Have you ever been in a situation where it bothers you not by what someone said, but how they said it?

How You Say it Counts

Studies show that 38% of your meaning is conveyed by how you sound.

Try these techniques to energize your verbal communication:

• Avoid disclaimer statements.
Comments like “This may be a stupid idea” or “I just want to say” telegraph that what you’re about to say is unimportant.

• Don’t let your voice rise at the end of a statement.
This can make you sound uncertain. Solution: Practice speaking into a tape recorder. If you sound like you’re asking a question, you’re not delivering the message with power and confidence.

Source: Patricia Smith-Pierce, president, Power Speaking Consultants, Schaumburg, IL.