Do you feel like your presentations might be lacking in energy, but because you’re “in your head,” you can’t be sure? In today’s post, Pete offers a particular direction you can point your attention in that can help you recognize exactly when an energy dip occurs, and what you can do about it in the moment.
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There’s something called vocal fry—a term that started getting attention about 10 or 15 years ago. It refers to a slowing of the speaking voice so that it starts to crack or rattle, often at the end of sentences. You’ve probably heard it in some people’s speaking styles without realizing it. I was working with someone recently who asked about her energy level during presentations, and I noticed that she was using a lot of vocal fry.
Vocal fry has been controversial. Some people find it grating and think it shouldn’t be used. Others argue there’s nothing wrong with it—and in fact, some believe it adds authority, especially for women who feel their voices otherwise sound too light or youthful. I’m not taking sides, but I did notice something interesting: for this person, there seemed to be a clear correlation between low energy and vocal fry.
When she spoke in a tired, low-energy way, her voice cracked more frequently. When she consciously tried to sustain her voice smoothly—keeping it from dropping into that fry—the energy in her delivery rose naturally. Her whole presence changed just by maintaining continuity in her tone.
If you find yourself sounding low-energy in presentations, pay attention to your voice. See if you can keep your tone steady and connected without letting it crack or fade into fry. Not only will it make you sound more energetic, but you may actually feel more energetic as a result.
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