Develop Your Authoritative Voice
Do you run out of breath quickly? Do you hold your
breath while speaking? Do you drop the energy at the
end of your sentences? Do you end your sentences
sounding like you are asking a question?
You’ll want to observe how you use your breath while
speaking, if you want to establish credibility and trust.
It’s the nuances in your voice that make a subtle yet
big difference.
3. Conviction
Mean what you say and say what you mean.
A person with a voice of authority speaks with
conviction. Without conviction, your message will
get lost, your impact will be diminished, and your
followers will cease to trust.
It is not just the words you say. It is how your voice
carries those words. A voice with conviction is a
voice that shows emotion. In the business world,
expressing emotions is seen as a sign of being
weak and affecting work efficiency and productivity.
As a result, most people have kept their emotions
bottled up and their voice has become a mere tool to
convey information. Interestingly, we are often drawn
to leaders and speakers who speak with genuine
emotions and who mean what they say.
Showing emotions appropriately will not make you
look weak, rather it helps you create openness and
connection with others. Trust is built on authenticity. A
leader needs emotions to build trust, set a vision, and
to make tough decisions. A speaker needs emotions
to establish connections, to motivate, and to inspire.
Those who speak with genuine emotions exude
radiance that draws people in. We call that charisma.
Start noticing your emotions and express them
appropriately. You will feel greater liberation and make
more impact when you can feel your emotions and
express them through your voice.
Authority is not a mystery. It can be cultivated. If you
want to build trust, earn respect and make an impact,
you can’t ignore the power of an authoritative voice.
References:
1 Mayew et al, (2013),. Voice pitch and the labor market success
of male chief executive officers. Evolution and Human Behavior, 34,
243-248.
2 Rindy C. Anderson and Casey A. Klofstad, Preference for Leaders
with Masculine Voices Holds in the Case of Feminine Leadership
Roles, C. 2012. PLOS ONE. 7(12): e51216. doi:10.1371/journal.
pone.0051216. 7
Can you have a voice that sounds
authoritative yet calm and pleasant?
Cynthia Zhai is a Voice Coach, Professional Speaker (CSP), and Best-Selling Author. She’s also a TEDx
speaker. She has helped professionals from 46 countries across 6 continents to speak with a powerful
voice. Cynthia has been a professional speaker and coach for the past 18 years and her engagement
spans 5 continents in 18 countries.
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