Being "Tone Deaf" is Dangerous

Teaching Elephants to Talk Tip
By Matt Lewis
May 10, 2005

Why should we worry about our vocal tone (the rate, pitch, inflection and volume of our voice) when speaking?

Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink points to the importance. In it, he recounts how researcher Wendy Levinson concluded that a doctor’s tone of voice was the only predictor as to whether or not he would be sued (skill level, the amount of mistakes, and education were not factors).

According to the book:

“…if the surgeon’s voice was judged to sound dominant, the surgeon tended to be in the sued group. …it comes down to a matter of respect, and the simplest way that respect is communicated is through tone of voice…”

…Luckily, people in politics don’t get sued for malpractice. But just like doctors, we are judged by our voices.

In fact, when giving a speech, 38 percent of the way you are judged is based on the tonal quality of your voice (visual is 55 percent and content accounts for just 7 percent). No wonder Proverbs says: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Are you communicating respect to your audience?

Before you speak, make sure you’re setting the right tone!