In Julian Treasure’s TED Talk “How to speak so that people want to listen” (TEDGlobal 2013), he shares practical tips on communicating effectively and ensuring people listen. He emphasizes how our speaking styles impact our ability to connect. Treasure outlines several techniques to deliver motivational and memorable messages.

Speech outline

Theme: The power of effective communication to meaningfully connect with others
Opening: Treasure lists the “Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking.”
Key Idea 1: Think about what you say, using the four cornerstones of speaking: honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love (HAIL).
Key Idea 2: Think about how you say it, using different areas of your speaking style: register, timbre, prosody, speed, and volume.
Key Idea 3: Do vocal warm-ups before any important communication.
Closing: Treasure reminds the audience that speaking must be done intentionally to be effective.

Public speaking techniques

Vocal variety: Treasure is a master of his craft. He varies his pace, pitch, and volume to draw the audience in and emphasize parts of his message.
Hyperbole: Treasure opens powerfully with a list: “Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking.” The title is undoubtedly an exaggeration, which adds intrigue and a touch of humor to the opening of his talk. The negative framing also engages the audience because it makes them ask themselves: Have I ever made any of these mistakes?
Audience participation: Treasure leads the audience in vocal warm-ups, uniquely engaging the audience and driving home his message.

“The human voice: It’s the instrument we all play.”

Why is this TED Talk important and relevant?

We’re well into the digital age. And with that, we’ve seen the rise of Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook, where everyone now has a voice and everyone has something to say.

While the democratization of information is beautiful, it can also be overwhelming. Knowing what to listen to, what to pay attention to, and what to ignore is challenging. The noise level is constantly rising, so we do our best to identify the voices that are truly worth listening to. The ones that are authentic and honest.

As leaders and communicators, we must rise above the noise to reach our audiences.

Julian Treasure is a sound expert and author who believes that we are surrounded by noise pollution and must learn to communicate more mindfully.

In his TED talk “How to Speak so that People Want to Listen,” Treasure imparts his insights on why we often struggle to communicate in a manner that captures the attention of our peers. He shares how we can harness our speaking style to deliver our message with remarkable power, wherever we are.

Why does this topic resonate so universally?

Let me ask you this: When was the last time you found yourself in a misunderstanding? Or, more importantly, how often do you experience misunderstandings? I bet you’ve had at least one today, even if it was just a small one. And if you haven’t had one yet today, trust me, you will.

Julian Treasure’s talk on effective communication hits home for all of us because it addresses a fundamental human desire: to be understood. We all want to convey our thoughts and beliefs, and we want our message to be received in the way we intended. But, whether you’re in a meeting, an interview, or even a casual conversation, misunderstandings are all too common.

And we know the consequences of misunderstandings: hurt feelings, lost time, lost money—those are just a few of the big ones. So when Treasure offers a secret solution to these problems, it’s no wonder people are eager to listen.

The truth is most of us aren’t taught how to communicate effectively. Our teachers, mentors, and loved ones probably weren’t the best communicators, so the cycle of poor communication continues. Even after watching Treasure’s TED Talk, putting his words into practice can be challenging. But it’s what we all strive for because, as Treasure eloquently describes, we all envision “a world that does sound beautiful and one where understanding would be the norm.”

@ryanhawk12
Julian Treasure is a sound and communication expert. His TED Talk, “How to speak so that people want to listen” is in the top 10 TED talks of all time and collectively, his 5 TED talks have been listened to more than 100 million times! He is also the best-selling author of How to be Heard and Sound Business.
♬ Epic Emotional - AShamaluevMusic

The Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking

Treasure has developed a list of bad habits that harm our communication.

Gossip: Gossip erodes trust, damages relationships, and undermines personal integrity. Unfortunately, it’s too easy to get caught up in the temptation to spread rumors and talk about others behind their backs.
Judging: When worrying about being judged, it’s hard to be honest, vulnerable, or even share our thoughts and feelings.
Negativity: Negative thoughts and attitudes can spiral out of control, leading to a doom loop of complaints and despair.
Complaining: It may seem like a harmless release valve for our frustrations. Still, in reality, complaining often just perpetuates negativity and breeds more dissatisfaction.
Excuses: These are an all-too-common way of deflecting responsibility. Making excuses may provide temporary relief, but it leads to more problems and frustration in the long run.
Lying: Nobody wants to be subjected to lying, whether it’s a tiny white lie or a more significant deception. It isn’t easy to trust someone who embroiders the truth.
Dogmatism: Dogmatism is the tendency to believe that our opinions and perspectives are the only valid ones. We close ourselves off to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities, limiting our growth and understanding.

@markbouris Julian Treasure’s outlook on life is something I try to incorporate in my life every single day - would love to hear any of your favourite TEDx Talks in the comments | #juliantreasure #tedxtalk #markbouris ♬ Flowers - Miley Cyrus

What methods can you use to get people to listen when you speak?

Think about what you say...

The words you use should inspire and instill trust in people. Treasure shares four “cornerstones” to use as the foundation for communication. These should help you use the right words to communicate your message effectively. Just remember HAIL: honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love.

Honesty: Don’t hide facts or distort the truth when communicating with people. You’ve got to be a straight shooter, telling it like it is. That’s how you build trust and earn respect.
Authenticity: You can’t be trying to be something you’re not. People can smell a phony a mile away. So be true to yourself, and share that truth with others. Speak from the heart. Let your personality shine through. Expressing your thoughts in a way that’s consistent with your personality and values. That’s how you build connections.
Integrity: Integrity is something you have to live and breathe every single day. It’s about having strong moral principles and sticking to them. When you speak with integrity, you demonstrate a strong sense of right and wrong. People will have confidence in you that you are committed to doing the right thing.
Love: Love is the positive energy that’s conveyed through your communication. Speak from a place of kindness, empathy, and compassion. Choose words that uplift and inspire your audience.

...And the way you say it.

Your vocal delivery, or how you speak, matters as much as your words—if not more! Treasure says to think about these different areas as tools in your toolbox. You can pull them out whenever they come in handy: register, timbre, prosody, pace, pausing, and volume.

Register: There’s head voice, chest voice, and middle voice. It’s all about finding the voice that feels right to you. Perhaps you can speak more from your chest to add more weight and authority. Try speaking in a voice deeper than you’re used to. Do you hear the difference? That’s the power of register.
Timber: This is about how your voice feels. Research shows that we prefer rich, smooth, and warm voices. But if that’s not you, that’s okay, because you can train. Start practicing breathing, posture, and exercise techniques to improve your timbre.
Prosody (or intonation): This is where we really start to impart meaning with our words. It’s all about that sing-song quality we use to convey emotion and emphasis. Speaking in a monotone, or all on one note, is a big no-no. You need to break that habit of speaking in the same tone to really let your voice shine.
Pace: There’s a whole range of possibilities with pace. You can get your audience really excited by speaking quickly, or you can slow down to emphasize a point. Pace and prosody go hand-in-hand to give your words emotion.
Pausing: There’s nothing wrong with a bit of silence during a talk. In fact, pauses can be just as powerful as any words you might say. You can pause to add emphasis, create suspense, and give your audience time to reflect on what you just said.
Volume: You can really amp up your volume and get people excited. It can also be a powerful tool to grab people’s attention by going very quiet. Be careful not to constantly project your voice at a high volume, which can be off-putting.

Think of these as tips and strategies to ensure your words are heard, are clearly communicated, and capture and keep people’s attention when you’re speaking.

The bottom line

So, what do you need to do to ensure your words are heard and understood the way you intend?

Speak with honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love.

Speak with intention and awareness of the impact your words can have.

👉 Check out the full list of the most popular TED Talks all time.

Bonus talk

Treasure gave another TED Talk on communication skills two years prior.

Julian Treasure, “5 ways to listen better” (TED Global 2011)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSohjlYQI2AThe bottom line

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