Voicing your feelings

“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about it.”

Jim Rohn

Your voice can and does play a huge part in transmitting your feelings to others. Do not hesitate to show warmth, sincerity or passion so that the messages you send are more convincing. If YOU believe in what you have to say and let it show through the tone and emotion in your voice, this will greatly improve the chances that your listener will feel your emotion and be more persuaded by your convictions.

10 top tips to share your feelings:

• Believe in yourself and manage how you express your ideas so they can be perceived as positive and constructive.
• Create compelling visions that will allow you to be sincere and confident about your opinions and how you express them.
• Use words that you fully understand – in this way you will be free to express your true feelings clearly.
• Adopt an upright stance and posture – being centred and relaxed reduces confusing or distracting movement and conveys confidence, inspiring trust in your listener.
• Make sure your voice is relaxed and free – this will allow your feelings to ‘colour’ its power, tone and pitch.
• Make sure your non-verbal signals are ‘congruent’ with your message – that they reflect what you feel rather than contradict it
• Use gestures carefully – be clear, strong and simple – then they will emphasise key points you make.
• Show you can see the other person’s perspective; watch for and respond to non-verbal signals from your listener – mirroring their stance and attitude can be a subtle persuader in achieving consensus.
• Be a good listener – keep eye contact and concentrate when they are speaking.
• If you are not sure, if you sense ambiguity or doubt – ASK them what they are thinking or feeling – never assume you already know.