A Blog Designed to Help You Become a Better Speaker

I recently emceed an event with a variety of motivational speakers. Some of the content was brilliant—authentic, personal stories delivered with heart. But as I watched from the wings, one thing stood out clearly: a few speakers had something more.

I’ve written about it before, but it remains one of the clearest differentiators on stage.

It’s the “It Factor.”

For years, I’ve tried to define exactly what the “It Factor” is—because audiences feel it, meeting planners want it, and every speaker chases it. While I do believe some people are naturally wired with it, there’s one element that seems to be at the core:

Energy.

Not frantic, nervous energy. Not forced enthusiasm. I’m talking about a deliberate, grounded energy that expands beyond the speaker and fills the entire room. It’s the kind of energy that can carry a story, a song, or a speech—no matter the pace, tone, or emotional range.

And here’s the catch: most speakers unintentionally leak their energy.

When you’re excited or ...