The Sound Connection

On the QT Newsletter, The Sound Connection
March 4, 2008
How’s Your Sound

Did you know? People judge our intelligence much more by how we sound than how we dress. In fact, our voices speak volumes about us and determine to some extent how the world hears and sees us. In today’s world, because people spend more time communicating via phone rather than they do face-to-face, the sound of our voices has never had a greater impact. In a Gallup Survey on voice qualities, one of the top vocal-put off’s was mumbling. You have probably noticed that students frequently mumble their responses in class. In the workplace, people who mumble are not only difficult to understand, they sound inarticulate, unpolished, and sloppy-certainly not the impression we want our students to make. To get students thinking about how they sound and how they can quickly improve their sound by speaking more clearly, have them try this fun and funny activity.

Do this:

• Ask a few questions about what their voices say about them.
  

  How important do you think your voice is when you communicate with others?

  How much of a person’s message is conveyed by their voice? (2nd paragraph)

• Explain that when people mumble they leave a bad impression.
  

  They may be perceived as inarticulate, lazy, or even sloppy.

  They give the impression that they have something to hide.

  It is easy to overcome mumbling by focusing on and practicing speaking clearly.

• Distribute the student guide, “How’s Your Sound?”
  

  Review the directions.

  Have students complete the activity.

• Discuss what they learned from the activity and how they will use the information.

Want More? According to the 2008 JobWeb Report, communication skills—both written and verbal—still top the list of skills and qualities employers seek in job candidates. If you want an additional exercise on improving their sound, go to the Everyone Has a Customer to Serve, and try the Activity #7, “Sound Advice”. For more tongue twisters, go to the Tongue Twister Database. Finally, at The Sound of Your Voice website, Dr. Carol Fleming has a number of articles on improving one’s voice.

Quik Quote: A smile on your face puts a smile in your voice. Susan Berkley, Speak to Influence

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