Notes on Tanya Cushman’s Presentation on Powerful Speaking

Introduction

• Emphasis on the human voice as the most powerful instrument.
• The voice can evoke strong emotions and actions, such as starting wars or expressing love.
• Many people feel unheard when they speak.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

1. Gossip
   • Speaking ill of those not present.
   • Creates distrust and division.
2. Judging
   • Makes it hard for others to listen when they feel judged.
3. Negativity
   • Constant negativity is difficult to listen to.
   • Example: Personal anecdote about a negative interaction with the speaker's mother.
4. Complaining
   • Seen as a common cultural habit (especially in the UK).
   • Spreads misery instead of positivity.
5. Excuses
   • Avoiding responsibility makes listening difficult.
6. Embroidery
   • Exaggeration diminishes language effectiveness.
   • Example: Overuse of the word "awesome".
7. Dogmatism
   • Confusing opinions with facts reduces effective communication.

Four Cornerstones of Powerful Speaking: HAIL

• H: Honesty
  • Be clear and truthful in your speech.
• A: Authenticity
  • Be true to yourself, stand in your own truth.
• I: Integrity
  • Honor your word and be trustworthy.
• L: Love
  • Wish well for others and temper honesty with kindness.

Tools for Effective Communication

• Voice Register
  • Use different voice registers (higher, lower) to convey power.
• Timbre
  • The quality of your voice can be improved through training.
• Prosody
  • Varying tone and rhythm adds meaning to speech.
  • Avoid monotone delivery.
• Pace
  • Adjust speed to emphasize points.
• Silence
  • Use silence effectively; it can be powerful.
• Pitch
  • Vary pitch to convey emotion.
• Volume
  • Adjust volume to capture attention or convey emphasis.

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises

• Suggested exercises to prepare the voice before speaking:
  1. Arm stretches with deep breathing.
  2. Lip trills (bop, bop, bop).
  3. Tongue exercises (la, la, la).
  4. Rolling R's.
  5. Siren exercise (we... or).

Conclusion

• The current communication environment is filled with noise and distractions.
• Advocating for a world where people speak powerfully and listen consciously.
• Importance of creating environments conducive to effective communication.