How to speak so that people want to listen | Julian Treasure

Avoiding Detrimental Speaking Habits The human voice is a powerful instrument capable of inciting change or expressing love, yet many struggle to be heard. Seven detrimental speaking habits hinder effective communication: gossiping about absent individuals, judging others during conversations, negativity that breeds disinterest, constant complaining which spreads misery rather than positivity, making excuses and avoiding responsibility for one’s actions, exaggerating truths leading to mistrust through lies, and dogmatism where opinions are mistaken for facts. These behaviors create barriers in dialogue and diminish the impact of our words.

Foundations of Powerful Communication To communicate effectively and inspire change in the world requires embracing four foundational principles encapsulated by the acronym "hail." Honesty involves being truthful; authenticity means presenting oneself genuinely; integrity signifies keeping promises and building trust; while love entails wishing well for others without judgment. This approach fosters an environment where speech can be received positively as it balances honesty with compassion.

Mastering Vocal Tools for Impactful Speaking Effective speaking hinges on mastering vocal tools like register, timbre, prosody, pace, pitch, and volume. Register influences perception of authority; deeper voices are often favored in leadership contexts. Timbre can be enhanced through training to achieve a rich and warm quality that engages listeners. Prosody adds meaning with varied intonation patterns while avoiding monotony or repetitive questioning tones.

The Art of Delivery: Pace, Silence & Volume Control Pace allows speakers to convey excitement or emphasize points by adjusting speed; silence can also enhance communication when used thoughtfully instead of filler sounds. Pitch variations signal emotional states and alter meanings in dialogue—higher pitches may indicate urgency or inquiry versus lower ones suggesting calmness. Volume control is crucial: loudness captures attention but should not overwhelm the audience as it leads to 'sodcasting.' Preparing your voice before important moments ensures effective delivery during significant events such as speeches or proposals.

Engage in six vocal warm-up exercises before important talks: start with deep breaths and a sigh, then practice lip trills with "Ba," followed by buzzing sounds. Next, articulate exaggerated "la" sounds and roll your R's for tongue flexibility. Conclude with the siren exercise that transitions from high to low pitches using "weeeaawww." These practices enhance vocal delivery significantly.