Whoever is the best communicator will win, says Gary Vaynerchuk, author of Crush It! Cash in on your Passion. (p.51)
As a communication coach, I’m jazzed to read bold statements like his. But, look out folks… passion can also leave 3rd degree burns.
Expressing your passion is like playing with fire. You’ve got to know exactly what you want to ignite. If it’s done aimlessly, it’ll soon be out of control and you’ll end up burning yourself and others out.
It’s been said that the voice is the transmitter of the soul. What you think of as passion might actually be coming across as an intense emotion like anger. We see it in others, but not always in ourselves.
My first paid speech was to the University of Washington. I was totally passionate about the topic. Looking back on it though, there was an uneasy sense of urgency in my voice. Some might even say — scary. It was a tough lesson that taught me how unchecked passion can turn people off. Now I can easily tell when a speaker is coming from a place of frustration versus vision.
Your supporters are more influenced by the tone of your voice than the words you say. You know this from your own experience but if you want documented research, google the studies done by Professor Albert Mehrabian.
Know your audience. Take into account their current emotional level. If they’re on the low end of the emotional scale (apathetic or afraid), an angry voice, which is a higher vibration will actually give them a lift and make them feel more alive. If they’re living at an emotionally high vibration already, like happy or peaceful, an angry voice will be a step down for them. When your audience is living in a higher vibe, they’ll be listening for the joy and vision in your voice. If you have it, they’ll tune in.