Emotional Manipulation and False Hope: By Motivational Speakers

Jyotishman T. Saikia, GU

Critics argue that some motivational speakers employ emotional manipulation tactics to create an artificial sense of urgency and vulnerability within their audience. By playing on people's insecurities and fears, these speakers tap into their emotions, often using personal anecdotes or exaggerated success stories to create an illusion of attainable greatness. This emotional rollercoaster can leave vulnerable individuals feeling euphoric at the moment, only to crash back down to reality once the high wears off. Such manipulation raises questions about the authenticity and ethical intentions of these speakers.

Motivational speakers have gained immense popularity in recent years, captivating audiences with their charismatic personalities and inspiring stories of success. They often present themselves as agents of positive change, promising to transform lives and unlock hidden potentials. While motivational speakers have undoubtedly inspired and positively influenced many individuals, it is crucial to critically examine their methods and intentions.

Motivational speakers rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and inspirational narratives rather than empirical research or evidence-based practices. This reliance on personal experiences without scientific validation may mislead vulnerable individuals, giving them false hope and potentially causing further harm. The raises concerns about the extent to which motivational speakers genuinely care about the personal development of their listeners or if their primary objective is to boost their own bank accounts.

There are three aspects that motivational speaker has while making a motivational video. One is Comfort seeking philosophy. Now a days, philosophers are called the motivational speakers. Nobody is talking about how to execute their plans which makes them successful. The second one is Story teller. The motivational speakers are very good story teller. To become successful we need 20 to 30 years, a 12 minutes video can't help you to get success easily. Motivational videos are mental masturbation from where we get mental pleasure for 2 minute. The third one is business, they just wanted to sell their products among us. They also branding themselves through such videos.

Just because a lie is pretty doesn’t make it true. Many well-intentioned motivational speakers say things that sound good - really, really good. Maybe it’s just their delivery but we have to understand that you still have the ability to think for yourself.

So, we should know that either Success is complicated or hard. To become successful we should have an idea about the goal and how to execute our plans. Watching such videos only waste our time. Talk to yourself and seek advice from someone who is near by you which motivates you the most, otherwise "there is no formula for success".