Engaging communication is dynamic. It's skillful. And, it's filled with the speaker's passion. We all know what it's like to be transported during a presentation. We become fully present and attuned to the journey the speaker is taking us on. This passion comes forward in the sound of someone's voice, the stories one tells, and their commitment to their authenticity. Read this blog post if you are curious about how I discovered my passion through acting and how you can apply passion to your spoken English today. 

Passion: Your Key to Engaging Audiences and Communicating In English

We started 2024 talking about The Slow Movement. Do you remember that blog post back in January?

I certainly do.

I remember it specifically because I was having some health challenges at the end of 2023 and I knew that I needed to tackle 2024, well, with a little less intensity, shall we say?

And so, it makes sense to me that I wrap up this year by talking about something near and dear to my soul: Acting.

Yep! Acting!

I talk about my background in performance in my educational emails, in trainings, and in many of my online posts. I even touched upon it in the February 2024 Blog Post when I wrote about how the 5 senses can enhance your communication.

But, I want to finish the year by talking about acting because it makes me feel passionate and passion is something we all need in our communication whether we are on a stage presenting, sitting in our Monday morning update meeting, or we are having a good debate with some friends over dinner.

So, I’ll begin with an introduction to the acting methodology I was trained in from the age of 16 and then I’ll go into passion as your key to engaging audiences and communicating in English.

Eric Morris!

Oh, yes, my dear acting coach, Eric Morris.

Eric Morris's acting methodology focuses on authenticity, emotional truth, and the integration of the actor's self into their performance.

Don’t these sound like powerful elements of communication?

Let me break it down for you:

1. The Importance of Authenticity

Eric Morris emphasizes being real and truthful, as opposed to "acting" in the traditional sense.

In communication, this translates to showing up as your genuine self. Whether you're delivering a presentation or engaging in a difficult conversation, authenticity fosters trust and connection.

To know how you’re doing with authenticity in your communication, you can ask yourself: "Am I showing my real thoughts and feelings, or am I putting on a persona?"

2. Emotional Availability

As a teenager, this one really opened my eyes because I was highly emotional looking for a place to put my feelings.

And, Morris's core teaching is emotional accessibility—the ability to tap into and express what’s really going on inside.

For communication, this can transform your interactions in ways you may not have thought valuable.

Why?

Well, effective speakers and leaders understand how to use their emotions to create resonance.

For example, a simple acknowledgment that you are nervous during a presentation can make you more relatable.

3. The Value of Preparation and Practice

OMG! I forgot this one came from Eric. It’s one of The Diamond Method's 9 communication principles!

Eric Morris developed hundreds of exercises to help actors address their emotional and mental blocks. In turn, this aligns performers' inner experiences with their external expression so that they are prepared for their acting scenes.

Similarly, in communication, preparation involves not just memorizing content but connecting with it deeply.

When you practice (out loud, I might add) you become more than the speaker, you become the audience and this allows you to speak from a place of intention with your delivery, ensuring your message is both clear and impactful.

4. Overcoming Blocks

Morris created techniques to identify and dismantle personal blocks—psychological, emotional, or physical barriers that inhibit truthful expression.

In the realm of communication, this might include overcoming fear of judgment, self-doubt, or habits like filler words.

You can try techniques like breathing, visualization, and self-reflection to unblock these barriers so that you tap into your uniqueness.

5. The Relationship Between the Inner and Outer Self

Eric’s method integrates the actor's inner life with their external performance through the preparation exercises he created. In our acting classes, we spent 80% of our time developing our relationship between our inner and outer selves and only 20% on the scenes.

Communication is not just about the words we speak although I know you may get hung up on vocabulary.

But, great communication is also about energy, body language, and the subtext behind the words.

Making sure what you feel inside matches with how you present yourself creates congruence, making your message more compelling and believable.

6. Presence and Being in the Moment

A cornerstone of Morris's philosophy is being fully present in the moment, allowing the actor to respond truthfully to the stimuli of the scene and the other actors.

Communication coaches always talk about presence because when we judge ourselves we get stuck in the past and when we worry, we are thinking about the future.

The only moment is NOW and by actively listening, adapting to your audience, and responding dynamically, you will be present and won’t sound stuck to a script.

7. Personalization

Finally, Eric Morris encourages actors to bring their unique experiences and perspectives into their acting.

As a communicator, understanding your personal style and strengths—and embracing them—along with bringing your unique experiences and stories to your communication, can set you apart and make your delivery more engaging and memorable.

(Check out November’s Blog Post about storytelling to see how you can integrate your personal experiences into your speech.)

Applying Eric Morris’s Lessons to Communication Skills

I hope by now you can see that these principles aren’t just for actors; they’re for anyone seeking to connect more deeply and authentically with others.

By embracing emotional truth, dismantling internal blocks, and aligning your inner and outer self, you can communicate in a way that feels natural, impactful, and unforgettable.

What about Passion, you ask?

Passion is the lifeblood of effective communication, and Eric Morris's acting methodology provides a framework for cultivating and expressing that passion authentically.

Here’s how the principles I learned from him many years ago tie directly to passion in your communication:

1. Authenticity Fuels Passion

Passion is most compelling when it comes from a place of authenticity. Morris's focus on being real helps communicators strip away the masks and personas that dilute their message.

When you communicate authentically, your passion feels genuine and relatable, creating a stronger emotional impact.

2. Emotional Availability Amplifies Passion

Morris's teachings on emotional accessibility emphasize feeling and expressing emotions fully. Passion is an emotion that must be felt deeply to be conveyed convincingly.

By connecting to your emotional truth, you can channel that energy into your words, tone, and body language, ensuring your audience feels your enthusiasm.

3. Preparation Anchors Passion

True passion doesn’t mean unbridled energy; it requires focus and intentionality. Morris’s method teaches preparation, not just to master content but to align it with your inner feelings.

When you’re prepared, your passion isn’t scattered—it’s directed, purposeful, and magnetic.

4. Overcoming Blocks Liberates Passion

Fear, self-doubt, and other internal barriers can stifle your ability to express passion. Morris's exercises for removing blocks help communicators release the constraints that hold them back.

Free of these limitations, passion can flow naturally and uninhibited, reaching your audience with full force.

5. Aligning the Inner and Outer Self Channels Passion Effectively

Morris’s focus on congruence between the inner self and outward expression ensures that passion isn’t just a feeling—it’s an experience you transmit.

When your words, tone, and body language align, your passion becomes tangible, making your communication more persuasive and inspiring.

6. Presence and Passion Go Hand in Hand

Passion thrives in the present moment. Morris’s emphasis on presence teaches communicators to be fully engaged with their audience and environment.

When you are present, your passion is dynamic, responsive, and contagious—it evolves with the interaction, creating a powerful connection.

7. Personalization Makes Passion Unique

Morris’s encouragement for actors to bring their personal experiences into their craft highlights the uniqueness of individual passion.

For communicators, this means infusing your message with your personal stories, values, and perspectives. Your unique take on a topic adds depth and makes your passion unforgettable.

Why Passion Matters In Communication 

Passion is what transforms a message from information into inspiration.

It’s the difference between someone hearing your words and feeling your conviction.

Whether you’re giving a keynote, pitching an idea, or mentoring a team, passion draws people in and motivates them to act.

I hope you’ll take a lesson from my very favorite life teacher, Eric Morris and integrate his principles into your communication practice.

When you do you can cultivate passion that isn’t just performative but deeply felt and powerfully expressed.

Passion isn’t something you manufacture; it’s something you uncover and release.

When your passion is authentic, it resonates, and that’s when communication becomes transformative and that’s when your English is changed forever.