Why Talking Out Loud Works

Written by Suzanne Conroy, M.Ed., CTI, ICF

Dialogue is power(ful)–there is much impact in talking out loud. I believe we have all witnessed the insights we generate when we hear someone else speak aloud (think of listening to a keynote speaker). Moreover, when we hear ourselves talk out loud, there is sometimes a surprise at what we are saying and the insights we are speaking. We might announce – I didn’t even realize I felt that way until I said it out loud.  Oprah coined the phasing years ago as an ah-ha moment. Ah-ha moments happen constantly in coaching conversations. 

When we talk out loud, we are forced to slow down our mental processes, articulate what we know and focus on specifics (1).

There is much research on talking out loud and its direct effect on understanding and ability to solve problems. Any conversation is a caveat for learning and has the capacity to pivot thinking and to hear ourselves and others talk out loud to create insights. Talking out loud is revealing and organically creates our path(s) forward. The work is to create safe spaces for open and authentic dialogue where each person actively listens and learns.

Reference
(1) Parker, L., & Vetter, D. (2020). Knowledge and skills development. In Mentoring each other: Teachers listening, learning, and sharing to create more successful classrooms (pp. 35-59). Pembroke.