Your Voice Inflection Matters in Business!

A voice with inflection is captivating and motivating.

Your voice can command attention and makes people want to hear you more. A voice without inflection is flat and monotone.

An uninteresting voice bores, annoys and confuses those having to endure it. As you consider how you might ‘raise the bar’ when communicating, record your voice and review it as if you were a listener. Is it a voice your audiences would like to hear? If not, make a conscious decision to bring more inflection into your voice. Consider the following suggestions.


1.  Sing in the shower

As ridiculous as this might read, singing takes the voice from high to low. It helps to expand your range. Remember, it is a flat voice that audiences find unappealing.


2.  Read out loud from business journals or your company's marketing pieces

Make sure you are saying all the syllables, especially the beginning and final consonants. Use your mobile phone to record your voice. If you are skipping over syllables, practice enunciating all syllables in those particular words. Redo until you hear a noticeable difference.


3.  Practice stressing particular words in a sentence

For example, "I can imagine how annoying that must be" or "Let's see what I can do to fix that for you." In any one sentence, there should be two or three words emphasized.


4.  Assess the length of your sentences

People with a monotone voice often speak in long sentences. Their voices frequently trail off as they conclude because they are out of air. Often, listeners ask such a speaker to repeat.


5.  Read stories to children or poetry out loud

The words of a story or poem will demand energy and vocal variety. Again, use your mobile phone to record your voice. Review what you hear.


6.  Use your own internal voice mail system to monitor your voice

Before you leave voice messages for colleagues or customers, review them. Redo the message until your voice sounds interesting and sincere.


7. Assess the speed of your voice

If you speak quickly, it is easy for your voice to sound flat.


8.  Listen to newscasters

Notice how much they pause, how slowly they speak and how much they open their mouths. Assess whether you are doing the same.


9.  Stand in front of a mirror and pay attention to how much you are opening your mouth and moving your lips

A tight jaw causes a nasal voice. Practice talking with a wide open mouth.


10.  Keep a mirror on your desktop at work

As you speak to clients etc. by phone, look in the mirror. Pay attention to whether your face seems tense and how much you are moving your lips.



Your voice is the best tool you have for convincing people you can solve their problem and you value their business.


If your voice has inflection, you will be perceived as warm and friendly. You will make a positive impression and distinguish yourself from other business professionals!

 
All the best with your ongoing communications.