Voice Counts…
Take a moment and think about your voice. How would you describe it?
Soft, Strong, Loud, Confident, Quiet, Friendly, Sweet, Boring…But, wait.
Does your voice vary when you talk to different people?
Does your voice sound different when you speak different languages?
Does your mood affect your voice?
Well, it is not that easy to assign one word to something that is so dynamic and powerful.
“The voice is the muscle of the soul” — Alfred Wolfsohn
Of all the aids in your communication toolkit, your voice is the strongest one because it is the most personal one. The voice is who we are. And, now is the most opportune time to realize the importance of this forgotten tool because we are in a virtual world. We have quickly transitioned from five senses to two senses- audio and video. Through our voice, we create impression, we forge relationships, we send emotional signals. We have a hard time hiding behind our voice- this is evident in many situations.
Has your mom asked you the reason for your dull voice?
Have you tried to sound in a particular manner when you were not exactly feeling that way and then, thought if the other person found you convincing enough?
Have you mused if the client really sounded committed to getting back to you?
We all have been there at some point in our lives. We have tried hard to decipher the hidden meaning because the message of the voice and the tone of the voice were apparently disconnected. Why does this happen?
According to the voice coach Tania de Jong, 85 percent of all adults have been asked to be silent. This phenomenon is termed as ‘Vocal Wounds’. It typically occurs during middle school years between the age of nine and thirteen when we are having our early experiences of social belonging. When teachers, parents, elders or peers make a child feel excluded, the child starts judging her voice. Judgement causes inhibitions. And, inhibitions in turn result in a disconnect between the spoken word and tone of the voice.
The good news is that the voice is elastic. Remember, how much we love to listen to our favorite radio jockey or a podcast with a good voice. We can develop and nurture an effective voice. So, what exactly is a good voice? A good voice is dynamic- it adapts as per the audience so that we can influence the way we wish while showing our authentic selves. We can train our voice to be effective by leveraging these six key elements- pitch, volume, speed, warmth, articulation and expression.
I had the privilege to participate in a session on “Using your voice as a communication tool” by a renowned communication specialist and author Kim A. Page. The session starts with introspection, explains the science and research behind our voices, depicts the crucial role of voice and ends with many exciting voice exercises and homework.
“The voice is a unique expression of our aliveness in the world.”
To learn how you can unleash the power of your voice and create a positive impact, meet Kim….
Kim A. Page is on an endeavor to help people unleash the power of their voices. Her book The Right Kind of Loud: Finding Your Communication Voice is a part of the curriculum at several business schools.
