Top 20 Motivational Speakers 2018
There are countless motivational speakers around the world. However, only a select few make long-lasting impacts on their audiences. Through our research and first-hand experience, we have uncovered the top 20 motivational speakers of 2018 and have listed them in alphabetical order below.
1. Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington is an influential woman. She’s the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post. She educates audiences on health, wellness, and provides tips to succeed in business endeavors. Huffington is in The Guardian’s Top 100 Media List and Forbes lists her as the 52nd Most Powerful Woman in the World.
2. Benjamin Zander
Benjamin Zander is known for his undeniable energy as a speaker. He is recognized around the world for his empowering performances focused on leadership. Uniquely, Benjamin uses music to help his audiences stimulate their minds and bring out the best in themselves and others.
3. Brené Brown
Dr. Brown is one of the most renowned speakers in America. Her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the top 5 most viewed TED talks ever, with over 30 million views. Her work focuses on human connection. She considers herself a researcher and storyteller who likes to include personal stories in her keynote performances.
4. Daymond John
Daymond John is an entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and highly sought-after motivational speaker. He is the founder, president, and CEO of FUBU and is known for his role as an investor on ABC’s reality television series, Shark Tank. Appointed as Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship by President Barack Obama, Daymond promotes entrepreneurship and business tips on a global scale.
5. Diana Nyad
At age 64, Diana Nyad was the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. Diana is the author of 3 successful books, including her most recent memoir, Find a Way. Her determination has driven her to become a national fitness icon and one of today’s most powerful motivational speakers.
6. Eric Thomas
Eric Thomas, AKA “ET,” is a world-renowned motivational speaker, author, and minister. He started his journey as a high school dropout on the streets of Detroit and is now an audible.com Audie Awards Finalist. He has reached millions of people in several hundred countries and leads his audiences to success by helping them reach goals they never imagined possible.
7. Erik Qualman
Erik Qualman is a #1 bestselling author and motivational speaker. He has performed in over 50 countries and has reached 25 million people this decade. As a keynote speaker, he uses a unique and pioneering video-storytelling approach to educate his audiences on Digital Leadership, Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Focus. He was voted the 2nd Most Likeable Author in the World behind Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling. His work has been used by the National Guard to Nordstrom to NASA.
8. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, AKA “Gary Vee,” is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and an Internet personality. Gary is one of the most highly renowned speakers in the nation, his best work is featured throughout digital marketing and social media, leading to his company VaynerMedia. He empowers his audiences to create their own destiny.
9. Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin speaks on promoting good habits and happiness. Her podcasts consistently rank in iTunes Top Charts, and her messages continue to inspire people around the world to live their happiest lives.
10. Jamie Turner
Jamie Turner, CEO of 60 Second Marketer, is a top keynote speaker and CEO who shares inside secrets of what works and what doesn’t work in marketing. Jamie shares his new marketing techniques with audiences across the globe through blogs, newsletters, keynotes, and books.
11. John Maxwell
John Maxwell, New York Times best-selling author, is a top leadership icon. Inspiring audiences as a speaker, pastor, and author, Maxwell has shared insight with millions of people around the world. He strives to be a mentor for all people he encounters to help them reach their maximum potential.
12. Josh Linkner
Keynote speaker Josh Linkner speaks on innovation, creativity, reinvention, and hyper-growth leadership. He is passionate about helping his audiences reach their full potential and perform successfully in the business world.
13. Malala Yousafzai
The youngest receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai, is one of the top spokespeople for young girls’ rights to an education. Her outspoken campaign promotes education for girls around the world. Her heart-wrenching stories inspire audiences to help empower young women.
14. Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins, an expert on leadership and defeating doubt, is one of the top motivational speakers alive today. Her Ted Talk, How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over, has over 10 million views spanning 37 countries. She delivers life-changing messages to her audiences and urges them to challenge their way of thinking.
15. Richard Branson
Founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson, is a prime example of an entrepreneur. His first business venture was at age 16 and he has since been knighted for “services to entrepreneurship” at Buckingham Palace. His love for adventure and humanitarian work has made him a prominent figure.
16. Seth Godin
Seth Godin has spoken to audiences and reached millions of people at public events and companies including Disney, Cadillac, eBay, Google, and Amazon. He has ranked in the top 1% of all of the speakers at every event he attends. He focuses on marketing, respect, and how ideas are spread.
17. Shawn Achor
Shawn Achor is one of the most influential people speaking on human potential. He has worked in 50 countries with almost half of the Fortune 100. His TED Talk, The Secret to Better Work, has over 16 million views.
18. Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and the founder of Leanin.org. Sheryl has been named one of Time’s Top 100 Most Influential People and educates her audiences on her expertise in dominating the business world as a woman.
19. Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is a motivational speaker and marketing consultant. His TED Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, is regarded as the third most popular presentation. He shares leadership and team building tips that will lead a business to success.
20. Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins is the nation’s top life and business strategist. Robbins has reached over 50 million people from over 100 countries through video, audio, and life training seminars. He empowers audiences to develop themselves personally and professionally by providing the skills and motivation necessary to do so.
