Make eye contact Making eye contact will engage the listener(s) and show that you’re present and confident in what you’re saying. Tips: * Imagine a “T” on their face (the horizontal line spanning between their eyebrows and the vertical line running down their nose) and focus on this area. * Switching between both eyes will make your eyes appear to sparkle. Use gestures Gesturing with your arms and/or hands shows that you’re passionate and engaged in what you’re saying. Tips: * Use gestures to emphasize key points that you’re trying to make. * Match the size of your gestures with the size of your audience (e.g., your one-on-one gestures should be smaller than your gestures when speaking to a large group). Match your tone to your words Make sure that the tone of your voice is in line with the meaning that you’re trying to convey in order to make your message clear. Examples: ✗ “I’m putting you on disciplinary probation until further notice.” (spoken in an upbeat tone with a smile) ✓ “You’re on disciplinary probation until further notice.” (spoken in a disheartened tone with a serious expression) Use open body language Open body language sends the message that you are approachable and present. Tips: * Keep your arms relaxed at your sides. * Stand or sit with upright posture (with your shoulders down and back). * Point your body toward the listener(s). * Relax any tension in your forehead and eyebrows and don a slight, relaxed smile. Manifest a good attitude Before speaking to someone, set an intention to be constructive, honest, patient, and open-minded. People will pick up on negativity or stubbornness in your tone, so take a moment to ground yourself (especially before tough conversations). Tips: * Pause before entering an intense conversation and breathe deeply for a few counts. * Say affirming words to yourself or think affirming thoughts (e.g., “I am calm and open to new ideas,” “I am honest, patient and willing to help”). * Do a few simple stretches to loosen up your body and relieve stress (which can cause your tone to be rash and/or snippy). Actively listen Actively listen to the speaker and give small affirming nods or expressions to show that you are engaged in what they’re saying. Avoid thinking of your reply while they’re speaking as it will distract you from their message. Examples: “Yes, I see…” “I hear you.” Enunciate and use appropriate volume Pronounce your words clearly and adjust your volume to the space and the size of your audience. Tips: * Do a few tongue-twisters to warm up your mouth, making it less likely that you’ll mumble or stumble over your words (e.g., “Red leather yellow leather,” “A proper copper coffee pot”). * Slow down to make sure your listeners hear every word and have time to process them as you’re speaking. * Avoid shouting or speaking too loud to only a few listeners in smaller spaces. Instead, use your normal speaking voice dialed up a notch. * Breathe deeply and speak from your diaphragm (at the base of your rib cage) to project your voice in larger spaces. Lower your voice a little Higher voices with throaty or whiny tones can be irritating to listeners, so try to lower your voice a little (this will also help your voice travel farther in larger spaces). Tips: * Maintain good posture and speak from your diaphragm (at the base of your rib cage) to make your voice sound lower and avoid “vocal fry” (or throatiness). * Open your mouth more when you speak to avoid pushing any soundwaves through your nasal cavity (which creates a whiny sound). * Gargle with plain or salt water before speaking to a large audience to help combat a scratchy or hoarse tone. Animate your voice Periodically raise and lower your pitch to impart a feeling of passion and energy into your words. Monotone voices can be boring and come off as disinterested. Tips: * Listen to radio DJ’s for examples of animated voices. * Look to natural inflections and syllabic emphasis in words to see where you can change up your pitch. * An upward inflection at the end of a sentence sounds like a question while a downward inflection at the end sounds like a statement. Notice how you naturally inflect your sentences and tailor it to best match the message you’re trying to get across. Use words properly Correct grammar and word choice ensures that your message is clear and effective. A misused word, incorrect pronunciation, and/or poor grammar can make you seem less credible. If you’re unsure about the meaning or pronunciation of a word, look it up or use a synonym. Examples: ✗ “I’m concerned about the hierarchy [hi-arky] affecting our mission.” ✓ “I’m concerned about the top-down power structure affecting our mission.”