***A Simple Exercise to Overcome a Monotone Voice

This does seem like a strange suggestion, doesn’t it? If you speak in a monotone, however, you probably keep your emotions bottled up inside of you which is why you must permit yourself to let your emotions be seen, be felt and be heard. While you may not like this suggestion, nothing will change until that permission is granted.

Often those who speak in a monotone show no expression on their face or in their body language. It is important to understand (and when you practice the exercise below) that your face is as saying something as well as the posture and the movement of your body. Using your hands when talking is something most people do in normal conversation. And, you can do it too with practice.

A simple but effective exercise to begin expressing emotion is to stand in front of a mirror and say the words I can do this as if you were:

• really excited. (Not just excited by really, really excited). Smile when you say it and nod your head up and down. Lift your hands up in the air. Remember, you are really excited.
• asking a question. Say this as if you don’t think you can do it so furrow your brow and lift the pitch of your voice on the words do this. Remember it is a question. Shake your head back and forth as you say it.

Now say those words again without any expression. Did you notice a difference? If you didn’t, then you need to practice. Do this exercise over and over until it starts to become comfortable. Record your voice while you’re doing it. Listening to the playback will tell you whether it is working or not.

Notice when you look in the mirror, saying these words, that you look and sound normal. Your fear in the beginning may be that you look unnatural when speaking with emotion. But if you are honest with yourself, you will indeed realize that speaking with expression is much more natural and normal than speaking without any life, any color, or any emotion.

Your listeners deserve to hear and see expression from you when you talk, whether it is in conversation, for the sales presentation, or when addressing an audience from the stage. Without an expressive delivery, a well-crafted speech or presentation is not nearly as effective as one that sparkles with color. In other words, without expression, a speech given in a monotone voice is boring.