| S.No | Motivation | Inspiration |
| 1. | Motivation is external as the individual is persuaded by someone else. | Inspiration is internal as it comes from within the individual |
| 2. | The encouragement comes from someone else by offering rewards both of financial and non-financial nature. | The encouragement and ideas come from the individual itself. |
| 3. | Motivation is a short lived phenomenon lasts as long as the reward is there | Inspiration stays for long term |
| 4. | Motivation is self-oriented as the outcomes matter to the individual | Inspiration is service oriented as the outcomes matter to those who are being served. It promotes partnership. |
| 5. | Motivation is competitive by nature | Inspiration is collaborative by nature. |
