The Other Voice

Let me see a show of hands on this. How many of us talk to ourselves? Maybe not out loud but at least with our inner voice. It does not have to be all the time but most likely it is nearly every day. Just what I thought: everyone's hand went up, including mine. We make an editorial comment about ourselves or another person. Perhaps we give ourselves a pep talk or a reprimand. Or maybe we practice or rehearse remarks or thoughts we need or want to share with others. The reasons may be many but the bottom line is there are times when all of us definitely do like the sound of our own voice.


There are two great qualities about our inner voice: it has our best interests at heart and it is honest with no pulled punches. The result is when our inner voice speaks we listen and weigh what it says. This does not mean we always pay attention to it, but without question we draw comfort from the fact it is friend not foe. Thus, our inner voice, or as  I call it our "other voice," represents the qualities of a solid and, yes, needed public relations council. It helps us process difficult times, light-heated moments, aspects in life we do not quite understand, and even come up with strategies on how best to contend with  and fulfill our own goals and needs.


I do not mean to make this "other voice" sound as if it is another person inside us. Obviously, it and us are the same. My point is this voice represents the kind of relationship a public relations professional should strive for with a client or chief executive officer. Speaking truth to power is not always easy, of course, but by establishing a solid reputation for being credible, loyal, empathetic, respectful, objective and honest, the professional communicator can provide an invaluable service to leaders with whom they work. Achieving such a position does not happen over night, of course, once reached, the amount of benefit fulfilling such a role brings great benefit with it.