Every parent wants to see their child succeed and understands that knowing the right answer simply isn’t enough - you have to be able to communicate it.  

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

We all know of the benefits of attending Speech Arts - enhanced expression, more passion when communicating, and developing a strong, confident voice. It’s important to get used to speaking in front of others, when all eyes are on you and you have to perform under pressure. Traditional Speech Arts allows you to channel your passion and build your vocal instrument. In traditional Speech Arts, you are trained to perform for an audience without interruption. 

 

I’d like to share reflections looking back at my journey as a student at The Speech Studio for over 12 years and some realizations I’ve made about workplace communication working as an Occupational Therapist. I’ve also had the opportunity to work as an OT in the Pacific Northwest as a traveling therapist, which was a different culture: you’re on a steep learning curve adjusting to a high intensity environment and trying to navigate a healthcare system which felt foreign to my own. In a situation like this, communication can be your ally when everything is new and the culture is unfamiliar. 

 

I attended The Speech Studio for over 12 years, participating in many recitals, the Kiwanis Musical Festivals, and speaking events, eventually obtaining the Associate Designation in Speech and Drama from the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT); and finally teaching at The Speech Studio. 

 

I noticed the benefits of Speech Arts through grade school, and especially as a student during my Undergraduate Studies. I stood apart from my peers in the Cell Biology program because I was able to present to a crowd - speaking passionately about genetics and cell biology to the instructor and classmates. My professors noticed my passion and confidence which helped me succeed as a student. The ability to assemble a presentation, speak passionately and confidently is not an easy skill to learn and develop, and certainly translates to workplace success. How many of us have had to give a presentation and dreaded every minute of it? I often say that Public Speaking is not forgiving, as it only takes one bad experience to give you jitters and make you nervous for years to come. In a circumstance such as this - giving workplace presentations - traditional speech arts can prepare you for the real world. 

 

Traditional Speech Arts translated to success when I was a student in the Occupational Therapy program. I was able to interact with residents, families, and members of the healthcare team with confidence. I enjoyed giving presentations and leading mock family case conferences when my peers often shied away. 

 

The Realization - Workplace Culture

 

Although early on in my career as an OT, something changed. When I entered the workplace I was the first to share my thoughts and opinions. While it’s great to have confidence, I realized the importance of tailoring your message to the person with whom you’re speaking. A patient with dementia, who is distracted and frightened. An overwhelmed family who lives far away and just wants their Mom and Dad safe. A young fellow with a brain injury who doesn’t have insight into his limitations. 

 

The real adjustment came when I started to understand the different healthcare organizations and systems as a traveling Occupational Therapist. I was so used to speaking confidently and passionately that I didn’t quickly perceive the different agendas of healthcare organizations and multiple disciplines. Some of the time there were conflicting values; most of the time there were competing values. Working as a consultant for a private healthcare company, in a new environment, in a different healthcare system showed me how dynamics and communication were more than being passionate and having good presentation skills. You have to be able to navigate systems, build rapport quickly, and listen intently while defending your scope of practice. 

 

I was lucky to be passionate about my work, although many individuals with whom I was working with didn’t share my same passion.  All of a sudden, I was expected to work with people who have different communication styles. I think of the leadership team when I was a traveling therapist, working as a consultant for a private healthcare company. Even though many of these individuals were not talkative, energetic, nor always passionate, they brought a different type of communication to the table - the ability to be focused, kind, intentional, and nimble. Being passionate doesn’t always translate to workplace success. You have to be able to navigate crucial conversations, disagree with someone more powerful than you, and be intentional about communicating with someone who has a different perspective than you. You are expected to listen, respond to a tense and emotional conversation with professionalism, and reflect on how your words are being interpreted. These softer skills, and I would say advanced communication skills, are not taught in traditional Speech Arts. While traditional Speech Arts gives you the tools to perform spoken word for an audience, communication in the workplace is an advanced skill.

 

At Reach With Speech, I bring a different perspective to traditional Speech Arts. While I acknowledge the importance of performing spoken word with passion and confidence, I use the group class to an advantage - preparing students to work cohesively as future professional colleagues, where they are supported in identifying their own goals, reflecting on their communication, and participating in exercises to improve their listening skills. Students get the opportunity to prepare off the cuff communication, as in the real world you don't always have time to prepare for a presentation. Students learn to ask questions constructively.