The Human Voice: The Instrument We All Play

Introduction

• The voice is the most powerful sound in the world.
• Can start a war or express love.
• Many people struggle to be heard in conversation.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

1. Gossip

   • Speaking ill of someone not present.
   • Leads to mistrust.

2. Judging

   • Hard to listen to someone who is judgmental.

3. Negativity

   • Creates difficulty in listening.
   • Example: A negative response to simple observations.

4. Complaining

   • Common in some cultures (e.g., the UK).
   • Spreads 'viral misery' instead of positivity.

5. Excuses

   • Avoiding personal responsibility.
   • Difficult to listen to those who blame others.

6. Embroidery (Exaggeration)

   • Demeans language and can lead to lying.
   • Example: Overused descriptors lead to confusion.

7. Dogmatism

   • Confusing facts with opinions.
   • Makes listening challenging.

Positive Foundations for Powerful Speaking

• Four cornerstones that spell "HAIL":
  • H - Honesty
    • Being true and clear.
  • A - Authenticity
    • Being oneself; standing in one's truth.
  • I - Integrity
    • Being trustworthy and following through on promises.
  • L - Love
    • Wishing others well; balancing honesty with kindness.

The Toolbox of Speaking

• Importance of how words are delivered, not just what is said.

1. Register

   • Different voice registers create various effects (e.g., depth and authority).

2. Timbre

   • The quality or color of the voice; can be improved through training.

3. Prosody

   • The rhythm and melody of speech that convey meaning.
   • Avoid monotone speaking.

4. Pace

   • Varying speed can emphasize points; silence can be powerful.

5. Pitch

   • Higher or lower pitch can alter meaning and emotional impact.

6. Volume

   • Adjusting volume can engage listeners and emphasize points.

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises

• Suggested warm-ups before speaking:
  1. Deep breath and sigh.
  2. Lip exercises (Ba, Ba, Ba).
  3. Lip trill (brrrr).
  4. Tongue exercises (la, la, la).
  5. R rolling exercise (Rrrrrrr).
  6. Siren exercise (weeeaawww).

Conclusion

• Current speaking environments often lack effective listening.
• Imagine a world with conscious speaking and listening.
• Strive for environments that enhance sound and understanding.