Here is a list of 10 people from the 20th and 21st Centuries whom I would suggest belong on any list of great communicators.

1. Vince Lombardi. The Hall of Fame football coach of the Green Bay Packers drove his team to championship success with a relentless pursuit of excellence. He spoke often of the dignity of one's hard, exhausting labors in that single-minded pursuit of perfection. His players always knew where he stood on the team's goals and objections, the specific plans to reach those goals, along with the effort required to become, and then remain, champions.

2. Winston Churchill. At the onset of World War II, England was in very real danger of being invaded and overrun by the seemingly invincible Nazi war machine. Churchill inspired his island nation not only with his memorable, magnificent words, but with his stubborn determination and indomitable courage to repulse the Germans and see the war through to a successful conclusion. And in the end, it was he who prevailed.

3. Billy Graham. This Southern preacher has taken his evangelistic message of the Gospels to the world's masses, in the most literal of senses. Dr. Graham has spoken to and influenced millions of people, of different cultures and faiths, of all ages and backgrounds. He has been friend and counselor to presidents and paupers, and has often served as a steadying, comforting influence during times of national tragedy.

4. Ronald Reagan. The 40th President of the United States was often referred to as The Great Communicator. A trained actor, Reagan served as Governor of California before seeking national elective office. His wit, humor, and insight were used to great effect in his speeches, and his personal charm played no small role in many of his legislative successes. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," is one of his more famous quotations.

5. Jack Welch. One of the Captains of Industry, this Chairman and CEO of General Electric took his famous company to record levels of growth in revenue and profits. Welch's messages were replete with references to the need for unremitting continuous improvement, and his successful Six Sigma initiative within GE was, among other processes, copied by many business leaders around the world. He earned a reputation for brutal candor in his meetings with executives.

6. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Dr. King's message of nonviolent social change brought to the American public's consciousness the pressing need for equality of all people, regardless of race. Dr. King's 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial has been elevated to one of the great pieces of oratory in American history. His ability to articulate the desires of minorities for social and economic justice, and the rightness of the cause, became the pivotal driver of the 1960s civil-rights movement.

7. Walter Cronkite. Journalist Cronkite was often described during his days as evening news anchor at CBS as "the most trusted man in America." From his nearly tearful reporting of the news of JFK's assassination to his eventual description of the war in Vietnam as unwinnable, Cronkite served as a primary source of weekday news to millions of Americans. "And that's the way it is," was his trademark sign off at the end of his newscast.

8. Bill Cosby. Entertainer Cosby communicated simple but timeless truths and values in his comedy routines and television series over a long and distinguished career. He still communicates those values and truths, albeit more as a commentator now, and worries little about the political correctness of his remarks. His voice is still highly respected on issues of individual responsibility and personal behavior.

9. Oprah Winfrey. According to some sources, media-icon Winfrey is the most influential woman in the world. Her self-improvement and self-help themes often characterize her talk-show content, much like group-therapy sessions. She has overcome adversity at many points of her storied life, and her often emotion-centered show content has dwelt with her many struggles.

10. Mrs. Margaret Davis. My wonderful high school English teacher. Don't you have a memorable teacher you could add to this list?