Linda Shields

Linda Shields is a speech pathologist, career-saving voice coach, keynote speaker, radio personality, columnist and the president of Speaking With Authority, Inc. She has extensive media experience and connects with people in a real and personal way. Linda enlightens and entertains with eye-opening "oh my gosh" insights into an area of an individual's image that most people are not aware of, how the quality of their voice impacts their daily life.

Linda Shields is also award-winning book author. "The Voice That Means Business: How To Speak With Authority, Confidence and Credibility Anytime...Anywhere" has impacted countless clients and radio/TV listeners with its practical voice tips and techniques for improving in the way people communicate both personally and professionally. Whether you are going for a new job, a promotion or raise or want to get your spouse, your kids or your dog to pay attention to you when you speak (we don't include cats because cats don't listen to anyone), learning how to use your voice can make a dramatic difference in your daily life.

Linda's strong educational background is the foundation of her work. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Her client list includes top executives, entertainment, media and professional presenters.

For a fun interview that hits people where they work and live, book a house call from the "voice doc", Linda Shields!

Linda works with meeting planners personally to create a powerful program based on the client’s theme and core issues. Her programs are energetic, entertaining, and interactive, and audience members experience a true model of the “voice that means business,” receiving practical, immediately implementable techniques to enhance their vocal image and improve the bottom line.

   Dynamic Keynote Presentations with Linda

The Voice That Means Business:
Creating a Vocal Image That Improves Your Bottom Line
You are proficient in the language of your business, but your voice is the tool that determines the extent of your success. If you want to develop a voice that means business, gets business, and keeps business, this is the keynote for you! During this dynamic program, you will conduct a “Vocal Audit” to identify your assets and liabilities; earn interest on your vocal power by investing small amounts of time to practice; reap the dividends of identifying and using your unique voice.

Voices, Vices, and Victories:
How to Talk Yourself Into the Life You Deserve
We all have them: those little voices in our head that steal our joy and keep us from our heart’s desires. They creep into our thoughts in the middle of the night, when we are about to try something new, or when we’re feeling tired or stressed out. The good news is that we have the right to talk back to these gremlins … and watch them disappear! In this entertaining, yet powerful keynote, Linda shares (in character!) the top ten negative voices we experience (such as the Critic and the Victim), and offers practical and do-able techniques to talk back with authority!

Shape Up Your Voice or Ship Out Your Career:
Top 10 Tips to Tone Up Your Vocal Power
You spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars working to get your body into shape, but are you overlooking a very critical part of your fitness program? Until your VOICE is in shape, you are not totally toned up — and it can have a dramatic impact on your career!
This is an interactive program, in which Linda draws on her background as a Master Trainer with Interactive Fitness Trainers of America to create metaphors between personal and vocal fitness. Audiences have fun learning how to maintain vocal wellness; exercise vocal variety to motivate, educate, and persuade; and create a consistently confident, credible vocal image.

   Linda Shields Offers Voice Coaching

Linda’s Coaching Mission:

The essence of Linda’s mission as a vocal image coach is that her clients must have a voice that means business, makes business, and keeps business to remain competitive in today's global marketplace. Professionals must get on better speaking terms with themselves. Most people spend a fortune on their hair, nails, skin, body and clothing, but neglect the one feature that can make or break their career — their voice! When it comes to credible service, your resume may be your "calling card," but your voice is your "business card."

What are the benefits of Vocal Image Coaching?

Each professional Linda works with brings unique issues and concerns that need attention. Every coaching project is customized to address the explicit goals of the client. Here are a few of the benefits Linda has provided to her confidential vocal image clients:

• Command higher level of respect and attention in the workplace;
  
• Project competence, confidence, and authority as a spokesperson for the company;
  
• Maintain a strong and healthy voice in a position involving a demanding and/or stressful speaking schedule;
  
• Add vocal variety by maximizing vocal characteristics to inform, inspire, and impact an audience.

    Linda Shields makes a GREAT interview!

Amp up your vocal awareness with Linda Shields, the 'voice doc'. Here are a few examples of some of the topics of discussion that will have you 'Speaking with Authority'!

• Voicemail 9-11! Linda Shields identifies the top voicemail violations that people commit. Plus, tips for creating impressive voicemail greetings and the rules when leaving messages.
• 'Voice Doc' in the house! Are you in vocal denial? Have you ever said, "That's not my voice?" or "I hate my voice" in response to hearing yourself on a recording or answering machine? Linda Shields will help your listeners open their eyes (and ears) to their own vocal saboteurs and give them helpful advice that gets results!
• The Vocal State of Things. Linda Shields, the 'voice doc' diagnoses the ten voice robbers that will steal your voice and gives you advice on how to defend yourself against these "criminals". Then Linda will prescribe a vocal hygiene routine and teach you how to find your authentic voice.
• How to Promote Yourself Without Apologizing. Have you ever found yourself starting a sentence with "I don't mean to bother you" or "This may not be a good idea, but..". People react to how you present yourself. Everyone knows it's important to look your best in order to make a good impression, but your words and tone of voice make up nearly 40% how you are perceived when you communicate.
• The Life-Voice Connection. We've all heard of the mind-body connection, but what is the life-voice connection and is it a real thing? Your physical health is reflected in your eyes, skin and hair, but your voice reflects your mental health, motivation and attitude. Explore the fascinating life-voice connection with Linda Shields, the 'voice doc'!
• A Check Up From The Neck Up. Good vocal health is just as important as good physical, mental and emotional health. The "voice doc', Linda Shields, examines how vocal vices and everyday habits, like loud talking or cheering for your favorite team, can injure your voice. Plus, you will learn how to uncover your "natural voice", get a short-course-on-discourse and find out how to take care of your voice.
• Nobody Listens to Me! How to get your spouse, your kids and even your dog to pay attention! (cats never will listen) Linda Shields, the 'voice doc', gives you advice on how to get that job or raise, get more dates, close more sales and get the respect you deserve with your voice. Transform your life by changing the way you use your voice!
• How to Deliver Bad News in Any Situation. Giving someone bad news is never an easy task, but using the right tone of voice and inflection can make your job and the impact on the recipient a lot easier. Learn how to handle these situations with grace and empathy.
• How to make sure your voice doesn't age you out of the job market. Looking for a job or a promotion at work? No matter whether you are 25 or 55 the "age" of your voice can be an obstacle in your job search. Linda Shields, the 'voice doc', will help you learn to use your voice so you do not to sound too young or too old in professional settings.
• How to Talk Back to Your Negative Inner Voice. Your internal dialogue has a powerful impact on your self esteem. Get a vocal and mind makeover from the 'voice doc', Linda Shields and become your own best friend!
• Fear Busters! Statistics show that people fear death and cancer less than speaking in public. Why is it that people would rather die than speak in public? The answer is fear, which is what organizations such as Toastmasters have been dealing with for years. Let Linda Shields, the 'voice doc', come to your emotional rescue with knowledge on how to speak that will help you rid yourself of the fear of speaking in public.
• Mumble Jumble. Do people have a hard time understanding you because you mumble or do not speak loudly enough? Do people tell you that you talk too fast? Linda Shields, the 'voice doc', explains how your voice can be your biggest asset or your largest liability and she gives you useful techniques for correcting some of the biggest vocal challenges.
• My accent is holding me back. Are you self conscious about your regional accent? ? Linda Shields, the 'voice doc', discusses the impact that heavy dialects, drawls and accents can have on your ability to succeed. Plus, learn how jargon, slang and sloppy enunciation can give people the wrong impression.