Overview
This lecture explores how the human voice can influence others and offers strategies for powerful and effective speaking, including habits to avoid and tools to use.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking
- Gossip is speaking negatively about someone not present and undermines trust.
- Judging others makes listeners defensive and unwilling to listen.
- Negativity, including complaining, spreads misery and discourages engagement.
- Making excuses shows a lack of responsibility and makes communication less credible.
- Embroidery, or exaggeration, devalues language and can lead to lying.
- Lying destroys trust and makes people tune out.
- Dogmatism confuses opinions with facts, making real conversation difficult.
Foundations for Powerful Speaking: HAIL
- Honesty means being truthful, straightforward, and clear in speech.
- Authenticity is about being yourself and standing in your own truth.
- Integrity involves keeping your word and being reliable.
- Love refers to wishing others well and tempering honesty with kindness.
The Vocal Toolbox
- Register is the vocal range used; deeper registers convey authority and power.
- Timbre is the quality or texture of your voice, which can be improved with training.
- Prosody is the melody and rhythm of speech; monotone voices are less engaging.
- Pace controls the speed of speech, while silence can add emphasis.
- Pitch changes can convey meaning and emotion.
- Volume can attract attention or create intimacy when used thoughtfully.
- Broadcasting, or "sodcasting," is being inconsiderately loud and should be avoided.
Vocal Warm-Up Exercises
- Deep sigh to relax the voice.
- "Ba ba ba" to wake up the lips.
- "Brrrr" sound to loosen the lips.
- Exaggerated "la la la" for the tongue.
- Rolling "r" to energize the tongue.
- Siren "weeeaawww" sound to warm up vocal range.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Gossip — Speaking negatively about someone not present.
- Dogmatism — Presenting opinions as facts.
- HAIL — Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, Love: foundations for effective speaking.
- Register — Vocal range from chest to head voice.
- Timbre — The quality or character of a voice.
- Prosody — The musical aspects of speech, such as intonation and rhythm.
- Sodcasting — Broadcasting your voice inconsiderately to others.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice avoiding the seven deadly speaking habits.
- Apply the HAIL principles in daily conversations.
- Use the vocal warm-up exercises before important speeches or talks.