I have a problem with motivational speeches
I watched “The Replacements” last night. I can’t urge you strongly enough to avoid it. The plot went something like this (and I am not spoiling it, the director did that).
- Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) flunks it as an Ohio State University quarterback.
- A national team “The Washington Sentinels” go on strike – US Football players don’t get paid enough
- Keanu and a bunch of “Replacement” failed players are hired in a last-ditch effort to save the team.
- They have to win 3 of the 4 last games of the season to get into the playoffs.
- Needless to say, they lose the first game, win the second two and it all hangs – about as subtly as the Clifton Suspension Bridge – on the last game.
Then came the good bit
In the last game they are being whipped 17-0 when Keanu is substituted onto the pitch and gives this fabulous pep talk:
I know you’re tired
I know you’re hurting
I wish I could say something classy and inspirational but that just wouldn’t be our style
Pain heals
Chicks dig scars
Glory lasts forever
It was one of only two bits of the whole film that were worth watching.
Of course, they go on and win and Brooke Langton (the only other reason to watch the film, and then only if you are a middle-aged man who should know better) goes on to dig Keanu’s scars.
Getting to the point
We love a good motivational speech:
- Bill Pullman does a fabulous job in Independence Day, then kills some aliens
- Russell Crowe rouses the troops in Gladiator then unleashes hell
- Mel Gibson’s William Wallace does such a good job of slagging off the English I nearly bought a kilt
But do motivational speeches really work?
Do pep talks, posters, slogans and conferences drive performance?
Or does glory on the sports field (or battlefield or maybe in an office) come down to all the hard work of; practicing, weightlifting, teamwork, eating well, coaching, running the scenarios, sports psychology…
Did the rhetoric win the match or was it the system?
Mind you, the thrill of watching Keanu’s nutritionist, psychologist, personal trainer and boot cleaner would have just made a bad film worse.
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Read another opinion
Image by Nottingham Trent University
James,
I suppose different people are motivated differently. Perhaps we should understand that first before we assume we know what motivates them.
Annette :-)
James
Nice post – Motivational words work in the right situation – but the foundation has to be in place with a decent system and knowledge base.
Ri
x
Thank you Ri, glad you liked it
Hello James,
You ask a pertinent question. Here is my take on the question:
1. Skill / expertise is necessary but not sufficient;
2. Resources are necessary but not sufficient;
3. Hunger (some call this motivation) is necessary but not sufficient;
So where does this leave us? I say that achievement is function of a number of variables and can be spelled out as follows:
Achievement = f (hunger, skill, resources, timing, luck).
It also occurs to me that man has consistently achieved incredible outcomes by lusting for glory. And riches.
I wish you a great day.
Thought provoking as ever Maz, thanks for the comment
James,
I remember listening to a very honest but very insightful personal development speaker once that said that people leave events or listen to talks or read motivational posters and get all pumped up. It can fuel their performance for a short time. Adrenaline dissipates fast and so it is discipline and commitment that seems to drive us on.
So, you ask: Do pep talks, posters, slogans and conferences drive performance? Not really. They can kick-start things but they don’t sustain it. That takes something else.
Adrian
Nicely put Adrian