Find Your Own Voice
Ten Steps for Orchestrating Your Own Personal Message

From The Simple-Minded Manager, Cutting Through Your Work-Life Chaos

THE OTHER DAY I ran across on old ragged paper back that I had bought in the ninth grade called "Satchmo My Life in New Orleans". I remember my boyhood fascination with the story of Louis Armstrong growing up poor in that exciting city in those exciting times. It was the beginning of my lifelong love affair with jazz. Later, my wife and I moved to New Orleans, while I attended graduate school at Tulane. We had the great thrill of walking those very streets where Louis marched playing funeral dirges, and sitting in Preservation Hall, listening to the aging icons of America's own music. Jazz musicians often speak of the experience of learning to communicate their unique musical message as "finding my own voice". I was thinking, "that's what I want to accomplish in management -- I want to learn to communicate my own message in my unique style". I participate in the Toastmasters International public speaking education program, so I reviewed the Toastmasters introduction Communications and Leadership Manual, and I would like to share my overview.

 

1. Introduce yourself to your audience.
   The Ice Breaker is probably the most important exercise in the Toastmaster Program. Remember, it is critical to introduce yourself to each new audience in every speech.

    

2. Convince each audience of your earnestness, sincerity and conviction.
   To be in earnest is to convey your true feelings to the audience. Be natural but forceful. State your definite convictions.

    

3. Organize yourself to communicate.
   Your goal is to sell your own ideas. Organize your approach so that your speech makes sense to your audience in their terms.

    

4. Show what you mean.
   Use your body language to ensure that your audience receives the same message through their eyes as through their ears. A gesture is effective if it helps your audience understand your message. Express yourself.

    

5. Try your voice.
   Explore vocal variety to convey your sense of friendliness. Be natural, show your true personality. Express vitality, show your force and strength. Paint shades of meaning with your voice.

    

6. Work with your words.
   Select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly, vividly and appropriately. Expand your vocabulary.

    

7. Apply your skills.
   Choose subjects significant to your listeners. Know how you want your audience to react. Do research -- know your facts. Organize your ideas. Think of your speech as "amplified conversation" with your audience.

    

8. Phrase your appeal in terms of your audience's self-interest.
   Make it persuasive. Convince your listeners that your interests coincide with theirs. Analyze your audience to choose your approach. Reveal your emotions.

    

9. Expand your knowledge.
   Select subjects appropriate to your own interests and those of your audience. Research your subjects thoroughly, using resources relevant to you. Translate ideas and insights into your own words.

    

10. Inspire your audience.
    Challenge people to embrace noble motives or achieve their highest potential -- but select subjects that have deep meaning to you and yours audience. Organize the thoughts and beliefs you and your audience share into dynamic and inspirational speeches.

Is there anyone anywhere that doesn't immediately recognize Louis Armstrong's trumpet or voice? Is there any question about the sincerity of his musical message? To creatively communicate your own personal message it is also critical to speak from your own perspective and conviction and in your own style. The only speeches worth giving are on subjects in which you really believe.

Find your own voice.

Adapted by Forrest C. Greenslade, Ph.D., from Communication and Leadership Program, a Publication of Toastmasters International

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