KO#11
Welcome to the 11th issue of the Knockout Your Sunday Scaries Newsletter, an every-other-week newsletter by me, Kristy Olinger, with a focus on workplace communication and self-development. I’m glad you’re here. Was this forwarded to you? Get yours: Subscribe here
Sunday, June 2nd, 2024
Hi there,
I’ve long advised corporate professionals to consider the melody of the voice when presenting ideas and to end sentences in a downward pitch. Uptalk is when a speaker’s pitch rises at the end of a declarative sentence. The negative interpretations of uptalk are well researched* and include uncertainty, tentativeness, and lack of expert knowledge. While there are some positive interpretations, like helpfulness, the downside of using uptalk in a corporate setting when sharing ideas outweighs the benefits.
A few weeks ago a harsh critic on Instagram accused me of spreading misogynistic ideas and chastised me suggesting that people make effort to improve their vocal profile.
The critic wasn’t off base in claiming this as a gender-charged topic. Women —both voluntarily and involuntarily— use rising intonation in certain contexts to protect themselves from accusations of “bossiness” and “bitchiness”, according to Robin T. Lakoff Professor of Linguistics at U.C. Berkley and researcher and author of “Language and Women’s Place”. So it’s not unrealistic to suggest that women hear this feedback more often than men. That in and of itself does not make it misogynistic advice.
Gender implications aside, the operative question is this:
Should you have to change how you speak at work in order to have you ideas heard?
The critic suggested that to focus on ‘stupid stuff’ like the pitch of our voices is a waste of time… others should just be better at listening to the content of the message regardless of how that message is delivered.
Of course we should be encouraging work colleagues to be better listeners. Let’s also be realistic here… you’re not going to unwind a lifetime of social conditioning and preconceived biases in all of your co-workers. Not to mention that you only have direct and immediate control of your own actions.
It would be short sighted not to adjust your delivery to improve your success.
It’s not about being untrue to who you are. It’s about flexing your style to get the message across. If (and only if) your vocal style is a barrier, it’s worth testing and learning the impacts of making a change on your ability to influence others. In a world where your success is likely dependent not only on your individual hard work, but also your ability to collaborate across business lines, how you share your idea is just as important as the substance of the idea itself.
*Barr, 2003; Conley et al, 1978; Guy & Vonwiller, 1984; Spindler, 2003; Tomlinson Jr. & Fox Tree, 2010; Warren, 2016
Hit reply and say ‘hi’ - wether you’re an OG subscriber or just stumbled across this, I would love to hear from you. What do YOU want from a newsletter like this? How can I help you banish your Sunday scaries? Let me know.
📚 What I’m reading: Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros
This is a popular fantasy novel with everything you’d want from this genre; danger, dragons, action, a love story. Devoured this one over the Memorial Day long weekend on the beach and the couch while feeling under the weather. Loved it.
Content Round Up - In Case You Missed It
Even if you’re following me on social media, the algorithm may or may not put my post in your feed. Here is what has launched over the last 2 weeks, in case you missed it.
Episode 151: Be Funny at Work - PODCAST
This podcast episode gives you some compelling reasons to be funny at work and walks you through the different types of humor and what to lean into vs. avoid at work.
Introducing a Speaker at Your Team Meeting - VIDEO
There is an art to introducing a guest speaker to your team. When you do it right, improve your relationship with that person and give your team confidence in the importance of their message.
What to Say to End a Meeting - Post
This post gives you four different scripts that you could use to close a meeting.
You made it to the end! Congrats & thanks. ❤️ Have a great two weeks.
Stay Curious,
Kristy
P.S. My popular free journal prompts are now available in a printed journal to help you build a reflection habit that turns every situation into an opportunity for growth. Check it out
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