How Articulate Speaking Reflects a Capable Leader

A competent, professional image hangs on more than your appearance and body language: your voice can make or break an impression.

We all know the importance and value of our image, but many of us think that means how we look. Think again: People evaluate credibility not only with our eyes, but also with our ears.

Speak by Design polled more than 50 human resources professionals responsible for phone screenings of job candidates. One of the poll questions read, “‘What is the strongest indicator of confidence over the phone?”‘ It was surprising to see that 75 percent of respondents said vocal tone was the greatest indicator:

• 75 percent: a strong, supported vocal tone with warmth

• 2 percent: clear and precise articulation

• 23 percent: clever, insightful responses

The importance of how you sound

Tone of voice is certainly a good confidence indicator, but all three of the factors listed in the poll—tone, articulation and word choice—help build credibility with listeners. We communicate just as much through how we speak as we do through what we say. We can tell if someone is feeling tired, stressed or insecure by her tone of voice. We make judgments about someone’s educational background and economic status based on her articulation and word choice.

This is why today’s executives feel enormous pressure as spokespeople for their companies. Their oral communication is under scrutiny. When we feel tired, stressed or insecure, it can affect how we sound. Tension in the body can strangle sound. We don’t breathe or support our sound as we should. It is important to learn how to check those feelings before speaking to a colleague or client.

A leader’s voice and speech

The most memorable leaders use a combination of charm and authority in their vocal tone, speech and word choice to influence and motivate their audiences. Therefore, executives need to develop strong vocal skills to be able to quickly convey the following:

• An impressive educational background and breadth of experience

• A close cultural fit with the company

• Strong leadership skills

• The ability to thrive and survive in high-stress situations

• High integrity and loyalty

You can’t rely just on your ideas to convey all these strengths for you. A strong, confident voice with clear articulation says that you are used to positive situations and outcomes, that you are comfortable with yourself and others, and that you deserve to be the leader.

An executive must be clear and easy to understand, even erring on the side of formality. Naturally, the words should be clear, but the message must also be organized. It’s an executive requirement to know how to speak in headlines. Don’t jump into the details. Know how to stay high-level.

Executives should employ the language associated with performance reviews, company values and frameworks. As you use those words and ideas, your listeners will start to identify you with them. Reports and employees want their leaders to sound motivated, capable and confident. If you don’t sound like an expert, you may be making the opposite impression.

Process for improvement

Changing your vocal style is tough work, even with the very best voice and speech trainers to help you along. It’s important to practice new techniques daily, and look for opportunities to put them into play and involve others as supportive evaluators. Look for non-work opportunities (at the drive-through window, with department-store clerks) to practice your elevated way of speaking, so it feels natural before you introduce it at work. Look to your friends, family and networking events as chances to practice.

Strengthening your vocal tone requires both physical and mental adjustments.

Physical:

• Stand up or sit up straight.

• Breathe deeply; don’t be afraid to pause.

• Create more space in your mouth; relax your jaw.

• Amplify with healthy vocal support; match intensity and pace as well as you can.

Mental:

• Treat the listener as you would a friend.

• Don’t underestimate yourself or overestimate your listener.

• Convey genuine care.

• Treat each interaction as incredibly significant.

In addition, you’ll want to monitor your speech to remove words or phrases that sound too casual or indicate your age. Handle all phone calls with the same level of professionalism, regardless of the other person’s gender, voice or accent.

STEPHANIE BICKEL is the director of Speak by Design, a Chicago-based executive coaching firm.