Poll: Would you pay to listen to a motivational speaker?

Lots of people are willing to fork out hundreds of euro to learn how to sell a pen.

By Conor McMahon Deputy editor, Fora

THE CORPORATE WORLD is well stocked with Tony Robbins-style motivational speakers who have a talent for making large crowds of people experience euphoria en masse – often for the price of a hefty admission.

Last week, the Convention Centre Dublin hosted Pendulum, the annual shindig that bills itself as a world-leading “self-empowerment summit”.

Celebrities, mentors and one outspoken Brexiteer shared their inspirational thoughts on how entrepreneurs – and wannabes – can spark creativity, get over their fear of failure and generally feel good about themselves.

Tickets didn’t come cheap, ranging from €795 to €950 for the two-day event, but many single motivational speakers – like real-life Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belford – can easily command higher prices for standalone appearances.

It’s clear that lots of people are willing to pay to be motivated, but the sceptics among us might argue that amid the fist pumping and ‘sell-me-this-pen’ role playing, attendees are really paying to hear one thing: common sense.

With that mind, we’re asking Fora readers this week: Would you pay to listen to a motivational speaker?