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The Power of Speech:
Tell It Sister!
By Tracey Ferdinand
“In the telling, we legitimize women’s experience. We reveal what is happening in the dark, in the basement, out of sight. In the telling, women take their power back. Their voice.” Eve Ensler
Do you often find yourself holding back thoughts in a group setting only to kick yourself later when you are alone for not speaking up? Are you aware of the subtle messages you communicate to others when you talk? It took me 22 years to fully grasp how vital it is to let my voice be heard. It took me 24 to understand how important it is to let my voice be heard effectively. When you speak, you are exercising one of the most basic forms of power. By proclaiming “I am here,” when you state an opinion or idea, you honor your place in the universe. So even though you are not a lawyer or the CEO of a multibillion dollar company – well not yet anyway – that does not mean you should not pay close attention to the power of speech.
Be mindful of what you are saying. It can impact the way others view you and the way you subconsciously view yourself. Equally important to the content of your message is the way you convey your message. Speaking with authority and purpose is crucial to building professional and personal relationships rooted in respect. Let your confidence shine through by carefully considering how you present information to others. Always keep in mind the two “C’s” when communicating; pay attention to “content” or what you are saying and “conveyance” or how you are delivering what you are saying.
The commonly held view that women talk more than men is simply not true. I have countless memories of talking on the phone with men – who go on and on about themselves, pausing only to make sure I was still there – to dispel that myth. The truth is women are far more likely to keep quiet about accomplishments and skills than men. Ladies it is time to speak up and speak out! If you want to move up in the workplace or if you want your professors to see you for the amazing student you are then let them know you exist. More importantly, let them know that you bring interesting and thought- provoking material to the table. Never enter a meeting or classroom empty-handed. You should have a couple of points hashed out on paper to speak on.
If shyness when speaking in a group setting is a problem, attack the fear head on by signing up for a public speaking class at a community college. Do not have time to take a class? Then join a Toastmaster’s group in your area by visiting their website at http://www.toastmasters.org/. Their mission is to help “people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience,” so give them a try.
This year I have decided to tap into the power of speech by participating in the 2009 V-Day campaign. It is an annual worldwide event, started by Eve Ensler, focused on speaking out on violence against women and girls. Here is the V-Day website http://newsite.vday.org/. It highlights millions of women reclaiming their humanity by telling stories of survival. Getting up on stage is my way of voicing the experiences of women in my life who are not quite ready to speak out for themselves. Of course you do not have to go the route I did when brainstorming ways to channel your power voice. By simply making a conscious effort to speak up, you can honor yourself and tap into the power of speech today.
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