How to Speak With Authority

A good attitude, friendly demeanor and strong voice help you speak with impact.

You need not be an expert on anything to speak with authority. Whether you must deliver a speech before a group or you need to get a point across with an individual, you can develop the skills you need to add impact to your message. You must focus on the information you are communicating and use a few simple ideas so your audience takes you more seriously.

Things You'll Need

• Great attitude
• Friendly Demeanor
• A Strong Voice

Instructions

1. Make sure that the volume of your voice reaches your audience. Also, keep your tone and pitch deep and strong. If you are a woman with a high voice, practice speaking in a lower pitched, calm voice without reducing your volume.

2. Use technology, such as a microphone and public address system, for an audience of 10 or more. If you are forced to speak in a location with noise, an amplification device is almost mandatory if you want to be heard.

3. Study your topic, speech or notes so that you feel comfortable talking about your subject matter. Defer questions effectively; if you do not have the answer right away, get back to the person with a follow-up communication.

4. Dress in business attire if you expect to be speaking to a group. A professional-looking appearance enhances your image and impresses people much more than if you were to dress casually. Formal attire is appropriate only if dictated by the occasion.

5. Stand up straight, project your voice, enunciate your words and remain calm. Carrying yourself with dignity and grace is a practiced art form. Take deep breaths between your sentences and imagine that you are speaking to the person at the farthest edge of the room. Remember to stand tall and place your feet firmly on the floor. Don't fidget, touch your face or lick your lips often.

6. Establish eye contact with several people in the group as you talk, so as to appear that you are including them in a conversation. If you can get people to nod their heads in agreement as you speak, this is as good as positive feedback.

7. Practice. Ask friends or family members to listen to you practice, and encourage them to interrupt so you learn how to handle a distraction while attempting to communicate important information to people.

Tips & Warnings

• Public speaking is nothing to be afraid of, once you've tried it a time or two. Practice these points and you will learn to speak with authority.

References

• Entrepreneur: 11 Public-Speaking Pointers
• Free Management Library: Verbal Skills - How to Speak with Impact and Authority