I have been a professional speaker for nearly 28 years. I deliver over 100 speeches a year and I would say most of the organizations that hire me, position my presentation as an opening or closing to their big meeting or conference. They do this because these two spots are often the most memorable parts of a meeting. I want to share some observations that I know will liven up your meetings, but also add depth, purpose, and meaning to them as well.

Since I work with so many different industries, I am often the only non-industry speaker on the agenda. I am the inspiration. You can always tell if an organization or event planning team understands the value of inspiration by its presence or absence. For example, I remember one executive director telling me, “Sam, we would never hire you because our members come to learn, not to be inspired.”

Just for reference, if you are in a leadership position and that is your view, you may want keep that as an inner thought. She communicated that she didn’t understand inspiration, or her interpretation of inspiration wasn’t of value. 

Let me say this as clearly as I can, I don’t care what kind of meeting it is or what industry - a meeting without inspiration is like a campfire without a fire. It doesn't work or make sense. You can be inspired and learn at the same time. In fact, as a parent, the most incredible thing is when your children are excited (inspired) about what they learned and excited (inspired) to apply it. 

But, here is the real value of inspiration. Inspiration is really a connector to our purpose. Purpose is what moves us, motivates us, pushes us, gets us going, and keeps us going. Without purpose, we get bored, confused, unmotivated, lazy, negative, and complain about everything. Inspiration awakens purpose. It rejuvenates it. Inspiration is a revival for our purpose. We need inspiration. It has significant value.

Think about it this way. Imagine attending two educational conferences. Similar agendas. One eliminates the inspirational aspect. The other adds it. Which conference do you think people are going to be more engaged, excited when they leave, excited to return, and excited about what they learned? This is simple metrics.

Imagine your favorite sports team is about to take the field. Both your team and the team they are playing are equal in talent, abilities, education, and experience. Your team doesn’t get an inspirational talk. The coach simply says, “You know what to do, you get paid to do what you do, now go do it!

How do you feel about that? Hmmm?

The other team got a quick inspirational message from their coach, “You guys have worked so hard to get here. I care about each of you and let’s remember what today is really about – having fun, making our families proud, giving our best, and looking out for each other. If you do that, no matter what the score board says at the end, you are all champions. Let’s go!”

Which team do you think is more inspired to win?

Hmmm?

Think about it.

Remember, I am not speaking hypothetically. I do this every day and witness or observe the impact of how inspiration works when it is present and what happens when someone chooses to skip it because they don’t value it. 

But, let’s break down inspiration a little more. Sometimes, we view inspiration as a lot of “Rah Rah.”  I can understand that. However, the best inspiration can be broken down into a few words that are very powerful – Empathy, Your Example, Empowerment, Excellence, Energy, and Encouragement. These are more than just words; they are inspirational actions that make us better. When we partner these inspirational elements with our skills, education, and experience, we are set up to make an impact that is significant and meaningful.

I remember hurting my knee and going to an orthopedic facility and the experience was so disheartening. The receptionist didn’t make eye contact, no smile. The billing people must have developed their attitudes walking barefoot on LEGOs. The nurses treated you like you were just another number. The doctor was okay, but not great.  I remember thinking, I wonder what this place would be like, if people showed up to work more inspired by the work they do or what if they had inspiration connecting them to a meaningful purpose?

If you have knee issues, you understand, it’s never a one and done kind of deal. The next knee injury experience was totally different. Everything was the opposite. In fact, they had original artwork in the waiting room and when I asked about it, they shared that it brightens up the mood and energy in the room.  And this was their words, “Our patients find it very inspiring.”

My observation was simply that someone in leadership understood the power of inspiration. And, that inspired organization is one that is connected to their purpose and it is with our purpose we serve people the right way. And yes, they did! Shout out to inspiration!

Lastly, let me share a story that took place a few years ago. This group hired me to speak at an evening event with over 500 employees. They wanted it to be a time of recognition and renewal. They just wanted to do something uplifting for their people to let them know, “We appreciate you.”

That is my kind of gig, so I was excited. When I arrived, they informed me that they had been trying to hire me for close to six years. I was like, “Wow, well I am glad you guys are resilient.”

But, as the story goes, the former CEO had retired two weeks prior. And the new CEO made it her agenda to listen to her leadership team to create an uplifting and energizing experience reminding everyone how important they are. They wanted me because they know that inspiration and recognition are my specialty; however, each time they asked the former CEO about doing this for the people in the organization, he would say, “no.”

His responses varied, “We are here to do work, not have play time.”

“Once we finish the big project, we can look in to having an inspirational speaker. But for now, we must stay focused.”

The leadership persisted for six years informing the CEO, “Engagement is at it’s lowest, we are losing good people. Everyone is sick more, moral is low, we need a pick me up.”

Too bad. He missed a great event! Great people deserve to be inspired because it gets them in touch with one of the most valuable things we have – PURPOSE! Inspiration is not a distraction, but a tool. A tool that, when used the right way, can be so valuable. 

Again, shout out to INSPIRATION!