Own Your Voice

Welcome Introduction

  • Presenter: Ashley Bolton

    • Role: Diversity Recruiting Team

    • Expressed excitement for the Possibility Summit and the session on presentation skills.

  • Brief Introductions to Speaker and Session

    • Speaker: Caroline Guerin

    • Role: Asset and Wealth Management team, specifically in the Investment Strategy Group.

    • Session Title: “Own Your Voice”

    • Session Focus: Presentation skills and self-projection.

Ground Rules

  • Mute: Attendees should remain on mute except when engaged by the speakers.

  • Respectful interactions: Avoid screen sharing or annotating unless prompted.

  • Engage: Save questions for the end of the session; a Q&A will follow.

Session Overview

  • Caroline's Introduction

    • Background in Private Wealth Management for four years.

    • Role: Quantitative position involving creating customized client portfolios and analytics, necessitating clear communication.

    • Importance of communication with clients from varying finance backgrounds, sophisticated to minimal.

  • Objective

    • Help attendees own their voice to maximize impact and passion in communication.

    • Focus on refining natural voice while maintaining individuality; aim to sound professional and engaging.

Importance of Communication

  • Unique Voice: Each individual has a distinct way of speaking and expressing ideas, which should be showcased.

  • Communication Skills: Crucial for career paths, networking, interviews, and personal relationships.

    • Essential for students and future interns.

    • Refine voice to reflect intelligence, passion, and experience.

Refining Communication Skills

Focus on Verbal Communication

  • The session primarily covers verbal communication, but its principles also extend to written communication.

  • Recommendation: Take as many writing courses as possible, as writing skills translate into effective communication in professional settings.

    • Example from Caroline: Five different writing courses across disciplines at CUNY.

    • Focus on clean, concise emails and cover letters to effectively convey information.

Vocal Fillers

Definition:

  • Vocal fillers are words or sounds interrupting the flow of speech (examples: “um”, “like”, “so”).

  • They can detract from the listener's focus on the actual content.

Implications of Vocal Fillers

  1. Distracts Listeners: Audiences struggle to differentiate between meaningful content and fillers, reducing overall impact.

  2. Casual Tone: Vocal fillers may suggest a more relaxed (and unprofessional) demeanor unsuitable for formal situations (e.g., interviews).

Addressing Vocal Fillers

Identifying and Eliminating Vocal Fillers

  • Reflect on personal speech patterns to identify unique vocal fillers.

  • Strategies to eliminate vocal fillers include:

    • Breathing: Take breaths to collect thoughts rather than use fillers.

    • Speaking Slowly and Enunciating: Deliberate speech gives listeners time to absorb information.

    • Making Eye Contact: Increases engagement and gives speakers time to gather thoughts (adapted on virtual platforms with camera focus).

    • Preparing Notes: Structure points to facilitate smoother transitions without fillers.

Practice Session: "Filibuster" Game

  • Concept: Participants speak nonstop until they use a vocal filler or pause excessively.

  • Purpose: Practice avoiding fillers while speaking about any topic for a set time.

  • Observed Outcomes:

    • Most participants identified their own fillers and improved over time.

Verbal Pointing

Definition:

  • A method to guide listeners through visual content (such as slides or resumes) using directional language.

Implementation:

  • Clearly indicate information to enhance listener engagement and retention.

    • Example: "Look at the blue box at the top of the page."

Concluding Thoughts on Communication

  • Strong communication hinges on practice and preparation.

  • Continuous practice builds confidence; be prepared for various speaking situations and adapt as needed.

  • Importance of identifying personal vocal fillers and preparing for speaking engagements.

Q&A Session

Common Questions Discussed

  1. Tone of Voice: Suggestions for speaking professionally without losing individuality; importance of slowing down.

  2. Vocabulary Use: Avoid jargon that could confuse audiences; aim for clarity and relatability.

  3. Handling Mistakes: Strategies for acknowledging errors and regaining composure during client interactions.

  4. Confidence in Client Interactions: Utilize mentorship, preparation, and effective communication to build confidence.

  5. Career Path Recommendations: Importance of starting in asset and wealth management for a strong foundation in finance.

Important Tips from the Session:

  • Preparation: Invest time in understanding the material and anticipating questions.

  • Communication Techniques: Take deep breaths, structure thoughts, and use visual aids effectively.

Resources and Additional Information

  • Mentoring and skill development resources at Goldman Sachs (Goldman Sachs University).

  • Opportunities for continued education focused on public speaking and communication.

Closing Remarks

  • Expressing gratitude for participation and engagement in this interactive session.