How to speak so that people want to listen | Julian Treasure

The human voice is a powerful tool that can influence emotions and actions but is often not used effectively. Julian Treasure emphasizes in his TED talk the profound impact of the human voice, highlighting its ability to influence emotions and actions significantly. He discusses how the voice, uniquely capable of starting wars or expressing love, is often underutilized or misused in everyday communication.

Many people feel unheard, Treasure suggests that this is due to common negative speaking habits, which he calls the "seven deadly sins": gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, exaggeration, and dogmatism. Treasure identifies gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, exaggeration, and dogmatism as detrimental habits that undermine effective communication. These habits can alienate listeners and reduce the impact of one's speech.

To encounter the 7 Deasly Sins of Speaking, he proposes the principles of HAIL (Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love) as the foundations for powerful and impactful speaking. He explains that being honest and clear, authentic, reliable, and wishing others well are crucial for effective communication. These principles help build trust and connection with the audience.

Treasure also delves into the technical aspects of speaking, referring to it as a "voice toolbox." This includes understanding and utilizing different vocal elements such as register (the pitch level of the voice), timbre (the quality of the voice), prosody (the rhythm and pattern of speech), pace (the speed of speaking), pitch (the highness or lowness of the voice), and volume (loudness). Mastering these elements can greatly enhance the effectiveness of communication.

Treasure shares six exercises to prepare the voice for speaking, ensuring clarity and impact. Treasure suggests a series of vocal warm-up exercises. These include deep breathing with sighs, lip trills, tongue exercises, rolling R's, and the "siren" sound. These exercises help to prepare and strengthen the voice, making it more versatile and expressive.

He advocates for conscious creation and consumption of sound to improve communication and understanding. Treasure highlights the importance of conscious sound creation and consumption. He envisions a world where people speak powerfully and listen consciously in environments designed for good acoustics. This, he believes, would lead to better understanding and a more connected world. 

In summary, Julian Treasure's talk provides valuable insights into how to speak in a way that captivates and engages listeners, emphasizing the importance of avoiding negative speaking habits, adopting positive principles, utilizing vocal techniques, and creating better sound environments.