Do you love watching Ted Talks to learn something new from industry and topic experts? After I found this site many years ago, I now share specific talks with many of my clients so that they can learn and see from the experts on how to master specific communication skills that they are working on. Here are some questions that may help you listen differently if you are interested in sharpening your own presentation and delivery skills:
1. How does the speaker make the presentation interesting with his voice? Think about pitch and loudness changes that you hear.
2. Pay attention to rhythm and pacing. Is the speed fast or slow? Does the presentation sound choppy or conversational (smooth and natural like the speaker is having a conversation with you?)
I walked into LA Fitness the other day to do my daily exercise and noticed an Assessment Tool for members. Through a series of little tests, you could find out your Strength, Endurance and Stability for men and women based on your age. In other words, at my age I should be able to do 29 or more push-ups to achieve the “Excellent” status. (I’m happy to report, that I can do it!)
It made me think of some quick tests you can do to measure your own respiratory and laryngeal control. It is called the MPT (for Maximum Phonation Time) and it measures the efficiency of your respiratory system and your ability to maintain vocal cord closure. There are two tasks you can do to measure. You will need a stopwatch or a clock with a second hand.
The other day while walking downtown Pittsburgh to one of my clients, the air was thick and smelled…well, let’s just say, interesting. Because it was foggy, the air was thicker and trapping pungent smells. Did you know that the air state affects our nasopharynx (nasal cavity and soft palate), sinuses and respiratory system, and has an effect on our speech and voice as well? Some environmental exposures include pollen, fog, dust and chemicals like pesticides. In California, there have been studies done that link these environmental factors to increased voice problems and respiratory stress.
“Trust is a powerful force that builds loyalty, increases credibility and supports effective communications. It gives you the benefit of the doubt in situations where you want to be heard, understood and believed.” From How Leaders Can Communicate to Build Trust, Ivey Business Journal
Let’s face it….likeable people are trustworthy. No one will buy into your ideas, products or initiatives if you aren’t likeable. Of course, you can’t force anyone to like you and you don’t want to sound insincere. Here are some ways to enhance the” Like-ability Factor” so that you are instantly more trustworthy through your speech, language, and voice skills.
Have you ever been at a meeting and felt like no one was listening to you when you spoke? Here is a 3-minute crash course that will help you command the room and be more influential. Avoid these five common mistakes and try these suggestions so that you are compelling to listen to…
Do you want to be called a “Polished Speaker?” One characteristic of a polished speaker is enunciating clearly!
The acceptable pronunciation of any word is determined exclusively by its usage in the general population. But a dictionary can be a valuable tool to learn how to pronounce words. Pronunciation in the dictionary is represented by symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). If you’re not familiar with IPA, each symbol in the IPA stands for one sound. This is different from our regular alphabet in which one symbol stands for many sounds. For instance, the sound /a/ can be produced as in bad, bade, and ball. Mastering the IPA system will assist you in many ways, particularly when you need to look up a word.
How you stand, place your arms and feet and hold your head are indicators of how self-confident you are and whether or not you will be taken seriously. The first step in successful body language that conveys confidence is your standing position or posture. If you feel like it, stand up and get intoneutral position:
Place equal pressure on both feet (no shifting from leg-to-leg). Your feet are hip width apart. Your knees and thighs are relaxed. Your shoulders are back and down. Your hands are comfortably at your sides. Your chin is up and parallel with the floor.
Does it ever feel like you are interrupted by your colleagues? Are others being more assertive and talking over you even when it should be your turn? If it happens frequently, make the following checks on your communication to determine why it is happening.
First of all, does it take you a while to make a point? Learning to get to the point quickly is a skill busy leaders need to master. Some non-native English speakers struggle to make a point because they lack the vocabulary. You may need to work on vocabulary building activities first.
In my area of the country (Pittsburgh, PA), we have a very special way of talking. People born and raised here have an unusual accent known as “Pittsburghese.” People who are not from this area instantly hear this accent and detect differences that include: word and phrase substitutions; inaccurate vowel pronunciation; and use of non-standard grammar.
One of the most obvious hallmarks of Pittsburghese is the way the vowel /ow/ is pronounced. This particular vowel is actually two vowels that glide together to make a new sound called a diphthong. In this case, the two vowels are /ah/ as in “pot” and /o/ as in “joke.” Say the two vowels slowly and you will make the /ow/ sound as in “out.” In Pittsburghese, the second sound is omitted so the word “down” sounds like “dahn.”
This is Lynda Stucky with your weekly speech and voice tip. The tip you are about to hear is part of a process. This process, when used with the acquisition of a new speech habit, can be a powerful tool for reducing a foreign accent to become better understood. This process is essential for mastering a speech skill because it takes into account the development of your listening skills before actually trying to learn the new skill.
Step #10 is here! You have worked hard to accomplish a new skill and take it to the complex conversation level. Your new skill should be automatic now and you don’t even have to think about it anymore. Congratulations. I sure hope that you are receiving some feedback from those around you that “something” is different about your speech and you are easier to understand! That is sure evidence that you have made changes in your speech habits. Now that you have mastered one skill, are you ready for your next one? Take them one or two at a time. Any more than that and you will get burned out and lose interest. Changing a habit is worthwhile but it isn’t easy. Make it easier on yourself by taking it slow. That way, you will hear and see your progress and so will those people who are around you.
Do you love watching Ted Talks to learn something new from industry and topic experts? After I found this site many years ago, I now share specific talks with many of my clients so that they can learn and see from the experts on how to master specific communication skills that they are working on. Here are some questions that may help you listen differently if you are interested in sharpening your own presentation and delivery skills:
Do you want to be called a “Polished Speaker?” One characteristic of a polished speaker is enunciating clearly!
