Lessons from a Voiceless Speaker

What happens when a professional speaker completely loses their voice??It’s an occupational hazard and over the years, there have been times where my croaky vocal chords spluttered through a presentation; one triggering the best-seller ‘Hot Lemon & Honey-Reflections for Success in Times of Change’. But, until last month, never had I completely lost my voice.

My ex-husband would have thought it amusing; one reason why he is my ex. ?? We’re still good friends but I am not amused.

Speaking is not just my livelihood but my passion-to connect with audiences. And after 3 years of covid, it was totally amazing to do so again in recent months; from an international audience from 32 countries in Budapest and then closer to home for a road show in regional Australia.

Budapest to Bendigo would make a great title for a book but I was devastated to let the Australian client down. However, their CEO, who first heard me over 20 years ago, and his terrific team were lovely and instantly offered to reschedule weeks later, when even flood waters in the region didn’t deter them (or me) from showing up in jeans and boots for a rural audience. (instead of high heels in Budapest).

Flooded with gratitude, it was a good reminder that:

Long term relationships with clients and suppliers don’t just happen overnight. And the best customer relations is not to treat your clients-or suppliers-like your relations. Never take them for granted

I fly home, have a hot bath, hot lemon and honey, medication and crawl into bed between clean sheets at my comfortable home overlooking the Pacific. Feeling sorry for myself, I now feel guilty when I think of the poor people an ocean away with no clean drinking water or homes to go to. I worry about another friend awaiting her chemo results.?I’m one of the lucky ones, I remind myself. I know it but still I don’t feel it. As Dad used to say:

‘Count your blessings-not your troubles’

I again remind myself what I told the audience before my voice went walkabout:

Most obstacles are opportunities in disguise. Yet again, I remind myself to listen to my own words; practice what you preach.?What can I learn from this??

The next morning, I try to call a doctor but of course I have no voice. One cannot text the surgery and there’s no online booking facility…so I go to my favourite pharmacist with a handwritten note, stating that I have no voice, have tested negative for covid but need some medication. He jokes that I must be a doctor because he can’t read my writing.

When I finally get into the doctor 3 days later, I have everything typed. I show the receptionist who types her response on her phone. I quickly do likewise…I can hear you-I just can’t speak.

‘Oh’ she seemed not at all embarrassed as the woman behind me suppresses a laugh and my eyes roll above my mask.

A friend hears from another friend and calls to see how I am and if I need any shopping. I don’t answer her call but text back that I couldn’t take it because I have no voice’ ‘Oh, silly me’ she texts back with some weird emoji.

A neighbor says hello and when I gesture that I have no voice, he kindly offers: ‘If you need anything, just give us a yell.’?He seems oblivious to the fact that I can’t yell, yet I do want to scream in frustration as the days progress.

At the supermarket the checkout person glares at me when I don’t respond to her question if I’d had a nice day. So much for the groceries. I deserve a treat and a Mcdonald’s milkshake might be just what the doctor ordered to help anaesthetise my throat. We can justify anything. Only one problem-I can’t go through the drive through as I have no voice. Now this is getting serious.

I guess like most of us, I’ve taken my voice for granted. Yes there were times when I lived in Japan and didn’t speak the language and that voice was somewhat diminished but never completely absent.?

What if I get mugged in the carpark? I can’t even scream for help. Or warn a person about to step in front of a moving vehicle

What about those with no voice—literally or figuratively. I send online donations to my three favourite charities.

Ironically, the first presentation I ever gave was accompanied by Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Sounds of Silence’?I once chose to be in a silent retreat for 10 days but this latest silence was not by choice. That’s the difference.

Like voice, choice is a privilege that we often take for granted and we always have more choices than we think.

Yes, I lost my voice. That may have been careless but I do know exactly where I left it! ?? And hope to never lose my passion to present; so if I can add value down the track on resilience, change, teamwork or customer service, I’m only an email or phone call away.?