Is Your Voice Getting Lost In The Crowd?
As professionals, and in our lives in general, we call upon many voices to fulfill all the diverse roles we play. One context may call for a voice that is strong and authoritative, another a more compassionate tone. Some contexts require an authoritative voice resonating deep from within the belly and chest, another may call for a softer sound emanating more from the throat. In summary, one voice does not fit all situations.
One setting many of my clients struggle with is noisy environments, like networking events, parties or restaurants with loud music or bad acoustics.
They often end up pushing their voices, straining them, and even losing them before the night is through, or having little voice left for the following busy day at work.
When your voice feels tired and weak, you tend to feel more tired and weak.
One technique I teach my clients is to shift the focus of your resonance to the front of your face, or mask, incorporating just a bit more nasal resonance. This sound tends to cut through background noise, like metal.
When you use this voice, you're also more likely to move your mouth more and shape your sounds more precisely. It will make your speech clearer and easier to understand. It will also be easier to read your lips!
Another benefit to shifting vocal resonance to the front of your face is that you're more likely to use a greater range of facial expressions, making you a more compelling, engaging communicator.
Remember, if people can't hear you, they're likely to move on to the next person, which may create a missed opportunity to connect with someone important to you or who you really wanted to speak with!
Diaphragmatic breathing and deep resonance is great for sounding grounded and authoritative, but if you try using this voice for a long period of time in a loud environment, your voice will surely tire, and most likely people will have a harder time hearing you.
Use this voice, one that is more focused in the mask (face, nose, mouth), and you're more likely to be heard. PLUS, you'll save your vocal folds from becoming strained, tired, or even worse. I've worked with plenty of people who've developed nodules and polyps, and most of the time, it could have been 100% prevented.
If you're not super clear on the technique, stay tuned, because I'll be making a video demonstrating it soon.
Remember, you want to keep your voice healthy, strong, resonant and clear in all of the environments you speak in! We don't want to miss a word of what you have to say.
Your voice is unique. And, it can be one of the most powerful tools you have to elevate your communication skills and leave a lasting impression.
If you have any questions regarding how to use your voice effectively and safely in the different contexts you operate within, feel free to send me an email directly! Or, if you're struggling to find the voices you need to play your role with greater gravitas and dynamism, shoot me a note. I will get back to you tout suite!
Judy