11 December 2024
Your Voice as Business Capital
A business voice is a personal message, your own unique style, that allows you to stand out in the market, express your mission and the values you stand for. How can you be persuasive and effective? By making your voice heard. An authentic and self-identified voice is a tool for building trust. And trust is one of the greatest assets in business. To build this confidence you need a thorough self-awareness and the ability to face your vulnerabilities.
Self-awareness
In order to raise your unique business voice you need to discover your inner resources. This includes recognising your unique strengths and talents as a person and having the courage to face your weaknesses. This creates real authenticity, confidence and broadens your sphere of influence.
Deep self-awareness work is an important factor in finding that unique 'tone of voice' that you can represent with faith and passion. Explore how your mindset, behavioural patterns, and habits affect your self-expression and self-advocacy.
Ask yourself: When do they limit your performance and when do they make it effective?
In his book Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg writes that it's the small, daily habits that lead to the biggest changes. Stopping self-harming inner voices and developing positive, empowering inner voices will help you find your own voice over time.
Create small, daily habits. Take stock of your joys and successes every day. Be aware of them and write them down:
What inner qualities and values helped you achieve them?
How have your daily activities brought you closer to achieving your goals?
Observe your inner dialogue. When you are faced with a challenge, try to reframe the thought. For example, "I'm not good enough" can become "I'm learning and improving every day." By doing this, you are consciously creating a more positive inner voice.
Vulnerability
Embrace your vulnerability. When I published my book, ’My Awakenings’ in 2017, in which I wrote openly about my journey of self-awareness in processing a traumatic near-death experience, and where I openly acknowledged my weaknesses, I was excited. With trembling hands, I pressed the "Go Button" for the final version as it went to press. I was terrified of being judged, but at the same time, deep down, I was driven not to lie about perfection.
A 2020 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more open to those whose communication is true to themselves and authentic. I have had this experience. People have empathised with my stories and it has built their trust; they have opened up and dared to relate to me. They were infinitely grateful for the truth and honesty. It freed them from the shackles of pretence and hypocrisy.
Brené Brown writes in her book, in The Power of Vulnerability, "Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who you are supposed to be and allowing yourself to be who you are. This is not without risk - but you can draw real strength from what you discover in yourself, not from what others see in you."
As a former television presenter and public figure, judgement was an integral part of my daily life for twelve years. It took me time to allow myself to be who I am on screen and in everyday life, while at the same time changing and shaping my personality. I now look to my then speech technique teacher as a mentor, who constantly supported me in whatever influences I faced, in sticking to my beliefs and values and making good use of my resources and powers. With humility and in partnership.
Training and defining your own voice - both in your speaking style and in your personality - can be a significant advantage in business.
Some tips on how to improve your communication skills:
Posture: Adopt a proud posture. Lift your chest slightly by bringing your shoulder blades— - which I like to call "angel wings" — a little closer together. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head up. Your chin should be parallel to the floor and your weight evenly distributed on your feet. This posture exudes confidence.
Volume: Imagine your voice as if it were being controlled by a mixer. Practice adjusting your volume by reading aloud. Choose your favourite article from LUX WMN and read an excerpt from it. Imagine that you are reading it to an audience in a large hall, in a medium-sized office or as a bedtime story for a child in a small room. The right volume for the room and situation will make you more convincing and effective.
Articulation: Mumbled or slurred speech often impairs our ability to connect with others. To ensure that your listeners understand you, you should focus on clear and precise articulation. Relax your facial muscles by blowing air into your mouth but keeping your lips closed. Then slowly open your mouth as if you were yawning. If you practise articulating yourself correctly, the impact of your speech will improve significantly.
By paying attention to your communication tools and working on your inner persuasive power, you can effectively build relationships, inspire confidence and differentiate yourself from others. Your authentic, sincere and self-identified voice can make you a truly powerful person, someone who not only wants to receive, but also wants to create and uplift others with their influence.
----------------------------
Judit Nagy is an internationally certified voice and communication coach (PCC), trainer and mentor.
Her work focuses on helping clients develop self-awareness, find their own authentic voice as leaders, in different roles, as entrepreneurs or in social media and improving their communication skills. Her areas of expertise include voice training, speaking techniques, dealing with stage fright, presentation and performer skills and managing transitions, such as career changes or changes in personal and professional roles.She also works with teenagers, helping them to develop self-awareness, communication skills and career orientation.
You can read more about Judit and how to contact her here.
"Manifesting can help focus your efforts and guide your decision-making in the workplace"
Your Voice as Business Capital
A business voice is a personal message, your own unique style, that allows you to stand out in the market, express your mission and the values you stand for. How can you be persuasive and effective? By making your voice heard. An authentic and self-identified voice is a tool for building trust. And trust is one of the greatest assets in business. To build this confidence you need a thorough self-awareness and the ability to face your vulnerabilities.
Self-awareness
In order to raise your unique business voice you need to discover your inner resources. This includes recognising your unique strengths and talents as a person and having the courage to face your weaknesses. This creates real authenticity, confidence and broadens your sphere of influence.
Deep self-awareness work is an important factor in finding that unique 'tone of voice' that you can represent with faith and passion. Explore how your mindset, behavioural patterns, and habits affect your self-expression and self-advocacy.
Ask yourself: When do they limit your performance and when do they make it effective?
In his book Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg writes that it's the small, daily habits that lead to the biggest changes. Stopping self-harming inner voices and developing positive, empowering inner voices will help you find your own voice over time.
Create small, daily habits. Take stock of your joys and successes every day. Be aware of them and write them down:
What inner qualities and values helped you achieve them?
How have your daily activities brought you closer to achieving your goals?
Observe your inner dialogue. When you are faced with a challenge, try to reframe the thought. For example, "I'm not good enough" can become "I'm learning and improving every day." By doing this, you are consciously creating a more positive inner voice.
Vulnerability
Embrace your vulnerability. When I published my book, ’My Awakenings’ in 2017, in which I wrote openly about my journey of self-awareness in processing a traumatic near-death experience, and where I openly acknowledged my weaknesses, I was excited. With trembling hands, I pressed the "Go Button" for the final version as it went to press. I was terrified of being judged, but at the same time, deep down, I was driven not to lie about perfection.
A 2020 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more open to those whose communication is true to themselves and authentic. I have had this experience. People have empathised with my stories and it has built their trust; they have opened up and dared to relate to me. They were infinitely grateful for the truth and honesty. It freed them from the shackles of pretence and hypocrisy.
Brené Brown writes in her book, in The Power of Vulnerability, "Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who you are supposed to be and allowing yourself to be who you are. This is not without risk - but you can draw real strength from what you discover in yourself, not from what others see in you."
As a former television presenter and public figure, judgement was an integral part of my daily life for twelve years. It took me time to allow myself to be who I am on screen and in everyday life, while at the same time changing and shaping my personality. I now look to my then speech technique teacher as a mentor, who constantly supported me in whatever influences I faced, in sticking to my beliefs and values and making good use of my resources and powers. With humility and in partnership.
Training and defining your own voice - both in your speaking style and in your personality - can be a significant advantage in business.
Some tips on how to improve your communication skills:
Posture: Adopt a proud posture. Lift your chest slightly by bringing your shoulder blades— - which I like to call "angel wings" — a little closer together. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head up. Your chin should be parallel to the floor and your weight evenly distributed on your feet. This posture exudes confidence.
Volume: Imagine your voice as if it were being controlled by a mixer. Practice adjusting your volume by reading aloud. Choose your favourite article from LUX WMN and read an excerpt from it. Imagine that you are reading it to an audience in a large hall, in a medium-sized office or as a bedtime story for a child in a small room. The right volume for the room and situation will make you more convincing and effective.
Articulation: Mumbled or slurred speech often impairs our ability to connect with others. To ensure that your listeners understand you, you should focus on clear and precise articulation. Relax your facial muscles by blowing air into your mouth but keeping your lips closed. Then slowly open your mouth as if you were yawning. If you practise articulating yourself correctly, the impact of your speech will improve significantly.
By paying attention to your communication tools and working on your inner persuasive power, you can effectively build relationships, inspire confidence and differentiate yourself from others. Your authentic, sincere and self-identified voice can make you a truly powerful person, someone who not only wants to receive, but also wants to create and uplift others with their influence.
----------------------------
Judit Nagy is an internationally certified voice and communication coach (PCC), trainer and mentor.
Her work focuses on helping clients develop self-awareness, find their own authentic voice as leaders, in different roles, as entrepreneurs or in social media and improving their communication skills. Her areas of expertise include voice training, speaking techniques, dealing with stage fright, presentation and performer skills and managing transitions, such as career changes or changes in personal and professional roles.She also works with teenagers, helping them to develop self-awareness, communication skills and career orientation.
You can read more about Judit and how to contact her here.