What Does Your Voice Say About You?

I have a confession to make.

I talk fast…I speak with a speed that sometimes defies understanding.

Not the only person with this problem, many virtual assistants speak too quickly for proper business discussions. I try and think before I speak whenever I’m on the phone with a client, and that usually solves the problem enough that I don’t too often hear, “Wow…you talk fast!” Although it seems I cannot escape it entirely.

That’s okay, I believe that practice makes perfect and my voice is an ever improving tool to communicate with others. Some people have asked my why I’d work on my voice and cite that it’s just part of who I am and people should accept that.

I tell them my voice story:
When I was in high school, I had a voice that sounded like Minnie Mouse. It was high and squeaky and when I laughed or got excited about something I would become shrill and difficult to listen to. No one actually told me this, of course. I found out when I had to make a professional recording of a speech I’d done.

My grandmother wanted an extra copy of the tape to listen to because she was so proud of me. I sat next to her as she loaded the cassette tape into the stereo and hit play. I heard my voice come out of the speakers and just cringed. I watched my grandmother’s face for any sign that the recording device had somehow malfunctioned and raised my voice an octave or two; but she was just smiling her proud grandmother smile while listening to my (2nd place in State) speech about democracy and freedom.

When the recording ended I asked, ‘Gram, does my voice really sound like that?� She replied that it did. I was crushed and vowed to change my voice to something I’d be okay listening to.

It took about three years, but my natural speaking voice now is much lower and slower than it was in high school. It took thought, dedication and training but I am no longer afraid that someone will cringe if I talk to them.

That, more than anything else, has given me the confidence I needed to succeed in business. Had I never changed my voice, I would be fighting still to accept it as a natural part of who I am. This way, I don’t have to worry about it and know that my voice will never be the dealbreaker in any of my business dealings.