If it seems too good to be true, goes an old adage, then it probably is. Unfortunately, there are always people who want so much for things to be true that they suspend all critical thought and there are always others who are ready to take advantage of this need. There is never any shortage of snake oil or snake oil salesmen. (Snake oil originally referred to fraudulent health products or unproven medicinal value but has come to refer to any product with questionable or unverifiable quality or benefit. By extension, a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent goods or who is himself or herself a fraud. The snake oil salesman often uses accomplices in the audience who proclaim the benefits of the product on sale.)
Call me a cynic but it is in this context we must examine the seemingly extravagant claims of motivational speakers. Undoubtedly, a good motivational speaker, like any successful preacher, can fire up a crowd and make its members feel good, powerful and/or motivated but whether this translates into any long term or even short term change in behavior is debatable. A good presentation by either a motivational speaker or a preacher may lead to a desire for change but there is no evidence that it leads to actual change.
Behaviour change is extremely complex and there are no sure-fire methods to accomplish it but experts do agree on the inefficacy of certain methods and these include mass one-off presentations. Those behaviour change mechanism sthat do show promise always include multiple interactions, individual and small group sessions and offer some tangible and fairly timely benefits. Going to church once, even if there is a truly inspirational preacher, will not change the course of an individual’s life. Even going frequently may not show lasting benefit as demonstrated by those preachers and ministers who are later found to have been engaging in the very behaviour that they preach against so eloquently. Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the oldest and most successful programmes for those trying to remain sober but it never works for those visiting a session once and hoping to find the cure to addiction. AA is only effective for those who attend meetings regularly and often includes a buddy system for support when temptation is particularly strong and the will is weak. The Big Brother/Big Sister program in some parts of the US has proven effective but it involves a long term commitment to a stable mentoring relationship. The Youth Business Project entails training and a period of mentorship of young entrepreneurs by seasoned business people.
Tony Quinn’s weekend retreat/seminar at the Caye did not help the PUP change their modus operandi nor did it keep them in power. It is doubtful that his seminars have really changed anyone other than temporary and fleeting modifications. However, one significant change has been in his financial standing as he has become extremely wealthy peddling his seminars worldwide.
The team of inspirational speakers who were in Belize last week may indeed have changed lives but in the absence of any real evidence (promotional videos from the team itself do not count) it looks a lot like snake oil. Before corporate and other leaders pour more sponsorship into similar efforts, they should ask for evidence in the form of better grades over a long period or a measurable decrease in disciplinary problems from students who attended. If there is a measurable improvement, this should be compared to how much improvement might have been purchased with the same amount of scholarships and other support for struggling students. If their sponsorship is only buying expensive entertainment, it might be better to sponsor entertainment from Belizean artists. At least that way the money stays in Belize and helps the society in general.
It seemed too good to be true and for me at least it probably was.
