The Human Voice: An Instrument for Change

Introduction

• The human voice is a powerful instrument.
• It has the ability to start wars or express love.
• Many people feel unheard when they speak.
• The focus: How to speak powerfully to effect change.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

These habits can diminish the power of our speech:

1. Gossip: Speaking ill of someone not present.
   • Creates distrust; the gossiper may gossip about you.
2. Judging: Hard to listen when one feels judged.
3. Negativity: Hard to engage with negative conversations.
   • Example: A mother’s negative responses.
4. Complaining: Seen as a national habit in some cultures (e.g., UK).
   • Spreads negativity rather than positivity.
5. Excuses: Blame-shifting and lack of responsibility can be frustrating for listeners.
6. Embroidery (Exaggeration): Undermines communication by diluting meaning.
7. Dogmatism: Confusing facts with opinions leads to ineffective communication.

Cornerstones of Powerful Speech

Four principles to enhance effective speaking, summarized by the acronym HAIL:

1. H - Honesty: Be truthful and clear in your communication.
2. A - Authenticity: Be yourself and stand in your own truth.
3. I - Integrity: Be reliable and trustworthy in your words and actions.
4. L - Love: Wish others well, which can help temper honesty in communication.

Tools for Enhancing Voice

• Register: Use different vocal registers to convey authority.
• Timbre: The quality of your voice; can be improved with training.
• Prosody: The rhythm and intonation in speech; crucial for conveying meaning.
• Pace: Vary your speed of speaking for emphasis.
• Silence: Use pauses effectively instead of filler words (e.g., um, ah).
• Pitch: Vary pitch to convey emotions and engage listeners.
• Volume: Adjust volume to maintain attention and emphasize points.

Importance of Vocal Warm-Ups

• Warm up your voice before important speaking engagements.
• Suggested exercises:
  1. Arms up, deep breath, and sigh.
  2. Lip trills (Ba, Ba, Ba).
  3. Vibrate lips (brrrr).
  4. Tongue exercises (la, la, la).
  5. Roll an R (Rrrrr).
  6. Siren exercise (weeeaawww).

Conclusion

• Current state of speaking often involves noise and listeners who are not engaged.
• Imagine a world where we speak powerfully, listen consciously, and design environments that enhance sound.
• A world of beautiful sound and understanding is a goal worth striving for.