I used AI to Decode How the Worlds Top Motivational Speakers Create their Speech

I recently analyzed speeches from some of my all time favorite motivational speakers (Including Steve Jobs) and used Artificial Intelligence to identify patterns, cadence, approach and the percentage of Facts, Motivation and Fluff. You will be surprised at the results. The reason for me to do this was to understand how motivational speakers structure their speeches and what are the various layers. I have made the below analysis easy for you to understand.

I categorized the output on four key parameters things.

1. Fact - How much of what is covered in the speech is a Fact.
2. Motivation - How many words are purely used for motivation and may not be connected with a fact. These may also be trigger words to evoke emotion.
3. Fluff - How much of the speech was Fluff, meaning extra words not necessary of any high meaning.
4. Structure - How is the speech layered, how does it all come together. What follows what.

Here’s an analysis of each speech based on the requested criteria:

1. "CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE YOURSELF" - Eric Thomas

Eric Thomas is legendary. His story is inspirational and I have listned to hundreds of hours of his talks and speeches. I guarantee that if you are down in the trenches, his talks will help you look at the world in a different way.

Analysis

- Facts (10%): The speech contains limited factual information, focusing mainly on personal anecdotes and life principles. Facts are used to support points, such as references to Michael Jordan's dedication or the concept of conviction.

- Motivation (70%): The speech is highly motivational, emphasizing the need for personal change, discipline, and conviction. Thomas uses strong language and relatable scenarios to energize and encourage the audience.

- Fluff (20%): Some parts of the speech contain general motivational phrases that could be considered less substantive or repetitive, such as reiterating the idea of "domination" without deeper elaboration.

- Structure/Cadence: The speech follows a pattern of stating a motivational idea, supporting it with a personal example or analogy, and then delivering a call to action. It emphasizes rhythm and repetition to reinforce key messages like discipline and persistence.

2. "TIME TO ACT" - Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn has passed away and he remains an iconic figure in the world of motivation. He is the OG that possibly every motivational speaker inspired to be. Practical, impactful and lovely to hear, he is one of my most favourite motivational speaker.

- Facts (20%): Rohn provides concrete concepts such as the "law of diminishing intent" and the impact of small disciplines. He uses statistics like "10% do, 90% don’t" to illustrate behavioral patterns.

- Motivation (60%): The bulk of the speech aims to motivate listeners to take action, establish disciplines, and avoid procrastination. His tone encourages self-improvement and a proactive mindset.

- Fluff (20%): Some parts are embellished with philosophical musings that may seem broad or repetitive, such as discussing the "impact of neglect."

- Structure/Cadence: The speech often alternates between principles (facts), real-life implications, and motivation. Rohn integrates stories and philosophical insights to drive home the importance of action and discipline, with a focus on logical progression and cause-and-effect relationships.

3. "LISTEN TO THIS EVERY DAY AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE" - Tony Robbins

Who does not know Tony Robbins. In fact Tony was Jim Rohns protege when Tony started. I have read almost all his books and listened to hundreds of hours of his audio and videos.

- Facts (15%): Robbins includes factual elements, such as references to studies (e.g., power positions research by Harvard) and observations about emotional states and physiology.

- Motivation (65%): The speech heavily leans on motivational content, urging the audience to confront fears, take control of their emotional states, and commit to continuous growth.

- Fluff (20%): Some generalizations and anecdotes may feel repetitive or lacking in depth, especially when discussing common themes like overcoming fear.

- Structure/Cadence: Robbins employs a layered approach: starting with a problem (fear), offering insights (emotional state changes), and then suggesting actionable strategies (physiology changes). The pattern typically involves posing a question, providing insights or facts, and concluding with actionable advice or a motivational statement.

4. "Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address"

Steve Jobs remains one of the greatest and iconic leaders within modern times. His rise and fall and rise with Apple is something everyone knows about. Every techie wants to be Steve Jobs. Great inspirational darling of the tech industry who sadly passed away way too young.

- Facts (40%): Jobs shares factual stories from his life, including his experiences with dropping out of college, founding Apple, and facing cancer. These provide a realistic backdrop to his messages.

- Motivation (50%): The speech is highly motivational, using Jobs' personal experiences to encourage students to follow their passion, embrace uncertainty, and confront the inevitability of death.

- Fluff (10%): Very little of the speech is fluff, as most content serves to support his key points. Some philosophical statements may seem broad, but they tie back to his core message.

- Structure/Cadence: The speech follows a clear structure, with three stories each conveying a life lesson: connecting the dots, love and loss, and death. Jobs transitions from personal experiences to broader life insights, using storytelling as the foundation for each motivational message.

5. "WORK HARD AND BE PATIENT" - Gary Vaynerchuk

GaryV is special. He has a distinct style and talks with a certain cadence and a lot of emotion. Don't be hurt if you hear some curse words. GaryV is a great entrepreneur and motivator that millions follow.

- Facts (15%): Vaynerchuk references specific life experiences and observations, such as the five-year window for young adults and examples from the business world.

- Motivation (70%): The speech is highly motivational, focusing on perseverance, avoiding short-term thinking, and the importance of patience. The tone is assertive and direct, pushing the audience to take control of their actions.

- Fluff (15%): There are sections with general motivational rhetoric that may seem repetitive or lacking specific advice.

- Structure/Cadence: The cadence involves directly addressing the audience, followed by relatable examples or analogies (e.g., sports figures, entrepreneurship), and concluding with a motivational challenge. Vaynerchuk’s speech is often punctuated with strong language for emphasis.

Patterns Identified

1. Common Themes: Across all speeches, motivation is the dominant component. The speakers focus on encouraging action, perseverance, and self-belief.

2. Cadence: The structure often starts with setting up a problem or challenge, providing personal anecdotes or insights, and concluding with motivational takeaways.

3. Use of Facts: While factual content supports the messages, it is generally used sparingly to add credibility rather than form the speech's foundation.

4. Motivational Style: Each speaker's style varies—Jobs uses storytelling, Robbins incorporates physiology and emotional change, Vaynerchuk relies on blunt advice, Rohn emphasizes logical progression, and Thomas adopts a high-energy approach.

Overall, these speeches blend inspiration with anecdotal evidence to drive home their messages, balancing motivational appeals with varying degrees of factual support.

What's Next

My new book on "The Power of Building Narrative" is in the final works and I will be releasing a course to teach how to use the power of storytelling to build a brand, make more money and create more value.

If you would like to get access when the book and the course launches, signup here for updates. Yes Count me In