Inside the Job: Speechwriting for Nokia's CEO

We had the pleasure of welcoming Rashid Razaq, the speechwriter for the CEO of Nokia, as a guest on our podcast. Having recently moved to Finland with his family, he is likely the only professional in the country using the title "speechwriter" – which makes his perspective on speeches and influence all the more interesting.

Rashid shares his recipe for powerful speeches and offers thoughts on how to approach the growing role of AI. We also reflect on what the future of speeches might look like. One thing is certain: speeches aren’t going anywhere.

The language of the Summer School of Rhetoric podcast is usually Finnish, but this episode is entirely in English, including the introduction, to cater to an international audience.

The Summer School of Rhetoric is a professional event on persuasive communication, held annually in Finland. Past speakers include speechwriters from the White House, Downing Street, Berlin, and NATO headquarters. The next Summer School of Rhetoric will take place on June 5-6, 2025.

Here is the event's website: https://www.retoriikankesakoulu.fi/2025/