How to Skillfully
Use Your Voice:
Communication Skills
Did you know that you
can use our speaking voices to intensify or reduce
the intensity of your message? Our tones of voice
and our inflections bear an emotional component
that exudes tenderness, warmth, coarseness,
gruffness, sensuality, anger and so on. It's no
secret that companies look for someone with a
pleasant voice when searching for their front line
workers. Your voice can be everything - inviting,
helpful and eager, or clipped, brusque and
distant.
Mary was a supervisor in a
large technology company with an outstanding
record as a communicator. She understood the power
of her voice as she interacted with her
co-workers. She unwittingly became the supervisor
of Jessica, one of her best friends. Jessica a
well-meaning individual with a good heart lacked
the technical know-how to perform at a level
required for her new position. Mary had to rely on
her communication skills as she confronted her
dear friend.
Mary understood that her
attitude would be conveyed in her tone of voice.
She cared deeply for her friend and wanted the
best for her. As she spoke with Jessica her deep
wishes for Jessica came through. Her tone of voice
was soft yet firm as she told Jessica that her
work did not meet company standards. Mary's
attitude of care and concern for Jessica
surrounded the hard facts thereby preserving the
relationship and Jessica's self-esteem.
Mary also understood that her
voice inflections would greatly impact her
message. She realized that if she elevated her
voice kindly at the end of a sentence, it would
soften the sting that might be contained in the
content of the message and leave room for Jessica
to counter her claim. This promoted an atmosphere
of openness where Jessica had the option to
convince her otherwise. Mary knew that if she
lowered her voice at the end of her sentences it
would serve to punctuate her firmness and distance
her and Jessica.
Both women had a frank and
open discussion and Mary helped Jessica create a
plan to increase her competencies to match the
requirement. Her status was to be reviewed again
in three months. Both felt positive about this
difficult encounter largely because Mary's
communication skills included intentionality in
use of a believing and positive tone of voice.
Be aware of your tone of voice
and how you use it.
- Always approach your peers
with an attitude of care and respect. This inner
state will transfer over into your vocal tone.
- Know how to use your
inflections to get the effect that you want. If
you want to soften your message use "up
speak" and raise your voice at the end of your
sentences. If you want firmness and definiteness
use "down speak" and lower your voice at
the end of your sentences to punctuate your
position.
Remember how you use your
voice can be everything. People will listen to
your tone and judge you and your message
accordingly. Include the differential use of tone
of voice in your communication skills so you can
maximize your effectiveness. And lastly, remember
it start with our intention to be respectful of
another in the first place: everything else will
follow. | 
