The Difference Between Energy and Passion On Stage

“Are you ready!?  Let me HEAR YOU!!!”

I’m sure you’ve seen this once or twice…

It’s the speaker who storms onto the stage… skips around throwing arms into the air… screaming at the crowd.

The speaker probably gets a very lackluster response.

:: polite applause ::

:: a few pity yells ::

:: one person who tries that finger whistle thing I can never figure out how to do :: 

(ouch!)

Recently, a subscriber asked us about the difference between energy and passion on stage.  They wanted to know what it really takes to convey passion without running around waving their arms like a lunatic.

First off… Thanks for asking. (We're here to try and help you, so if you have a question, shoot us a note!)

Second, I thought this was the perfect time to bring in my good pal Michael Port to break this down.  Michael is the co-author of The Referable Speaker and author of Book Yourself Solid. 

He is also *half* of the magic over at Heroic Public Speaking – where they help thought leaders develop life-changing speeches and write best-selling books that build sustainable careers.  (The other half of the magic is his incredible wife and partner-in-crime, Amy Port.)

As a former professional actor, professional speaker, and current speaking luminary, Michael knows a thing or two about what it takes to kill it on stage.  Let’s take a look…

The Fake Energy Entrance

Think back to the speaker who is jumping around on the stage.  He yells, “Let me hear you!!”  Then, follows up with, “No, that’s not enough.  Give me MORE!!”

The reason this type of energetic entrance doesn’t work is because it’s missing one important thing… honesty. The speaker is asking the audience to pretend they feel a certain way they don’t actually feel.

Michael explained it like this, 

“Anytime you’re trying to force an outcome as a performer, you’re usually using way more energy than you need.  But it’s not resonating with an audience because it doesn’t feel honest.  The very BEST performers in the world are the most HONEST performers.”

So, what can you do to show your audience you are passionate without crossing the line into lunatic-land?

Try this equation…