There’s one factor that I’ve seen from so many speakers that dynamically affects the energy in the room before they even say a word: how fast they walk on stage. I’ve seen speakers take their time walking slowly -- and it usually kills the energy in the room. I’ve seen speakers literally run onto stage and a few times they’ve gone so fast that they’re not out of breath.

What’s the right pace to walk on stage as a speaker? When I’m speaking, I have so many details going through my mind: my opening, my pacing, my tone, my positioning, my audience. I’ve found that if you walk on stage at 1.5 times your normal walking pace, it shows you’re on a mission.

It telegraphs to your audience, “I’m on a mission to tell you something important.” Messengers who walk quickly, like waiters, your concierge, an assistant, they walk faster when they know they have an important message for someone important in their life.” For you as the speaker, your Message can be life-changing for someone important in your life: your audience. The next time you get on stage, walk 1.5 times the speed of your normal walking pace and watch the energy in the room increase before you even say a word.

Have a great day and remember, your Message matters!

The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing is presented by Jon Cook, founder of Keynote Content. Jon and his team help thought leaders, namely speakers, coaches, and consultants, craft and share their messages to better serve their audiences. Connect with Jon and his team at Keynote Content by visiting keynotecontent.com. You can subscribe to The Keynote Clarity for Thought Leaders Flash Briefing by visiting bit.ly/KeynoteClarity and enabling it there. Then, all you have to say is, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”