Notes on Tanya Cushman's Lecture

Introduction

• The human voice is a powerful instrument that can influence actions and emotions.
• Many struggle with being heard when they speak.
• Discussion on improving the effectiveness of our communication.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

1. Gossip
   • Speaking ill of those not present.
   • Breeds mistrust; the gossip will gossip about you next.
2. Judging
   • Difficult to listen when feeling judged.
3. Negativity
   • Example: hard to engage with someone who is perpetually negative.
   • Complaining is widespread but spreads negativity.
4. Excuses
   • Blame-shifting and lack of accountability lead to frustrating conversations.
5. Embroidery (Exaggeration)
   • Diminishes language; makes it difficult to discern reality.
6. Lying
   • Obviously reduces trust and willingness to listen.
7. Dogmatism
   • Confusing facts with opinions hinders effective communication.

Foundations for Powerful Speaking: HAIL

• The positive approach to speaking can be defined by the acronym HAIL:
  • H – Honesty
    • Being clear and truthful in speech.
  • A – Authenticity
    • Being true to oneself; standing in one's own truth.
  • I – Integrity
    • Following through on commitments; being trustworthy.
  • L – Love
    • Wishing others well, which helps to eliminate judgment.

Tools for Effective Communication

• Register
  • Varying pitch and tone; deeper voices often perceived as more authoritative.
• Timbre
  • The quality or texture of the voice; can be improved with training.
• Prosody
  • The rhythm and intonation of speech; vital for engagement.
• Pace
  • Varying speed can create emphasis or excitement.
• Silence
  • Pauses can enhance meaning and engagement; avoid filler sounds.
• Pitch
  • Variation in pitch can convey different meanings and emotions.
• Volume
  • Control volume to draw attention or create intimacy; avoid "sodcasting" (loud speech in quiet places).

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises

• Warm up the voice before important speaking engagements:
  1. Deep breath and sigh.
  2. Lip trills (bop, bop).
  3. Tongue exercises (la, la, la).
  4. Rolling R's.
  5. Siren exercise (high to low pitch).

Conclusion

• Current environment challenges effective speaking; noise and distractions hinder communication.
• Vision for a world where powerful speaking is paired with active listening and conducive environments for sound.
• Takeaway: A world of conscious sound can lead to greater understanding and meaningful communication.