November 13, 2019
I’m not smart enough…I’m not good enough…I’m terrible at math… I’ll never make enough money to support my lifestyle… It’s too hard to lose weight. These are just some of the limiting beliefs that many of us have. The question is: why do we allow limiting thoughts to fill our mind?
October 31, 2019
One of the biggest fears in life is public speaking. So how can we reduce the nervousness, sweaty palms, racing heart and general anxiety that many of us feel when we are asked to present? In working with my clients, here are five areas that we focus on to help get them more comfortable and […]
October 24, 2019
When you are asked for your professional bio, the conversation often goes like this: “Can you email me your professional bio? “Sure, I’ll get it to you by the end of the day.” Then panic sets in because you don’t have a bio. So, you scramble to assemble a quick and dirty career summary that […]
October 3, 2019
As I near, let’s just say, a significant birthday, I often look to the future, wondering what possibilities lay ahead. I also find myself looking back and reflecting on where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and what I could have done better.
September 12, 2019
Summer’s officially ended. That fabulous vacation is probably a distant memory. We’ve dropped the kids off for their first day of school after taking those embarrassing photos denoting the grade they’re entering. And, our college students are all settled on campus. Whew!!
August 15, 2019
For many individuals, it’s challenging to begin a conversation with strangers—especially at a networking event. Below are some ideas to help you get started.
July 18, 2019
When I began my career in public relations in the 1980s, I was the only minority and the only woman on a 10-person communications team. Today, there are many more women in the communications field, but there is still a lack of diversity when it comes to people of color. And, both women and people […]
July 3, 2019
Last week I spoke at the Women’s Leadership Roundtable of the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM). Nearly 175 women in science and engineering attended. The two-day conference focused on Personal Branding and Communications. Ironically, I spoke on the Power of Networking. So, how could I not practice what I preached—especially when it came to […]
June 20, 2019
The official summer season will kick off on June 21 and many of us already have planned our vacation escapes. We look forward to resting, relaxing and de-stressing. However, for some of us, just the thought of preparing to be out of the office for an extended period is stressful.
May 9, 2019
Several years ago, while working for PNC Bank, I was offered a great opportunity to serve as the director of shareholder communications. It was a highly visible position where I would work with the CEO of the company, as well as with a number of C-suite executives.
Have you ever been in a meeting where someone begins speaking and almost immediately commands everyone’s attention? They’re not necessarily the loudest person in the room. They may not even have the biggest title. But there’s something about the way they communicate that makes people stop and listen.
That’s vocal authority, and it’s an important part of executive presence.
We often think of executive presence in terms of how leaders carry themselves, how they dress, or how confidently they enter a room. But there’s another element that’s just as important: how you sound when you speak. Your voice sends powerful signals about your confidence, credibility, and ability to lead. And the good news? Vocal authority is a skill you can develop.
I’ve worked with leaders who had tremendous expertise and great ideas but struggled to communicate with authority. They knew their subject matter inside and out, yet their delivery didn’t always reflect their knowledge.
Having expertise and sounding like an expert aren’t always the same thing.
Whether you’re presenting to senior executives, leading a meeting, or having a difficult conversation, your delivery should reinforce your credibility—not undermine it.
Here are five ways to strengthen your vocal authority.
When we’re nervous or eager to share information, we tend to speak too quickly. Unfortunately, rushing can make us sound anxious rather than confident. Slow down, especially when making an important point. Give your audience time to absorb your message. Remember, you don’t have to rush to prove you know what you’re talking about.
Many people are uncomfortable with silence. They fill every pause with um, you know, or so. But a well-placed pause communicates confidence and composure. It also gives your audience time to process what you’ve said.
Confident leaders don’t feel compelled to fill every second with words.
Sometimes we undermine our credibility before we’ve even made our point. Consider the difference between:
“I just wanted to suggest that maybe we reconsider our approach.”
And:
“I recommend we reconsider our approach.”
Same message. Very different impact. You don’t have to sound aggressive. Just be clear, direct, and confident.
When communicating with senior executives, get to the point. Start with your recommendation, then provide the supporting information. For example: “My recommendation is that we delay the launch by two weeks. Here’s why.”
And once you’ve made your point, resist the temptation to keep talking. Overexplaining can weaken an otherwise strong message.
Vocal authority doesn’t mean speaking in a deep voice or maintaining a serious tone throughout every conversation. Use vocal variety. Adjust your pace, volume, and emphasis to reflect what you’re communicating. Your voice should convey enthusiasm, conviction, and confidence when appropriate. And remember, authority doesn’t mean intimidation. You can be warm, approachable, and still communicate with power.
Every time you speak, you’re reinforcing your leadership brand.
Here’s a simple exercise: record yourself delivering a short presentation or explaining an important recommendation. Listen to your pace, tone, word choices, and confidence.
Does your delivery reflect the leader you want others to see?
Executive presence isn’t just about how you look when you walk into a room. It’s also about what people hear when you open your mouth.
The voice of power isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about speaking with confidence and credibility that makes people want to listen.
Hi! I'm LaNella Hooper-Williams. Through my blog, my mission is to give you tips and practical tools that will help you build a powerful brand and accomplish your personal and professional dreams. You’ll learn strategies that help you manage your personal brand, get noticed and rewarded for your unique talents, and gain greater career focus.
