The Power of the Human Voice

Introduction

• The human voice is a powerful instrument, capable of starting wars or expressing love.
• Many people feel unheard when they speak.
• Importance of powerful speaking to create change.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

1. Gossip

   • Speaking ill of those not present.
   • Creates a cycle of mistrust.

2. Judging

   • Difficult to listen when one feels judged.

3. Negativity

   • Negative speech can be draining and hard to listen to.
   • Example: Personal anecdote about a negative conversation with his mother.

4. Complaining

   • A cultural habit that spreads misery.
   • Complaining does not foster positivity.

5. Excuses

   • Avoid blame-shifting; it’s hard to listen to those who don’t take responsibility.

6. Embroidery/Exaggeration

   • Can lead to a loss of authenticity in speech.
   • Example: Overuse of the word "awesome".

7. Dogmatism

   • Confusing facts with opinions leads to ineffective communication.

Four Cornerstones of Powerful Speech

• The acronym HAIL represents the four foundations for impactful speaking:
  1. H - Honesty
     • Be truthful and clear in your message.
  2. A - Authenticity
     • Be yourself and stand in your truth.
  3. I - Integrity
     • Be reliable and trustworthy in your words.
  4. L - Love
     • Wish others well; honesty tempered with love is essential.

Voice Toolbox

• Importance of how we say things in addition to what we say.
• Key elements of voice:
  • Register
    • The pitch of the voice impacts authority.
  • Timbre
    • The quality of the voice (rich, warm).
  • Prosody
    • The melody and rhythm of speech; important for conveying meaning.
  • Pace
    • Varying speed for emphasis.
  • Silence
    • Use of pauses can enhance impact.
  • Volume
    • Adjusting loudness to engage audience.

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises

• Recommended exercises before speaking:
  1. Deep Breath and Sigh
  2. Lip Trills (Ba, Ba, Ba...)
  3. Lip Buzzing (Brrrr...)
  4. Tongue Exercises (la, la, la...)
  5. Rolling R's (Rrrrr...)
  6. Siren Exercise (weeeaawww...)
• Encouragement to practice these exercises before important speaking engagements.

Conclusion

• Current state of speaking and listening is inadequate, characterized by noise and poor acoustics.
• Imagine a world where powerful speech is met with conscious listening in well-designed environments.
• Strive for a world of beautiful sound and understanding.

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• Takeaway: Focus on enhancing speaking habits by avoiding the seven deadly sins and embracing the principles of HAIL.