Presence is the ability to project composure, grace, confidence, poise, and self assurance, especially in high-pressure situations. People with presence tend to be open and appear to assume everyone is their friend. They are good listeners (click here to check out my blog post on upping your listening skills), and they connect with people and engage with them in an authentic manner that leaves people feeling included and equal.
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Claim your right to speak. Now.
We all hide. Even the most brazen of us sometimes don’t want to be fully seen (or, as the case may be, heard). So let’s just acknowledge that normal occurrence.
It’s natural to “pull your punches”, or commit less than 100% to what you are saying, if there is any modicum of doubt around your content, or how you think it will be perceived.
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Listen up: The secret weapon of the great speaker
Most people want to show up as authentic and genuine. Part of this perception comes from what we say, and part from what we do. In communication, we often overlook the vital role of listening.
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Is acid reflux secretly messing with your voice?
Me: Hi, welcome to voice therapy!
Client: I think my ENT is crazy.
Me: Why is that?
Client: She says my voice problems are coming from acid reflux, which is nuts. I don’t even have heartburn!
This scene has played out in my work enough that it’s time for a post explaining the sometimes mysterious relationship between VOICE and REFLUX.
continue readingVideo: How to manage stage fright
I teach voice and dialects at a training center called Acting Studio Chicago. They recently asked me to turn my blog post Kick “stage fright” to the curb in three simple steps into a 1 minute teacher tip video.
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Does the sound of your voice make you cringe?
I certainly hope your answer is “no”, but if you don’t like the sound of your voice you are not alone. And there’s a reason for that.
As a voice coach and therapist, making audio recordings of clients is a common tool. The vast majority of people, upon hearing their voice played back, have a negative response.
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