Vocal projection is simple: we simply speak with the intention to include everyone and adjust our voice to the space between us and others, as needed. When we speak with an intention that is for and includes the audience, our voice will carry effortlessly and appropriately to fill the space. Forcing our voices to be louder or softer just sounds…louder and softer. And can even hurt our vocal cords—yes, forcing a whisper can be painful.

I am reminded of an exercise we did in acting school. We were told to hold up one arm, straight out from our shoulder, while another student tried to push it down. Our only direction was to hold it up as strongly as possible. We struggled against the pressure for a few seconds until our arm folded. Next, we were told to imagine there was a strong current of water flowing up from the earth, through our legs, and powerfully shooting from our outstretched arm. Miraculously,…Read on.

In this photo of the extraordinary actor/writer/director, Priyanka Shetty, notice her eyes. Notice her warmth, her depth, her open connection with…the camera? No! Priyanka is looking, it seems, right into our own eyes. Of course, in reality, she is looking into a cylindrical piece of glass. There is a skill to creating that intimacy—to remembering that though we see a piece of machinery, our audience will feel that we see THEM. Virtual communication offers us the chance to get cosy, create a sense of intimacy and connection with others. Think of a great actor in a film close-up. We see every emotion, every thought, we sense their humanity and feel their presence. We feel close to them. In virtual meetings, we rarely take advantage of this ripe opportunity. Rather, we tend to…Read on.

One very strange feature of virtual communication, aside from needing to look into a camera lens in order to have “eye contact,” is that we are asked to look at OURSELVES while interacting with others! It’s distracting, to say the least. Unnerving! And, did I say, distracting? Whether working with my clients on in-person or virtual communication, we use skills and techniques that consciously put our focus on the other, on the audience. So having our own visage mirror us, woo us, pull our focus, tease and antagonize us, adds a challenge to virtual communication. It’s hard to be present. And can make us feel anxious. So what can we do about the distraction of ourselves on our computer screens? Read on…