Are you using your FULL voice?

You will never look at your voice the same way again!
The keynote speaker that morning was Barbara McAfee. Barbara has been a dear friend and colleague of mine for longer than I can remember. I was excited because I know Barbara's work is always insightful and practical. Her keynote promised that "you would never look at, or use, your voice the same way again!" 
 
Humans first
One of the things Barbara said was that our voice is the primary vehicle for giving our gifts to the world. Hmmm, I'd never thought of it quite that way before. She went on to state that "we are human beings first and professionals second." Hmmm, another great point that we sometimes forget.

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Joan Moser, president of Spoken Impact

As leaders, voice is one of our most important tools for getting our message across and doing our work. How many of us are deliberate in how we use our voice? I know mine is on auto pilot much of the time, unless, of course, I'm giving a speech. Then I'm tuned in. But what about the rest of the time?

I've been paying attention to voice lately--noticing how I use my voice and how those around me are using theirs.
 
Joan Moser, president of Spoken Impact
My fascination with voice got started when I attended the "Speaking of Business" conference put on in April by Joan

Moser of Spoken Impact. Joan is a master communicator and trainer. If you've been touched by a great presentation by a business executive in the Twin Cities, there's a good chance that Joan Moser was the coach who helped them craft the message and nail their delivery. https://www.spokenimpact.com

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Earth, fire, water, metal & air
Barbara taught us the "Five Elements Framework." We have earth voice, fire voice, water voice, metal voice and air voice. Everyone with a voice has access to these five elements. They come in pretty handy if we know how and when to use them. 
 
Earth voice is deep and projects authority. Fire voice communicates passion and inhabits our personal power. Water voice is caring and compassionate. It makes people feel safe and is good for apologizing. Metal voice is nasal and is good for amplification. A little metal voice goes a long way, so use sparingly. Air voice connects us to spirit. It is good for inspiration and story telling. It's the voice we use when we talk to our pets and babies.
 
Knowing there are five voice elements gives you more choice for how you say what you say. Communication is one of the items that consistently tops the list of problem areas for leaders. We are bombarded with messages. If you want your message to stand out and break through, practice and learn how to use the five voice elements.  
 
Tips to get you started
Barbara recommends:

1. Practice every time you talk. 
   
2. Notice how your voice changes.
   
3. Play with the five elements to enhance your message.
   
4. Listen to others through the lens of the five elements.
   
5. Sing! In the car, with children, in the shower.
   
6. Use the exercise videos at www.fullvoice.net
   

What happens when you are more deliberate about using your voice? I'd love to know. Email your comments to me at rita@wiseleader.net. I look forward to hearing from you!
 
For more information, get Barbara's book Full Voice: The Art & Practice of Vocal Presence at amazon.com or contact Barbara directly for private lessons. She is fun to work with and you'll learn wonderful things about the power of your voice. http://www.barbaramcafee.com 
 
Have a great week! 

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