Editor's Note

Editor’s Note: How’s your voice?

You may find this amusing coming from someone who writes a monthly column, but I don’t care for the sound of my own voice.

I mean it literally, though. To my ear, my voice is wildly inconsistent, ranging from a thin, pinched sound when I’m stressed to a raspy baritone when I’m fighting a cold or allergies. I also tend to talk too fast. Many years ago, I was tapped to moderate my first Safety+Health webinar. I was so apprehensive about how I’d do that I drove to downtown Chicago for a one-time lesson from a voice coach who offers classes for CEOs and other professionals. She gave me tips, helped me mark up my script and added reminders to slow down. It was helpful. I had intended to keep going with lessons, but life got in the way.

Although I communicate primarily through a keyboard, I know my speaking voice is a skill I still need to work on. So, I was interested to learn that our friend Richard Hawk chose master your voice as the topic of his most recent All About You column.

If you haven’t attended one of Richard’s presentations or listened to him when he’s been a guest on S+H’s On the Safe Side podcast, you’re missing out. He has a lot to offer anyone who’s looking to strengthen their soft skills, and because he’s also a safety pro, chances are he’s been in your shoes in a variety of situations.

So, we’re happy that, for many years now, Richard has been part of the S+H family, offering great advice, empathy and encouragement. Check out his column, and thanks for reading mine. It’s always good to “speak” with you.

Melissa J. Ruminski The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.

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