The word voice can be a noun or a verb. “She has a beautiful voice.” (noun) Or as a verb: “Voice your opinion!”
“Use your indoor voice” can be heard in workplaces involving children.
“Find your voice” is sometimes said to adults who are not speaking up or not sharing their experiences and ideas. Without a clear message of who we are, what we stand up for, or what experiences we have to share, we lose our voices; no one hears us.
There is a difference between sound and voice! A sound is any noise that can be produced by any person, thing, animal, mechanical, or other objects. A voice is produced by people through their larynx – also called the voice box. Some sounds are so much a part of people’s reactions to conversation and/or events that these “tsk” or “clicks” or “umhmm” sounds are a part of their personal voice. Typically, however, these human sounds are just that, sounds.
When listening to a person’s voice, we hear volume, words, melody, tone and intonations, along with pitch and cadence. A person’s voice can convey happiness, sadness, fear, concern, anger, frustration (which is usually hard to distinguish from anger), and love (which is often hard to differentiate from happiness). Without hearing a live human voice, it is difficult to convey the full meaning of words; as found when emailing or texting. How many times have you found yourself wondering what a person is “really” saying in a text?
“Voice” is less frequently used as a name for a raffle ticket that might be drawn to win a prize. Or for the casting of a “voice-vote” at meetings where written ballots are not cast: members declare Yes/Aye; No/Nay; or Abstain.
POV or “point of view” when speaking, writing, podcasting, or performing is a part of today’s work environment. People listen to others who voice clear points of view. Then, there is The Voice (clearly a noun here) television program which is all about singing and entertainment. Add too, musical instruments produce sounds that are sometimes referred to as voices. For instance, a piano has a different voice than a clarinet; a clarinet than a flute; a brass instrument than a stringed instrument; and so on. Voice can take on multiple meanings. Are you using your voice regularly? Are you taking care of your own physical instrument (your voice)?
What is your voice?
Are people hearing you?
Ready to find your voice? Consider Mastermind experiences. Let’s visit. Jana Kemp 208-367-1701
As the author of seven books, three of which are on use of time and decision-making, Jana has been interviewed by U.S., Canadian, and European programs, and magazines.
Workplace – the Blog: Managing the moments of our day-to-day business lives takes work. Together, let’s explore what issues and activities affect us every day (or some days) that we go to work. Together we can find working solutions.