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contributed by Candice M. Coleman, Ph.D, President of Say It Well! Inc. She has
shared the stage with such celebrities as Leslie Ann Warren, Rich Little, Vicki
Lawrence, and The Lucy Show's Gale Gordon. As a former actress and singer, Candy
makes her presentations come alive with a commanding presence and powerful
voice. Currently, Dr. Colemen is the creator of The Godsend Project and author
of the forthcoming book, "It’s a Godsend: Voices of Healing and Hope" (www.ItsaGodsend.com).
She is also a reknowned voice/speech coach and speaks on communication-related
issues through her company Say It Well! Inc. (www.SayItWell.com).
No matter what you’re voicing or performing, if it
doesn’t come from your heart it isn’t worth doing. A commercial about pain
relievers? Don’t just read the words and try to fake it. If you don’t feel, at
least on some level, compassion for those who are suffering, your read won’t be
as effective and the audience will know it. True communication happens when
heart speaks to heart.
What does “speaking from your heart” mean? For me, it’s
about making a connection with people/audience/clients on a deeper level. I want
to feel a sense of love for all the good qualities that are part of their true
being.
Love. Strong word. Certainly, but as we begin to accept
that we’re all spiritual beings, the loving sense can be expressed in sometimes
simple but very tangible ways. When my focus is outward (on others), rather than
inward (on me), that’s loving. When I care enough to take the extra time to
practice my copy rather than simply “rip and read,” that’s loving. When I do
those extra two or three takes, because it’s just “not quite right,” that’s
loving. Love should inform everything we do.
Is this always easy? Of course not! If it were, there
would be no more wars. If it were, everyone would be treated fairly and equally.
If it were, all of our commercials, voice overs and narrations would be
compelling and convincing. Unfortunately, we aren’t there yet on any of these
fronts. I’m not pointing fingers here, because I’m guilty too. More times than I
like to admit, I’ve just read the words, said “it’s good enough” or been so
focused on my needs as a performer that I’ve forgotten why I’m in the studio in
the first place – to help the viewer or listener.
It’s obviously easier to make a connection when you care
about whatever the subject or product is. You’re more likely to feel satisfied
with your performance, the client will be happy and your audience will have
gotten some information or purchased a product that will benefit them. Life is
good.
So here’s the big question. Should you ever voice or
promote something that you DON’T care about? A candidate from another party? A
product that you know doesn’t work? A movie with excessive, gratuitous violence
which has no redeeming value? The answer is easy – NO.
We all have to make a living, and if you don’t care, you
won’t do your best work. If you don’t do your best work, you won’t get hired as
frequently or by the clients who can pay your fees. However, even more important
for me is my sense of ethics and integrity. Am I willing to sell my “soul” for
30 pieces of silver or a $4000 check?
We each have to make our own decisions, but if you
haven’t bailed out of this article yet, you and I probably have similar values
and ideals. Yet all of us sometimes need a reminder to allow our better selves
to take control.
That’s the purpose of this article – to act as a reminder
that no matter where life has taken you and how far you may have strayed from
that higher sense that is truly you, you can get back. Start by making it your
mission to speak from your heart to their heart in your work and in your life.
When you do, you’re giving your clients, audiences and everyone you come in
contact with a gift.
It’s also a gift that you give yourself.
Candice M. Coleman, Ph.D can be reached at
314-621-9228 or CanCole@SayItWell.com.
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