Former US President George W Bush, whose economic and foreign policies drew flak both home and abroad, is set to become a highly-paid motivational speaker.

The Republican, who left office with the US embroiled in two wars, the worst economic recession in decades and with his approval rating a toxic 22 per cent, will appear on Monday with success stories in an “Introduction to the George W Bush legacy project”.

The appearance of Bush as the headline speaker on the popular ‘Get Motivated’ seminar on ‘How to Master the Art of Effective Leadership’ has produced guffaws, The Times newspaper reported.

“Only the BEST of the BEST appear on our stage!” declares the Get Motivated website. Monday’s event will be a “motivational mega-show that packs more inspirational firepower than a stick of dynamite!” Bush’s spokesman David Sherzer said the former president will share his thoughts on decision-making and managing organisations. “It’s a great opportunity for him to talk to a group of risk-takers and entrepreneurs,” Sherzer was quoted as saying by the London daily.

The event, in Texas, will also feature Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and Rudy Giuliani, former New York Mayor.

Bush is being paid a reported $ 100,000 for each appearance. The former First Lady Laura Bush is also speaking for Get Motivated at other events, meaning the former First Couple could have banked $ 500,000 by the end of the year. In his advise to speakers, Tamara Lowe, the executive vice-president of Get Motivated, said, “It is a sin to bore people with a presentation ... Add humour to your presentations. Study stand-up comedy. Move around on stage but don’t pace back and forth like a caged animal.”