Between the English Channel and the Celtic Sea, along the coast of Normandy, France, lies Mont-Saint-Michel, dating back to the early 8th Century. Atop the tidal island is the refectory of the Abbey, described as having “some of the finest acoustics around”. Some even describe it as an “acoustically perfect space”. This is the site where Byron sang a few bars from the Broadway musical, Into The Woods, in the beginning clip of this month’s Founder’s Corner.

Hi, I’m Byron Darden, bringing you another edition of Leading with Purpose on Purpose. In this installment, we are continuing our focus on one of a leader’s most valuable qualities: their voice. Did you know that research reveals that the voice accounts for 38% of the overall impact of a presentation on an audience. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find arguments to challenge how accurate that percentage really is. Whether or not you accept the idea that the voice accounts for more than a third of audience impact, you have only to conduct your own study.

Try this. Reset this video to the start and watch with the sound turned off. See for yourself how accurate the research is by noting your own experience of how much you depend on the voice to express important information you want to know. Then, after you’ve conducted your own experiment, share your comments and findings below. Let us know where you stand with the results of the study. And then, enjoy the blog. 

Begin with Real-World Lessons in Vocal Influence.

A voice is multidimensional in that it carries words, emotion, energy, and identity. Some voices immediately draw us in with what they say and how they make us feel. Historically, voices from the American South have been associated with warmth and hospitality, which is why they’ve often been used in telephone marketing. They’re easy on the ear and create a sense of comfort. We experienced this with the late American President, Jimmy Carter. His gentle Southern drawl conveyed humility, compassion, and sincerity, qualities that shaped how the public perceived both the man and his message.

Great speakers across generations have shared a common trait: vocal resonance. It’s that deep, rich quality that seems to vibrate through the air and command attention—Martin Luther King Jr., James Earl Jones, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Adolf Hitler, to name a few. The latter of which may seem offensive to add to this list. Yet, these voices do more than communicate—they move people to action. Therefore, matching intention with the desired outcome is a must.

I remember experiencing this firsthand as a young boy visiting the Texas State Capitol with my father, who was then a state attorney. That day, my dad introduced me to Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who named me an honorary page. Her voice was unforgettable—deep, strong, and full of conviction. It was the first time I’d heard a woman speak with such unshakable authority. At least a woman outside of my family, all of whom carry unshakeable authority in their voices. I didn’t just hear Ms. Jordan’s voice—I felt it.

Years later, I attended the Broadway play Tea at Five, in which Kate Mulgrew portrayed Katharine Hepburn. In the play, Hepburn talks about how her voice teacher helped her cultivate the distinct tone we all associate with the actress. Her voice announced her presence even before seeing her on screen. Like Hepburn, many speakers, actors, and leaders alike intentionally shape their voices to reflect who they are and how they want to be remembered.

You can too!

We explored this in more depth in our earlier blog, “The Executive VOICE,” where we outlined five key tools every leader can use to strengthen their vocal presence. These tools—known collectively as Vocal Diversity—include:

• Pitch – the musical highs and lows that add emotion
  
• Speed – the pace that controls urgency and clarity
  
• Timbre – the texture or quality that makes your voice unique
  
• Volume – knowing when to command and when to soften
  
• Articulation – clarity in how your words are shaped and delivered
  

Monotone speaking quickly loses attention. By varying these elements, you create a voice that invites people to stay tuned in, whether you’re talking to direct reports, senior leadership, or an audience of thousands.

Your voice, when developed with intention, becomes one of your greatest leadership assets. Its power comes not from perfection, rather from sounding authentically you, while being confident, clear, and compelling.

Learn Why Your Voice Matters and how it impacts your legacy

The leadership ladder is imagery often used in business to articulate upward movement. It’s the path one takes from being recognized and tapped as a high potential candidate all the way through the C-suite of corporations. It’s a similar path for figure skating coaches as we move from being a class teacher to coach athletes in private and semi-private cohorts and all the way up to becoming world and Olympic coaches. 

It was during my rather meteoric and yet tumultuous rise in skating that a fellow coach approached me over lunch and suggested that I not rely on figure skating for my life’s path and instead, do something with my voice. Little did I realize how that lunch date would change my life.

This came as a bit of a surprise given my goal to become an Olympic coach. It was during the early 1990s when I lived in Boston that I was encouraged to apply to Emerson College in the Back Bay. Where the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Denis Leary, Henry Winkler and Jay Leno are notable alumni. I am not one of them. I dropped out after my first year to move on with my original goal to become an Olympic coach. Yet, the experience of going to Emerson College set me up for success in ways I never thought possible.

Hi I’m Byron Darden, bringing you another edition of Leading with Purpose on Purpose. In this installment we are focusing on what I learned at Emerson College, how to develop my voice. As a performance and oratory school, I learned that a leader’s voice is a fundamental and highly influential tool; a must have for a leader to influence the hearts and minds of others. So the next time you attend a lecture, a keynote address or even a TedTalk, notice what it is about the presenter’s voice that gets your attention and engages you to remain captivated by their message. In the meantime, enjoy.

Continue to Command the Room: Oratory as a Leadership Tool

An oratory is traditionally defined as a long, formal speech, sometimes so polished and performative that it borders on self-indulgent. In those cases, it can sound more like a speaker admiring the sound of their own voice than delivering something of real value.

In the world of leadership, oratory takes many forms. It can be a keynote speech or a town hall, and it’s just as likely to show up in a one-to-one conversation, a team presentation, or the facilitation of a meeting or workshop. In my work designing and delivering leadership development programs over the years, I’ve seen oratory unfold in moments both grand and small.

What matters most isn’t the setting—it’s the connection. When oratory is done well, it doesn’t leave people tuning out or counting the minutes. It becomes a moment of clarity, inspiration, and genuine impact.

Discover the The Leadership Influence of a Well-Tuned Voice.