5. Inspirational Author, Storyteller & Orator
Important: Jerry does not like the term Motivational speaker and prefers using Inspirational Author, Storyteller & Orator.
Why? Inspiration is inherent and internal stimuli that represents something that compels an individual to take action, often connecting with their feelings or values. It can also spark ideas for them on actions to take or things to make. Motivation is external stimuli represents giving an individual a reason to take action, often serving as a method of persuasion. Motivation represents a pushing force, where someone or something is persuading the individual to complete a specific action. These forces include external expectations or rewards. Meanwhile, inspiration represents an internalised pulling force. Rather than pushing the individual, inspiration connects with something within them that makes them want to take a particular action. Instead of following someone else's expectations, they're pursuing their own rewards.
Inspiration is often considered better than motivation because it creates a deeper, more lasting impact on behavior and mindset. Here's why:
These are the 5 simple steps we would follow in each coaching cycle.
- Inspiration Comes from Within: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic: Inspiration arises from an internal connection to values, passions, or purpose, whereas motivation is often driven by external rewards or pressures. Sustainability: Inspiration fuels long-term commitment because it aligns with who you are, while motivation can fade when the external factor is removed.
- Inspiration Sparks Creativity: Inspiration ignites creativity and encourages thinking beyond boundaries, whereas motivation often focuses on achieving a specific, predefined goal.
- Inspiration Transforms, Motivation Pushes: Inspiration leads to transformation by changing how you view yourself and the world. Motivation can feel like a push to do something, often without changing your core beliefs or desires.
- Inspiration Connects to Purpose: When you're inspired, your actions align with a sense of purpose, making the process fulfilling. Motivation might get things done, but it often lacks this emotional depth.
- Inspiration is Contagious: Inspired individuals naturally inspire others through their passion and energy. Motivation, being task-oriented, doesn’t have the same ripple effect.
To explain with a simple Example:
Motivation: "I will run every day to lose 5 kg because my doctor said so."
Inspiration: "I want to live a healthy, active, energetic life to feel my best and inspire my family, friends, associates, youth and people I train to do the same."
While both have their place, inspiration drives authentic, meaningful actions that resonate deeply, making it more powerful in the long run.
Unlike Motivational speakers who, share fairy takes or fake stories in their talks, Jerry brings the learning and subject matter themes to life in his talk with inspirational true stories of real heroes who are ordinary people doing extraordinary actions to create eternal, long and lasting impact in our world. Research shows that people feel intimidated by larger-than-life celebrities or cheated with fairy tales or fake stories. Jerry who pioneered the global movement to recognise, and reward unsung, uncommon, unheard real heroes has researched, curated and profiled several real heroes from around the world in his Karma Kurry and moJOsh Inspirator books which also include stories of children from unserved communities, who are doing heroic work. People connect with the stories Jerry tells from his books and leaves everyone in the audience with the feeling that ‘if she, he or they can do it, I can too.’
Jerry writes books that narrate true stories of real heroes through his Karma Kurry, Karma Kurry Karishma and moJOsh Inspirator self-help inspirational book series, which are packed with powerful, profound, poignant stories accompanied by moJOsh Inspirator life, leadership and learning2learn lessons to enable people to realise and acknowledge “The Hero in me or The Hero within.” A chance meeting in 2003, with Dashrath Manjhi – The Mountain Man inspired Jerry to conceptualise and create the Karmaveer Awards to celebrate Real, Unsung, Everyday Heroes and also write their true stories in the Karma Kurry Book series to inspire people and children around the world to become champions of change.
In 2016, Jerry co-authored a book with the PM of India, Mr. Narendra Modi where he complemented and countered PM Modi’s thoughts. Mann Ki Batt sold several million copies and is now being followed by Jann Ki Baat co-authored by Naseerudin Shah and Jerry, where they invite positive and constructive feedback from the people of India to request PM Modi and Government to further improve on governance, economy, education, secularism, healthcare and other public concerns. Jerry is also a guest columnist for several global magazines and portals like Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, Speaking Tree, Time Magazine, International Herald Tribune, Business World, The Economist, Medium and others.
What inspired Jerry to write books of ordinary unsung heroes?
When Jerry started writing Karma Kurry in 2009, many taunted and said, “who will read stories of unknown people?” A journalist in the book announcement press meeting, told me “You should use your time to write stories of famous celebrities that would sell more books and earn you more money.”
Jerry said to them “there is an old proverb - that until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. That quote made me think and go deeper. My calling is to be the historian for all unsung, unheard, unseen, but Real Heroes. I also feel the children and youth of today do not need mere celebrities as role models, but need inspiration to become real, from real people who are real heroes who are bringing about real change and making a real difference in real time in a world full of fakery and false narratives. I have to be their historian, since they are the LIONS, whose stories are never told while we read stories of mere celebrities who are glorified as heroes, but are not HEROES AT ALL. It’s not just my job to celebrate these stories of ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING EXTRAORDINARY CHANGE, but hopefully I inspire others to do the same. So, it is something I have to do, so that my Stories of Glory celebrate the passion, the sweat, the blood, the toil, the courage, the integrity, the compassion of Real Heroes. The Hunters are not heroes, the lions are!”
As an Inspirational Author, Storyteller & Orator Jerry can speak on over 1000 subject matter themes with complete expertise and extrapolates insights from over 6000 books, 25,000 research papers and other content that he studied in his quest to create the moJOsh Inspirator life, leadership and learning2learn lessons which is not just a framework but an effective way of life to unleash our unlimited potential and powers. He also brings the lessons and insights with several hundred case stories of organisations, institutions and true stories of real heroes.
Some indicative themes are given below
- Redefining Realness
- The Confident Woman
- Women and Leadership
- The 7 habits of highly effective people
- The 8th Habit
- The 5 choices to extraordinary productivity
- The 5th Discipline
- Helping Clients Succeed
- Let’s get real or let’s not play
- What got you here wont take you there
- The Essential Drucker
- 4 Disciplines of Execution
- The speed of trust
- Atomic Habits
- Man’s Search for Meaning
- The courage to be disliked
- Noise
- Uncommon Therapy
- The Prophet
- The Reframe
- The mountain is you
- 12 Rules for Life
- From good to great
- Growth Mindset
- What the CEO wants you to know
- The ultimate question (related to NPS and customer loyalty)
- The innovators dilemma (how to drive innovation at the workplace)
- Principle-centred leadership
- The power of now
- The power of belief