Using Your Voice to Your Advantage

Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not what you say, but how you say it that's important"? This is especially true when you are helping someone learn something new. It can be complicated if that person is older than you. Most people want to appear confident and don't want to feel intimidated or embarrassed. The way you speak to someone can go a long way to help others feel comfortable to try new things.

Everyone's voice has the same components. The way we use them makes us unique. You can actually practice these different vocal components to become a stronger communicator. Review the following vocal components and consider how you can use them to your advantage.

Volume refers to how loud you speak. You should speak loud enough so others can hear you without having to ask you to repeat yourself. Don't speak too loudly, though. No one likes to be yelled at. Remember that some of the older people you help may have hearing aids and may have trouble hearing in general. Having strong volume can indicate confidence. Speaking very softly may be perceived as being unsure or indecisive. Ask others for advice on whether your volume is appropriate. Be conscious about the volume of the people you are speaking with. When their volume goes up, it could mean they are getting upset or frustrated. Their volume going down can indicate confusion or lack of confidence.

Pitch refers to how high or low your voice is. Pitch is something you may think about for singers, but your pitch can also change when you are talking. A higher pitch may indicate you are feeling excited, impatient, or nervous about something. Lower pitches can indicate frustration or anger. You can control the pitch of your voice when you need to. Take a breath or pause a moment. Then bring your pitch back to your normal range of speaking.

Tone refers to a combination of things that influence how you come across when you are speaking or writing. It can be hard to describe, but if a parent has ever said to you, "Don't use that tone of voice with me!" you know what tone is. Your tone should be friendly and kind. Avoid being too syrupy or sweet, like how some people talk to toddlers. That can come across as sounding sarcastic or belittling.

Inflection is a manipulation of tone and/or pitch. Inflection is helpful to emphasize words and get your point across. You can also use inflection to convey interest in your responses to others. There are some affected inflections that can be perceived negatively. One of those is an upspeak or uptalk inflection at the end of sentences that makes every sentence sound like a question.

Pace is how fast or slow you speak. Some people and some cultures are known for speaking either very quickly or rather slowly. In professional communications, avoid speaking too fast. It can be confusing. If people keep asking you to repeat things, you may need to slow down.

Intensity is the strength of emotion that you are trying to convey. The intensity of your language may increase when you want to show you're concerned about something that was said. Listen for increased intensity in others. If it seems like they're getting frustrated or upset, try to slow the conversation down and help that person become calmer.