March 29, 2018
Think about a carton of eggs. They are usually all white, and there’s nothing different about them. However, if one egg happens to be gold, it will automatically get noticed. Your personal brand is what differentiates you from everyone else. It’s your unique value proposition and what separates you from your peers and, as a […]
March 22, 2018
A few days ago, I went to Sammie, my esthetician, for a bi-monthly facial. Sammie had just returned from a month- long trip to China. After a few minutes of small talk, I asked, “Did you do anything fun while in China?” “I wouldn’t call it fun,” she responded.
March 15, 2018
After 10 years of running my own business, I recently received my official certification as a women-owned business from the Women Presidents’ Education Organization (WPEO). The certification will help open additional business opportunities and will allow companies to include me in their respective supplier diversity counts.
March 8, 2018
One of the first components of building a personal brand is to understand your purpose. Having a sense of purpose is essential to our wellbeing. Believe it or not, numerous individuals wander through life without ever knowing their purpose.
March 1, 2018
I became fascinated with the topic of personal branding after hearing a Johnson & Johnson executive speak about it during a “lunch and learn” years ago. Since that time, I’ve studied it, written about it and conducted numerous Personal Branding workshops for corporate leadership development programs, universities and professional associations.
February 22, 2018
Have you seen the movie “Black Panther” yet? Since it was released last weekend, the film has already grossed over $235 million during the first weekend debut. According to media reports, It’s the fifth highest domestic opening weekend of all time, behind only the Star Wars, Jurassic World and Marvel’s The Avengers.
February 15, 2018
Okay, we are seven weeks into 2018. The question is, do you remember the lofty goals you set on January 1st? You know: lose 25 pounds…be more disciplined…read a book a week. If you are like most of us, those resolutions and the motivation behind them have become a faded memory filed somewhere in the […]
February 8, 2018
For years, I was caught up in a cycle of saying yes to just about everyone’s request…and later regretting it. Although, from time to time, I still slip into the pattern of not wanting to disappoint others, overall, I am much more assertive about my own wants and needs.
February 1, 2018
Did you happen to see the Grammy Awards earlier this week? During the show, Bruno Mars received six Grammy’s including “Best Album” and “Record of the Year.” Very impressive, right? I love his music and wasn’t surprised by all the accolades.
January 25, 2018
It’s amazing how we can let situations and other people ruin our day. When someone says something that we don’t like or that hurt our feelings, it immediately changes our attitude for the day or sometimes even the week!
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.
