Posted by Speaking to a group of people in the workplace can be challenging. When you’re in front of your superiors and co-workers, what you speak and do matters. Whether you are conducting a presentation or just sharing an idea during a brainstorming session, there are ways to project yourself as a smart and confident employee even if you’re nervous in the first place.
1. Don’t simply chip in during meeting unless you have something valuable to add
If you only have basic knowledge of a topic or discussion, then wading into a discussion on the intricacies of a subject you are not familiar with will make you sound ignorant. In those situations, try and divert the conversation towards the familiar ground where you can speak easily and knowledgeable.
2. Don’t be afraid of staying silent
Most people in the workplace try not to stop talking especially during a presentation as they viewed it as a signal of a mistake or uncertainty with what was spoken. Conversely, pausing emphasises and adds thoughtfulness to the speech. The silence can also be a way to grab the audience’s attention that has been only half listening and drawing them back to full attention.
3. Avoid speaking with “vocal fry” or other vocal irritants
Annoying and distracting vocal habits can negatively affect how speakers are perceived. The most common offenders are “uptalk” – a rising intonation that pronounces statements as if they were asking questions and “vocal fry” – ending their sentences in a raspy growl. Speaking in these types of vocal habits convey insecurity, negativity and dimness.
4. Keep close attention to your voice
Think about the voices that engage you, the vocal frequencies and the speaker’s ability, ease and familiarity with the subtleties of their voice. By listening very carefully to your voice, you will be able to refine it into an electrifying force.
5. Speak loudly and not forcefully
Projecting your voice will take a lot of practice, but trying to speak loud with full confidence so that everyone in the far reaches can hear you is a great asset in seeming more intelligent. Conversely, try to avoid shouting while speaking, it puts your listeners on edge and may severely affect your voice.
6. Avoid using mindless language
Using words such as cliches, buzzwords or “intelligent” terms without a proper sense of their meaning conveys a lack of originality and can put your listeners to sleep or loss of attention.
7.Improve your posture
Sharing or discussing at the workplace is more than just the words coming out of your mouth. Whether standing or sitting straight, but with a relaxed spine, displays a self-assured outward image and places you in a comfortable, confident mental and physical state while speaking.
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You Jing is a content writer who writes career and lifestyle contents to inspire job seekers and employers alike on their journey to work-life balance, empowerment and transformation in their career path.
Reach me at youjing@jobstore.com