Are You Cool, or Hot Stuff?

Let's face it: You're hot stuff as a speaker, even if you do say so yourself.

You have everything your audience needs, don't you? You're knowledgeable on your topic. You're dedicated. You have great experience. And you're totally committed to getting this message across to your listeners.

Unfortunately, however, audiences aren't mind readers! Your listeners can't crawl into your mind and see what you're thinking and feeling (thank goodness, you might say!). They won't be moved by you and your vision unless you demonstrate what you're talking about.

That means using the nonverbal tools of movement, gesture, and especially, voice.

As a communications consultant said recently: you have to show them, not tell them.

Too many professionals neglect the tools of vocal dynamics--pitch inflection, voice quality, tempo, rhythm, pause . . . the components that create the music of our language. Instead, we have to allow audiences to hear what we're thinking and feeling through our voice.

It's really all about emotion. And that thought is really a helpful shortcut to vocal success: Let your emotions "show" in your voice. When you do, your presentation will come alive for your audience. Listeners will get what you're saying, you'll establish rapport with them, and they'll be on your wavelength.

It's cool to be cool. But not when we're speaking to influence others.