Whenever someone asks me what makes me different from other motivational speakers, I tell them it is my origin in the business world. As a Latina, I am bilingual, but with my new venture as a motivational speaker, I feel like I am now trilingual, speaking a new language to another audience I love and want to know even better.
I first started sharing my life story about growing up in Puerto Rico and assimilating to the mainland in written projects such as Today’s Inspired Latina. After that, becoming a speaker seemed the next logical step. And so it was!
I have enjoyed the opportunities I have had to speak to groups of women, entrepreneurs, and young women to inspire them to become their best self. But I have also become aware of the dichotomy between the program/project management and public speaking worlds and their two “languages.”
“Business” Speak vs. “Motivational” Speak
As the head of Lurdez Consulting Group, Inc., I speak “business” most of the day. I’m embroiled in a very male-dominated, objective, yes/no, black/white chaotic world. As an IT Program Manager, my “success” is measured as the clear, measurable results of my labors. I ask myself many questions on a daily basis: Is the project progressing on time? Is it on budget? Has it tested well? Is it in scope? Is the client happy with the result? The answers to these questions decide my “success,” and there is little room for subjectivity.
Originally, I expected the hardest part of becoming a motivational speaker to be actually getting up in front of an audience. It turns out that I am completely comfortable with that. Instead, the biggest challenge has been to address my public speaking audience in accordance with their world view, and in their language, which is so different than the language I speak in the business world.
For example, in the business world, success is objective and measured in charts, graphs and numbers. In business, I speak objectively, from the head, to show value. My goal is to make my point. In the public speaking world, success can usually only be measured subjectively, in happiness, either with relationships, the workplace, or with ourselves. I speak from the heart to touch an audience emotionally. My goal is to motivate and inspire others.
Although the language is different, many of the concepts are quite similar. I’m now aware of the differences, and adjust my message accordingly.
CONCEPT |
BUSINESS SPEAK |
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAK |
| Reaching goals | “I’ve completed every project on time.” | “I’ve reached my dreams and overcame my fear!” |
| Positivity | “I just have to figure it out.” | “I have all I need within me to get this done.” |
| Obedience | “This is a deadline from the board. Get it done on time.” | “I will do what you say because you inspire me.” |
| Support | “I need more resources to do this.” | “I need my tribe to support me.” |
| Goal-setting | “Here’s the dashboard with the respective milestones.” ” | “Here’s my journal with my goals for this year.” |
| Leadership | “I’m the boss now.” | “I’m a servant leader.” |
| Motivation | “If I do it, I’ll get a raise.” | “If I do it, I’ll conquer my fear and become stronger.” |
| Productivity | “I’m a meeting all my deadlines.” .” | “I’m feeling more confident in my abilities than ever before.” |
| Truth | “I’m right about this.” | “Believe me when I tell you.” |
| Obstacles | “I can’t succeed until I get what I need.” | “I have the power to succeed despite the obstacle.” |
| Physical Connection | “Shake my hand.” | “Give me a hug.” |
| Failure | “I wasn’t the only one involved.” | “I must stay positive and try something else.” |
See the difference? Big, right?
Speaking the Same
However, if I added an entry for “authenticity,” the two columns might start to look similar…
CONCEPT |
BUSINESS SPEAK |
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAK |
| Authenticity | “I do this job because I love people and want to help them.” | “I’m telling you this story because I wish someone had shared with me and saved me from making mistakes.” |
What people speaking both languages both share is a personal “why” for doing what they are doing; a driving force that gets them to their job or up on stage. It’s the great equalizer between both languages.
Listen to any Ted talk or motivational speaking session and you will most likely walk away with personal stories from the speaker’s life. Many times these stories are of overcoming adversity, and including this is an important way to connect with the audience. I too have overcome obstacles to get where I am today. However, rather than viewing public speaking as a cathartic way to share my story of adversity and hopefully inspire others, I prefer to concentrate on my life lessons and world view. Doing so, I can connect with the audience and motivate them to go forth and make a positive change in their life, whatever that may be.
“Motivational” speak is still less familiar to me but I am slowly mastering it to inspire my audience every time I take the stage. If you have a group that would appreciate an address in either “language,” feel free to contact me today!