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Energy: It Will Make You or Break You

Using Energy to Be the Best Speaker You Can Be

Boy, have I seen my share of “Motivational Speaker” types. They’re not all strictly motivational speakers, of course. Some call themselves “trainers,” others “keynoters.” They all have something in common: the misuse of the presentation field's most precious, sought-after commodity: energy.

Three Speaker Syndromes to Avoid

“Look at Me”

These speakers not only crave being in the spotlight, they deeply NEED it. Specializing in telling personal anecdotes, they address questions (if they allow any) by laying on yet another story about themselves. Though they often seem lost about their presentation's objective, their pleasure is palpable as they bask in the audience's attention.

No Protein in the Diet

A close relative to “Look at Me,” presenters with this syndrome get away with delivering "fluff." Full of cliches and predictable metaphors (often about “Leadership,”) these speakers put out many words without saying anything of depth or sustenance. After their talk, audience members find it impossible to relate any of the content to their lives. But they do remember enjoying the speech, as we remember eating a dessert without remembering what it was.

Too Much Projection, Too Little Absorption

We say a speaker "yammers" at us when he or she projects strong personal energy but seems oblivious to our uniqueness as an audience. As audience members, we get the feeling this speaker doesn't really care who we are or what our needs and interests may be. He or she may deliver a great performance, but doesn't "play off" or interact with our energy at all.

These three syndromes, while to be avoided, all share one essential component for effective presentations: energy. Roger Ailes writes, “An ounce of energy is worth a pound of technique.” How true! Yet it’s the misuse of energy that underlies these speaker syndromes.

Using Energy to Be the Best Speaker You Can Be

Two essential components for effective presentations:

• Know your stuff and
• Exude energy, vitality, the life force.

People will remember your energy above all else, even eye contact. So how to use energy effectively?

Be a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer

Zig Ziggler uses the Thermostat metaphor to characterize a “winner.” A thermostat controls the atmosphere, whereas a thermometer goes up and down according to conditions outside its control. The same can be said for speakers. A presenter who is 100% “present,” energetic and authentic controls the atmosphere from the beginning, no matter what glitches may occur. (That’s why some presenters who master "being a thermostat" don’t feel they have to actually say anything important.)

As speakers, our challenge is to control the atmosphere, while absorbing and responding to the audience's unique energy. In essence, that requires us to "see" and "feel" the audience, without allowing their energy to deplete or overcome our own.

Use the “Magic Circle”

Effective presenters step into the “Magic Circle” as they rise from their chairs, walk onto the stage, and stand to face the audience. Their energy changes in the few seconds these actions take. Suddenly, they are “bigger” than they were just a minute ago. They appear well-grounded. They burst with vitality. They connect to the audience by extending their life energy even before they speak. They are totally authentic—just “bigger” versions of themselves.

This transformation is available to any speaker. Before speaking, just visualize the area where you will present as a “Magic Circle,” with definite parameters. Once in the circle, you are “on.” Your energy zings outward. Once you step out of the circle, you don’t need to be “on” any more. Awareness of the “Magic Circle” is a great way to preserve essential energy while ensuring you project it when you need to.

Remember, Speaking is a Relationship Event

Be yourself (but a "bigger version" of yourself;) open to the audience's energy without succumbing to it, and pump up your life energy, and you'll notice concrete improvements in your confidence and effectiveness as a speaker.

Guila Muir specializes in helping professionals be the best speakers they can be. She provides on-site classes and one-on-one coaching.

See Presentation Skills for more information, or write to Guila at info@guilamuir.com.

Guila Muir and Associates is the premiere Train-the-Trainer firm on the West Coast. Using participatory adult education since 1981, Guila Muir & Associates has developed the skills of hundreds of trainers and facilitators in business and government. Enhance your organization's ability to transmit information the way adults learn best-actively! Visit our web site at guilamuir.com, write us at connect@guilamuir.com or call us at (206) 725-1994.

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