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Inspirational speakers are often confused with motivational speakers. While the motivational speaker generates a call to action and usually provides strategies for self-improvement, the inspirational speaker causes their audiences to be inspired from within. The inspirational speaker will usually be an extremely high achiever, typically in business, adventure, or sport, but they can of course be from any field of human endeavour.

Listening to an inspirational speaker results in people drawing parallels with their own possibilities, a natural development as they develop a bond with the achievements of the speaker. The metaphor that I described in my motivational speaker post becomes even more evident.  Motivational speakers may be achievers in their own right but not necessarily so. On the other hand inspirational speakers are almost exclusively achievers and their message and the benefit to their audiences is born of that achievement. I include a representative sample of exclusive speakers; note how they have all achieved in their chosen field and all have a powerful message for their audiences.

Dr William Tan's achievements in medicine,
sport and philanthropy are coupled with
outstanding abilities as a public speakerDr William Tan: extraordinary achievement in the face of extreme adversity.

Ita Buttrose AO OBE: ground breaking business and societal achievement.

James Strong AO: a gift for business success through people.

Stella Axarlis AM: inspirational business turnaround through empowerment.

Li Cunxin: the inspirational author of Mao's Last Dancer.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg: an inspirational ability to make a personal difference.

Peter Hillary: inspiration through physical and philanthropic endeavours.

David Morgan: inspirational leadership in international business.

Rod McGeoch AM: alternative thinking and business success.

Miha Pogacnik: inspiration through music.

Michael Coyne: creativity through photo journalistic vision.

General Peter Cosgrove: achievement in conflict.

Click here for a full list of inspirational speakers.