Leading UK based publisher Pearson conducted research across 700 senior decision makers in a variety of sectors. Over half thought an upward inflection at the end of a sentence or High Rising Terminal (HRT) showed a lack of professional credibility and would hinder client or career prospects.
A staggering 85% also believed it demonstrated a “clear indication of insecurity”, emotional weakness and found it “particularly annoying.”
Unfortunately it seems, this tendency is considered distinctly Australian. So much so, it’s now become known as the Australian Question Intonation (or AQI). Apart from making every statement sound like a question, this research suggests the AQI could very well be costing you clients or your career.
What can be done? The first step in fixing any problem is recognising there is one. Get a video camera and video yourself reading from notes on a familiar topic. Or simply be conscious whether your voice “goes up” at the end of a sentence in your next conversation with a friend.
Bear in mind, how good you are at what you do, your ‘expertise’, is only half of the story. Equally important is how you present yourself and the image you portray each and every time you open your mouth to speak. Whether during a one-on-one interview, team briefing, client presentation, management meeting, or a scripted conference speech to hundreds, it’s important to be able to present yourself, at your best, whenever you communicate.
Let us know if you are interested in presenting yourself more confidently, achieving greater career success, winning more business and/or improving your networking and meeting skills.
