Do you remember the first time you heard a recording of your own voice? Going back to that moment now, what went through your mind?
Were you shocked or pleasantly surprised? Did you expect you’d sound like that?
Most people respond the same way. When they hear themselves on tape, they get a bit uncomfortable and will tell you:
“That doesn’t sound like me at all. Who is that person? Did I just say that?”
People tend to become very self-conscious and self-critical. Why? Because most of us don’t have a clue how other people perceive the sound of our voice. How could we?
We hear ourselves from the inside 24/7. We’re locked into our own little world thinking that -because we perceive ourselves a certain way- others hear what we hear and will respond accordingly.
Let me break the news to you: they do not.
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As a media trainer, I spent many years coaching influential people on how to prepare for interviews on radio and TV. My favorite part was taking a CEO to a studio and putting him or her in front of a few cameras and blinding lights, while I would ask innocent questions.
Read the rest of this story in my new book. Click on the cover to access the website and get a sneak peek. Use the buttons to buy the book.
