Today, as my youngest daughter left to go back to college, I got choked up and my voice changed.
No matter how I tried to hide it, I couldn’t. After seeing this email from Seth Godin, I decided to share it. It was meaningful for me because in business and in life, your voice will give you away. It’s an expression of who you are.
I send this today as a heads up the next time you give a presentation.
Are you you?
Tags: expression, giving a speech, public speaking, seth godin, youngest daughterYour Voice Will Give You Away by Seth Godin
It’s extremely difficult to read a speech and sound as if you mean it.
For most of us, when reading, posture changes, the throat tightens and people can tell. Reading is different from speaking, and a different sort of attention is paid.
Before you give a speech, then, you must do one of two things if your goal is to persuade:
Learn to read the same way you speak (unlikely) or, learn to speak without reading. Learn your message well enough that you can communicate it without reading it. We want your humanity.
If you can’t do that, don’t bother giving a speech. Just send everyone a memo and save time and stress for all concerned.
