Have you ever listened to a recording of yourself and asked, “Is that how I really sound?!” There are many complaints people have about their voice: that it’s too whiny, too nasal, too high-pitched, too soft or any other host of issues. Poor voice quality isn’t just an aesthetic issue. A clear, dynamic voice is essential to projecting confidence in professional speaking, and research has shown that the quality of your voice has an even stronger impact on how you are perceived than the content of your message. A rough, weak, strained or breathy voice often subconsciously gives listeners the impression that you are negative, weak, passive or tense.
So what can you do if you think your voice may be holding you back? All too often, people assume that they’re stuck with their voice as it is. However, with the help of a trained professional, many vocal qualities can be modified! A corporate speech-language pathologist is not only trained in improving professional communication skills. They’re also trained medical professionals who specialize in speech production, including vocal quality. A speech therapist can help improve vocal strength and clarity, as well as modify other vocal quality issues, such as an overly nasal or high-pitched voice. With training, you can learn to control your voice. Vocal training typically involves a range of exercises that help you become aware of the components of voice production and how each contributes to the resulting sound. Problematic vocal qualities are then targeted and gradually modified until the desired vocal quality is achieved.
Want to learn more? Check out this article in the Wall Street Journal about how your voice can impact your career,
If your communication skills are holding you back from professional success and you want to make your communication skills your most powerful professional tool, make sure to pick up a free copy of my e-book “Communicate with Clarity and Confidence!” by subscribing to our newsletter community on our website. In this free resource, I break down the myriad factors that contribute to confident communication and guide you through how to use each aspect to your advantage.
Give us a call and see how Corporate Speech Solutions can improve your professional life! Call us at 212-308-7725 or send us an e-mail at jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com to learn more. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
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