How to Speak So That People Want to Listen | Julian Treasure | TED

The Power of the Human Voice

In this section, the speaker introduces the power of human voice and how it can be used to make a change in the world.

Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

• Gossiping: speaking ill of somebody who's not present.

• Judging: making people feel judged and found wanting.

• Negativity: being negative or complaining all the time.

• Complaining: spreading viral misery instead of positivity.

• Excuses: passing on blame to others and not taking responsibility for one's actions.

• Embroidery/Exaggeration: using hyperbole that can lead to lying.

• Dogmatism: confusing facts with opinions.

Four Powerful Cornerstones

• Honesty (H): being true, straight, and clear in what you say.

• Authenticity (A): being yourself and standing in your own truth.

• Integrity (I): doing what you say and being someone people can trust.

• Love (L): wishing people well tempered with honesty.

Using Your Toolbox

In this section, the speaker talks about how we can use our voice as an instrument by opening our toolbox.

How to Use Your Toolbox

• Be aware of your toolbox

• It is an amazing instrument that few people have ever opened

• You need to know what tools are available before you can use them

• Practice using your toolbox regularly

• Record yourself speaking

• Listen back to identify areas for improvement

• Practice speaking in different situations

Tools in Your Toolbox

Register

• Use different registers depending on the situation

• Vocal fry: used to convey authority or seriousness

• Falsetto: used to convey humor or lightness

Timbre

• Use different timbres depending on the situation

• Darker timbres: used to convey sadness or seriousness

• Brighter timbres: used to convey happiness or excitement

Prosody

• Use different prosodies depending on the situation

• Rising intonation: used for questions or uncertainty

• Falling intonation: used for statements or certainty

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes by summarizing the key points and encouraging listeners to use their voice as a powerful instrument.

• The human voice is a powerful instrument that can be used to make change in the world.

• Avoid the seven deadly sins of speaking and focus on using honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love.

• Open your toolbox and practice using your voice in different situations.

• Remember that how you say something is just as important as what you say.

The Power of Voice

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of voice and how it can be used to convey power and authority.

Understanding Voice

• Voice has three components: register, timbre, and prosody.

• Register refers to the pitch of your voice. A lower pitch is associated with power and authority.

• Timbre is the way your voice feels. People prefer voices that are rich, smooth, and warm. You can train to improve your timbre through exercises with a voice coach.

• Prosody is the sing-song or meta-language we use to impart meaning in conversation. It's essential for conveying meaning effectively.

Using Voice Effectively

• Pace, pitch, volume, and silence are all important elements of effective communication through voice.

• Varying pace can emphasize certain points or create excitement in a speech or conversation.

• Pitch can indicate arousal or emotion in a statement.

• Volume can be used to create excitement or grab attention.

Warm Up Your Voice

• Before any important speaking engagement, it's essential to warm up your voice using exercises like deep breathing and vocalizations for lips, tongue, and throat.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of effective communication in today's noisy world.

Effective Communication Matters

• We live in an environment that's all about noise and bad acoustics, making effective communication more important than ever.

• By understanding the components of voice and using them effectively, we can improve our ability to communicate with others.