At July’s Innovation Day, we welcomed Amelia Sciandra, Professional Learning Advisor at KnowledgeBrief and trained actor.
As a leader, how often are you required to speak in front of people? Does your voice sometimes (or always) let you down? Your voice is a powerful tool that influences people’s perception, drives communication and helps you articulate your vision.
A great leader (and a great presenter) is authentically themselves. In an increasingly technological age, with so much communication happening through media, the authentic voice of a leader is more important than ever. Rather than stepping away from the potential vulnerability that comes with being genuine, a leader must tap into their true selves. By doing so, they’ll encourage their employees to do the same, thus creating an atmosphere of self-awareness in the organisation.
Followers are inspired by leaders who are unafraid to be themselves, which allows for effective communication. Authenticity opens the door for passion and truth, ensuring a message is clear.
So, how can we cultivate a strong leadership voice?
Understand the physiological consequences of presenting. For many people, standing in front of a crowd triggers a trauma response. As the body goes into what’s colloquially referred to as “flight/fight/freeze,” there are certain physical and psychological reactions that can make speech increasingly difficult. Educate yourself on these responses so that you can recognise them and begin to coach your body out of the traumatic response.
Acknowledge your unique sound. In a world with voices like Barack Obama’s and James Earl Jones’, there can be a lot of pressure to make your voice sound a certain way. Mimicry and pretence never serve a leader or presenter and can, in fact, detract from your message. Through experimentation, preparation, and a sense of curiosity, you can find your unique sound. Embrace the true sound you make and work within it, rather than attempting to fit yourself into a box. This will demonstrate your self-assurance and fuel credibility, which is intrinsically tied to the authenticity with which you speak, making you a better communicator and an inspirational leader.
Be quiet. Part of what makes a great speaker and leader is a willingness to welcome silence. Too often in presentations and meetings, the conversation is dominated by filler sounds or speaking for the sake of it. An ability to dynamically use silences in the way you present and speak in general will give you a leg up in establishing a presence. Use the quiet moments as an invitation for the listeners to lean in, to reflect or to simply catch up with the presenter. Silences are especially helpful if your audience doesn’t speak English as their native language: it can allow them a moment to translate and get on the same page.
Improve how you speak, not just what you say. Many companies have an internal training program that likely includes “presentation skills,” but these courses almost never include actual voice training. Rather than only learning how to design a slide, invest in training that includes healthy voice practice as well. This awareness of the practice of speaking creates more effective communicators and invites you to invest in your own vocal development. Many people struggle with confidence, and practical voice training is the first step to tackling that difficult barrier.
These are just some key highlights taken from July’s Innovation Day. Each month, clients of the Innovation Programmes receive a full ACT report, capturing the guest expert’s research, the implications and next steps for leaders to apply back in their team and organisation.
Sources: Sciandra, A. (2019) ‘Your Voice’s Role in Leadership’, KnowledgeBrief Innovation Day Presentation, 10 July.