Today a friend of mine from South Africa; professional speaker Nicky Abdinor posted this on Facebook:
“What’s the difference between an inspirational speaker and a motivational speaker? (I’ve just read an interesting explanation on a website, so would love your opinion)”
Here was my response:
“Great question…Off the top of my head I’d say a motivational speaker gives you a temporary sense of empowerment by providing a vision of what’s generally possible. An inspirational speaker is one who reaches you at the visceral level, changes your beliefs about your own purpose and compels you to take action at a level you never thought possible.”
Then she posted the quote that she was referring to from another speaker’s website:
“Motivational speakers not only engage the audience while sharing best practices, but also draw on life experiences and lessons ensuring the audience is kept entertained. The difference between an inspirational speaker and a motivational speaker is sometimes quite subtle. Where an inspirational speaker uses examples to underline the possibilities of overcoming extreme everyday obstacles as a way of motivating the audience, a motivational speaker draws from own experiences to back up the notion that nothing is impossible if one applies their mind in a constructive manner devoid of conditioning.The difference is notable and the message carries a lot more weight when coming directly from the person that has achieved what many would say was impossible.”
The problem is that the two terms are defined so subjectively. I don’t think the difference between the two speakers lies in the process at all, but in the effect on the audience. Some speakers inspire just based on who they are. It’s such a subjective thing. A speaker reaches each audience member differently…who is to say if that speaker is a “motivational” speaker or an “inspirational” speaker?…I think each individual audience member is the authority on that baed on how they have been affected.
Are you an inspirational or a motivational speaker? Ask your audience to find out.