Confused, my student said, "In a meeting, no one listens to me - they talk over me like I wasn't there." Another student says, "I want to change my voice, be more assertive, but I'm afraid that will turn people off." Another student murmurs, "People say they can't hear me..." and another says, "I get cut off in my ideas..."One frustrated student, a neurologist at Stanford lamented, "When I give lectures, they're dry - people say I'm not amusing." I replied, "Well, you wouldn't be, would you? You're a neurologist, not a stand-up." He laughed! Imagine - a neurologist with a sense of humor!As a Communication Instructor for over 40 years, I have discovered your voice is a vital key to success and self-esteem. Unknowingly you may send out a kaleidoscope of vocal messages that are splash of colors, words, that betray your fears and needs rather than your strengths and intentions - reds of fear or anger; blues tell of confusion; green speaks of personal strengths - colors signify words of emotions, some purposeful designs, some a meaningless smear. Rhetoric, defined as "the art of speaking", is the underlying "secret" message in communication. The base message in your communication, rhetoric, requires an understanding of the sound of your voice, as well as your deliberate use of words.Speaking well is intentional, an art form enhanced by a well-developed voice. The sound, in itself, may send out a negative message, that can damage your soul, your perception of self. Do you sound, afraid, worried, low self esteem... Most voice problems may be intentionally healed by understanding how voice development may open your world to a new level of self perception and successful communication. Words, in themselves are not necessarily the key to success. "Speaking" is verbal and non-verbal; "paralanguage" is the delivery of the words, the sound of the words, that's the true message, the subconscious message we send!This book will guide you to voice-speech improvement, an understanding of the intentional healing for increased focus on vocal control and self-confidence.
