These past 10 days have been an absolute whirl with back to back corporate stage presentations, coaching clients, and documentary film related events in NYC, San Francisco and then NYC again. Each event required different attire, a different tone, and a different approach to the material because each experience had a different purpose.
The same is true for your material when you present.
Many speaking coaches will tell presenters to "vary their tone". The problem with this kind of coaching is that it leads to "outside in" behavior. The presenter starts to raise and lower his/her voice and gesture "creatively" simply for the purpose of variety. The result: an inauthentic delivery style and self consciousness on the platform.
The fact is, variation will arrive organically when you are truly connected to your material and you are -- as we say in the acting world -- in the moment.
Just think of how a kid tells a story when they're excited or in a state of wonder.
I had an Alexander Technique teacher years ago who used to say "let, allow, permit" when it came to how we moved on stage.
The same is true for speaking. Rather than force a tone, let it happen organically. On top of this, it's critical that you are connected to what you are saying so that you never are out of sync with your content. Quiet moments should elicit a quiet tone. Excited moments should bring an excited tone.
But all this will come if you structure your presentation so that you have a full spectrum of experiences within it and then you reconnect with those experiences. If you do, you will have more variety than you can possibly imagine because inside of you is a full prism of colored light just waiting to shine.
(c) Victoria Labalme Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Great advice (as always)!
Thank you, Les! I so appreciate your taking the time to send a note. Glad you found the advice of value. My very best, Victoria