How to speak so that people want to listen | Julian Treasure | TED

TED
27 Jun 201409:58
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe speaker explores the power of the human voice, identifying seven deadly sins of speaking that hinder effective communication. To counter these, they introduce 'HAIL' as the foundation for impactful speech: honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love. The talk also delves into the vocal toolbox, offering tips on register, timbre, prosody, pace, pitch, and volume to enhance speech. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of warming up the voice and envisioning a world where sound is consciously created and consumed for better understanding.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ™οΈ The human voice is a powerful instrument capable of influencing significant change, such as starting a war or expressing love.
  • πŸ—£οΈ Many people struggle with being heard or impactful in their speech, suggesting the need for improvement in communication habits.
  • πŸ’¬ The speaker identifies 'seven deadly sins of speaking': gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, embroidery (exaggeration), and dogmatism.
  • 🚫 Gossiping is harmful as it involves speaking ill of others who are not present, potentially leading to mistrust.
  • βš–οΈ Judging others during conversation can make it difficult for others to listen, as they may feel criticized and uncomfortable.
  • 🌧️ Negativity and complaining can be off-putting, as they do not contribute positively to the conversation and can be perceived as spreading misery.
  • πŸƒ Excuses and blame-shifting can hinder effective communication by avoiding personal responsibility for actions.
  • πŸ“ Embroidery, or exaggeration, can lead to dishonesty and a loss of credibility, making it hard for listeners to trust the speaker.
  • πŸ• Dogmatism, the confusion of facts with opinions, can make conversations feel one-sided and unproductive.
  • 🌟 The speaker proposes four cornerstones for powerful speech: Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love (HAIL).
  • 🌐 Honesty in speech is crucial for credibility, but should be tempered with love to avoid unnecessary hurt.
  • πŸ”Š The speaker emphasizes the importance of vocal techniques such as register, timbre, prosody, pace, pitch, and volume in enhancing the power of speech.
  • 🎢 The use of vocal warm-up exercises before speaking can greatly improve the quality and impact of one's voice.
  • 🌐 The speaker envisions a world where people speak powerfully, listen consciously, and design environments that are conducive to effective communication.
Q & A
  • What is the human voice described as in the script?

    -The human voice is described as an instrument we all play and the most powerful sound in the world, capable of starting a war or expressing love.

  • Why do some people feel that their words are not being heard when they speak?

    -The script suggests that this could be due to the presence of certain habits or 'deadly sins of speaking' that detract from the power and impact of their speech.

  • What are the 'seven deadly sins of speaking' mentioned in the script?

    -The seven deadly sins of speaking are gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, embroidery or exaggeration, and dogmatism.

  • What is the significance of the word 'hail' in the context of the script?

    -In the script, 'hail' represents four powerful cornerstones for effective speaking: honesty (H), authenticity (A), integrity (I), and love (L).

  • Why is honesty considered an important cornerstone for powerful speech?

    -Honesty is important because it involves being true and clear in what one says, which is essential for credibility and trustworthiness.

  • What does the speaker mean by 'authenticity' in the context of speech?

    -Authenticity refers to being oneself and standing in one's own truth, which helps in delivering a genuine and relatable message.

  • How does the speaker define 'integrity' in relation to speech?

    -Integrity in speech means being true to one's word and doing what one says, thereby being someone others can trust.

  • What role does 'love' play in the speaker's concept of powerful speech?

    -Love, in this context, means wishing well for others and tempering honesty with kindness, which helps avoid unnecessary judgment and conflict.

  • What is the significance of voice 'register' in the script's discussion on speech?

    -Register refers to the pitch range of the voice, with lower voices often associated with power and authority, influencing how speech is perceived.

  • How does the speaker describe the importance of 'prosody' in speech?

    -Prosody is the variation in pitch, stress, and rhythm that helps impart meaning and keep the listener engaged; it is crucial for effective communication.

  • What are some tools the speaker suggests for enhancing the power of speech?

    -The speaker suggests tools like register, timbre, prosody, pace, pitch, volume, and the use of silence to enhance the power and effectiveness of speech.

  • What is the purpose of the vocal warm-up exercises presented by the speaker?

    -The vocal warm-up exercises are meant to prepare the voice for speaking, especially for important occasions, by improving vocal control and resonance.

  • How does the speaker envision a world where people speak and listen powerfully and consciously?

    -The speaker envisions a world with enhanced understanding as the norm, where sound is created and consumed consciously, and environments are designed with sound in mind.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ—£οΈ The Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

The speaker introduces the concept of the human voice as a powerful instrument capable of both positive and negative impacts. They discuss the importance of speaking powerfully to effect change and suggest that there are habits to avoid. These habits are referred to as the 'seven deadly sins of speaking': gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, embroidery (exaggeration), and dogmatism. Each sin is briefly explained, highlighting how they can detract from the effectiveness of communication. The speaker then proposes a positive approach, hinting at four foundational elements that can enhance the power of speech.

05:01
πŸŽ™οΈ Enhancing Speech with 'HAIL' and Vocal Toolbox

Continuing from the previous paragraph, the speaker elaborates on the four cornerstones of powerful speech, which spell out the word 'HAIL': Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love. These elements are described as essential for making speech impactful and engaging. The speaker also delves into the technical aspects of speech, such as register, timbre, prosody, pace, pitch, and volume. They emphasize the importance of these elements in conveying messages effectively and suggest that these can be improved through training and practice. The speaker then leads the audience through a series of vocal warm-up exercises to demonstrate how to prepare the voice for effective communication. Finally, they ponder the broader implications of conscious sound creation and consumption, envisioning a world where understanding is the norm.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Voice
Voice is described as the most powerful sound in the world, capable of starting a war or expressing love. It is central to the video's theme of the power and impact of human speech. The script emphasizes the importance of using one's voice effectively to make a change in the world, highlighting its potential and the consequences of misuse.
πŸ’‘Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking
This concept refers to seven negative habits that hinder effective communication: gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, embroidery (exaggeration), and dogmatism. The speaker uses this framework to illustrate common pitfalls in speech that can undermine one's message and credibility, urging the audience to avoid these to speak powerfully.
πŸ’‘Habits
Habits, in this context, are recurring patterns of behavior that can be either beneficial or detrimental to one's speech. The video discusses the need to move away from bad habits like the 'Seven Deadly Sins' and to adopt positive ones, such as those represented by 'HAIL', to enhance the impact of one's speech.
πŸ’‘HAIL
An acronym for Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love, HAIL represents the four cornerstones the speaker suggests to stand on for powerful speech. Each element is crucial for effective communication and is explained in the script as a way to ensure that one's words are received positively and make a difference.
πŸ’‘Authenticity
Authenticity is being true to oneself and expressing one's thoughts and feelings genuinely. In the video, it is one of the 'HAIL' principles and is illustrated as a way to connect with the audience and make one's speech more impactful. Authenticity helps in building trust and credibility.
πŸ’‘Integrity
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In the script, it is mentioned as part of the 'HAIL' concept, emphasizing the importance of being trustworthy and consistent in one's words and actions. Integrity strengthens the speaker's message and influence.
πŸ’‘Love
In the context of the video, love is not just a romantic sentiment but a broader wish for others' well-being. It is part of the 'HAIL' principles and is used to temper honesty, making it more palatable and less judgmental. The speaker suggests that love can help in avoiding negative judgments while communicating.
πŸ’‘Prosody
Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech, which helps to convey meaning beyond the words themselves. The speaker discusses the importance of prosody in making speech more engaging and easier to understand, warning against the monotony of speaking on one note.
πŸ’‘Pace
Pace is the speed at which one speaks and can be used to emphasize points or create excitement. The script mentions pace as a tool in the 'toolbox' of speaking, suggesting that varying pace can significantly impact the effectiveness of communication.
πŸ’‘Silence
Silence is the absence of sound and can be a powerful tool in speech, allowing for reflection or emphasis. The speaker encourages the audience not to fill every pause with 'ums' and 'ahs', but to use silence intentionally to enhance the impact of their words.
πŸ’‘Warm-up
A warm-up prepares the voice for speaking, similar to stretching before physical exercise. The script provides a series of vocal warm-up exercises that the speaker uses before every talk, emphasizing the importance of preparing the voice for optimal performance.
Highlights

The human voice is described as the most powerful sound in the world, capable of starting wars or expressing love.

Many people struggle with being heard when they speak, prompting the question of how to speak powerfully for change.

Seven deadly sins of speaking are identified as habits to avoid for effective communication.

Gossip is the first sin, highlighting the negative impact of speaking ill of absent individuals.

Judging is the second sin, where the speaker's critical nature makes it difficult for others to listen.

Negativity is the third sin, with its draining effect on listeners and the challenge it presents to effective communication.

Complaining, as a form of negativity, is likened to viral misery, spreading unhappiness rather than positivity.

Excuses are the fifth sin, where individuals deflect responsibility instead of owning their actions.

Embroidery or exaggeration is the sixth sin, which can lead to lying and erode trust in communication.

Dogmatism, the confusion of facts with opinions, is the seventh sin, making dialogue feel like listening to the wind.

Four cornerstones for powerful speech are introduced: Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love (HAIL).

Honesty in speech is emphasized, but it should be tempered with love to avoid unnecessary hurt.

Authenticity is defined as standing in one's own truth, encouraging individuals to be themselves in communication.

Integrity is being true to one's word and actions, fostering trustworthiness in speech.

The concept of love in speech is expanded beyond romantic contexts to include wishing well for others.

The speaker introduces the toolbox of the human voice, emphasizing the importance of vocal warm-up exercises.

Six vocal warm-up exercises are demonstrated to prepare the voice for powerful speaking.

The importance of speaking powerfully in environments designed for effective sound is discussed.

A vision for a world where sound is created and consumed consciously, leading to greater understanding, is presented.

Transcripts
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