Osteen is a magnificent public speaker with lessons for leaders, managers and educators who want to motivate their employees, customers or students.

Some in the New York media seemed surprised that a prayer service dubbed “A Historic Night of Hope” would be the first non-baseball event in the new Yankee Stadium held on Saturday, April 25th. Anyone who has been following the trajectory of Lakewood Church Pastor, Joel Osteen, understands that millions of Americans are hungry for the preacher’s message and style. Osteen is a magnificent public speaker with lessons for leaders, managers and educators who want to motivate their employees, customers or students.

 On April 8, 2009, Osteen told CNN’s Larry King that a preacher’s role is to guide his flock, inspire them to higher levels of achievement, teach them something and comfort them in difficult times. Hmmm… sounds the skills of a great manager. 

 Joel Osteen is among more than twenty-five inspiring communicators featured in my book, Fire Them Up! (John Wiley & Sons, New York). All inspiring leaders in every industry share seven qualities or “simple secrets.” Osteen is no exception. Here are several speaking techniques that make Osteen a successful communicator.

 Reinforce Optimism

Osteen speaks the language of hope. According to Osteen, “As parents, we can profoundly influence the direction of our children’s lives by the words we say to them. I believe as husbands and wives we can set the direction for our entire family. As a business owner, you can help set the direction of your employees. With our words, we have the ability to help mold and shape the future of anyone over whom we have influence.”

Today’s headlines of war, recession and plummeting home and stock values can demoralize even the most positive individuals. The key is not to dwell on the negative. Osteen doesn’t put his head in the sand-he acknowledges problems. But his message is dominated by positive, hopeful and optimistic rhetoric that leaves his audience energized and inspired. 

Tell Stories

Osteen opens every sermon with a story, either an anecdote that involves him or something that happened to somebody else. Storytelling is a powerful technique to engage your listeners, but very few business professionals are comfortable it. Osteen tells stories because they bring his message to life. Stories have the power to lift people up, give them hope, and encourage them to be their best selves.

Fill Emotional Tanks

Osteen realizes that listeners are hungry for words that reinforce a belief in a brighter future. According to Osteen, “everywhere we go we should be making deposits-whether at the grocery store, ballpark, school, or office. Develop a habit of sowing good things into people’s lives. Make it your business to help somebody else feel better about himself or herself. Encourage him in some way; make him feel important; help him to know that somebody cares.”

Beliefnet Editor-in-Chief, Steven Waldman, conducted a lengthy interview with Osteen. In the interview, Osteen makes it clear that “my message is always to lift people.” You may have a title that suggests “authority” over someone else-chief executive, manager, or teacher. But you will never be recognized as a true leader until you inspire people around you and “lift them up.” Take a cue from “America’s Pastor” and fire up the people who are looking to you for guidance.