Women: Gain Respect Through A Powerful Vocal Image
What we say isn’t always we way we are perceived. How we say it often determines how we are perceived and how we are regarded in the business world. This is especially critical for women because women have historically struggled for the credibility that man are granted by virtue of their gender. Women have to make a greater impression to gain equal attention.
Women speak two to three octaves higher than men and this factor has a huge impact on just how women are heard. A higher and more strained voice implies weakness and vulnerability. Men, with lower tonality, are seen as stronger as and more credible than their female counterparts. Is this sexism? Not necessarily. We interpret sounds and voices in much the same manner. Certain sounds are considered more comforting and truthful. A low, even, and well modulated tone is regarded as more credible. Women need to gain power through the sound of their voice in the arena of business. They can do that through vocal conditioning and careful listening to the sounds that they, themselves, respond to.
Listening to the sound of the voices around you is the first step. What sounds good to you? What sounds are the most comfortable to listen to? Women can, by listening, recognize the areas of their speech that work against them. Conscious effort should be given to deepening and enriching the tone of one’s voice through proper breathing techniques. A voice, supported by an expanded diaphragm full of breath is deeper and subdued; rich with control and soothing sound. The volume can be come louder or softer, but with the foundation of good breathing techniques it does not loose its deep, rich quality.
Our voice is our tool to creating a vocal image. It is essential that our vocal image conjure up the impression of strength, authority, and command. This is how speech gives us power. Women need to concentrate of regaining that power through their vocal image. The power suit, the right haircut, the perfect make-up are factors that women have traditionally relied on the give them the right image. The physical impression you make is only part of the equation. Without a voice that will command attention and influence others, all the power suits in the closet will not give your words the weight you need.
Just as you practiced all the skills you would need to succeed in the business world, women need to practice speaking as an exercise in skill building. An invaluable tool is recording your voice and listening to it with thoughtful and careful attention. Listening to recordings or transmissions of other’s voices is another tool. Professional speakers have honed their vocal skills to the highest degree and listening and learning from them can be the enriching. Imitating these sounds through practice elongating vowels, breathing deeply, and enunciating consonants can help women achieve a more commanding voice presence.
Your speaking voice is your gift
With a more authoritative vocal image your message will be heard with greater respect and credibility. Just as the contents of your message are important, the delivery of the message is equally vital. The right voice gives your thoughts buoyancy and vitality. The intensity of your voice will translate into a powerful presence that garners you the deference you need to succeed.
Katherine M. Hart is President and Founder of Hartfelt Communications, a professional training and communications imaging company. Over the past 25 years, Ms. Hart has trained over 25,000 Call Center Agents, Corporate Executives, Politicians, Actors, Community Leaders. She has developed several programs including ICALL and the Communications Connection - a corporate communications training program to work with developing strong internal communications protocols that translate to greater customer satisfaction. For many other presentation, training, and vocal empowerment programs, please visit http://www.hartfeltcommunications.com Sign up for a monthly ezine-newletter “From the Hart” with vocal tips and communications essentials. To contact Katherine Hart for a recommendation from her network of professional voice-over artists to implement professional voice imaging in your company, please contact her at: khart@hartfelcommunications.com or call 312-786-1868
Tags: communication, self-image, speech
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