Do you find yourself, in meetings, presentations, or even in social events, thinking “I’m worried about how I come across…”, or “They probably think I’m dumb and don’t know what I’m talking about”, or “I just want this to be over and done with!”? You’re not alone!
Those thoughts are part of what I call the “Inner Voice”. They shape your inner narrative, and that narrative can either uplift you, or take you down a dark hole, just like in these examples. Thoughts have power.
Do you wonder if your Inner Voice has an impact on your speaking voice? It certainly does. If you’re in the grip of self doubt and insecurity, your voice may invariably betray you as soon as you open your mouth to speak.
Here is how your voice can sound when experiencing nervousness, self-doubt or upset:
- Weak and trailing off at the end
- Loud or harsh
- Cluttered with filler words, such as “um, like, you know”, etc.
- “Uptalked” (when the voice rises like a question at the end of a sentence)
- Tight, with shortness of breath
As a result, you come across as lacking confidence, competence and leadership, which is too bad, because you’re probably much smarter than the persona you’re projecting.
The good news is – you can improve your delivery by doing a few simple things!
- Slow down
- Pause and breathe
- Emphasize key words
Those simple adjustments will have a significant effect on how you speak, feel and come across. And remember, you have something valuable to share with your peers, your boss – the world! You’re here because of your unique expertise, so it’s important we hear from you!
Let that narrative be your Inner Voice.
To register for one:one coaching contact Sylvia at voice@sylvialarrass.com
