Voice Confident's Triple Take - your fortnightly trio of tips!
VOICE: cadences
The cadence of your phrase or sentence is how the pitch of your voice rises and falls as you speak. Typically, we end a question with a rising cadence and a statement with a falling and settling cadence. Because of this, if you make a statement but rise in pitch at the end, you will sound unsure or questioning or seeking validation.
As listeners, we love to hear in speech a variety of cadences and the use of higher and lower pitches for emphasis - this is the opposite of listening to a monotone voice.
Next time you want to land a key point, try lifting the pitch for a key section in the middle of the line and falling towards the end, slightly slowing and settling on a note that is comfortably low in your range - and pause for effect.
PRESENCE: eyebrows
It is now thought that our eyebrows developed movement to allow us to communicate with others and they remain a powerful element in the non-verbal toolbox. For example, tense eyebrows indicate anger or frustration even when there is no real frown visible.
Effective use of the eyebrows can get you into the 'friend zone' really fast. Lift your eyebrows just before you start to speak and you will immediately engage others' attention. An eyebrow flash while smiling at your audience will make you seem even friendlier and more approachable.
CONFIDENCE: an anti-anxiety tip - get moving!
One of the things that happens to us when we get anxious or stressed is that we get a lot of oxygen coursing around trying to give us the energy to fight or to run away. If this happens when we are still, it can lead to hyperventilation, a feeling of lightheadedness, shaking muscles or tingling in fingers and toes.
If possible, therefore, get moving! Shake out those hands and feet, shake out that excess energy. Swing your arms in circles; sway from side to side. If you can, go for a brisk walk outside. This will burn off the extra oxygen, make your breathing more regular, help to relax muscles and metabolise stress hormones.
If you are in a situation where you can't move very much - eg. in a meeting - then tensing and relaxing muscles in the hands and feet can really help, and if you do it subtly, it won't be seen! Tense for 5 seconds, then release for 10. Try to fully relax for the release. Alternate hands and feet.