Overview
The speaker examines how to use the human voice effectively, identifying common negative speaking habits and recommending foundational principles and practical tools to improve the power and impact of spoken communication.
Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking
- Gossip involves speaking negatively about someone not present and erodes trust.
- Judging makes it hard for listeners to engage, as they feel evaluated.
- Negativity, including persistent complaining, spreads misery and repels listeners.
- Excuses show a lack of responsibility and undermine credibility.
- Exaggeration and embroidery lead to dishonesty and diminish language.
- Lying erodes people's trust in your words.
- Dogmatism confuses opinions with facts, making meaningful dialogue difficult.
Four Cornerstones of Powerful Speaking ("HAIL")
- Honesty: Be truthful, straightforward, and clear in what you say.
- Authenticity: Speak as yourself, grounded in your own truth.
- Integrity: Align your words with your actions to gain others' trust.
- Love: Wish others well and temper honesty with kindness.
Vocal Toolbox for Effective Speaking
- Register: Use deeper chest tones for authority and impact.
- Timbre: Aim for a warm, rich, and smooth voice, which can be improved with training.
- Prosody: Employ varied intonation and avoid monotone or repetitive ending rises.
- Pace: Adjust speed for excitement or emphasis and use silence strategically.
- Pitch: Use changes in pitch to convey different meanings or emotions.
- Volume: Modulate loudness for emphasis; avoid consistently loud "sodcasting."
Vocal Warm-Up Exercises
- Deep breath and sighs to relax and support the voice.
- Lip buzzes ("Ba Ba Ba" and "brrrrr") to activate the lips.
- Exaggerated tongue movements ("la la la") for articulation.
- Rolling "R"s to energize the tongue.
- Siren exercise ("weeeaawww") for pitch range and resonance.
Creating a Conscious Listening and Speaking Environment
- Promote conscious speaking and listening for greater understanding.
- Design environments suitable for clear sound and communication.
- Encourage a culture where conscious sound creation and consumption is the norm.