The Passion Contagion Effect How Authentic Enthusiasm Becomes Your Best Event Strategy

The Passion Contagion Effect

How Authentic Enthusiasm Becomes Your Best Event Strategy

You know that spark - that moment when someone lights up talking about their favorite topic and you can't help but get pulled in?

That's not just charisma. It's what I call the Passion Contagion Effect, and whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, you've probably experienced it - either as the person lighting up or the one getting magnetically drawn in.

You don't need a polished script, a big audience, or perfect lighting. You just need to let your real love for your topic leak out loud. Because when you share what genuinely fires you up, your audience can't help but lean in.

In this post, we'll unpack why this effect works, how to tap into it even when you're nervous, and how to structure your event content around the topics that make your brain zing.

What Is the Passion Contagion Effect?

The Passion Contagion Effect is that magnetic energy transfer that happens when someone speaks from a place of genuine excitement. It's the kind of connection that bypasses logic and taps straight into the emotional center of your audience.

You've felt it before - watching someone geek out over a niche topic, and suddenly you're curious too. That's emotional resonance, and it's driven by authenticity.

For neurodivergent entrepreneurs, this effect can feel especially natural. Our love for learning, our hyper-focus, our drive to go deep instead of wide - it all combines into something powerful when we stop masking and start sharing. But here's the thing: everyone has topics that light them up this way. The difference is often just in how we express that enthusiasm.

Why ND Enthusiasm Hits Differently (And What Everyone Can Learn From It)

Here's the truth: ND energy isn't subtle. And that's not a bug - it's a feature.

When you speak from a place of deep connection to your topic - your special interest, your obsession, your "I could do this in my sleep" skill - it creates a depth of engagement that polished performance never could.

What makes ND enthusiasm particularly magnetic is the unfiltered depth. While many speakers skim the surface to stay "accessible," neurodivergent presenters often dive straight into the fascinating details that make their eyes light up. They're not just sharing information - they're sharing their genuine curiosity, their "did you know?" moments, their excitement about connections others might miss.

You're not just passing along information. You're transmitting vibes. Your face changes. Your pacing shifts. Your voice lifts. Your whole body starts telling the truth.

And that truth? It cuts through the noise online like a lightning bolt.

People don't remember "perfect." They remember real.

For neurotypical speakers: You can tap into this same energy by identifying what genuinely fascinates you about your topic. What's the thing you research in your spare time? What angle makes you lean forward when you're explaining it? That's your entry point to authentic enthusiasm.

Tapping Into Your Hyper-focus Zone (Without Getting Lost)

Hyper-focus is one of the most under-leveraged gifts in your speaking toolkit. But like a wild horse, it needs gentle reins.

Start by identifying what topics drop you into flow state. What conversations make you lose track of time - in a good way?

Then design your content around that core. Use anchor points to help you stay tethered:

• Bullet-pointed outline with bold prompts

• Visual cues on your slides

• A trusted co-host or moderator to guide transitions

Hyper-focus fuels engagement, but structure supports clarity.

Don't experience hyper-focus the same way? Look for your equivalent - the state where you feel most energized and engaged. Maybe it's when you're problem-solving, storytelling, or making connections between ideas. The goal is finding your natural enthusiasm zone and building structure around it.

How to Build Your Content Around What You Actually Love Talking About

Let's be honest: most of us have at least two versions of our expertise.

1. The one we think we should present (polished, packaged, palatable)

2. The one we actually love sharing (nerdy, messy, magnetic)

Guess which one your audience wants?

Yep. The second one.

Start by asking yourself:

• What do I rant about passionately (even uninvited)?

• What topic do people always ask me to explain?

• What could I talk about for hours without notes?

• What part of my work makes me feel like I'm sharing a secret?

• What do I get genuinely excited to research or experiment with?

Now reverse-engineer your next workshop, talk, or live session around that.

Because when your content lights you up, it will light up the room too.

Soapbox Moment: Perfectionism Is the Real Buzzkill

There's a myth that professionalism = polish. That you have to tone it down, rehearse it out, and smile just so.

Nah. Let's bust that right now.

Your event doesn't need to look like a TED Talk to be transformational.

In fact, the more "produced" something feels, the less human it often becomes.

Let's stop flattening our personalities in the name of polish. Let's stop chasing artificial authority and start claiming our stage with messy brilliance.

Your passion isn't unprofessional. It's unforgettable.

On-Camera Tips for Letting the Spark Show

Feeling flat on camera? Try these tips to tap into your natural enthusiasm:

Move your body before you go live. Shake out the nerves - literally. Movement helps regulate the nervous system and energizes your voice.

Use vocal warm-ups. Humming, sirens, or reading your opening paragraph aloud with exaggerated tone can wake up your vocal range.

Talk to one person in your mind. Imagine your favorite client or friend listening. It makes your energy more intimate and focused.

Keep a visual cue nearby. A sticky note that says "Breathe" or a photo that makes you smile can help you stay grounded.

Let yourself gesture. If you naturally talk with your hands, don't suppress it on camera. Movement conveys energy.

You don't need to act. You just need to show up as you.

What to Do When You Feel Flat or Anxious

Yes, there will be days when the spark feels like a soggy match. That doesn't mean you've lost your magic.

Try this pre-event micro-ritual:

Reconnect to your why. Why does this topic matter? Who are you helping?

Play a power song. Music regulates mood and energy. Use it.

Do one small thing that feels familiar. Repeat a gesture, use a favorite pen, wear a "presentation necklace" - anchor to comfort.

Remember: passion doesn't mean nonstop hype. It means being present enough to care, even when you're tired.

Putting It into Practice: Craft Your Next Presentation Around Your Obsession

Here's a quick activity to ground this into action:

5 Questions to Find Your Passion Presentation Core

1. What can I teach without prep?

2. What gets me ranting (in a good way)?

3. What do people always ask me for help with?

4. What lights me up even on a bad day?

5. What topic have I Googled more than 10 times this year?

Use your answers to design your next event.

Lead with what you actually care about - and the confidence, clarity, and clients will follow.

Your Energy Is the Strategy

The Passion Contagion Effect isn't something you need to fabricate. It's already in you. The key is learning to channel it with just enough structure to make it sustainable.

You don't need to tone it down. You don't need to be more polished. You just need to be more you.

But here's my question for you: What's the one topic you could talk about for hours without notes? Drop it in the comments - I'd love to see what lights up this community.

Want more insights like this on creating repeatable, impactful events as a neurodivergent entrepreneur? Follow me on LinkedIn