The Loudest Man in the Room

An excerpt from my book, Always Go to Sleep Fully Dressed, by me, Arthur T. Peterson.

You know when you are attending a networking event, building crucial business and social contacts to enhance the success of your company and of your life, and you hear a voice in the room? Not the voice of the man standing right next to you, or the man whose leg you just sat on. A man far across the room, a speck in the sea of innovative minds who somehow manages to make himself heard above the crowd? That man, reader, is the loudest man in the room.

The loudest man in the room doesn’t need a flashy red tie to command his audience’s attention. He doesn’t need to work hard at winning his companions over, by making steady eye contact with them or by listening when they talk. He doesn’t need to have parted his hair on the right side of his head or trimmed his nose hair before coming out. I’ll tell you, he doesn’t even need to make any sense when he speaks. Because that man has a special gift, shared by no one else in the room: the gift of volume.

The loudest man in the room can say anything he pleases, because when he speaks in a booming voice, he inspires belief in the power of his opinions. “MARMALADE IS THE BEST THING TO SPREAD ON TOAST,” he’ll say. “A MAN WHO USES GRAPE JELLY WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING IN LIFE.” And when he says it, he doesn’t say it to anyone in particular. He lifts up his head and announces it to the crowd. Whether or not anyone in the room was aware of his presence before, the force in his voice compels everyone to suddenly take note. “Who is this man with such strong convictions?” they say. “He speaks his words so loudly, they must be the truth!”

The loudest man in the room makes more networking contacts than his colleagues, and signs more deals. He makes more sales, and manages more employees at his company. He lights up each meeting with his enthusiasm, letting his every idea be known. And when a coworker offers up an inferior idea, he voices his concern to every attendee at the table. The loudest man in the room knows the meeting’s agenda, but also knows when his opinions are too good to wait for the appointed time.

In short, the loudest man in the room gets things done.

Do you have what it takes to embrace the power of loud speech in your business dealings? Try this: shut the door to your office and pull the shade down over your window. Now stand up on your chair so that you’re close to the ceiling, and turn your face up. Take a deep breath, and shout, “AHHH!” Wasn’t that refreshing? I’ll bet you could almost see the energy of your ideas spout out through your mouth, ones that had been trapped deep inside your belly. Now take another deep breath, and use your diaphragm this time to call out, “OAAAAAAAWWWWW!” Now you’re really getting somewhere! Feel the confidence that comes with volume! Soon you may be ready to try out your new skill around the office. Make a visit to the kitchen. Try telling the secretaries something like, “I FIND MAXWELL HOUSE TO BE THE SUPERIOR BRAND OF COFFEE,” and see how they react. You may find them all nodding in agreement, and one could even offer to brew you a fresh pot. Next you can test out your ability on the waiter at your next business lunch. “STEAK MUST ALWAYS BE TOPPED WITH MAYONNAISE.” And before you know it you’ll be speaking loudly at your dining companion as well: “I SAY WE TAKE ALL OF THE COMMAS OUT OF THE CONTRACT.” I will bet my pension on the fact that your steak will come smothered in mayonnaise and your contract will be written as a twenty-page sentence. Because you see, reader, a man who believes in the sound of his voice expressing an opinion is a man who can make a believer out of everyone he meets.

Everyone knows that one of the essential qualities of good leadership is a loud voice. So be like me, Arthur T. Peterson, and put yours to work. I guarantee you’ll watch your business grow today!