All I said was, “hi” and my mom asked – “are you okay?” One word and she knew.  Your vocal tone makes an immediate impression. If you are tired, feeling confident, believe in your message or feeling nervous, your audience will know.

TALK TIP: Next time you speak, ask, two questions: 1.) What do you want your audience to feel? -and- 2.) How do you want your audience to respond to your message? Since your vocal tone relays emotion, be deliberate and bring that energy to your voice. In doing so, your message and your meaning will make its strongest impact.