Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Editors Desk
Your brain doesn’t distinguish between what you see and hear. It uses the same parts to process both visual and auditory information. When someone speaks to you, they’re affecting everything from your posture and tone of voice to your confidence and willingness to follow their instructions. The way someone speaks affects how you feel, which in turn has a direct impact on what you do next.
Take a minute and think about someone who addresses you with genuine kindness, enthusiasm, and interest in your day. Now imagine being spoken to the same way by someone who is impatient or curt with their answers. Even if you don’t consciously register the differences between these two people’s voices, their tone will have an immediate effect on how you feel about yourself.
Research shows that how we are spoken to directly influences our behaviour, mood, energy level, trust in our leaders, and overall job satisfaction over time. That’s why it is so important for everyone at work — from receptionists all the way up to CEOs — to understand how their voice affects others.
What you say is more important than who’s saying it.
This is especially true for the voice in our heads. No matter how much you want to believe that your tone of voice and choice of words affect others, you can’t control what someone else thinks and does. You can, however, control how you come across. Studies show that people are more likely to trust, like, and follow someone who does not appear to be trying too hard to convince them of their ideas or values.
Likewise, people are more likely to comply with someone’s requests if they do not come across as being too controlling, or overly demanding. Some people are naturally more confident or don’t care what others think, while others live their lives trying to get others to like them. There’s nothing wrong with either of these tendencies as long as you’re respectful of others who have different opinions.
Speak in person whenever possible.
Many people get so caught up in email that they lose sight of the fact that most of the world is still face-to-face. It’s easy to get caught up in emails and forget to follow up in person. When you speak in person, you can see how the other person responds to you and how they respond to things around them. You can be more sensitive to what the other person wants and needs, which can make a world of a difference when it comes to getting things done.
Be enthusiastic and genuine.
When someone speaks to you, the most important thing is to be authentic. If you’re being phoney or trying too hard, then you’re likely to come across as phoney. If, however, you’re being enthusiastic about something but also thinking about your audience, then you’re more likely to be respected.
This doesn’t mean you need to sound like a cheerleader or be overly enthusiastic about something; it just means that you are genuinely enthusiastic about the topic at hand. If you’re being genuine but not thoughtful about how your enthusiasm is coming across, then you’re likely to come across as being disingenuous.
Don’t speak when you shouldn’t (e.g. don’t micromanage).
There may be times when you want to speak to someone and they aren’t available to receive your call. In this case, your best bet is to write a brief email explaining why you need to speak with them and when you might be able to meet up. While emails can be written quickly and easily, they can also be written quickly and easily. That means they may be worded carelessly or be missing important pieces of information.
If you’re in a meeting and someone says they’re going to take five minutes to respond to your email, then they mean that they’re going to take five minutes. If you have a boss or supervisor who expects you to know when and how to communicate, then you should expect the same from them.
Show you care by empathizing with others.
When someone is feeling emotional or struggling, you can use your voice to show them you care and try to help them feel less alone. Try saying things like, “You seem frustrated; are you needing to do anything right now?” Sometimes people just need a friendly ear to listen to their problems. Other times, they need a more hands-on solution to help them complete their tasks.
Empathizing is different from offering solutions because it is about understanding how other people experience the world and showing that you care by using your voice. Doing so doesn’t mean you have to talk someone’s ear off or make them feel like they’re being solved. It just means that you are remembering to remember them.
Keep your tone of voice professional at all times.
When someone speaks to you, the most important thing is to be authentic and genuine. That doesn’t mean you have to come across as being overly chipper or happy, but you should never come across as annoyed or frustrated either. While it’s natural to show emotional reactions to your work and the people you interact with on a daily basis, it’s crucial that you don’t let this affect your tone of voice.
Remember that people hear your tone of voice when you’re speaking to them as well as what you’re writing in emails and other written communications. If you need to let off steam, then do so in private or with trusted colleagues, not in front of the general public.
Conclusion
No matter what you do for a living, the way you communicate with people will have an impact on your success. Whether you’re a receptionist or a C-level executive, being aware of how your tone of voice affects others can make a big difference in your workplace happiness and level of engagement. BONUS: The Importance of Comfort in Your Voice Voice is one of the most important factors in communication, especially in an environment where you are speaking to other humans.
We communicate through our voices with others through phone calls, meetings, and in-person conversations. The comfort in your voice is important in any situation. You don’t want to sound nervous or scared or excited because these are all negative emotions that can be heard by others. You want to sound like yourself. If you’re in a meeting where you’re uncomfortable or you’re speaking to someone who is difficult to speak to, then you should try to find something that you’re comfortable doing. That way, you can find something that you’re good at and will enjoy doing.
For example, if you feel like you’re scaring people when you speak, then you should try to find something that you feel comfortable doing. Maybe it’s telling a story, giving a presentation, or speaking about a topic that you’re interested in. As you can see, the way you speak to others can be an essential factor in successful business relationships and working environments.
