On Being An Amplifer

It recently occurred to me that I am an amplifier. As a voice coach for the past 25 years, I have supported people in “finding their voices,” whatever that means to them.

Many of my voice clients are doing essential and beautiful work in the world – work that matters to me.

One current client is a leader in an environmental nonprofit who is being called to become a more powerful and expressive speaker on behalf of protecting wild places.

Another — a woman health care executive — is finding ways to ensure that she speaks her truth with confidence in her large organization, especially when things get challenging. I have a special incentive to support her voice as her organization is my health care provider.

I worked this summer with a teacher who teaches English to young immigrant children. We did some work to strengthen her singing voice. Then right before school began, we co-created a little song to encourage her pupils to be brave and persistent in their learning. She plans to teach the song to the children – and if she is brave enough – to her colleagues as well.

I am also working with a rabbi on his annual High Holiday sermons. I worked with him in preparation for last year’s services and he loved having a sounding board and practice partner for these important messages.

I’ve worked with a hospice chaplain who is dedicated to helping other hospice workers take better care of themselves. Her chaplain voice – soothing and soft – doesn’t serve her as a public speaker. It tends to put people to sleep. She is learning to access a more dynamic and passionate part of her voice so her message can be heard and received in larger groups.

Many of my clients have been introverts whose gifts are being called into the world. They want to find ways to express themselves that are effective while feeling authentic to who they are.

Two of my current clients are from other countries (India and Mexico). They are finding ways to speak English more naturally and vividly in their everyday lives and work.

I’ve worked with many people in transition between jobs, careers, or times of life. By connecting to and opening up their literal voices, they often find new insights from their inner voice of wisdom and new ways of expressing their gifts.

It touches me that my work can support all of these brilliant people in doing their work better. By supporting their voices in the world, I can help things happen that I am not capable of doing myself.  What could be better?

Tell me, how do you amplify the gifts of others in your work and community?