In the world of corporate training, discovering your voice early on is akin to finding the magical key🗝️ that unlocks doors to success. 🚀 A well-developed voice is like a guiding star 🌠, steering you towards building authority and achieving your learning objectives with finesse.
🧐 But why is it crucial to build authority in the classroom, you might ask? For an in-depth exploration of this, check out our post 📖.
Discovering your voice 🗣️ is essential in attaining your learning objectives 🚀. An articulate voice captivates individuals in the subject matter and generates an atmosphere for learning 📚 that may not have been present before 🌟.
What I am referring to by finding your voice 🎙️, is the ability to switch on and off a confident, knowledgeable, engaging trainer presence at will 🎩. You may also hear it referred to it as putting on a hat 🎓. As in, people wear a lot of different hats 🧢. A hat for being a parent 👪, a hat for being a student 🎓, or a hat for being a trainer 🏋️, for example 🌟.
In my first year of corporate training, the company I worked for had a senior leader on our internal communications team 🏢. This senior leader had a strong background in theater 🎭 and was often asked to do presentations inside the company 📊. I happened to be quite friendly with him, and we spoke often 💬. Early in our relationship, I was amazed at how quickly he could put on his public speaking hat 🎤. We would be having a casual conversation off-stage 🎭, and then seconds later, once he took the stage to speak 🗣️, it was as if he was a completely different person 🌟.
This is what experienced trainers can achieve in the classroom with practice 🏫. It involves breaking down the process into four steps 📝 and repeating them multiple times 🔁.
📝 I’ve broken down the path to finding your voice into four essential steps:
1️⃣ Practice: Remember the age-old adage, “Practice makes perfect”? It’s true, but only when done correctly. Put in the hours, seize every chance to present, and don’t shy away from extra classes or filling in for absent colleagues. Practice isn’t limited to the classroom – use mirrors, engage your furry friends (cats 🐱 or dogs 🐶), but most importantly, practice out loud! 🗣️
2️⃣ Copy (but move on quickly): Learning from others is a game-changer. Observe what works for your colleagues, and even draw inspiration from entertainers 🎶. Try their techniques and dissect why they succeed. Then, weave your unique approach from the threads of their success 🪡.
3️⃣ Self-Correct: Be your harshest critic. Analyze what’s working and what’s not. Relentlessly edit and refine. 📝Audio and video recordings are your best friends in this journey 📹.
4️⃣ Seek Feedback: Even the masters need a mentor. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, everyone can benefit from guidance 🤝. Seek out a coach, be it a co-worker, boss, or an external expert. Look for someone with a structured coaching method.
With dedication, experimentation, and a dash of feedback, you can become a master of many hats and develop your voice within the classroom 🎓🌟. Remember, your voice is your superpower 🦸♂️, and it’s time to unleash its full potential!
