SoundWave FAQ
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What is SoundWave®?
SoundWave is a communication assessment and development framework that helps people become more skilful and agile in conversation. Through the SoundWave 9 Voices, it makes visible how we habitually Ask, Suggest and Tell, giving individuals, teams and organisations a practical language for understanding their conversational patterns and making more intentional choices in the moment.
SoundWave is grounded in the belief that talk is action. How we speak and listen shapes how ideas are shared, relationships are built and work gets done. Rather than prescribing one right way to communicate, SoundWave helps people expand their conversational repertoire and become more skilful in recognising what different people, purposes and situations require.
Who created SoundWave®?
The SoundWave® model and assessments were developed and introduced in 2012 by Kevin Eyre, a British organisational development consultant with a longstanding interest in how talk shapes the way people think, relate and work together. Drawing on his experience with leaders and organisations, he developed SoundWave to make conversational patterns more visible and give people practical ways to become more skilful in how they talk and listen.
What does SoundWave® measure?
SoundWave’s suite of assessment tools measures patterns in how you use talk, based on the 9 Voices of Ask, Suggest and Tell. It shows the extent to which you tend to use the different voices (aka verbal strategies), helping make your habitual conversational repertoire more visible.
Ultimately, our assessments do not seek to measure if one is a “good” or “bad” communicator. The purpose is to give you data on the conversational patterns you rely on habitually, so you can recognise where you may be over- or under-using particular approaches and develop greater range and adaptability in how you talk.
What kind of research is SoundWave® based on?
SoundWave® draws on established thinking in organisational development, linguistics, sociology, and interpersonal intelligence. Founder Kevin Eyre developed SoundWave as an answer to some of the communication challenges observed in organisational behaviour. Its framework was influenced by three-dimensional models in social science, while key ideas such as Inquiry and Advocacy come from established work on dialogue and discourse psychology, including William Isaacs and Peter Senge.
To explore this in more detail, we invite you to download the official SoundWave whitepaper.
What is the SoundWave® 9 Voices?
The SoundWave® 9 Voices is a proprietary communication framework that describes nine distinct verbal strategies within three broad ways of talking: Ask, Suggest and Tell. Together, the Voices give us different ways to explore, contribute to and direct a conversation.
Inquire, Probe and Diagnose sit within Ask. Articulate, Advise and Advocate sit within Suggest, while Critique, Correct and Challenge sit within Tell. Each Voice has a distinct contribution, known in SoundWave as its Brilliance, which describes the value it can bring when used skilfully and at the right moment. The way we use these Voices can influence how others think, feel and act in a conversation.
We all use the 9 Voices to varying degrees, but tend to rely more readily on some than others. SoundWave® makes these habitual patterns more visible, helping us develop greater range and become more conscious and skilful in choosing how to respond according to the person, purpose and situation.
Is SoundWave® a personality test?
No, personality tests are psychometric and focus on an individual’s internal characteristics like talent and behavioural tendencies. SoundWave® functions as a sociometric tool that measures and provides a better understanding of how you communicate with others through talk. As such, the tool empowers the more fluid and adaptable aspects of conversation, rather than a person’s deep-rooted and established personality traits.
What is a sociometric tool vs a psychometric tool, and which is SoundWave®?
Sociometric tools explore and improve interpersonal interactions through verbal conversations and non-verbal body language, such as gestures, posture, and tone. On the other hand, psychometric tools like CliftonStrengths and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) focus on internal values, such as personality, soft skill aptitudes, and talents. Sociometric and psychometric tools are often applied together to provide a holistic roadmap for personal and professional development.
SoundWave® is sociometric because it examines how people use talk with others, using the 9 Voices to make habitual conversational patterns visible and developable.
How is SoundWave® different from other communication tools?
Different communication tools focus on different aspects of how we interact. SoundWave starts with talk itself.
Through the 9 Voices of Ask, Suggest and Tell, SoundWave makes habitual verbal strategies more visible and gives people a practical language for expanding their conversational range. Each Voice has its own value and a time and place, so the focus is on choice rather than correction.
Because the Voices describe practical ways of talking, the insights can be applied immediately, helping you make a different conversational choice as soon as your next conversation.
What is interpersonal intelligence and how does SoundWave® develop this?
Interpersonal intelligence is the acquired ability to understand, interact, and relate to others. Individuals well-equipped with interpersonal intelligence can effectively reduce the risks of miscommunication and strengthen teamwork despite stressful situations. Interpersonal intelligence also matters in what was spoken and how it was said, which when left unchecked, may lead to conflict.
The ability to conduct effective conversations has a significant influence on an individual’s interpersonal intelligence. And doing so requires deeper understanding that voices are choices and having more awareness and control over conversation can shape social outcomes and connections.
SoundWave helps to enhance interpersonal intelligence, particularly in how a person naturally speaks, by achieving conversational agility based on the SoundWave 9 Voices framework. Through the SoundWave process, individuals can broaden their interpersonal fluency while leveraging their unique conversational strengths.
Who are the SoundWave® assessments for?
SoundWave Assessments are for anyone who wants to better understand how they talk and develop greater conversational agility. They can be used by individuals, leaders and teams to recognise habitual conversational patterns, understand the impact of those patterns and develop greater range in how they Ask, Suggest and Tell.
They are particularly useful where conversations play an important role in how people lead, collaborate, make decisions, solve problems and build working relationships.
What's the difference between the SoundWave® Brilliance 3, Self-Perception, and 360 Assessments?
- SoundWave Brilliance 3 Assessment (B3): A snapshot of your top 3 habitual SoundWave Voices and how they tend to show up in conversation. The B3 Assessment is designed as a starting point on your SoundWave journey.
- SoundWave Self-Perception Assessment (SP): The Assessment unpacks the full range of your SoundWave 9 Voices, divided into the verbal styles of Ask, Suggest, and Tell. SP also reveals your unique conversational strengths, passive and accentuated voices, and listening ability.
- SoundWave 360 Assessment: The leadership communication tool further develops interpersonal intelligence by comparing self-perception results with 360 feedback from 4 levels of stakeholders.
What do I actually get from a SoundWave® Assessment?
You receive a personalised SoundWave report with insights into how you tend to use the 9 Voices in conversation, highlighting the conversational patterns you rely on most and where you may have opportunities to broaden your range. Depending on the SoundWave Assessment, your report may also include additional insights such as listening patterns or feedback from others.
The aim is not simply to give you a profile, but to help you understand how your conversational behaviour shows up in practice, and how you can become more intentional about when and how you use your voices.
Can I work with a SoundWave® Accredited Coach Practitioner after receiving my results?
Yes. A SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner can help you explore your results in greater depth, understand the patterns behind your profile, and identify where you may want to flex or expand your conversational range.
They can also help you apply the insights to real situations, such as leadership, team dynamics, relationships or specific conversations you want to handle differently.
Does my result change?
Yes. SoundWave is a sociometric tool that provides a snapshot of how you currently perceive and use your talk. Because the way we talk is not fixed, your results may change over time as your experiences, context and conversational habits evolve.
What if I don't agree with my results?
That’s okay. Your SoundWave profile is a snapshot of your current conversational patterns, not a fixed judgement of who you are.
If something doesn’t resonate, use it as a prompt to reflect on where that pattern does or doesn’t show up. You can also explore your results with a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner, or use a 360 Assessment to compare your self-perception with how others experience your talk.
The aim is not to decide whether a result is “right” or “wrong”, but to use it as a starting point for greater awareness and development.
Can I retake my assessment?
You can retake the SoundWave Assessment, although the aim is not to achieve a “better” score. SoundWave is designed to help you develop greater range and skill in conversation. For deeper development, we recommend working with a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner to understand your patterns better, practise where and how to flex your Voices, and consider when reassessment would be useful.
What languages do my SoundWave® Reports come in?
SoundWave reports are currently available in English, Spanish, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified scripts).
Where can I purchase the SoundWave® assessment?
Visit the SoundWave Assessments page to compare your assessment options.
If you would like to start with the Brilliance 3 (B3) assessment, you can purchase it here. For the Self-Perception (SP) or 360 assessment, you can get started through a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner, who will support you through the assessment and interpretation of your results.
Which assessment should I start with, Brilliance 3, Self-Perception, or 360?
You can begin your SoundWave journey with either the Brilliance 3 (B3) or Self-Perception Assessment, depending on the level of insight you want. B3 offers a concise introduction to your conversational patterns, while SP gives you a more comprehensive view across all 9 Voices, including your accentuated and passive voices.
The SoundWave 360 assessment adds feedback from others, allowing you to compare your own perception with how your conversational behaviour is experienced by different stakeholders. It is particularly useful when you want a broader view of your impact in relationships, leadership or development. For this reason, we recommend completing the Self-Perception assessment first, before moving on to the 360.
How much does an assessment cost?
The SoundWave Brilliance 3 Assessment is accessible online at £20.00.
The SoundWave Self-Perception Assessment costs £100.00, while the SoundWave 360 Assessment costs £150.00. Both are available for purchase through a SoundWave® Accredited Coach Practitioner.
Do I need to engage a SoundWave® Accredited Coach practitioner to take the assessments?
Not for every SoundWave Assessment. You can take the SoundWave Brilliance 3 Assessment online independently and interpret the results based on your report.
The Self-Perception and 360 assessments are facilitated by SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioners, who will help you interpret your results and apply the findings to develop your habitual verbal strategies.
What happens after I purchase an assessment?
Once your assessment has been purchased, you’ll receive access to complete the questionnaire online.
For the 360 Assessment, once you add your stakeholders’ email addresses, they will each receive an invitation to complete a feedback questionnaire. Your report can then be generated once the required feedback has been submitted.
After completing the questionnaire, you’ll receive your personalised SoundWave report, which you can use as a starting point for understanding your conversational patterns and identifying where you may want to expand your range.
How long does it take to complete an assessment?
All SoundWave assessments take approximately 15–30 minutes to complete.
The 360 Assessment may take longer overall, as invited stakeholders will also need time to submit their feedback before your report can be completed
How will I receive my results?
For B3, your report can be accessed directly via email or through the dashboard after completing the assessment.
For SP and 360, your results are typically reviewed with a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner, who can help you interpret your profile and apply the insights in practice.
What happens after I receive my results?
Once you’ve completed your SoundWave Assessment, you will receive a personalised SoundWave report, which reveals your unique voice preferences and other insights, such as listening patterns or feedback from others, depending on the SoundWave Assessment.
For deeper interpretation and development, a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner can help you unpack your profile, explore where you may want to flex your conversational approach, and apply the insights in real-world conversations.
Those interested to use SoundWave in their own training, coaching, and/or other interventions may also sign up for the SoundWave accreditation programme.
Can I work with a SoundWave® Accredited Coach Practitioner after receiving my results?
Yes. A SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner can help you explore your results in greater depth, understand the patterns behind your profile, and identify where you may want to flex or expand your conversational range.
They can also help you apply the insights to real situations, such as leadership, team dynamics, relationships or specific conversations you want to handle differently.
How do I find a SoundWave® Accredited Coach Practitioner?
Visit the SoundWave Global Practitioner Directory to browse Accredited Coach Practitioners and find someone whose experience and focus align with what you’re looking for.
Who do I contact if I need help with purchases, assessments, or dashboard issues?
For questions on purchases, email enquiries@soundwave.global or use the contact form.
For technical issues with the dashboard or assessment, you could reach out to our support team at helpdesk@soundwave.global.
What is the SoundWave® Accreditation Programme, and who is it for?
The SoundWave Accreditation is a four-day communication coaching certification programme for anyone interested in using SoundWave in their professional practice. It is particularly relevant for coaches, trainers, consultants and L&D professionals who work with individuals, teams or organisations.
Graduates of this programme become SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioners, equipped to use SoundWave Assessments, interpret results and apply the framework in their work with clients, teams and organisations.
Is the SoundWave® Accreditation available online?
The SoundWave Accreditation programme is usually conducted in-person. Online SoundWave Accreditation options may apply for large groups or overseas (based outside Singapore) participants. Contact the SoundWave team for more details.
How can I experience SoundWave® before signing up for the Accreditation programme?
Join our free, two-hour SoundWave Taster Workshop for a hands-on introduction to the framework, the 9 Voices and how SoundWave can be applied in practice. It’s an opportunity to experience SoundWave for yourself before deciding whether accreditation is right for you.
How long does Accreditation last?
You’ll receive a two-year designation as a SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioner upon successfully completing the accreditation programme and evaluation requirements.
Are there discounts available for educators or NGOs?
Yes. Special rates are available for educators and NGOs on the accreditation programme. Contact the SoundWave team to discuss your eligibility.
Do I need a coaching background to get accredited?
No. You do not need to be a coach to become SoundWave accredited. The programme is designed for anyone who wants to use SoundWave in their work with people.
SoundWave can be particularly relevant for coaches, trainers, facilitators, consultants, leaders and L&D professionals since their work already involves developing people, facilitating conversations and supporting change. However, what matters more is an interest in improving conversations and helping others apply SoundWave in practice.
How can organisations use SoundWave®?
The SoundWave process gives organisations the foundation to build a shared language for better conversations. SoundWave achieves this by surfacing the unique ways each team member speaks and the way leaders respond to teams (and how their conversations land). That way, organisations can develop better dialogues, collectively progressing toward improved team dynamics and business outcomes.
Organisations can begin the SoundWave process in two steps:
- Taking the SoundWave Brilliance 3 and Self-Perception Assessments
- Having leaders follow up with the SoundWave 360 Assessment for insights on their conversational strengths and profiles and their impact on stakeholder perspectives.
An Accredited SoundWave Coach Practitioner can also work with you to interpret and apply your Assessment results, or facilitate a workshop for team-level experiences.
Can SoundWave® be used for leadership development?
Yes, SoundWave supports leadership development by raising awareness of how leaders talk and how they are perceived by others, which has a direct impact on their professional relationships.
SoundWave reports reveal a leader’s habitual preferences for the SoundWave 9 Voices, and patterns such as the most frequently used and least used voices. The report provides a clear and practical view of the SoundWave process as a starting point for enhancing relationships and achieving better outcomes.
The 360 SoundWave Assessment goes further as an executive coaching engagement tool by empowering leadership conversations across 4 levels of stakeholders (e.g., managers, peers, subordinates, and customers). As such, the 360 Assessment outlines different perspectives behind high-stakes decisions and strategic ways to align discussions for smoother collaboration.
Can SoundWave® be used for team development?
Yes, SoundWave contributes to team development by improving conversational clarity. Individual SoundWave Assessment reports guide team members in recognising their habitual voice preferences. Through a better understanding of their talking style, team members can complement others or recognise risk areas that may lead to conflicts and misunderstandings.
SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioners further support team development by conducting interactive sessions that transform individual SoundWave Assessments into actionable insights. These sessions include exploring everyday team dynamics across different working and conversational styles along with their challenges. As such, individuals can gain the practical skills needed to strengthen relationships and conversations through enhanced interpersonal intelligence.
Can SoundWave® be used for workshops or group training programmes?
Yes. SoundWave can be incorporated into impactful communication training workshops and development programmes. Facilitated use of SoundWave is reserved for SoundWave Accredited Coach Practitioners, who can help participants develop greater awareness, range and skill in conversation.
Can SoundWave® be integrated into an existing coaching or L&D programme?
Yes. SoundWave can be used both as a standalone intervention and to complement existing coaching and development programmes because it is designed as a developmental framework. It provides a practical language through executive coaching engagement for turning broader development goals into specific conversational behaviours, helping participants bridge the gap between what they intend to do and the impact they have on others. Because the 9 Voices can be applied immediately in everyday conversations, participants can put their learning into practice as soon as the next conversation.
In this way, SoundWave can serve as a last-mile development strategy, helping people move from knowing what they want to change to knowing how and when to change the way they communicate with improved interpersonal intelligence.
