Understanding the power of your voice

By Michael Kelly

After graduating from law school a friend was having trouble finding a job. Potential employers commented that her voice lacked credibility. My friend had excellent qualifications and professional experience, but her light voice would irritate others instead of inspiring confidence in what she was saying. If she were to have a successful career she would have to learn new voice skills.

Your voice is an important part of the image you portray to your prospective clients, your existing clients, your colleagues, and anyone who hears you speak whether it's face-to-face, on the phone, public speech or media appearance. Is your voice pleasing to listen to? Does it convey confidence? Does it sound tense? Does it fit the way you look? Does your voice fit the "package" that you want to present to the world?

Here are three ideas to help you understand and unleash the power of your voice . . .

1. Learn to hear your voice as others hear it

One reason you may not be comfortable with your voice is because you don't understand why your voice sounds different to you on audiotape versus when you normally speak. Here is the reason. When you normally speak, your voice passes through the air to your ears through air conduction. It also passes through bones in your neck from your vocal folds to your inner ear through bone conduction. When you hear your voice on audiotape you're only hearing it through the air, and that is why it sounds different to when you normally speak. The audiotape voice is the voice that other people hear. Think about it this way. You hear your voice in stereo (air and bone conduction) while other people just hear it in mono (air conduction). It is a good idea to record your voice on tape to hear the difference and learn to adjust your tone and projection for the best mono result.

2. Keep the attention of your audience by being an 'unpredictable wind'

When you start speaking to someone, you have his/her attention. However over time, a listener's attention may fade, even if what you have to say is pertinent and interesting, if there is no unpredictability in your voice. This "unpredictability" or "light and shade" is a welcome variation in your voice that maintains listener attention by reducing listener fatigue caused by listening to a flat voice.

Think of and use the following analogy to make your voice unpredictable. Imagine the people who listen to you are sailors on the open seas, and your voice is the wind. If the wind (your voice) doesn't vary, the sailors (your listeners) set their sails, have a coffee and take a nap (lose attention).

However, if the wind (your voice) is unpredictable, then the sailors (your listeners) stay alert and attentive to you. (They keep listening).

3. Speak louder and occupy more space with your voice

It is a fact that most successful people in business have voices that are moderately loud and can be heard easily by their listeners. They are comfortable allowing their voices to project clearly.

Here is a simple technique you can perform to assist you in speaking somewhat more loudly, enabling you to "occupy more space" with your voice:

1. Extend your right arm as far as you can, directly in front of your face with the palm of your hand facing your face.

2. While counting to 10, direct and project your voice to your hand. Now, whenever you speak, keep in mind the mental picture of projecting your voice to your extended hand.

My lawyer friend has taken the time to understand her voice and unleash its power. As a result she is using her voice as a positive tool that influences others. Her career is progressing well.

About the author: Michael Kelly teaches Speak & Listen for New Results. He is a media commentator, keynote speaker and seminar leader. Delighted blue chip corporate clients including Icon Recruitment, Credit Suisse, First Boston and Pfizer. Michael is the director of Kelly Speech Communication. He has a clear insight into powerful speaking and listening techniques to help his clients keep on winning more business and achieving fresh results in their careers and their lives. Visit http://www.kellyspeech.com.au for more information.