Speaking With Passion

As a communication coach, I'm jazzed to read boldeasily tell when a speaker is coming from a place of
statements about people speaking with passion. But,frustration versus vision.
look out folks... passion can also leave 3rd degreeYour supporters are more influenced by the tone of
burns.your voice than the words you say.
Expressing your passion is like playing with fire. You'veYou know this from your own experience but if you
got to know exactly what you want to ignite. If it'swant documented research, Google the studies done
done aimlessly, it'll soon be out of control and you'll endby Professor Albert Mehrabian.
up burning yourself and others out.Know your audience. Take into account their current
It's been said that the voice is the transmitter of theemotional level. If they're on the low end of the
soul. What you think of as passion might actually beemotional scale (apathetic or afraid), an angry voice,
coming across as an intense emotion like anger. Wewhich is a higher vibration will actually give them a lift
see it in others, but not always in ourselves.and make them feel more alive. If they're living at an
My first paid speech was to the University ofemotionally high vibration already, like happy or
Washington. I was totally passionate about the topic.peaceful, an angry voice will be a step down for them.
Looking back on it though, there was an uneasy senseWhen your audience is living in a higher vibe, they'll be
of urgency in my voice. Some might even say --listening for the joy and vision in your voice. If you have
scary. It was a tough lesson that taught me howit, they'll tune in.
unchecked passion can turn people off. Now I can