Huh? What did you say? Communication is even more challenging during the Coronavirus due to face masks.
It's frustrating to enter a store and not be understood. As stores reopen, business owners will have to deliver services using a face mask. Here are a few tips for communicating clearly.
Over articulate. A face mask is a filter that muffles sound. So no mumbling allowed. Before you put on the mask, do a few speech drills of the articulators. Put a pencil between your teeth and say this tongue twister- Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. Now say it without the pencil. You'll find yourself exaggerating oral muscles and pronouncing each syllable. Now say it with the mask on. Be cognizant of diction and don't swallow syllables.
Pause. Pause before you speak. Don’t blurt out a bunch of commands at once. Come to a stop at the end of the sentence. Pausing will add to the clarity and prevent your sentences from running together. Ex. "I'd like a small green tea. ( PAUSE ) With honey."
Project. At a distance of six feet, you may think you're in a conversational mode, but your voice is filtered through the mask. Think of yourself giving a presentation. Start at a louder volume without yelling. Use the same volume as if your were giving a stand-up presentation.
Leverage Body Language. First get attention by making direct eye contact and then start speaking. Use body language such as pointing or gesturing as additional cues. This is especially important if you’re the service provider. If you don’t understand the customer’s request, point to a few items you think they want. At the pharmacy, it might be easier to write the prescription name than trying to pronounce a long medication through a mask.
With a little patience and practice we can “unmask” the message and communicate clearly.
What is most frustrating about wearing a mask for you?
#speakingwithafacemask #Coronavirus #presentation