348 / TAKING CENTER STAGE
Speaking powerfully
Using confident vocals
As you speak, your audience “reads” your voice—
its nuances of pitch, volume, pace, and so on. This
process happens imperceptibly, below the radar
of consciousness, yet it shapes your audience’s
perceptions of your message. Sound hesitant and
your audience will question your content. Sound
confident and your audience will side with you. Try
using the various facets of your voice (see right)
when you practice your presentation and use them
to effect.
Remaining calm
Slow and deep breathing enhances your
performance. It boosts the supply of oxygen to your
brain, making you more alert; it helps you stay calm;
and it increases the flow of air over your vocal cords,
enhancing the clarity of your voice. To keep from
stumbling during your presentation, declutter your
speech by removing unnecessary words and any
trite expressions.
Finally, learn to be comfortable with silence
in front of an audience: it feels odd at first, but
remember that “dramatic pauses” after key points
add memorable emphasis.
How do you sound? In control? Authoritative? Dynamic? Voice is a
powerful tool in the presentation arsenal. Don’t worry—you don’t
need to have the booming resonance of a stage actor to convince
your audience that you are fully involved in what you are saying.
TONE
Whether presenting
good or bad information,
do so with a tone that
matches the content of
what you are saying.
INTONATION
Using an upward
inflection (upspeak) at
the end of sentences
may signal you are
uncertain. Using
declarative sentences
with the voice ending in
a downbeat will give
even neutral phrases
an authoritative touch.
PACE
Vary the pace of your delivery. This
helps keep your audience alert. Speak
slowly when delivering key messages:
new ideas need time to be processed.
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SPEAKING POWERFULLY / 349
PROTECT YOUR VOICE
Don’t drink milk or milk
products before speaking—
they will coat your mouth.
Rest your voicebox (larynx)
for at least a day before your
presentation, and take
regular sips of water
while speaking.
Tip
PITCH
Slow your delivery and breathe
deeply. Only then will you be
able to use the full range of
highs and lows of your voice. A
confident speaker varies pitch
more than a rushed one, whose
pitch is flat and unengaging.
VOLUME
Be comfortable projecting
your voice so that it can be
heard everywhere in the
room. Vary your projection
to grab and keep attention.
Your goal is not only to be
heard, but also to alert
listeners to the importance
of what you are saying.
DICTION
Enunciate words clearly, adjusting the
pace of your delivery where needed. Be
careful with acronyms or unusual words
your audience might misunderstand.
Repeat important numbers for emphasis
and to be certain they are heard.
Sound
confident
and your
audience will
side with you
Master your voice
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