Thank you for finding me. This is the inagural posting for my new blog. I will commit to keep the content relevent and timely. So what is the topic? I have just completed a book titled "Don't Look At Me In That Tone Of VOICE!" The subject of the book is...well Let me share the introduction page from the book with you, this should help you understand this unique topic.

People change for only one of two reasons: Crisis or Quest. Regardless of your reason, I believe that if you practice the techniques in this book, you will become a better communicator in all facets of life. Visual Listening Techniques, are a set of thechniques I have developed, is a program that has been a lifetime in the making. Forged from a world of personal experiences and observations, Visual Listening techniques is a mixture of methods, sales, negotiations, performing arts, public speaking, speech pathology, accent modification, linguistics, and much more.

Visual Listening Techniques introduces its participants to an entirely new way of communicating and listening. It specifically targets professionals, such as those in the California Association of Hostage Negotiators, whose primary mode of communications is done remotely, without the benefit of seeing those on the other end.

Negotiators in all areas of life and business must become masters at understanding nonverbal behavior in order to diagnose the often subtle dynamics of a situation and the people involved. Nonverbal communication offers valuable clues to people’s underlying defenses, mixed feelings, hidden agendas, and intentions. Negotiation team members and their counterparts also benefit from developing this awareness. The ability to decipher, analyze, and understand nonverbal communication in any interaction allows participants to modify the problem-solving process as well as to address the content and nature of the actual issues.

This program examines the complexities of communications between those of differing genders, ages, geographic backgrounds, educational levels, origins of birth, and emotional states. It also explores the intricacies of the human voice, including pitch, intonation, stress, rate, volume, and many other characteristics.

As a supplement to the seminar presentation, the hands-on exercises are designed to engage participants and train them to become more self-aware when communicating with others. Each participant will learn one of life’s most elusive communication skills: how to “shut up and just listen.”

Visualizing human communications requires that we first examine nonverbal communications. This program teaches how to be more aware of the physiological indicators of paralanguage cues. You will develop various methods to understand these cues from a distance (telephonically) when line of sight communication is not attainable. The interlacing of nonverbal and verbal responses will also be examined. Several practical exercises will develop your emotional, intellectual, and auditory perceptions of communications.

Although this program focuses on remote listening skills, its value is not lost with in-person communications. In fact, by utilizing the concepts of this book, your understanding of body language will increase dramatically. This skill set is helpful in many settings—not the least of which is in face-to-face negotiations, interrogations, or depositions. Plus, the program provides the incidental benefits of enhanced interpersonal skills with patrol partners, colleagues, supervisors, and significant others.

I hope this has encourage you to join me for more thoughts on Visual Listening. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and getting to understand how this technique has helped you or someone you know.

Have a FANTASTIC week!