's Capital, Damascus. He wanted to speak to the Syrian nation before his flight to Russia. but clearly didn't have much time to either compose or give his thoughts.

So it was not to be. He was rushing to Russia and his farewell speech went undelivered. And thus his flight from the country wasn't marked with either a radio or TV address, let alone a live streamed event on X.

The news agency Reuters also mentioned another anecdote that involved the President's media adviser, Buthaina Shaaban. Apparently she was asked to report to his home and help prepare a speech. When she duly arrived, the house was deserted, and the President had gone.

Who knows the full extent of what really happened, but his flight wasn't marked with a farewell speech.

Dictate Your Terms: Farewell Speech

In contrast, President Biden's farewell speech was certainly on his terms. Undoubtedly he'd have wanted to contest the most recent election, but that was never going to happen because of the issues we noted in 2023. And we're not going to comment any further. Farewell Mr President.

When you are looking for some help with your own speech, farewell or otherwise, you'll find plenty of top tips for speakers and presenters here at Time to Market. And with more than 100 top tips, there's something for every public speaking event. Plus, when you really want to extend your own skills, you can always enroll on an online public speaking course in your own time. Please don't hesitate to get in touch should you need assistance.