In today’s economy businesses and organizations face unprecedented change.  Change can always be intimidating, but for some, it causes discouragement, disinterest, depression or even apathy.  For an organization facing these problems among their employees a motivational speech can breathe the spark of life back into all employees of the organization.

But, the question is, do you search out a speech that motivates or a speech that inspires them. Is there a difference?  Many would argue that they are one and the same.  Others maintain that there is a marked difference between the two.

The dictionary defines to motivate as, “to provide with a motive or motives; incite; impel” and in defines to inspire as, “to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.”

So do we want our speech to motivate or inspire? A simple analogy may help us understand the difference.

“You have an old clunker that you’ve ignored.  It will often fail to start when you want to go somewhere.  You get it to go by pushing it down the driveway, but the next time you go to need it, you need to give it that same push.  On the other hand, if you repair it by identifying and dealing with the problems at the most basic level, and kept it well maintained, it would more than likely start right away every time.”

If people are motivated, they will be eager to move forward….for a while.  But the momentum will gradually slow and you will need to “push” them again to get them going.  If and when you stop pushing chances are they will stop altogether.

Inspired people on the other hand, are like the old clunker that has been repaired and maintained.  An inspired person sees the vision, understands the expectations and has a desire to keep going and working until goals have been reached.  Rather than needing a push every so often, they are self propelled to complete the task.

The fundamental difference then, between motivating someone and inspiring them is the long term effect.  Motivation is a fleeting thing while inspiration is long lasting.  True inspiration can actually last a lifetime.   Most of us can remember a teacher, relative or boss who so inspired us that it changed our way of doing things forever.

That speech you are planning.  It needs to inspire your employees.  To provide them with the enthusiasm, stimulation and encouragement required to last them well past meeting the current challenges, and into the challenges of the future.