Va va voom is sex appeal. Let us pause for a moment and celebrate that for the first time in 3 and 1/2 years the Mixonian blog now includes the word "sex"! (Maybe now we'll go viral!) Mixonian Institute is all about powerful and effective leadership communication and Va Va Voom is what can energize your communication, if used appropriately. Photos of cleavage are not considered appropriate unless you're in the breast augmentation business. The best Va Va Voom communicator I know personally is my grandmother. How many 93-year-old ladies do you know who still enjoy the company of enthusiastic gentlemen callers? My grandmother's Va Va Voom is so strong that you're always glad you had contact with her.

First what appropriate sex appeal in a talk is not:

•  Off-color jokes (probably.)

•  Too much skin showing.

•  Making promises you're unwilling or unable to keep.

•  Wordy slides (meaning too much text.)

•  Reading the slides.

•  Complaining or bragging.

Here's what Va Va Voom looks like in a juicy presentation:

•  Your personal relationship with your audience and your topic is evident.

•  Enthusiastic credibility!

•  Unafraid to share a vulnerability.

•  Warm and authentic connection with your audience.

•  Audience participation.

•  Fun surprises.

•  Shorter than expected because it's so well organized.

•  A smiling speaker.

• Over with a bang.

How do you get Va Va Voom into your presentations? What drives your crazy about boring speakers?