Wiebe Wakker
April 28, 2025
What Makes a Speaker Inspiring?
Whether you’re attending a conference, a corporate event, or a seminar, chances are you’ve experienced a speaker who left a lasting impression. But what exactly makes a speaker truly inspiring?
It’s not just about charisma or eloquence. An inspiring speaker knows how to build a bridge between the mind and the heart. They don’t just make you think – they make you feel. And often, it’s that combination that sparks real change.
What Makes an Inspiring Speaker? Authenticity and Realness
One of the most crucial factors is authenticity. A speaker who is genuine, who shares their personal journey – including both the highs and the lows – truly connects with people. It’s not a rehearsed sales pitch, but an honest story about challenges, choices, and lessons learned.
I experienced this firsthand during my Plug Me In adventure, where I drove an electric car from the Netherlands to Australia without money. I didn’t start that journey with a perfectly detailed plan, but with a dream, a mission, and a good dose of courage. Along the way, it wasn’t the easy moments that shaped the story, but the moments of uncertainty, relying on strangers, and trusting in collaboration and human connection. That made my story relatable and real – and therefore inspiring to many.
Inspiration Starts with a Greater Purpose
Inspiring speakers don’t just tell their own story; they connect it to a larger cause. They challenge you to think beyond yourself.
My personal mission – to show that more is possible than we often think and that humanity is fundamentally good – runs through everything I do and share. It’s not just about what I have achieved, but about what we can accomplish together when we help one another and make choices for a more sustainable future.
During my presentations, I take the audience on a journey, both literally and figuratively. Not only across different countries and cultures but through universal themes like perseverance, collaboration, and sustainability. My goal is for people not just to listen but to leave with renewed energy, inspiration, and perhaps even a plan to take their own first steps.
An Inspiring Speaker Tells a Story, Not Just Facts
Finally, storytelling makes all the difference. People don’t remember lists of facts; they remember stories. An inspiring speaker weaves knowledge, emotion, and experience into a compelling narrative.
For me, it’s not just about talking about reaching Australia, but about sharing how it felt to be stranded in the middle of the outback without power, or how a complete stranger offered me a place to stay when I had nowhere to go.
Good stories create room for self-recognition. They make you think: “If he can do that, what can I achieve?”
In summary, what makes a speaker inspiring:
An inspiring speaker is authentic, driven by a purpose greater than themselves, and uses storytelling to build true connection. My mission is to not just move people with my story, but to activate them: to help create a more positive, sustainable world – together.
Interested in discovering how I can inspire your audience? Feel free to contact me.
