Update: Gloria, a cross-culture expert, asked a bunch of us, "What's the difference between a motivational speech versus an inspirational speech?" There was no defining answer. Which is why that question has created a buzz with so many speakers who are shifting to inspirational messages.

I believe if you're speaking in the real world, you should deliver a real message. Don't get caught up with labels. If you're good, you'll get invited to speak again. That's the real measure of your speaking value.

Feature Article: The Olympic Keynoter

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When Lipstick Isn't Enough...

"The Counterfeit Games: designed to look good at every angle," wrote the The Times of London. "Olympic Karaoke," cried a Spanish newspaper. "China's Wrong Child Policy," from an Australian headline. "Hoax! Made in China," declared The Romanian daily 7Plus. (More from FOX News.)

These were some of the worldwide headlines crying shock, disbelief and outrage that the girl singing during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics didn't sing, but lip-synched. The real voice belonged to another girl who "wasn't cute enough."

"We had to make that choice. We combined the perfect voice and the perfect performance. The audience will understand that it's in the national interest," explained Chen Qigang, the music director.

But is it?

China's over-infatuation with putting her best face forward during the Olympics is similar to slapping lipstick on a pig. While the outside may be more appealing, there remains a stench in the air. And dressing that pig with a bow tie, putting on make-up and dousing it in perfume doesn't prevent it from returning to the sty.

Serious students of self-development know that if you want to put your best face forward, you also have to change from the inside. This is where real change occurs. This is how you attract the better things in life because of the person you've become.

Can the Chinese attract a higher world opinion of her? Yes, as long as she's willing to do the hard work of changing from the inside instead of just applying lipstick. Besides, lipstick is fast, easy and cheap. Almost in every convenience store.

In terms of national interest, China gets a big fat "F" for her constant manipulation of her people and the media. Doing the Hollywood thing of making the unreal real is great for entertainment — but authenticity, integrity and sincerity is what's required on the world stage. And in any relationship that matters.

The Olympic Keynoter

Dear Associate,

The crowd finished their applause. The announcer says a few words and then announces your name. You walk on stage embracing the energy. You begin speaking from the silence.

Whether you're giving the keynote address at a company conference, a thirty thousand-seat stadium, or at your high-school reunion — there are three keys that can transform you into one of most sought-after speakers on the planet. Let's face it, being a keynote speaker means you stand out from all the others in the world. Other keynoters may have a similar expertise or related topic, but no one can tell their message the way you can.

Your world-class message should burn with passion from start to finish. It has to connect with people's hearts and minds. It has to offer value and substance. Your audience gets to take away something from you they didn't have when they arrived.

Just like the Olympic athletes on the world stage, you must be at the top of your speaking game. There's little room for error. The real challenge lies in moving people, not manipulating them. And the end goal is opening people, not closing them.

Your keynote means just that. One key note. One central theme. One all-encompassing topic filled with stories. "The Seven Secrets to Success," is not a keynote. While "Happiness in an Unhappy World," is.

Here are three critically important keys to include in your keynote:

1) Include your signature story. This is your personal story no one else in the world can claim because you're the only one who has experienced and lived through it. It should not be a story you read from a book, heard on a CD, or that's making the rounds in speaking circuits. This is a story with your name stamped all over it.

As the keynote, your signature story distinguishes you from all other speakers in the world. No one else can repeat your story without referencing you. Your unique story multiplies the effectiveness of your message.

Your signature story may include the windy roads that brought you to where you are today. Maybe it could be the tragic struggles that made you realize you needed to make improvements. Or perhaps it was your mother who you've always discounted but now believe your life would have been better had you heeded her advice.

But that's only the first key...

2) Include your lessons learned. When you share about how you learned an important lesson — your stock rises. You become more believable. Without the lessons learned you're left with a speech that fizzles because it's too hunky dory.

Let's pretend you are a top contender at the next Olympic tryouts. Then you fell ill and were diagnosed with cancer. You get treatment, yet decide to continue training because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.

You train everyday. You put up with the fatigue and pain factors. You take your supplements and eat healthy. You know this is also a mind/body issue so you continue believing you will get better. You keep training because you realize no one can steal your dream but you.

When the final tryouts are over — you qualified. Your cancer is in remission. Belief, persistence and resolve: what important lessons to leave your audiences.

Wait, we're not finished...

3) Include a flaw or vulnerability. We're all human. We make mistakes. Most speakers think it's taboo to discuss their mistakes. They try to appear perfect. This seldom works because the human audience rarely identifies with a speaker who wants to be perceived as flawless.

The perfect speaker inevitably invites yawns. Why? Because he doesn't connect with the human condition that we have flaws. He actually raises an invisible wall of skepticism from the podium.

For instance we hear stories about the Chinese gymnasts who train forty-plus hours a week. They don't have to worry about food, clothes or shelter because everything is provided for them. They have the top trainers, doctors and teachers money can buy. They defy the Law of Gravity. They are like an army of unstoppable robots that operate flawlessly. Just press "start" and they're ready for action.

Boring.

Their stories lack human emotion. There's no struggle or disappointment. Everything is force-fed. They're expected to perform with excellence... or else.

On the other hand we seldom hear about the gymnast from Anytown, USA, whose coaches and parents have not pressured her to compete. She practiced long hours between school, her part-time job, and church. A virtual unknown training in a hometown facility without all the media hype.

In her first major competition she falls and twists an ankle, which ends her chance to advance in the ranks. Months later she returns to compete again with some success. She never gave up and has matured over time fending off disappointments. One day she gets invited to the Olympic tryouts because her coach sent a video of her to the Olympic trainer. And the rest is history.

This is the juice that rivets an audience to your story. It gives them the desire to hope and dream again. It generates that warm fuzzy feeling. And it suggests that against all odds — you too can become that winner.

Someday you may be invited to give a keynote address. With these three keys you'll be able to WOW your audience. And give them something valuable to take home.