Become the Real Deal: The Proven Path to Influence and Executive Presence

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What Is Verbal Presence?

Managing Your Words

How you reveal your messages

Quick—what pops into your head when you hear the phrase “verbal presence”? The deep, authoritative voice of James Earl Jones declaring, “Luke, I am your father” or “This ... is CNN”? Perhaps it's the vocal chops of your favorite singer, like Adele, whose tones elicit a remarkable range of emotions—from longing to revenge. Maybe it's an impressive speaker like Sir Ken Robinson or the late Steve Jobs.

All of these superstars have distinctive voices. And you may, too. But that's not what I mean by verbal presence. This may sound a bit confusing, but the sound produced by your vocal chords is part of your outer presence. Verbal presence is a different skill set, but it's equally make-or-break.

Confused? Let's start with a simple definition:

Verbal presence is how the world interprets your words.

Think of it as a transfer mechanism—a bridge between your inner and outer presence. It's your ability to effectively transfer the ideas and thoughts from inside your head to others, hopefully compelling them to act on what you say. It's also the capstone of the structure we've been building this whole time. You may be centered within yourself, and neither over- nor underestimate your abilities; you may come across as warm, approachable, and competent. But if you're not communicating your thoughts effectively, you still ...