Being Heard
Getting intentional about your voice
If you've seen the movie King Richard, one of the rituals you will have noticed is that every time Richard Williams takes his daughters Venus and Serena to tennis practise, they hang a homemade sign on the fence with this quote by Benjamin Franklin:
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail".
It serves as a reminder of the benefits of being intentional, and along with Richard's 78 page plan for success, it contributes to supporting Venus and Serena's incredible journey to tennis greatness.
As highlighted with significance in the movie, putting intention out into the world is a useful strategy for bringing to fruition what you want to create in your life.
It's a strategy that features in many personal success books and programs in one form or another, from goal setting to purpose to manifestation.
It's also a useful idea to apply when you're looking to grow your influence by speaking to be heard.
In his book Voice of a Leader, author and voice coach Arthur Joseph suggests the very first thing to do when you're looking to master your voice is to get intentional about it. The way to do this he suggests, is to start by writing a persona statement.
A persona statement is a statement of intention. It's a statement you've devised that sets out how you'd like to be heard in meetings, conversations and in any communication in which you play a part.
Given your voice is a reflection of your identity - a mirror that reflects back to you and those around you who you are - how you are heard is also how you are seen in the world. If you want to be seen as influential, impactful, empathetic, visionary or understanding, it makes sense to also sound that way.
To create your persona statement, Joseph suggests drawing two images as follows:
1. The first image is a drawing of yourself that reflects how you believe you are presently perceived in the world.
2. The second image is a drawing that reflects how you would like to be perceived.
Your drawings can be as basic (mine were definitely stick figures!) or advanced as you like - they may even be abstract.
Once you've done this, look at image number 2 and write out how that person would be heard in the world.
Joseph's example is:
In the essence of every discussion I will consciously convey authority, vision, wisdom and attention to detail.
Another example is:
In every communication I will consciously convey presence, influence and confidence.
By writing yourself a statement of intention around how you want to be heard, it helps you live into the vision you have for your voice. When you live into the vision you have for your voice, you create and express yourself with purpose in the world.
Connect to your statement regularly. Review it in the morning, before a meeting, a phone call or a presentation and see what happens - I'd love to hear how being intentional about your voice influences how you sound and helps you speak to be heard.