Mahmood Khan

Tip 93: Lower Your Pitch to Sound More Authoritative and Credible. We generally use musical terms to categorize people's voices: soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass. People with a high-pitched voice give the impression of being nervous, immature, lacking in confidence, or even slightly emotional and hysterical. People with low pitches sound confident and competent. You can modify your own voice once you become aware of your pitch; voice coaches and self-help tapes and books tell you exactly how to effect and practice this change. If you want to make it to the board room, adopt the lower hushed tones most often heard there. Tip 94: Speak at a Slower Rate to Convey Seriousness, Authority, and Thoughtful Deliberation. A slow rate of speech implies well-chosen words and underscores the import of the message. The pace gives a listener time to contemplate what's being said and attach the appropriate significance. Tip 95: Speak at a Faster Rate to Convey Excitement, Enthusiasm, and Energy. A faster rate creates interest and demands attention. The pace makes listeners work hard at hearing and translating what's being said, but prevents opportunity for their minds to wander. They have to "listen up" to stay up. Tip 96: Use the Appropriate Volume. Loudness has become synonymous with vulgarity and unruliness; a soft volume has come to mean shyness, nervousness and even incompetence. Stay away from these two extremes. Tip 97: Avoid Mannerisms and Toys When You Talk. Watch trying to talk with a pen, pencil, paper clip, toothpick, or gum in your mouth. Other annoying habits include scratching your head, jerking a knot in your tie or scarf, jingling money or keys, strumming your fingers, twirling your pen or stapler or letter opener, clearing your throat, or snapping your fingers. Besides making it more difficult to understand you, these trinkets and mannerisms detract from an image of authority. Tip 98: Place Your Office Furniture So That People Respect Your Personal Space. If people seem to “lean over” and around you as they work, consider your own work space and equipment or desk items. Are they functionally placed so people who interact with you can reach what they need without invading your sense of space? Either uses the “obstacles” to reinforce the personal space you need or remove them to create an open, inviting space for others to enter. Tip 99: Respect Status with Your Eye Contact. The person with more authority has the privilege or responsibility of making or breaking eye contact. If you continue to stare belligerently after someone has broken eye contact and “dismissed” you, your behaviour may be considered defiant and rude. Tip 100: Don’t Point Your Finger. People often associate this gesture with an authoritarian in their life--a scolding parent or teacher or boss. Most people are turned off by a wagging finger in their face. Tip 101: Tell Your Body What Mood You’re Supposed To Be In. When a person feels sexy or romantic, the voice takes on a different pitch, the breathing rate changes, the eyes flirt, and the gestures and movement become more fluid. Or when an individual feels laid-back and informal, the voice seems to yawn with little or no energy, the eyes dim, the movements become more haphazard. All that coordination between mood and body is fine--unless the mood is inappropriate for the time, place, or relationship.