January 10, 2019
After a nice long break over the holiday, many of us are finding it hard to get back into the swing of things. Okay–maybe it’s just me. So, I thought I would devote the month of January to getting those of us who are struggling back on the right track.
December 17, 2018
My oldest sister Arlean Brown recently passed away and her service was on December 8th, two days before my birthday. She had been ill for some time, suffering from multiple strokes over a span of 20 years.
October 18, 2018
I’ve worked with a number of C-suite executives– high-ranking executives often considered the most powerful and influential members of an organization. On one occasion, I was working with a company president preparing to do his first live webcast to his organization of over 200,000 employees. About one hour before showtime, everything was set including lights […]
October 4, 2018
Years ago, I relocated to begin a new job. I was both nervous and excited to be moving to a new city, taking on the challenges of a new job and having the opportunity to meet new friends and colleagues. Under all the nervous energy was the commitment to exceed expectations and be someone my […]
September 20, 2018
I have a confession—I hate networking–especially at large events! Whether it’s one-on-one, attending business events or social gatherings, networking is a necessary part of life for both entrepreneur’s and professionals. I often tell the story about the time I was on a plane traveling back to the United States from a week-long business trip to […]
September 13, 2018
When I think about it, I’ve always had a personal board of directors. These individuals are trusted colleagues and friends I can always turn to for business and career advice. Each brings a unique skillset to the table. They challenge me to think “outside of the box,” when it comes to business and operations. I […]
August 16, 2018
When I began my first communications internship at Calgon Corporation, I was assigned a mentor as part of the Inroads Pittsburgh career development program. My mentor Jeff happened to be African American and head of the company’s IT department. He would check in on me from time to time. However, I didn’t quite understand why he […]
August 9, 2018
A good image and a positive attitude can go a long way. The image we are ultimately building in the workforce is a team player who is positive, flexible and a hard worker. No one wants to be around negative people no matter how well they perform on the job. I generally refer to these people as “Negative Nellies or […]
August 2, 2018
Approximately five years out of college, I was downsized from my marketing and public relations position at Calgon Corporation. I had interned with the company for three summers and was hired for a full-time position before college graduation. Hence, this was the first time I had to look for employment as a professional.
June 28, 2018
What do you do? Whoop there it is—the question that is asked on many occasions when meeting someone for the first time. And for those of us who might be going through a career transition, it can be an uncomfortable inquiry.
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.
