I want to share a communication tip that will help you get the most from your meetings and other interactions.
Pausing might seem counterintuitive in fast-paced business environments, but it’s a powerful tool for effective communication. Here’s why:
1. Enhances Clarity
Pausing gives you a moment to gather your thoughts and helps ensure that your message is clear and concise.
Voice Tip Series
Maintaining adequate hydration is a well-known tip for general health and as well as being good for a healthy body and mind, water is essential to maintaining a healthy voice and can help it sound better too.
Meet Charlie. Yes, I named my lovely cello. I’ve had him for years.
Luckily, my home is a great place for him to remain in tune. If Charlie does need tuning, all the strings have will have changed a similar amount up or down in pitch, which means that he stays in tune with himself, which is a good way to be. There would only be issues when I play with other musicians in a band or orchestra!
I tell you this because I’ve just recently been asked again “Why do you talk/write so much about relaxation, reducing tensions and generally looking after yourself?”
If you’re wondering about that, here’s my answer…
We all know full well that our bodies require care and looking after i.e., maintaining our homeostasis. Homeostasis is the state of balance between all the body systems while adjusting to changing external conditions. Maintaining our homeostasis helps us stay well and feel healthy whilst compensating for some of the inevitable tension that creeps into our lives. This is the same for all, regardless of whether you are a leader, high-performer or otherwise!
Love your voice. It's the only one you've got. Take care of it.
If you find yourself using it often throughout your day, consider warming it up. Embrace your voice at its best, worst, and everything in between. If you regularly face challenges with your voice, it's wise to consult a laryngologist (via your GP). And if you're not entirely in love with your voice, reflect on moments when you don't even think about it.
What happens in those situations? Are you content and relaxed at work or home with loved ones? Conversely, what occurs when you're not quite feeling the love? Are you adapting to a new role, feeling let down by your voice, struggling to be heard in professional settings, or experiencing voice strain? These reflections are essential for understanding your voice and its impact on your professional performance.
Here are 4 more tips to help you give more compassion to your voice throughout the day.
News Update
On the 16th and 17th April, I delivered two taster sessions for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Population Health Academy. It was very special for me that these sessions coincided with World Voice Day, aligning perfectly with the celebratory theme of 'Resonate, Educate, Celebrate' for this year.
My ‘Voice Matters: Empowering Leadership Voice in Healthcare’ sessions include a blend of theory and practical experiences aimed at empowering participants to apply their learning directly.
Voice Care Tips Series - Start here!
This post is designed to help you think about how you use your voice on a daily basis so that you can focus on the tips that might benefit you.
Many people have jobs that require them to use their voices a lot, such as voice-over artists, actors, broadcasters, professional public speakers, and teachers. These individuals may find it difficult to maintain their speaking voice throughout the day, and may think this is normal. However, when your voice becomes tired, it can become inflexible and lose its range and interest, making it challenging to hold the attention of a large audience. If you fall into this category, it's important to seek help, as your voice can develop problems and potentially harm your career.
