Effective Speaking and Communication Skills

Sep 2, 2024

Lecture Notes: The Power of Speech by Tanya Cushman

Introduction

  • The human voice is a powerful instrument.
  • It can initiate change or convey love.
  • Many people struggle to be heard in conversations.
  • Explore habits that hinder effective communication.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

  1. Gossip

    • Speaking ill of someone not present is harmful.
    • The gossiper will likely gossip about others.

  2. Judging

    • Hard to listen when judged.

  3. Negativity

    • Constant negativity makes it difficult to engage.
    • Example: A conversation about the date turns negative.

  4. Complaining

    • Common in cultures (e.g., UK).
    • Spreads misery, not positivity.

  5. Excuses

    • Blame others instead of taking responsibility.
    • This behavior is off-putting.

  6. Embroidery

    • Exaggeration diminishes language quality.
    • Can lead to lying.

  7. Dogmatism

    • Mixing facts with opinions confuses listeners.
    • It’s difficult to engage when only opinions are presented as truth.

Positive Foundations of Speaking

  • Four cornerstones that enhance speech: HAIL
    • Honesty: Be true and clear.
    • Authenticity: Stay true to yourself.
    • Integrity: Be trustworthy and reliable.
    • Love: Wish others well, helps temper honesty.

The Toolbox of Speaking

  • Key elements to enhance speaking:
    • Register: Voice pitch and depth matter (deeper = more authority).
    • Timbre: Quality of voice can be improved with practice.
    • Prosody: Use intonation and rhythm to convey meaning.
    • Pace: Vary speed to create emphasis.
    • Silence: Use pauses effectively instead of filler words.
    • Pitch and Volume: Adjust to highlight important points and engage listeners.

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises

  • Suggested warm-ups before speaking:
    1. Arms up, deep breath in, sigh out.
    2. Lip trills: bop, bop, bop.
    3. Tongue exercises: exaggerated la, la, la.
    4. Roll the "R" sound.
    5. Siren exercise: "we are" high to low.

Conclusion

  • Current environment often leads to speaking that isn’t effective.
  • Consider the impact of conscious sound creation and consumption.
  • Strive for environments conducive to effective communication.
  • Aim for a world where understanding is the norm.
  • A call for spreading the idea of powerful, conscious speaking.