S06E005, Slow Down Your Message, Andy B 2 Minute Video
When my children were much younger I had a pretty hearty disagreement with one of their teachers. I wonder whether you agree with my point of view or their teacher.
When they were enrolled in one particular school they had started with really beautiful handwriting. I know, because we had taught them to write like that. They could write extremely well, and it was easy to understand the letters, words and sentences they used in the written form. So I was pretty upset when I looked at some of their school work the teacher said was great, only to realise I could barely understand anything I was trying to read.
When I confronted their teacher I was told that the most important thing is not being able to read what is written, but simply ensuring the children use correct grammar and sentence structure. I did not agree with their teacher and I’m confident they knew I did not agree with their ‘perspective’!
When we communicate something the most important element is ensuring that people can understand what it is that we are seeking to communicate – whether that is through speech or the written word.
You can have the perfect spoken voice, but if you can’t speak in a way that people can grasp what you are trying to say, then your perfect voice is better kept away from any form of teaching.
Sometimes we need to adapt how we speak or write. But sometimes, it can be as simple as slowing down our speech or handwriting speed.
Just a thought...
Andy B
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Transcript
[00:00:00] So another Andy B 2 Minute Video. And, in this one, I thought we could look at slowing down your message. Now this isn't just about talking slower or that's a part of it. It isn't just about that. Actually, sometimes, you can slow your message down by putting a pause in.
[00:00:22] Sometimes you can slow your message down by simply repeating what you've just spoken. It's a basic, process and skill of public speaking.
[00:00:31] You say what you've just said. So you say what you've just said, and people can take in what you've said because they're hearing it twice. And maybe the thing that's really important, that point, that's really key can get lost just because you're speaking too fast, and people can't understand what you've just said.
[00:00:48] I've mentioned my upbringing and in the past. And I, I grew up in a place called the Black Country and a few things you need to know about the Black Country.
[00:00:54] One, there was, it was really heavy industry. So there's loads of coal mines and, and big [00:01:00] foundries making big chains for ships and all that sort of stuff. Loads of heavy industry, loads of black soot everywhere, hence the Black Country. That's where I grew up.
[00:01:08] And a few things that are important to note about that place. You speak fast and it's a very, very strong accent.
[00:01:15] In 1995, I went to Manchester with a group called The Pais Project, now called The Pais Movement. And when I was on The Pace Project in 1995 to 96, I was in schools in Eastern Manchester. And one of the fascinating things was, really quickly, the children in the schools were saying, You what? Pardon? I can't hear you. What did you say? Because I spoke fast and I spoke with a heavy accent.
[00:01:39] So what did I do? Two things.
[00:01:42] One, I tried to speak with a more neutral accent. So over the years, people struggled to know where I come from. If you know where I come from, you might be able to hear the odd little twang of the Black Country accent. But I spoke with a neutral accent because the children couldn't hear the message.
[00:01:58] I also slowed [00:02:00] down what I said. I slowed down my speech, literally, because the Black Country mentality of speech is, you speak quickly. Well, that's great, unless you're speaking to somebody who's not from the area.
[00:02:09] It's an ongoing battle for me. I've done preaching in churches. I've done children's work over the last 20 years, 30 years. And my biggest battle is slowing down what I'm saying sufficiently that can people hear it.
[00:02:21] Slowing down so that people can hear it. That's a good thing. Just done it again!
[00:02:27] Whatever your message is, whatever you're trying to do, whatever you're trying to speak into, the value of speech is the person who is hearing us can understand and listen to what we're saying.
[00:02:38] So it's always worth to take a moment and think, do I need to slow down what I'm saying? Do I need to slow down the number of words, or just my speech?
[00:02:45] Just a thought...
Andy B, 23/02/2024