Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
« Becoming high calibre | Main | What is right for you »
Speaking slowly
If ever there was a way of getting people to listen to us in a meeting it is to speak more quietly and slowly. This is often the opposite of how we may speak in such situations where there's a little nervous and anxious about getting our point across. We may feel we need to speak loudly to get their attention. We can also rush our words, as a consequence of anxieties about being judged or what we are saying isn't important enough and the next bit will be better.
When you speak more slowly and quietly it gives the impression of what you have to say is important. (Whether it is or not doesn't matter!) Experiment with talking slowly when on the phone and in meetings. Put pauses between your comments. These will add weight to your message. Of course our speech shouldn't be a long inaudible drawl. Fluctuations in pitch for emphasis and varying speeds will help, but at all costs avoid rushing or mumbling.
Speaking quietly, slowly and deliberately will encourage people to listen to you more than if you raise your voice and rush your delivery. You will also allow yourself the chance to form your words more fully and add resonance. By doing so you can add power and gravitas to how you come over.
Often it's not what you say but how you say it that counts. The quality of your voice and delivery makes deals, wins arguments, gets salary increases and may even get people falling in love with you.
More posts on Voice.
