Finding Energy in a Quiet Personality
As a naturally soft-spoken person, one of the most challenging parts of my sixteen-year career at CNBC Asia was maintaining a high level of energy and volume for a three-hour live show. When the red light on the camera lit up, I often had to triple my natural energy and projection.
Why? Because television has a “flattening” effect on performance. If you’ve ever replayed a presentation you thought went well, only to discover you sounded monotone, you’ve experienced the same phenomenon. On TV, quiet voices and subtle gestures can easily fade—meaning that those of us who are naturally low-key have to deliberately raise our game.
The Colbert Moment
I was reminded of this recently while attending a live taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York City.
Before the show, Colbert spent about 15 minutes doing audience Q&A. Watching him up close, I had a flash of insight—Colbert is, at his core, shy. His body language, the way he nervously polished his glasses, and his soft voice all suggested a reserved personality.
But then, the show began. It was like a switch had flipped—his energy tripled, his delivery became electric, and he embodied the confident, quick-witted performer millions recognize.
During a break between segments with actor Joaquin Phoenix, Colbert confirmed my hunch:
“Yeah, right now I am at about 1.5x my normal self. Sometimes it has to be even more.”
I couldn’t help but smile. One of my favourite comedians was also a quiet soul who had mastered the art of turning it on when it counts.
Why Introverts Can Make Outstanding Speakers
Many of my media training clients are soft-spoken professionals who believe that, because they aren’t natural extroverts, they’ll never be effective public speakers. This simply isn’t true.
Some of my best interviews have been with introverts—including former New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English (see why introverts excel in interviews). When given the right tools, they can project confidence, warmth, and authority—without sacrificing authenticity.
The Tools to “Flip the Switch”
The key is learning to temporarily amplify your presence. That might mean increasing voice projection, boosting physical energy, or sharpening gestures when you’re on stage or in front of a camera.
Here’s a posture trick that can help you look more confident during on-screen interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G51nSpcwOeI&t=7s
Colbert does it. I do it. Many of my clients now do it too. And it works.
Quiet Doesn’t Mean Ineffective
Being naturally quiet does not make you a poor public speaker—it simply means you may need to adopt different strategies. As Susan Cain’s groundbreaking book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking so eloquently explains, introverts bring unique strengths to communication.
If you’ve ever turned down a speaking opportunity because you thought, I’m just too quiet, it might be time to rethink that belief.
With the right training, you can keep your authentic self—and still command the room when the spotlight turns your way.
