Have you watched a presentation or speech where the words spoken didn’t match the intention of the story? Or seen a presenter who is asking you to trust him, but is backing up and receding from the audience while he is speaking? Possibly, you’ve seen a presenter who says she’s excited about her topic, but her voice is monotone, or one who asks to be taken seriously, but whose voice doesn’t carry past the podium
Often at ARTiculate: Real&Clear, we feel like communication chiropractors, adjusting and aligning the voice and body to support the intended message. When we work with a client, we identify places where the message isn’t clearly understood because the delivery doesn’t match the text. As you practice your speech or presentation, here are some questions to ask yourself to make sure your voice, non-verbals, and message are all in alignment:
1. Am I seeking their trust or affirmation? If so, I should stay physically grounded or move towards the audience. Not back away from them.
2. Am I trying to convey my excitement about the topic? I should check to make sure my voice is fully supported by my breath, not pinched.
3. Am I trying to convey connection and common ground? If so, I need to be careful not to use too much jargon, which can alienate people in the audience who may not be familiar with vocabulary that is specific to certain professions.
Once aligned, we are more ourselves. There is clarity. Our message matches our voice, our voice matches our non-verbals, and our energy flows. It is easier for our audience to follow us if we are aligned. It allows for the expression of a unified message because mixed messages are confusing and can be exhausting for our audience. If the audience becomes too tired, they may tune out and start thinking about other things. Let’s have a little chiropractic adjustment on our communication!
