The 3 Vs of Communication: Verbal, Vocal, Visual

Have to make a presentation or report? Pitch an idea? Communicate events? Persuade a group of people? Good communication goes beyond compiling information and spitting it out nervously. To make an impact, give thought to your verbal, vocal and visual delivery. 

Verbal

Deciding what to say (or write), structuring your message, and getting the wording right. Verbal effectiveness is even more important for written and recorded communications.

Words are seeds that do more than blow around.
They land in our hearts and not on the ground.
Be careful what you plant and careful what you say.
You might have to eat what you planted one day.

- Unknown

• Impact: Consider the emotional impact of the words you choose: "Don't ever diminish the power of words. Words move hearts and hearts move limbs." -Hamza Yusuf
• Concise: Choose the right words: clear, specific, concise. Use as few words as possible to get the message across. “Say only a few words, but say them well.” “The secret to being boring is to say everything.” - Voltaire
• Value-creation: Use value-creating language. Speak more of opportunities in the present and future than harping on problems and the past.
• Organize the message: no rambling, no beating around the bush, save the details for Q&A
• Rhetoric: Use rhetorical devices to get attention and improve memory (ex: alliterations, rhymes, puns, series of 3, acronym) More here and here
• Word pictures: striking descriptions, powerful metaphor or simile, pique the senses
• Flow: Remove word crutches and fillers (um, like, so, basically, …and stuff like that)

Vocal

The sound of your voice creates an impression, it is part of your overall physical presentation. Just as you put on your best suit and groom your physical appearance, think of putting on your best voice when communicating. A good professional voice balances a warm and inviting tone with confidence and gravitas. The sound of your voice is even more prominent in audio and telephone communications and recordings.  

“The human voice: it’s the instrument we all play.”

– Julian Treasure

Volume – Speak up - project beyond the back of the room. If you have a loud voice, lower your volume for small groups.

Speed - normal US English speech is 155-175 words per minute. Slow down speech for more powerful impact or when explaining something complicated. Speed up when summarizing known info.

Breath - Instead of speaking from your throat, practice supporting your voice with breath from your diaphragm like a singer or theater actor. 

Vocal variety - appropriate variation in pitch and volume (not monotone)

Tone - Clear and well-modulated for warmth. Use your deeper voice for gravitas.

Downward inflection. To convey confidence and gravitas, end sentences on a downward inflection like you are making a statement, not upward like you are asking a question or asking for permission.

Pronounce succinctly. Try tongue-twisters for practice.

Visual

Most people don’t just listen. They look for meaning and credibility in visual clues. This is even more pronounced in video conference and in-person meetings.

“A picture paints a thousand words.”

Don’t just tell – show !  Use clear visual aids and imagery. Demonstrate.

Tidy grooming

Confident posture, open stance

Confident movement: Hand gestures broad, deliberate, above the waist

Confident movement: If on a stage, walk slowly and ground yourself to emphasize words instead of nervous pacing.

Confident eye contact

Smile appropriately (not to appease)