Knowing how to command a room with your voice is one of the most powerful tools in the corporate world. Whether you are a PA assisting on an event or the CEO hosting it, the skill of public speaking can transform how you create impact and command attention in the workplace.
But public speaking isnโt everyoneโs forte. In the UK, glossophobia (the fear of public speaking) is the third most common phobia, with 15% admitting to suffering from it, while 21% admit they hate it and will avoid doing it on any occasion. However, learning how to cultivate your voice as an instrument for crowd-wide communication is possible.
This article explains some of the core aspects of oral presentation that can make you a more confident and compelling speaker.
The voice as a tool for clarity and empowerment: 8 points to keep in mind
The ability to speak clearly when hosting or speaking at events and presentations is a given. However, to truly command the attention of a room, whether on screen or in-person, a more nuanced understanding of communication and influence is needed.
You can speak clearly and decisively, yet still lack the conviction and weight of an effective communicator. If you want to leave a lasting impression on listeners and deliver your message in the most impactful way possible, here are eight things to keep in mind:
1. Start with a strong opening
It can take as little as a tenth of a second to make a first impression, so you need to start off strong. By speaking in the right tone, at a good volume, and enunciating your words, you can establish yourself as an authoritative voice upfront and secure your audience’s attention for longer.
Strong openings can be sparked by asking thought-provoking questions, sharing a famous, compelling quote, or making a bold statement that gets peopleโs attention. By starting strong, you set the tone for the rest of your message and make it easier to connect with your listeners.
2. Speak from a place of purpose
To unleash your voice’s full power and potential, you must first understand what it is being used to say. Speakers who are strongly connected to the essential content of their message have a much higher chance of gaining a listenerโs full attention.
Whether you pitch a creative new idea to your boss or act as a moderator at an event, speaking from a place of purpose and conviction makes your words more compelling, increasing engagement and giving your presence more authority.
3. Utilise physicality to convey presence
Physical gestures, such as hand movements and eye contact, can amplify your voice. These forms of nonverbal communication can enhance peopleโs understanding of your words and make you a more personable, relatable source of information.
Remember to keep these gestures natural and in alignment with what youโre saying, only relying on them during crucial moments of communication to reinforce your message. This is important because over-gesticulation or too much concentrated eye contact can be distracting.
4. Learn the art of pausing
Mark Twain said, โThe right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.โ When you speak at an event or present an idea or concept, rushing through your words will only leave your audience feeling overwhelmed and confused. Just like commas and full stops are needed in written works, verbal communication requires occasional pauses to land well and make an impact.
5. Rely on cue cards where necessary
Depending on the nature of the event or meeting in which you are speaking, cue cards can be instrumental in guiding your points along the way, particularly if you struggle with forgetfulness or public speaking anxiety.
However, cue cards are only really permissible in certain contexts, such as a meeting, pitch, or presentation where lengthier speaking is required. In these instances, you can keep your cards on hand and use them to remind you of important speaking points or personal notes that will improve your communication.
That said, if you are making a short announcement at an event or engaging in a casual but important conversation, relying on your memory and ideas will communicate a necessary level of professionalism and impact.
6. Vary your tone and pitch
Monotony is the enemy of a powerful voice. If you want people to listen to you, you must avoid a dull, monotonous vocal pitch and instead embrace one that is dynamic and varied. If you speak in the same tone, your message risks fading into the background, no matter how important it is.
Use your voice to mirror the mood of your message. Let it rise when you’re excited, drop it when you’re serious, and pause when you want your words to land. Alternating between higher and lower tones as you move through your message’s different sections will also help keep listeners stimulated, which will command more attention and authority.
7. Avoid using filler words
Using filler words such as um, erm, like, and you know, shows a lack of confidence and dilutes the impact of your message. They also make you look less prepared and professional. While these words can fill the silence and give you a moment to think, you need to work on avoiding them in public speaking.
You can practice removing these words from your vocabulary in numerous ways, including using a pause to its full effect, expanding your vocabulary, and slowing down your speech. Preparation also helps you to avoid using filler words, as the more prepared you are, the more confident youโll feel.
8. Read the room
Utilising your voice to share your vision and guide an audience to a specific outcome requires a degree of adaptability and in-the-moment intuition.
Sometimes, you may prepare a presentation down to every last detail, but something else will come up during the session that you did not expect, requiring you to shift gearsโwhether tonally or conceptually.
Remember that while the authenticity and purpose of your words are still important, so is a level of flexibility for life’s unpredictabilities. Be prepared to adjust your message to suit different learning styles, perspectives, and audience moods as needed.
Make your voice heard
Mastering the art of activating your voice and using it as a tool to empower yourself and others is about being clear or concise, but itโs also about communicating with presence, intuition, adaptability, and poise.
With the right strategy and mindset, you can turn every speaking moment into an opportunity for impactful connection and inspiration.
