Narayana - Delivering Motivation

Motivating communication touches the mind, intellect, heart and soul, and inspires people to rise in life.

It is said, Speech is silver. To make it gold is in the hands of the speaker, who, with the element called motivation, can instil that drive which leaves a sense of connectivity, enthusiasm, contentment and joy in the body, mind, intellect and spirit of the listeners.

Motivation is the power, the force which can enthuse in the listener the urge to seek knowledge and wisdom not only from external sources, but from within, through ones own experiences and realizations.

Speech is not mere talk, a verbal communication, a dialogue, language or words, but it is all these working in complete concordance and coordination in order to make sense or be meaningful to the listener on a defined or specified subject or topic.

Hence, a motivational speech should be able to satisfy the listeners AQ (action quotient), EQ (emotional quotient), IQ (intelligence quotient) and SQ (spiritual quotient). AQ is about actions and results, EQ is about feelings and relations, IQ is about thoughts and realities and SQ is about potentials and realizations. When the AQ, EQ, IQ and SQ of the listener experience fulfilment, it means the speaker has accomplished the purpose, that is, he has successfully motivated the audience. Thereby, he himself succeeds as a motivator. His achievement is, therefore, a result of his dedication, decision, drive, determination and destination.

Dedication: the speaker is thoroughly prepared, knows the subject well, has gathered relevant and appropriate information beforehand and has sketched an outline.

Decision: the speaker knows what to present first, when to refer to statistical information, and how to be convincing and disciplined.

Drive: the speaker presents anecdotes, parables, examples or stories to draw attention, connect with the listeners and cause excitement.

Determination: the speaker shows his own confidence and hold on the subject to be impactful and effective.

Destination: the speaker accomplishes the mission and wins applause from the motivated audience.

In other words, if the motivator is himself inspiring, encouraging, focused, enthusiastic, directive, guiding, wise, experienced, communicating, empowering, accepting and strong, then the motivated listener becomes inspired, insightful, intelligent, interactive, intention-full, intensive, intimate and instinctive.

Whether addressing a huge gathering in an auditorium or just a few people in a hall or a room, the ground rules or principles for motivating them are the same.

1. Time, timing and duration of the speech: Be in time, be on time, be before time, but never be late. Be punctual, always arrive half an hour early at the venue. Be prepared in such a way that you neither exceed the time nor draw to a close too soon.
2. Opening of the speech: Greet one and all with a smile, acknowledge the vision, mission, contribution and intentions of the organizers, recognize the co-members and dignitaries on the dais, appreciate the messages delivered by the earlier speakers (if any), and begin with a prayer and a thumping opening line on the topic.
3. References and examples: While making progress, do make reference to people, places or situations which aptly fit as examples. Refer to appropriate examples from Eastern and Western scriptures, recite verses from the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Dhammapada, the Bible, the Quran, the Japji Sahib, Zen, the Chanakya sutras, the Tao, or any such sources. These definitely add value. Moreover, this helps the listener easily connect with the speaker. On the part of the speaker, it acts as a convincing agent. It also shows his competence, confidence, clarity and conviction.
4. Panoramic view: State the statistics (but first judge their accuracy and relevance to the topic, people, situation and place), quote, tell short stories or even crack a joke lighten the moment (if it is getting too serious). This enables the speaker to present a broader picture of the ideas, information, knowledge and wisdom, one that the listeners can clearly cognize and accept.
5. Serious point: State challenges ahead, define goals, opportunities and destiny, and discuss approaches for converting obstructions into opportunities.
6. Four-way reality model: Make learners and participants grasp the core of the subject at the body, mind, intellect and spirit levels in terms of bhakti, shakti, ukthi and mukti. Touch upon management mantras such as Positive, active, timely and effective, Time, love, truth and responsibility, Serve and deserve, Pending is ending and Love is accepting people as they are and supporting them to become better, and how one can move from DOG (DisOrganized Group) to GOD (Group Organization and Direction).
7. PowerPoint presentation: If you are using PPTs, use them to show something that can create interest and draw attention to the point that is being made (do not concentrate your entire speech on it).
8. Twists and turns: Let not what you say or present be predictable. Be creative and innovative in order to modify some stories to suit the present-day situations or circumstances, especially those related to competence, core competence and win-win situations.
9. Be active (by being pre-active, proactive, process-active and post-active): Keep listeners/learners alert, awake, aware and conscious all throughout the session, while you involve yourself actively by asking questions, doing as you say (for example, Clapping in a Zen-way), reading aloud selected passages from the book or material you have referred to and so on. Be enthusiastic and let your enthusiasm spread.

In the conclusion, summarize the important points made. Communicate your message with accuracy, brevity and clarity. Declare the intention and goal. Remind the listeners of past outstanding achievements and motivate them. Uplift the spirit of the listeners by boosting their own confidence, aptitude and gusto. Thank the participants and the organizing bodies. Express your contentment and wholehearted hope for the safe and bright future of one and all.