Motivational speaker

2025-06-09T13:32:32Z

97.167.127.119: Added a reference to Ted Talks which are well known/widely referenced in the "motivational speaking" category.

{{Short description|Speaker intended to motivate the audience}}
[[File:Tony Robbins seminar.jpg|thumb|[[Tony Robbins]] at seminar]]
A '''motivational speaker''' (or '''inspirational speaker''') is a [[public speaking|speaker]] who makes speeches intended to [[motivation|motivate]] or inspire an audience. Such speakers may attempt to challenge or [[Spiritual transformation|transform]] their audiences.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=x9oDAAAAMBAJ
| title = Why the motivation business is booming
| last1 = Gilbert
| first1 = Marsha
| website = Ebony, volume 58 No.2
| date = December 2002
| publisher = Johnson Publishing Company
| page = 136
| issn = 0012-9011
| access-date = 2016-05-25
| quote = Black motivational speakers are Black but they challenge and transform Black, White and Brown listeners of every creed and orientation [...]
}}
</ref> The speech itself is popularly known as a '''pep talk'''.<ref name = hbr>{{cite journal | url = https://hbr.org/2017/07/the-science-of-pep-talks | journal = Harvard Business Review | title =The Science of Pep Talks | date = July 2017 | access-date = 30 July 2020| last1 = McGinn | first1 = Daniel }}</ref>

Motivational speakers can deliver speeches at schools, colleges, places of worship, companies, corporations, government agencies, conferences, trade shows, summits, community organizations, and similar environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7878/Motivational-Speaker.html|title=Motivational Speaker Job Description, Career as a Motivational Speaker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job|website=careers.stateuniversity.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Leigh |title=The Art and Business of Motivational Speaking |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/20101201/the-art-and-business-of-motivational-speaking.html |access-date=31 October 2020 |work=Inc.com |date=1 December 2010 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early motivational speakers ==
One of the earliest known motivational speakers credited for what was considered his revolutionary work was [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]] (1803–1882),<ref>{{Cite journal |last=PINSKER |first=SANFORD |title=Was Ralph Waldo Emerson Our First Motivational Speaker? |date=2001 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26440814 |journal=The Virginia Quarterly Review |volume=77 |issue=3 |pages=509–513 |jstor=26440814 |issn=0042-675X}}</ref> an American essayist, poet, and philosopher.

== Techniques and theories ==
The two main theories for why motivational speakers may need to be externally searched out is to fill the need of content theory or the process theories.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Penberthy |first=Cecil |date=May 2001 |title=Factors To Be Considered When Utilising the Services of External Motivational Speakers |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2581764571 |journal=Rand Afrikaans University |pages=24–28, 36}}</ref>

The content theories were created by different philosophers, such as [[Abraham Maslow]], [[Clayton Alderfer]], [[Frederick Herzberg]], and [[David McClelland]]. They focus on the inner workings and think of an individual and what will energize, stop behaviors, and keep it sustainable for long-term needs. These theories acknowledge that every individual is unique and has different needs in order to motivate them.

The process theories focus on the explanation and analysis of different people and what will energize, stop behaviors, and keep it sustainable for long-term needs. Brought into perspective by Victor Vroom, [[B. F. Skinner|B.F Skinner]], Ruth Kanfer, and [[Albert Bandura]], it addresses the needs of learning and expectancy and realizes that individuals will make choices based on reward and compensation.

Speakers try to show their audience about the positive outcomes that can happen in life and focus on the possible opportunities rather than the limits that people set for themselves.<ref name=":1">Hussain, R., Alam, Y., & Zahid, M. S. (2022). ‘Awaken the Giant Within’: Linguistic Explorations into the Art of Delivering Motivational Talks. ''Jahan-e-Tahqeeq'', ''5''(1), 60-70.</ref> Using positively-connotative words rather than negative ones and gives charismatic verbal and non-verbal social cues. Using their posture, eye contact, body language, facial expressions, and by dressing appropriately they can engage with the audience in a non-verbal way. They can change the tone of their voice, speech pattern, accent, and pitch to emphasize and show emotion behind what they are saying.

[[TED (conference)|TED Conferences]], LLC posts the popular "Ted Talks" series online, frequently featuring motivational speakers such as Tony Robbins, [[Simon Sinek]], and [[Shawn Achor]].

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Motivational speakers| ]]
[[Category:Popular psychology]]

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Motivational speaker