“We often refuse to accept an idea simply because the tone of voice in which it has been expressed does not appeal to us.”

-Friedrich Nietzsche

This is one of the quotes I have on my office “inspiration board” that reminds me every morning to sound my best on teleconference calls.

We all want to be “outstanding communicators” who can persuade people of our ideas and visions for a new strategy. In teleconferencing and videoconferencing meetings that often last five or six hours a day, your communication is even more important when talking to your computer screen.

We are in a new world that emerged almost overnight and it can be mind-boggling. Many employees work from home via Zoom or Skype, schools conduct remote classes, and many people interview for a new job via video conferencing and telephone interviews.

We are fortunate to have these video conferencing services so that we can move forward. These tools keep us all connected and keep the economy alive, and we may depend on them for some time to come.

Staying present and speaking in a confident, credible, and engaging voice is a winning communication strategy for both teleconferencing and video conferencing.

In the last few months, we’ve all been working from home via video, audio, or conference calls. Showing outstanding communication in those formats can be a real challenge. Why? Most of us are not used to relying solely on our voice to get our message across. Right now, your voice and clear pronunciation are the key to being your professional and personal best. Your voice is key to selling your ideas, making presentations memorable, and holding the attention of an audience, especially one you may not be able to see.

You have thought carefully what we want to say and have chosen the right words. However, when you say those words, they don’t have the impact that you thought they would. You lose auditory attention or, worse still, you are interrupted by someone who feels confident in their idea.

This is when your voice really matters. Your voice is the empathic connection that makes your listener understanding of your words.

How to make the tone of your voice improve your words and inspire your listeners?

1. Breathe well and express your thoughts with energy to sound confident.

2. Project your voice outward with positive energy.

3. Emphasize the important words of your thoughts by changing the pitch and / or volume: four or five times per thought.

4. Remember that a positive empathic message shows that you care about the listener.

“Outstanding communication“is defined as speaking with confidence, clarity, power, and persuasion in all business speaking situations: meetings, investor calls, presentations, sales phone calls, and interviews.

Excellent communication gives you a competitive advantage and accelerates business and career success.