CHAPTER 10
Speaking with theVoice of Authority
The voice is a second face.
As the guest of the vice president of sales for a large equipment manufacturer, I was watching various members of his team make presentations during a staff meeting. The VP wanted me to evaluate the presenters and advise him on which individuals needed coaching.
One man in this group was an absolute expert in the field. But there was a problem: he used poor grammar and lots of slang when he spoke. Before he even finished his presentation, the VP interrupted him. “Hold it, hold it,” he said. “Any customer who hears you speak with that kind of grammar is going to think you are ignorant. And it is going to reflect poorly on our company and our product. You ...
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