Most of us were told as children to watch our tone, as we may have been getting too snippy for mom’s liking. What was being said wasn't that bad, but we were saying it in a rude manner. After all there is the old saying, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it”. And how true that is? But, the real question is do you need to check your tone.
In our adult lives we are faced with daily stresses, they are a part of life. Unfortunately, sometimes our stress level is revealed in our vocal tone. Here is something to think about:
If you feel that you are having trouble connecting with people or find that colleagues aren't receptive to your ideas, it could be your vocal tone. Slip your phone into your pocket and record yourself during several conversations or phone calls. Play them back an hour later and hear how you really sound to others. You may be surprised that the simple statement that you made came across as a criticism, your energetic tone was more intense than you intended, or that you sounded dull and uninterested.
The good news is that you can learn to vary your vocal tone and inflection. Practice by calling your office or home answering machine and leaving yourself messages pretending that you are talking to specific people or about frustrating topics. You will quickly learn to vary your tone as intended.
