***Are Your Delivery Skills Lacking in Expression?

If you speak in a monotone, there is only word to describe it: boring. That is not a very comforting thought if you care about the image you are projecting. A delivery without emotion or life means a message that will not be received. Your listeners may grasp the first of your thoughts; but, if you are talking for any great length of time, you will definitely put them to sleep. While they may not all take the opportunity to nap, you may notice a significant increase in the number of people studying their iPhones and not you! Having an audience with eyes glazed over or heads bent down as they answer their email is a sure sign that your delivery could use some color. That which makes your voice interesting to listen to is color. It is heard not only in your voice but seen in your face and in your body language as well. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of allowing others to see or hear your emotion, let me ask you a question. Why? What are you afraid of? If actors did not express emotion, there would be no reason to watch TV or go to the movies. Do you think that being expressive is a sign of weakness? Nothing could be further from the truth. Allowing others to recognize that you have feelings does not make you look weak, just honest. And, in the business world, honesty is still the best policy. Unfortunately, if your delivery is lacking in color, it is also labeling you incorrectly. You may be perceived as cold, indifferent, unfeeling, and/or uncaring. Color, on the other hand, says just the opposite. It is inviting. While you should consider voice training in order to work on your delivery skills, you can start by doing this one simple exercise:

Every time you answer the phone, take a breath and smile. No matter how hectic your schedule, take that one extra moment when you grab the phone or open your cell to breathe and smile.

No, I am not telling you to laugh, just smile. If you are sitting at your desk, hang a mirror in front of you so that you can see what your face is or isn’t saying. You will be surprised at what a difference this can make. Don’t allow others to prejudge you because of your monotone voice. Begin with a smile and see if you notice the change.