SUBCONSCIOUS INFLUENCE – GET IT RIGHT!

Science tells us that we notice specific things when we first meet somebody:

1)            How they look
2)            How they sound

I’m going to deal with the second one in this blog.

• Remember that a voice will affect an audience emotionally so it is important that you connect with your words from the start.
• Begin with a smile on your face to give the tone warmth.
• Have control of your pace so that what you are saying can be easily processed.
• Speak clearly to be understood.  This just involves completing your words but habits die hard – so practice.
• If you have an accent, (UK or foreign) allow people extra time to ‘translate’.
• Volume should be appropriate.  Do you breathe properly and open your mouth enough?

Remember that pauses make it easier for information to be processed so don’t underestimate their importance.

• If you habitually speak quickly you probably don’t use pauses enough.
• Do you engage someone with the modulation of your voice?
• Right from your first word show your feelings in the movement of your voice.
• Pitch is the element of modulation we notice first.  Does yours sit in an appropriate place?
• Generally the lower pitches, (in men and women), indicate confidence, maturity and gravitas.  Higher pitches show enthusiasm and energy but can also sound young and (in a female), lack leadership.
• If you care about how you are affecting the listener your tone colour will sound natural to them.
• Let your concentration lapse and you will sound insincere.

I hope that whistle-stop tour of basic oral communication skills helps you to influence others positively.

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