Tips to help you talk your way to the top
WHAT you say and the way you say it can boost your career.
Ally Yates, an expert in workplace interactions, says: ‘People who ask questions to clarify what they’ve been told and then repeat the other person’s message to them are likely to be more successful, and others will feel more positive about them.’
Stacey Mills, a personal assistant team leader at Moneypenny, which provides telephone PA services, says: ‘I speak to callers who think they are talking to our client companies.
‘I adapt my style and tone — I handle calls on behalf of a solicitor more formally than a call to a car hire firm.
‘ It’s important to confirm what’s been said and what will happen next, to avoid misunderstandings.’
To improve voice communication skills Stacey, 28, from Wrexham, Clwyd, advises: ‘Record and listen to yourself to spot what might be improved. I often spoke too fast, so now I speak more slowly and clearly.’
Jill Bradshaw, who trains Moneypenny’s PAs, says: ‘Relax your shoulders and jaw, smile, and articulate your words clearly. Keep a steady pace — if you talk too fast, you’ll repeat yourself.’
Announcing what you are going to do next, by, for instance, saying: ‘Can I just stop you there...’ is likely to get you a better hearing.
Ally says: ‘This will give whoever you are talking to the impression of confidence and enhances the speaker’s credibility. It is more commonly found in people in senior positions.’