Does your speech need a makeover?
In so many ways technology has been our saviour in these difficult times. The popularity of virtual meetings and webinars is on the increase. In so many ways that’s a good thing. Now we can settle down in our own safe and comfy spot without the need to rush to get to face-to-face meetings.
Who would have thought though, that the popularity of webinar meetings would see a resurgence in the popularity of speech lessons?
Do you speak with confidence?
- When you hear yourself in a recorded virtual meeting, do you like what you hear?
- Have you noticed that your speech isn’t as clear or confident as you’d like – especially when you hear yourself in a playback of virtual meeting?
- When you listen to a playback do you sound as confident and professional as you’d like.
- Are you rushing your words? Mumbling? Speaking very quietly?
This casual delivery minimises our impact, especially when we need to speak up in high stakes environments. Mumbling is ‘economy’ speech, but it robs us of our vocal power, clarity, sparkle and influence. Mumbling is a common speech problem usually born from a combination of factors including tension in the jaw, limited movement in the lips, low vocal energy and tone, and poor breathing.
Let’s give your speech a makeover.
Our speech mirrors our level of self-confidence.
The way we deliver our message (the way we speak) gives credibility to our message. It impacts on the likelihood that our listeners will sit up and take notice. Unfortunately, it can result in you being dismissed as lacking in confidence and credibility – a sure way to undermine the importance of your communication and personal brand.
Here are exercises to give speech muscles a workout:
Relax your jaw
Place your palms on the sides of your face and slowly massage the jaw and cheek muscles with slow small circular motions
Continue to massage while lowering and raising your jaw.
Add the sounds – “ma-ma-ma-ma” with a very light lip contact for the “m”. (Open your mouth wide).
Change to “wa-wa-wa-wa” with very light lip round for a slightly distorted “w”
Gently open your mouth as wide as you can and then release it. Let your jaw flop closed. Imagine you’re chewing a large piece of gum. As you do this exercise feel your jaw moving.
Exercise the lips and tongue
Here’s some tongue twisters to give your lips and tongue a workout. Practise opening your mouth and forming each sound clearly. Exaggerate the sounds making sure that you give each sound its full value and that you’re working your speech muscles.
Practise opening your mouth when you speak, forming each sound clearly.
- Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?
- I have got a date at a quarter to eight; I’ll see you at the gate, so don’t be late.
- You know New York, you need New York, you know you need unique New York.
- I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
- If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose?
- I thought I thought of thinking of thanking you.
- I wish to wash my Irish wristwatch
- Near an ear, a nearer ear, a nearly eerie ear.
