May is Better Speech and Hearing Month! May 1, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Uncategorized.Tags: Better speech and hearing month, diction, executive speech coach, speech language pathologist, voice coach
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May is Better Speech and Hearing Month! Let’s celebrate by learning more about speech in the workplace.
What is the difference between a Speech or Voice coach and a Speech Language Pathologist (or Speech Pathologist).
The biggest difference between the two disciplines is what the professional concentrates on with the client in training. Voice coaching deals with the technique of speaking and using the voice effectively and dynamically. By adjusting the way in which something is said, the meaning of the message can become clearer, more effective and more interesting. Typical training might include diction, foreign accent modification, conciseness, intonation dynamics, etc.
Voice/speech therapy deals with the treatment of a speech or voice disorder like stuttering, vocal nodules, vocal polyps, word finding problems, or language/cognitive deficits due to a head injury stroke, etc.
Both types of training should be done with someone who has an advanced graduate training in speech and/or voice issues like a Speech Language Pathologist. There are many executive coaches with a background in Speech Pathology now coaching individuals in the corporate world with dynamic speaking skills and accent modification.
Speech Rate and the Effect on Listeners May 1, 2009
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Speech rate affects the listener’s perception of the speaker and the relative importance of the message. Imagine “I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King spoken at a fast rate. The length of time that the speech was spoken gave us time to imagine and to process the information. We wouldn’t process the meaningful and complex information had it been spoken more quickly. In fact, we would have lost interest. The slow rate of speech signaled importance and sent the message that the content should be taken seriously.
Now if the content is unimportant and spoken too slowly, the listener may become impatient and bored and consequently lose interest, too. A slow speaker telling a story about a trip to the grocery store or a meeting agenda or something else less important, may find the listener watching and listening with glazed over eyes.
Humor, and light, frivolous messages are best expressed at a faster rate because we process that information a lot quicker. When determining the rate of speech you want to use, analyze the content of your message. No matter what speed you choose, be sure to show enthusiasm through vocal variety and facial expression.
Pronouncing Foreign Sounding Names April 9, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.Tags: communicating, communication style, foreign accent, pronunciation
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Have you ever hesitated to address someone because you were afraid you might mispronounce their name? A friend of mine once saw a name that was spelled Orangello. She thought it was a bit unique and pronounced it like she saw it, orange jello. However, the person was quick to point out that the name was pronounced oRANGelo and her friend LeMONgelo was frequently mispronounced, too.
With our increasingly diverse society, we find ourselves trying to pronounce foreign names that are spelled very differently than American English rules would govern. For example, some names begin with a /q/ but do not sit beside a /u/. Names that begin with /kn/ are pronounced with a “silent” /k/ in America but the /k/ is often pronounced in other cultures–Knut is KNOOT. The name Michel may look like “Michael” but is actually pronounced, mee-SHELL or Simon is pronounced see-MONE in some cultures. How do you know which syllable to stress when you see this name: Bloduedd (BLODweth or BLODwed). If you couldn’t see or hear the person, would you guess that the person is male or female?
Next time you are introduced to someone who has a foreign sounding name, respectively ask them to repeat or spell it. Then ask them to teach you how to pronounce it. Practice the name out loud and invite the person to correct you. The ice will be broken and you can both relax. You’ll feel much more comfortable using the person’s name.
Sarcasm in the Workplace April 7, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.Tags: communicating, Communication, executives speech, foreign accent, misunderstanding, non native english, sarcasm, speech, workplace
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Sarcasm in the workplace exists at every level of management. Americans sometimes make comments that aren’t sincere or are meant to be a little degrading. In order to be sarcastic, we adjust our vocal tone and perhaps our facial expression. Try saying, “great” sarcastically. Notice what you do with your pitch to sound sarcastic. For non-native English (and often native) listeners, sarcasm may not be evident because the cues are too subtle. The sarcastic comment leaves the listener confused or wondering about the intention. Watch for sarcasm in your speech to avoid misunderstanding and degrading remarks. Try saying the same word “great” in a motivating and inspiring way.
Five Reasons to Speak More Clearly in the Workplace! April 2, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.Tags: communicating, communication style, foreign accent, speech, vocal manmerisms, voice
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Here are just five reasons to speak more clearly at work (in backwards order):
#5. To improve credibility and trust. Your speech and voice tell so much about you from education level to your likability. Do you sound angry or friendly, confident or unskilled, uninterested or engaged? The way you express yourself gives your listener clues.
#4. To be better understood so that colleagues know what you want and your customers want to buy from you. When the speaker is unclear and unintelligible, many opportunities are missed.
#3. To look like a professional. A professional image can be shattered the moment we open our mouths to speak. We all tend to pay attention to articulate people.
#2. To increase your chance of getting a promotion. Communication skills (or lack thereof) can be “stoppers or stallers” for the people who want to climb the corporate ladder. Don’t let poor communication skills derail your career!
#1. To improve your self-confidence. A self-confident person is someone we all want to do business with! The manner in which we speak correlates highly with self-confidence levels.
Speak more clearly to captivate, engage and inspire your listeners whether you are speaking to one person or a roomful of people.
The First Few Minutes March 31, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.2 comments
Are you approachable? Are you open? Did you know that your listener decides this about you in the first three minutes? If you wish to convey openness in your communication, be an initiator of the conversation, listen intently, share, understand and comfort. If you can get the listener to share with you early in the encounter, you will understand them better and then be able to determine your approach with that person. If you have access to a video tape and can record yourself engaging in conversation with another person, you can get a lot of clues about your personal approach and style.
Communicating Politely with Somone Who Stutters March 27, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.Tags: stuttering
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About 1% of the adult population stutters. It’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable speaking to someone who stutters. Here are some suggestions to help you communicate more effectively.
1. Dismiss assumptions you may have about people who stutter.
2. Don’t provide suggestions to the speaker about how to speak better (”slow down,” “relax,” etc.)
3. Be an active listener by nodding your head and making eye contact.
4. Don’t finish the speaker’s sentences when he/she gets stuck on a word.
5. Be open and honest. let the speaker know that you are willing to listen and are patient about hearing what he/she has to say.
Famous people who stuttered:
Winston Churchhill, Marilyn Monroe, James Earl Jones, Bruce Willis, Bob Love, John Stossel and Carly Simon.
Would you like to learn more about stuttering? See the article below:
What To Do When Someone Accidently Spits While Speaking March 23, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.add a comment
- Has this ever happened to you? You are listening to someone speak and all of a sudden spit flies out of their mouth accidently onto you. If you know someone who spits while speaking and you have been a recipient, what can you do? This is what I found out on the internet:
1. Realize that the amount of saliva they are producing is most likely out of their control.
2. Step back. This is probably the most polite option.
3. Avoid watching their mouths when the other person speaks. Making eye contact will help you forget about the spitting and increase the self-confidence of the speaker.
4. Use your best judgment about saying something. It may be that the person doesn’t realize they are spitting. They may want to know. You may also want to give subtle cues by wiping the place where it landed.
Do you have a tactful suggestion for handling this situation? I’d like to know!
Excessive Saliva Sometimes Affects Speech March 16, 2009
Posted by lyndastucky in Communication.Tags: excessive saliva speaking speech language pathologist
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Do you spit while you speak which is causing you frustration and embarrassment? Here are a couple of recommendations:
1. Have your salivary flow assessed by an Ears, Nose or Throat Physician or dentist to make sure that there is no serious physical problem. If the doctor determines that you have excessive amounts of saliva, there are some saliva-reducing drugs available (but they do require a prescription). According to Mayo Clinic dental care specialist Alan Carr, D.M.D., excessive saliva can be the cause of:
- Pregnancy
- New dentures
- Inflammation of mucous membranes of the mouth (stomatitis)
- A side effect of certain medications, such as clozapine, isoproterenol, pilocarpine and reserpine
- Damage to the nerves that control the salivary glands
2. If there isn’t a physical problem, it may be related to the way in which you speak. If you speak too quickly or if you have learned tongue and cheek positions that create excess saliva, you may need to learn alternative mouth positions. You will need to consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist to help you with excess saliva due to mouth positioning.
Next tip: How to deal with someone who spits while speaking.
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