Putting Your Best Voice Forward

One on one conversations occur infinitely on a daily basis, not just in our professional life. Whether you are in cubicle talking to a co-worker, in front of the entire office giving a speech or more importantly meeting a prospective client, converasation must occur. Regardless of what other people say everyone judges one another on the way they present themselves. Especially when speaking. Even though the content is the most important we cant help but be critical of the context. ( The way you present yourself). I'm sure everyone can relate. Just visualize your last encounter in front of a large audience. Wouldn't it be great to be able to address the room as if you were addressing your best friend, with complete confidence. Here are some helpful hints towards making your voice the best communication asset you have.

• Pronounce all your words correctly-if you cant pronounce it don't use it at all
• Animate your voice-not to an extreme but avoid being boring
• Practice raising and lowering your pitch when you talk
• Be authentic-use appropriate words, their is never a need to use big words
• Avoid sending mixed messages- make sure your hand gesture and facial expressions match what you are saying.
• Read aloud daily-practice makes perfect
• Perfect your voice- tape yourselves and listen, weird but effective
• Practice slowing down- speaking too fast screams out nervousness
• Make eye contact- it assure your audience you are confident about your subject
• Be confident-avoid qualifiers before a sentence e.g: "i think, i believe"

Although you can't speak to your colleagues like you do your close friends, by practicing the above you can speak to anyone with the same confidence.