Two Secrets about speech and voice revealed, and a solution suggested

November 23, 2010 by Admin · Leave a Comment 

See that successful looking man over there? He’s very confident isn’t he?
In my office with the doors closed, this same man confesses that he has always been embarrassed about the way he sometimes repeats words or sounds. That’s why he avoids public speaking at all costs (and it does cost him in opportunity).

How about that gorgeous young woman over there? Surely she’s got it all.
She records her outgoing voicemail messages over and over, because she is so ashamed of her ‘valley girl’ sound. Let’s see, just how much time does she waste doing this?….

Secret #1: Many people are secretly embarrassed about the sound of their voice, for example:

  • they are afraid the pitch of their voice is too high,
  • that they mumble,
  • that they have forgotten a lot of their vocabulary, or
  • or that they sound like dimwits when they speak in public

Secret #2: People do not realize that they really can change the way they talk.

You CAN change:

  • Voice pitch
  • Vocal quality
  • Use of mannerisms
  • Skill in public speaking
  • Comfort in social conversation
  • The clarity of your articulation

And much, much more

The Solution: I am offering a Holiday Special: Speak Your Best that helps people get started changing the way they talk. It can change a future, it can change a life. Treat yourself to this offer, or give someone you love the opportunity to develop their own speaking skills – and it’s a great start to your New Year’s Resolution to do something about The Way You Speak.

My offer includes:
1. A copy of my new book: It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-Spoken and Clear
2. My classic and best-selling CD, The Sound of Your Voice, and
3. A 20 minute phone or Skype consultation. After hearing your speaking concerns and questions, Dr. Fleming will guide you to the materials in the book and audio series that will have the most importance in your development. This will help you save time, set realistic goals, and be focused.

For more details about the offer, please visit www.speechtraining.com/holidayspecial

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at:
[email protected]
Or Telephone 415.391-9179

I would love to hear from you.

Happy Holidays

Carol Fleming

Filed under Personal Development, Speech/Voice Improvement · Tagged with

How to Really Compliment a Speaker

October 4, 2010 by Admin · Leave a Comment 

I spoke at The Commonwealth Club last week. Here is one of the emails I received:

“Monday night’s speech was terrific!

I just finished an important Company presentation (online & phone) with 6 key players on a very important subject. I attached 2 small sticky notes with tips from your speech to the bottom of my PC monitor. One said “speak slow & deliberate”. The other said “pause“.

I got several nice compliments at the end from the participants. Thanks Dr. Fleming!”

Now why do you suppose I really like this message? You would think it was the “terrific” comment, wouldn’t you? Has he just confirmed worthiness on me and with what authenticity? Actually such expressions are formulaic and do not tell you exactly what was valued. Indeed, it could be just a feel-good dismissal, there could be sarcasm involved, and you really don’t know anything about your effectiveness.

BUT, look carefully at the rest of his message:

  • He showed me that he took in some specific information from the talk and that I was making a difference in the way I want to.
  • He told me what he did consequent to my talk (took the time to make notes and stuck a few to his monitor), that my speaking led to an action.
  • He used those particular hints to pace his presentation. His specificity increased the authenticity of the compliment.
  • He told me that he received compliments as a result of the hints; my speaking made a difference to him.

This is all without the distortion of hyperbole but with the ring of sincerity. What more do you want? Thank you, Richard.

You can see more examples of the sensitive use of language to transform relationships in my book, It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken and Clear, p.102.

To learn more about how Dr. Fleming can help you improve your communication skills, please call her at telephone 415.391.9179 or send her an email at [email protected]

Carol Fleming, Ph.D., is the author of “It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken and Clear”. A comprehensive guide to vocal development and improvement of communication skills. . To get your own copy, go to http://amzn.to/ItsTheWayYouSayIt

Filed under Personal Development, Social Communication · Tagged with , , , ,

Do You Need a Personal Communication Coach?

July 28, 2010 by Admin · Leave a Comment 

Suppose there is something about the way you talk that really irritates people. How would you know? Without an objective, knowledgeable ear you will only know what you intend to say, not what is actually heard by others. Here are some of the problems you would run into:

1. It will seem to you that any problem in communication is always the fault of the other guys.

2. People will be reluctant to tell you, mostly because it would be both very rude and socially dangerous.

3. Very few people will know how to identify exactly what you are doing that is the problem. It does take expertise in verbal communication.

This is where a Personal Communication Coach would be immensely valuable to you. The relationship is confidential, professional and effective. The coach will support, instruct and sharpen the focus so that you gain maximum achievement for your effort. Yes, it cost money. But, yes, it works to put you in control of the sound of your voice.

“A Coach is someone who makes you do what you don’t want to do, has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be everything you always wanted to be.” Tom Landry

You don’t know what you don’t know. Your personal coach helps you understand your blind side. I’m talking about the impression you make by the way you speak. Can you think of a better investment of your time and money?


Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Response: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.

If you want to learn more about how Dr. Fleming can help you improve your communication skills, please call her at telephone 415.391.9179 or send her an email at [email protected]

Carol Fleming, Ph.D., is the author of “It’s the Way You Say It”: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken and Clear. A comprehensive guide to vocal development and improvement of communication skills.

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Speak! Four good reasons why you should give a speech

June 22, 2010 by Admin · Leave a Comment 

  1. You find out what you are thinking/feeling when you have to find the words to express them. There are some people who really need to talk to discover what they are thinking. (Perhaps this is you; I know it is me). Sit in silence and your impressions are mush; vague, contradictory. Open your mouth and see what comes out!
  2. When you imagine your listeners, you must reconsider your words and sentences so that they are appropriate for the audience. What vocabulary level is best? Where should you begin? Your inner language becomes shaped for communication (to make common) with the listener in mind.
  3. Speak out and have a presence, be real, be a participant. If you think it doesn’t matter if you speak, what do you think others will think? They will likely not miss you. Find your 2 cents and put it in. What matters is that you have spoken up and made your presence felt. It reveals some self respect.
  4. You can make things happen, you can influence the course of events, you can prevent dreadful decisions from being made. Just by speaking out. Don’t be the bump on the log, be the speaker on the orange crate. People need leaders and spokesmen. Why not you? Speak!

……..
If you want to learn more about how Dr. Fleming can help you improve your communication skills, please call her at telephone 415.391.9179 or send her an email at [email protected]

Carol Fleming, Ph.D., is the author of “It’s the Way You Say It”! Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken and Clear. A comprehensive guide to vocal development and improvement of communication skills.

Filed under Personal Development · Tagged with , , , , ,

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