114. Chris Schoenwald: Speak with Passion

Chris Schoenwald is a Japan-based globally awarded entrepreneur with wide-ranging experiences including helping Japanese firms develop effective international sales skills, right on through to running his own Tokyo based advertising media production company and working with clients like Disney, Vogue, Suntory and Legoland Discovery Center, amongst others. Chris has served time on planning committees for major events such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, whilst also capturing prestigious business awards and honors from the likes EY, United Airlines and the American Chamber of Commerce Japan. Presently, he is intensely focused on reaching and empowering business professionals and bloggers through his presentation skills website: “The Passion Fashioned Presenter.”

What passion is

A textbook definition of passion usually relates back to the following: “A strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” Passion is the emotion that drives people forward. Especially when things become challenging or all together dreadful. In essence, it is a rocket fuel that helps people rise to the top.

Who is speaking with passion today?

The people who are atop their professions, businesses, industries are those speaking with passion. Those who don’t speak with passion consistently are the ones that are more than likely still struggling to achieve success.

For reference, some of the biggest names who speak with passion include: Anthony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk and Susan Cain. Although their styles of presentation may be different, the connection between the three is that they all truly stand behind their words and beliefs.

Speak with passion

Chris thinks it is essential to step back, reflect and ask yourself some poignant questions. What deeper motivations do you have as a person? And how could they be reflected in your presentation or talk?

Other mental exercises include asking yourself questions like: How would you like to be defined as professionally speaking ten years from now? How would you like to be remembered?

Finally, study yourself when you are speaking about something you have passion for. Notice how you change when speaking about something you love. This is now your gold standard of you speaking with passion.

Any time you veer off that path or notice your passion levels dropping, stop, reflect and find ways to further wire your passions into your presentation objectives.

Related: As a Speaker, What Makes You Unique?