VQ - Exploring ourVoice Quotient through theatre based training

Did you know that way we speak has 5 times higher impact on communication effectiveness than the words we speak?
Did you know that our voice quality can influence our credibility?

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"A few years ago, I was making a presentation to my CEO on the design of the company's Intranet portal. I was quite excited about my presentation and was raring to go. So when it was my turn, I started by greeting everyone present with a high energy 'Good Morning' and introduced the objective of my presentation. Even before I moved to slide 1, the CEO remarked, 'You are too loud. Can you soften your speech please?' Though my presentation went well and I received a go ahead on the project, this comment was playing in my mind throughout the meeting and afterwards."

When we are unaware of our voice patterns, we can end up being too loud in a conference room or too fast in a team meeting and lose the audience's attention at important moments. We need to carefully understand the intent of our speech, our physical environment and project a suitable voice quality. Each of us have a unique voice and our voice scales are different. We need to understand which scale works for us in different scenarios and adapt our voices accordingly to communicate the desired message.

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Activity: VQ Scale
(Here's a Voice Quotient scale for you. 1 is the lowest and 10 the highest. 5 is a comfortable middle)

Now here's a line for you: "I am thinking about it"

Step 1: Read the line aloud at a comfortable volume.
Step 2: Use the Pace Scale provided below and say the same line at a high speed and then at a low speed

Step 3: Now say the same line in a high volume and then in a low volume using the Volume scale

Step 4: Now say the same line in a high tone and then in a low tone. 

Did you notice how the various high & low combinations influenced the emotion and the  mood that came through ?

Our speech speed, tone and volume certainly contribute to the way we are perceived. The physical space and the context also influence the communication intent and message.

• Think about what speed you would take to if you are addressing a group of 50 people?
• What tone will you take if you are selling the company's new product to a potential customer across the table
• If you are talking to your colleague over coffee about a challenge you are encountering, what volume/pitch/speed will you resort to?

Outcome of Voice Quotient Training through theatre

• Individuals develop and awareness of their present speech patterns through multiple simulated environments
• Individuals understand how to craft their communication in the most effective manner