Here's how you can establish credibility and authority in motivational speaking as a leader.

I agree “deep understanding & knowledge” are important. However, in motivational speaking, it takes more. It takes integration. A deep knowing. When a motivational speaker speaks from a place of deep knowing and integration, he/she exudes a confidence the audience connects with. Combined with knowledge and deep understanding, the speaker is golden. A bright light. Yes, there are tools and techniques for connecting with your audience, I have learned and use them. But, they pale to personal integration and the confidence of deep knowing.

In my many speaking opportunities to corporate groups and public meetings, ranging from politics to academic presentations, business facilitation to private groups, I have spoken without notes - without rehearsing my presentation to offer a polished performance - the kind of stuff of charismatic politicians and Oscar winning film stars. Whilst being fully appraised of the topic I have switched off completely before the meeting and then allowed the presence of whoever is there to guide what and how I offer my input. What tends to follow is a quality of presence that enables agile response, deeper engagement, tolerant and inquisitive resiliency when challenged and creativity in the moment. Thich Nhat Hahn describes a state of 'interbeing'.

Competence is certainly critical. However, I would like to draw your attention to a factor that is mostly neglected: what is your brand as a leader? What does that mean? Well, it is: what do people say about you, when you are not in the room. Is she/he competent? Does she/he care about our organization, our team, us as associates? And this brand is heavily influenced by our past conduct, our past actions, our past relationships with associates and colleagues, and information about us that has travelled towards the people who are supposed to listen. So, I would like to encourage our readers to think about their own value proposition to their teams and how this matches reality first, before they take stage to deliver a motivational speech.

Develop Expertise and Knowledge: Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends, research, and developments in your field. Attend workshops, seminars, and read extensively. Certifications and Credentials: Obtain relevant certifications or degrees that add to your credibility. Share Personal Stories and Experiences: Authenticity: Be genuine and share your personal journey, including successes, failures, and lessons learned. This helps in building trust and relatability. Real-Life Examples: Use real-life stories to illustrate your points, making your message more impactful and believable.

To be regarded as credible in motivational speaking, you must demonstrate a profound grasp of your subject matter. This entails being well-versed and knowledgeable, not only about the topics you discuss but also about the intricacies of effective communication. Your audience can discern when you are conveying information from a foundation of expertise versus when you are improvising. Realistic Example Imagine a motivational speaker addressing a group of aspiring entrepreneurs. The speaker, having thoroughly researched market trends, startup challenges, and successful case studies, shares a compelling narrative about a local entrepreneur who transformed a small idea into a thriving business.

One of the most impactful instruments in your motivational speaking toolkit is narrative. Sharing personal anecdotes or stories that exemplify your points renders your message more relatable and unforgettable. By recounting experiences that have shaped your insights, you not only humanize yourself but also forge an emotional connection with your audience. This rapport is essential for building trust and reinforcing your stature as an authority in your domain. For instance, imagine a speaker discussing the importance of resilience. Instead of simply stating its value, the speaker narrates a story about overcoming a significant professional setback.

Stories evoke emotions, which are powerful motivators for action. When your audience feels moved by your stories, they are more likely to be inspired to take the steps you recommend. Emotional engagement helps your audience connect with your message on a deeper level, increasing the likelihood that they will internalize and act upon it.

Does your audience 'get' your story? If not, don't tell it. Stories are great. Personal stories are better. But stories that resonate deeply with your audience are the best. Often, professional speakers speak from THEIR experience. That's fine - unless your audience doesn't share your frame of reference. That's why I always do research before I deliver a presentation. The more I know about what my audience wants, and why, the better the speech will be.

O curso de Pedagogia foi fundamental para o meu entendimento do processo de aprendizagem do outro e o tão falado storytelling é uma prática da infância e de suma importância que seja trazida para esse ambiente que sempre fora cartesiano. Criar conexões, envolver o ouvinte, estimular os sentidos, humanizar com lembranças e outras ações, muito mais que autoridade, deixa marca, legado e isso será lembrado por muitos anos. Dando um google ele encontra um conteúdo, mas a experiência, aquela marca, a famosa expressão "pulga atrás da orelha" são o toque na alma.

Tell your story! Crafting your experiences so others can see what you have to offer and see how you show up in the world is a skill that must be practiced and honed so you get across the intended message(s) of your story. Make sure there are take aways and meaningful points that connect your audience to you and your content being delivered.

Active participation with your audience is crucial for gaining credibility as a motivational speaker. This entails heeding feedback, addressing inquiries, and nurturing an interactive setting. By showing that you appreciate your audience's contributions and are prepared to tailor your message to their needs, you convey respect and a sincere commitment to their development. For instance, during a recent seminar on career development, I encouraged attendees to share their personal experiences and questions. This allowed me to adjust my content on the spot, making it more relevant and impactful. After the event, I continued the conversation on social media, answering additional questions and sharing resources.

There is an art and science to making sure you give an engaging presentation. Be intentional about having a conversation with your audience and not just talking to them about you. If possible create the space for them to interact with each other. Learning happens in a conversation and the better you are at facilitating that conversation the more likely you are to create impact and leave being remembered.

The follow up to talks is important. As a rule a 60:40 rule for talk and interactive phase is essential. The interaction and post talk questions is a measure of your success.

Show that you are responsive to your audience's needs by tailoring your message based on their feedback and interactions. This adaptability demonstrates respect for your audience and a genuine interest in addressing their unique challenges and aspirations.

The best webinar I ever gave was when I asked lots of questions before and during the session. Before: I consulted colleagues to gain their perspectives. Then I used their perspectives in the presentation - quoting them. During: I asked the audience for their opinions and input - and then I read off their comments and gave feedback immediately. I'm still working on engaging actively afterwards, but I always encourage people to reach out to me on LinkedIn. Often, they do. But sometimes 'continuing the conversation' - starts with the attendees. So - if you're someone who watches presentations / webinars, do yourself (and the speaker) a favour and reach out! They'd probably love to hear from you.

Maintaining uniformity in your message and delivery is crucial for establishing credibility in motivational speaking. Your audience anticipates a consistent standard of excellence and dependability from you, and by consistently meeting these expectations, you reinforce your standing. Example Imagine you're a motivational speaker known for your energetic and uplifting presentations. At a conference, you deliver a talk with your usual enthusiasm, sharing inspiring stories and practical advice. After the event, attendees mention how your consistent high energy and clear, structured messages made a lasting impact on them, solidifying their trust in your expertise.

Audiences are more likely to become loyal followers when they know what to expect from you. Consistency in message and delivery fosters a sense of familiarity and reliability. Loyal followers are more likely to attend your events, engage with your content, and recommend you to others, helping to expand your reach.

They like it straight from the horses mouth. Nothing inspires an audience so much as hearing stories about the struggles and the courage with which they were overcome. It's personal, it's relatable and it is no longer just a speech. It becomes a conversation. We as humans love to interact, especially when we feel we are being trusted with important details. A little vulnerability willingly from the speaker, without going overboard with it, empowers the speaker, enhances the effectiveness of the speech and aids audience engagement big time!

Eu busco na sinceridade e transparência um método de excelência. Seja qual for o assunto, falo sem máscaras, medos e receios de compartilhar as minhas histórias, que ainda que sejam minhas, o fato de narrar as experiências (vitórias e derrotas) porque o que eu julguei ser uma derrota pode ser a chave da ignição para quem estar me ouvindo. Aliás, em mundo com cada vez mais crises existências, pessoas sem identidades, que vivem a utopia da tela do celular e redes sociais, autenticidade, pode ser o portal de saída desses devaneios que estamos imersos ou lutando para não ser "afogados".

"Vulnerability" builds connection. To be authentic is to be vulnerable. I've noticed that at time when I can't be authentic, everything takes more efforts, because a part of me must be trying so hard to be perfect, or another part of me is too wary about something be relaxed. Attempting to be perfect or to be too concerned about something takes the opportunity away from being there with people.

Sharing your failures and the lessons learned can inspire your audience to adopt a growth mindset. They see that failure is a natural part of the journey and that it can lead to valuable insights and growth. This approach helps your audience understand that setbacks are not the end but a stepping stone to success.

Absolutely true. A balanced and personalised approach goes a long way. It's important to speak about the failures but also how you used this failure as an opportunity to create your success is important.

One helpful tip I have found is to maintain your "essence." The audience is more receptive when they sense that you are genuine and "human." Do not be afraid to showcase your personality; that is what sets you apart from other speakers, and that is perfectly acceptable. They will remember how you made them feel when they were listening to you.

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 + 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 = 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 Start by sharing a personal challenge you’ve overcome in your next speech to build a deeper connection with your audience.

Dare to be different! When we develop our own unique approach and show up confidently we can capture their interest and raise our credibility. Motivational speaking is about moving the hearts and minds of people. In an information-overloaded world, people crave fresh ideas and inspiration. Our job is to make it memorable, so they leave ignited and ready to use what they've learned to take action, making a genuine difference in their lives!

Imagine a motivational speaker addressing a group of aspiring entrepreneurs. The speaker, having thoroughly researched market trends, startup challenges, and successful case studies, shares a compelling narrative about a local entrepreneur who transformed a small idea into a thriving business. The speaker's detailed knowledge and genuine understanding of the entrepreneurial journey not only captivates the audience but also provides them with practical strategies and inspiration to pursue their ventures confidently.

Gather and showcase assets that establish credibility like: images on stage, video clips of you speaking, and press highlighting your work. People need proof to trust you can do what you say you do!

I started posting 30 day challenges where people take their hobby and do it for 30 continuous days without fail.I ensured that they are connected to the community by posting polls in the channel where the come back at the end of the day and post whether they did their task or not. Every month they took different hobbies or habits which they wished to cultivate since so long but there was no motivation either start or to keep going which was met by my initiative. These kind engaging initiatives can make a huge difference in people's life positively.