Funny Motivational Speakers, Michael Kerr
If you are looking for a funny motivational speaker, then yes, I fit the bill, despite the fact that the term “motivational speaker” sometimes makes me cringe.
Let me explain. Yes, I am very funny, and yes, people would consider me a motivational speaker because my message is uplifting, inspirational, and extrememly positive. The reason I shy away from the term motivational speaker is twofold:
1) There are a lot of “motivational speakers” out there that, frankly, are more sizzle than steak. (There’s a reason some of my old high school buddies have looked at me with disgust and asked, “You’re not one of THOSE motivational speakers, are you?”.)
Yes, they may be funny, they may be uplifting and make you feel good for the hour you spend with them, but my view has always been that if motivational speakers don’t back up the feelgood stuff with relevant ideas, with information that is practical, with evidence-based ideas and with information that is put into the context of the audience’s lives, then there is very little chance of real, long-lasting change taking place.
That’s why I enjoy listening to “motivational speakers” who are motivating not because they share empty bumper sticker platitudes, but because they have actually achieved great accomplishments or they are motivating because of the power and relevance of their ideas. And that’s why my goal is to deliver relevant ideas, albeit it in a very funny, entertaining way.
2) I don’t believe any speaker, or even any leader, for that matter, can motivate any other human being. True motivation is an intrinsic characteristic of people. Great, inspiring leaders can demotivate or motivate people to a certain degree through external levers, but the most important thing they do is to create an environment that can encourage intrinsic motivators to bear real fruit.
Similarly, I’m not sure speakers can truly ever motivate an audience, at least not in the truest sense of the term. They can inspire an audience, they can cajole and challenge and even give a firm boot to an audience, but for permanent, real change to take place (which I do think should be the goal of any presentation) requires that people tap into what we know to be the most powerful motivators – those intrinsic motivators such as pride and a sense of meaning.
Michael Kerr, 2011, Hall of Fame funny motivational speaker and author
