Convinced by Conviction

Photo by Arnaud Mariat on Unsplash

Loud, up-tempo, heavy-on-the-bass music playing.

Lights flashing.

Presentation queued up.

Motivational speaker walks onto the stage. Perhaps she does several back handsprings with a twist at the end before landing solidly on both feet. Maybe he comes out riding a unicycle, juggling bowling pins. Maybe they’re not a career motivational speaker but an athlete, mega-business leader, or politician.

Chances are, you’re at least familiar with this sort of thing. If not, head over to YouTube and watch any one of these videos (not an affiliate link).

The recipe is generally the same:

• Charisma
• Know your content
• Have at least some credibility
• Grab the audience’s attention with something interesting, emotional, or thought-provoking (go for the trifecta)
• Exude confidence in word and body language
• Be concise
• Charisma

By the way, charisma is:

exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in others.

Or:

a person who possesses special traits that attract…