I love your ENTHUSIASM!

Negotiations. Job searches. Teaching and learning. Sales.

Have you ever wondered if there is something you could do to improve the outcomes of situations like these?

Well, there is!

The thing you should be doing? Show some ENTHUSIASM!

 

Talk About Talk #108 - Communicating Enthusiasm - image of Dr. Andrea Wojnicki

 

I was first introduced to the power of enthusiasm by my friend, Dr. Tatiana Astray, whose research focuses on emotions and negotiations. 

You may remember Tatiana from her previous appearance on Talk About Talk episode #50. Since then, I’ve learned a lot more about the positive impact of enthusiasm, and decided it was time to devote an entire episode to it.

I’m very excited to share this week’s Talk About Talk podcast episode with you! In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • WHAT enthusiasm is
  • The IMPACT of enthusiasm
  • How to COMMUNICATE enthusiasm 

WHAT IS ENTHUSIASM?

The dictionary definition of enthusiasm is an intense expression of interest, enjoyment, or approval.

Let’s unpack that.

1️⃣ It’s INTENSE – In other words, high energy, strong, concentrated, and heightened. 

2️⃣ It’s an EXPRESSION – Enthusiasm isn’t something you feel, it’s something that you demonstrate to others.

 

Talk About Talk #108 - Communicating Enthusiasm - quote about enthusiasm by Dr. Tatiana Astray

3️⃣ It’s POSITIVE – Showing enthusiasm for something demonstrates interest, enjoyment, and/or approval.
Talk About Talk #108 - Communicating Enthusiasm - image of three people holding two thumbs up

Image by shironosov from Getty Images/Canva

WHY IS ENTHUSIASM IMPACTFUL?

Research has shown that enthusiasm can have a positive impact in a variety of contexts, and if you focus on communicating YOUR enthusiasm, you might be more successful.

There are three main reasons for this:

1️⃣ Cues and Signals

  • People look for cues from others about whether something is worth their time and attention.
  • If others are enthusiastic about something, people get the message that they should also be enthusiastic about it.

2️⃣ Mirroring and Contagion

  • Whether we’re aware of it or not, we mirror each other. (This is what researchers call “emotional synchrony.”)
  • If you’re a leader, people will be looking to you for cues and will mirror your enthusiasm.
  • You’ve probably heard that smiling and yawning are contagious. Well, guess what? So is enthusiasm!
Talk About Talk #108 - Communicating Enthusiasm - quote on enthusiasm by Susan Rabin
3️⃣ Internal Reinforcement
  • In addition to seeking cues from others, we also listen to cues from our own bodies.
  • We can reinforce positivity and enthusiasm within ourselves through our non-verbal communication with others.

That’s it for this week! An enthusiastic THANK YOU to Tatiana Astray for first introducing me to this topic!

You can listen to this episode directly on the Talkabouttalk.com website just by clicking ▶️PLAY.  Or you can find the podcast on any podcast app.  Just search “Talk About Talk.” 

Please forward this email to your friends who might like help with their communication skills and job-seeking. Thank you.

Related posts:

  1. #108 ENTHUSIASM Please! Communicating with Enthusiasm
  2. Let’s show a little ENTHUSIASM!
  3. Is POWER a dirty word?
  4. Power: It’s not what you think