Communication Tips: What Does Your Voice Say About You?

What does your voice say about you? Voice tonality conveys a huge part of the message that we communicate. Get it right and we come across as more dynamic and exciting. Get it wrong and you can sound insecure, weak or inexperienced.

Using your voice you can make your words come across as serious, joking, mysterious or accusatory. There are a number of parts to voice tonality and mastering these will help you convey the message you intend.

Building a better relationship. Photo: ReubenInStt

They are:

• Speed – A fast talker can be seen as nervous or sloppy (not thorough enough to make sure that the other person has taken in what you said). A slow talker will come across as relaxed and in control, and people will respond to that authority. Beware though, you don’t want to talk too slowly, and vary your levels to avoid monotone!
• Volume – Talk loud enough to be heard. Talking quietly can give the listener the impression you’re telling them something secret  or special, and they’ll probably lean in a little! Talking more loudly (and a little faster) says excitement and energy.
• Pitch – People with high-pitched voices will often come across as inexperienced or lacking in confidence. A slow, deep voice can instill confidence and respect.
• Emphasis – the emphasis that we place on individual words can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Watch out for this when sending emails or texts, as the person reading it may use a different emphasis than that which you intended. This is why smiley faces (emoticons) are useful.
• Breath – make time to breath while you talk. Remember that a well placed pause can say more than words ever can.
• Inflection – the way that we end what we’re saying gives the other person an instruction as to how to respond.
  • If your voice rises at the end of a sentence this implies a question, requiring a response from them.
  • If you end this is instructive or commanding and can be used to illicit a particular action or response from them.
  • If, however, you end in a monotone the other person is not being encouraged to respond, the conversation will be more of a struggle and you are likely to come across as dull.

To really develop your voice tone try Easy Exercises to Develop Your Speaking Voice: A Practical Introduction to Voice Training, which contains guidance, advice and useful exercises.