Lesson 4: Finding Your Voice - Communication and Authenticity
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Understand the principles of effective communication - Apply the “92 beats per minute” rhythm for optimal delivery - Develop techniques for generating original thoughts - Cultivate your authentic voice in both personal and professional contexts
Introduction: The Communication Conundrum
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information, the ability to communicate effectively isn’t just a nice skill to have—it’s essential for success in virtually every domain of life. Yet despite spending most of our waking hours communicating in some form, few of us have ever been taught how to do it well.
Jimmy Carr, who has built a career on his ability to communicate effectively with audiences, offers a fascinating insight:
“Speak at 92 beats a minute. When you look at the great public speakers, they all seem to be hitting that rhythm of 92 beats a minute.”
This lesson explores how to develop your communication skills and authentic voice, examining both the technical aspects of delivery and the deeper question of finding what you genuinely want to say.
The Science of Effective Communication
The 92 BPM Principle
The “92 beats per minute” observation isn’t arbitrary—it aligns with research on optimal speech patterns. This rhythm:
- Is slow enough for comprehension but fast enough to maintain interest
- Creates natural pauses for emphasis and processing
- Matches the average adult’s optimal information processing rate
- Conveys confidence and authority
Exercise 1: The Rhythm Practice Record yourself reading a paragraph at your natural pace. Then try again, consciously aiming for the 92 BPM rhythm (about 1.5 words per second). Notice the differences in how authoritative and clear you sound. Practice with different types of content—technical information, persuasive arguments, and personal stories.
The Technical Elements of Communication
Beyond rhythm, effective communication involves:
1. Vocal Variety - Pitch: Varying high and low tones - Volume: Strategic shifts between louder and softer - Pace: Speeding up and slowing down for emphasis - Pauses: Using silence for impact
2. Physical Presence - Posture: Upright but relaxed - Gestures: Purposeful and aligned with content - Eye contact: Consistent but not staring - Facial expression: Animated and congruent with message
3. Structural Clarity - Clear beginning, middle, and end - Signposting key points - Logical progression of ideas - Memorable opening and conclusion
Finding Your Authentic Voice
Technical skills matter, but authenticity is what truly connects with others. As Jimmy notes about comedy:
“I’m going to start teaching comedy because it teaches you how to come up with original thoughts, to find your voice.”
This applies far beyond comedy—in every domain, finding your authentic voice is what separates forgettable communication from truly impactful expression.
The Originality Challenge
In a world where nearly everything seems to have been said before, how do we generate original thoughts? Jimmy’s approach to comedy offers valuable insights:
1. Unique Perspective Your specific combination of experiences, knowledge, and viewpoints is unique. Original thinking often comes not from discovering completely new ideas, but from making novel connections between existing concepts through your unique lens.
2. Questioning Assumptions Original thoughts frequently emerge when you question what everyone else takes for granted. Ask: “What if the opposite were true?” or “Why do we accept this as normal?”
3. Cross-Pollination Expose yourself to diverse fields and ideas. Original thinking often happens at the intersection of different domains—applying concepts from one field to solve problems in another.
Exercise 2: The Perspective Shift Select a common belief or practice in your field. Write three alternative perspectives on it: 1. The complete opposite view 2. How someone from a totally different field might approach it 3. How it might be viewed 100 years in the future
Authenticity vs. Performance
A common misconception is that authenticity means “just being yourself” without any conscious effort. In reality, effective authentic communication requires both:
Authenticity: Speaking from genuine beliefs and values Performance: Presenting those authentic thoughts effectively
Jimmy’s career demonstrates this balance—his comedy reflects his actual perspective (authenticity) delivered with carefully honed technical skill (performance).
Finding What You Actually Think
Before you can communicate authentically, you need to know what you genuinely think. Many people struggle with this, having absorbed opinions from others without conscious examination.
Techniques for discovering your authentic thoughts include:
1. The Writing Clarification Write continuously for 15 minutes without editing or censoring. Often your authentic views emerge once you push past the initial “expected” responses.
2. The Contrarian Test For any position you hold, ask: “What would convince me to change my mind?” If nothing would, you may be holding the belief for identity reasons rather than evidence.
3. The Explanation Challenge Try explaining your position to an imaginary intelligent child. Areas where you struggle to explain clearly often reveal gaps in your understanding or authentic belief.
Impostor Syndrome and Authentic Communication
Jimmy offers a fascinating perspective on impostor syndrome:
“You’ll be chasing impostor syndrome, and it’s great—you should feel it. Every 18 months you learn that failure is one of the great gifts of standup comedy.”
This suggests that impostor syndrome—the feeling that you’re not qualified to speak on a topic—isn’t something to eliminate but rather a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries. The key is not to let it silence you.
Strategies for Managing Impostor Syndrome
1. Reframe as Growth View impostor feelings as evidence you’re stretching beyond your comfort zone, not proof you don’t belong.
2. Focus on Service Shift attention from “How am I performing?” to “How can this help others?”
3. Embrace the Beginner’s Mind Acknowledge what you don’t know—this often increases rather than decreases your credibility.
4. Document Growth Keep a record of your progress to remind yourself how far you’ve come.
Practical Applications: Finding Your Voice in Different Contexts
Professional Settings
- Identify your unique professional perspective based on your specific combination of experiences
- Develop “signature phrases” that encapsulate your viewpoint
- Create a personal communication style guide (words you use/avoid, themes you emphasize)
Creative Expression
- Experiment with different mediums to find where your voice flows most naturally
- Create “without permission”—produce work without waiting for validation
- Establish a regular practice of generating ideas without immediately judging them
Personal Relationships
- Practice expressing needs and boundaries clearly
- Develop comfort with appropriate vulnerability
- Identify and reduce “social scripts” that don’t reflect your authentic self
Public Speaking
- Start with topics where your authentic interest is highest
- Use personal stories that only you can tell
- Develop a delivery style that feels natural while incorporating technical best practices
Conclusion: Voice as an Evolving Asset
Your authentic voice isn’t something you find once and possess forever—it evolves as you grow and change. The process of finding, developing, and refining your voice is ongoing.
What remains constant is the power of communication that balances technical skill with genuine authenticity. When you speak both effectively and truthfully, you create connections and impact that transcend the specific content of your message.
In our next lesson, we’ll explore how to transform failure from something to be feared into a valuable source of growth and development.
Suggested Visual Elements
- Infographic: “The 92 BPM Principle” - Visual representation of optimal speech rhythm with examples
- Diagram: “Authenticity vs. Performance Matrix” - Quadrant showing the balance between these elements
- Illustration: “Finding Your Voice Process” - Visual showing the iterative nature of developing authentic expression
Lesson 4 Checklist
Lesson 4 Cheat Sheet: Finding Your Voice
Key Concepts
- 92 BPM Principle: Optimal speech rhythm for authority and comprehension
- Vocal Variety: Using pitch, volume, pace, and pauses for effective delivery
- Authentic Voice: Communication that reflects your genuine perspective
- Originality: Finding unique viewpoints through perspective shifts and connections
- Impostor Syndrome: Reframing feelings of inadequacy as signs of growth
Communication Technical Elements
- Rhythm Control (92 BPM)
- Count “one-one-thousand” to approximate one second
- Aim for about 1.5 words per second
- Use natural pauses at punctuation
- Vocal Dynamics
- Emphasize key words with slight volume increase
- Lower pitch slightly at sentence ends for authority
- Increase pace slightly for less important details
- Slow down and pause before crucial points
- Physical Presence
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart
- Gesture from the shoulder, not just the wrist
- Make eye contact for 3-5 seconds per person
- Align facial expression with emotional content
Authenticity Development Techniques
- Morning Pages (15 minutes): Write continuously without editing to access authentic thoughts
- Perspective Rotation (5 minutes): View an issue from multiple stakeholder perspectives
- Contrarian Practice (10 minutes): Argue against your own position to test its validity
- Explanation Challenge (Varies): Explain complex concepts in simple language
- Passion Tracking (Ongoing): Note when you speak with natural animation and energy
Voice-Finding Language Patterns
- Replace “I think the consensus is…” with “My perspective is…”
- Replace “You should…” with “What works for me is…”
- Replace “The right approach is…” with “An approach I’ve found effective is…”
Emergency Authenticity Reset
When feeling disconnected from your authentic voice: 1. Speak about something you genuinely care about for 2 minutes 2. Notice your natural rhythm, vocabulary, and energy 3. Carry that authentic energy into your required communication 4. Focus on service to others rather than self-evaluation
Communication Development Template
Voice Development Worksheet
Date: _________________
My Natural Communication Strengths: 1. ________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________
Technical Elements to Develop: 1. ________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________
Topics Where I Speak Most Authentically: ________________________________________________
What I Notice About My Communication When I’m Passionate: - Rhythm: __________________________________________ - Vocabulary: _______________________________________ - Body language: ____________________________________ - Energy level: ______________________________________
My Unique Perspectives Based On: - Professional experience: ____________________________ - Personal background: _______________________________ - Cross-domain knowledge: ___________________________ - Contrarian viewpoints: _____________________________
My Signature Phrases: 1. ________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________
Impostor Syndrome Triggers and Responses: - Trigger: _________________________________________ - Reframe: ________________________________________ - Action despite feeling: _____________________________
Communication Goals: - Short-term (this week): ____________________________ - Medium-term (this month): _________________________ - Long-term (this year): _____________________________
Feedback Collection Plan: ________________________________________________