The Right Amount of Energy

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He went on to say that using gestures will help you speak better because for most of us it takes effort not to use gestures. Don't be afraid of using your hands.

AOL's (TWX) Truveo.com is one of my favorite video search engines. I use it to retrieve clips of business speakers to study their body language. Symantec's (SYMC) John Thompson, Oracle's (ORCL) Larry Ellison, Cisco's (CSCO) John Chambers, and eBay's (EBAY) Meg Whitman are excellent examples of people with confident, energetic body language.

4. Study TV and radio personalities. Stars of television and radio who score high on the likability scale have high-energy personalities. I had a conversation with Suze Orman over the phone a couple of years ago and remember it to this day. Her energy comes right through the speaker. What you see on her CNBC show is what you get behind the scenes. High energy. The other day I watched Food Network (SSP) star Rachael Ray sign books at a mall where I happened to be shopping. Sometimes critics poke fun at her "perky" personality and phrases like "yum-o," but the fact is she has energy and millions of viewers enjoy it. The network morning-show hosts are typically chosen for their energetic personalities. Today's Matt Lauer on NBC (GE) and The Early Show's Julie Chen on CBS (CBS) are excellent examples, but there are many others on morning television.

Remember, maintaining an energetic presence is very difficult to do unless you're involved with something you enjoy. If you are truly passionate about your company, product, or service, then show it. Speak with energy and vitality. Your listeners will love you for it.

Carmine Gallo, a business communications coach and Emmy-Award winning former TV journalist, is the author of Fire Them Up! and 10 Simple Secrets of the World's Greatest Business Communicators. He writes his communications column every week.