What do Eleanor Roosevelt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Warren Buffet, and Beyonce Knolls have in common? They all possess a challenge with speaking to an audience.

Hello, I’m Byron Darden and welcome to this addition of Leading with Purpose On Purpose.

Throughout the course of our 7 month series on The Executive VOICE we’ve covered values based leadership, when leaders focus on achieving goals seen through the lens of their personal values much of which aligns with the values their organizations hold dear.

We’ve addressed openness that a leader profits from demonstrating by taking the time and interest to tap into their team’s views and opinions regarding whatever project in which they are all jointly engaged.

We even explored the need for leaders to practice the principles of intentionality in all aspects of their lives with the hope that being intentional becomes their default way of leading.

There’s also the concept of consistency in leadership delving into the idea that consistency is the name of game. Especially when you want customers to develop the grow, like and trust factor in products and services offered to them.

And there’s the overwhelming amount of data that greatly suggests that, when a leader succeeds at engaging their stakeholders, be them customers, employees, suppliers, communities and in the case of publicly held companies, shareholders . . . So much more can be accomplished in building a healthy bottom line.

This all leads to grounding the all inclusive Executive Voice. Which we complete in this final installment addressing what we hear and see from a leader who exemplifies The Executive VOICE.

Enjoy

Learning to convey compelling messages to your audience takes practice, and the benefits far outweigh the effort required to become an effective speaker.

Communication is an art form that is not only about what you say. It includes how you speak and express yourself, which, in turn, determines how others perceive you.

Aligning your intention with the desired impact is crucial, as how you are remembered when you are not present in the room determines your success. Using your voice, whether in person, virtually, or in print, is about shaping the perception of your character and the way you want to be thought of when your name is mentioned. It delves into the core question of who you want to be.

When your audience hears you speak for the first time, they automatically assess your social and economic status, intelligence level, and willingness to listen to what you have to say.

Perceptions are based on how you ACT:

1. How authentic you are, the image you portray, and whether your audience can personally relate to you based on your likeness or resemblance to them.
2. The content of your words, including word choice, phrases, and sentence structure, derived from your experiences, background, understanding, or wisdom that led you to your position.
3. The timing of your message, including how you verbally deliver the message, derived from your training, education, knowledge, insight, observation, or judgment based on the topic.

Your challenge is bridging the gap between what you say and what your audience hears.

A speaker’s voice plays a significant role in triggering personal and aesthetic biases. Different aspects of the voice impact our perception of the speaker.

1. The intensity of your voice, including volume and loudness, can evoke certain emotions or convey authority.
2. The rate at which you speak – the speed and pace – can influence others’ perception of your intelligence and confidence.
3. The frequency of your voice – encompassing pitch and quality – contributes to the overall impression of your personality and emotional state.
4. The inflection, which relates to the voice’s emphasis, contrast, and energy, adds depth and nuance to your communication.
5. The clarity of your enunciation and articulation affects how easily the audience can understand your message and determines their level of engagement with your words.

Our audible voice is a powerful tool that allows us to convey our thoughts, emotions, and intentions. However, sometimes we feel the need to improve certain aspects of our voice to make a greater impact on our audience. Whether you are a public speaker, an actor, or simply someone who wants to communicate more clearly and effectively, these transformations will guide you on your journey to finding your voice.

Move Away from	Towards
High Pitch	Low Pitch
Fast Speed	Slower Speed
High Intensity	Lower Intensity
Monotone	Voice Variation
Raspy	Clarity

In the next section, I’ll provide an exercise to help you explore these transitions.

The ideal voice pitch varies from person to person. For men, a lower to middle-range pitch can exude confidence, authority, and masculinity. For women, an ideal pitch is perceived as feminine, expressive, and engaging. While some women tend to lower their voices to fit cultural norms, your job is to find out what works for you and your audience.

Let’s revisit our example about RFK, Jr. and his voice. A survey by the American Scientist found that pitch matters to voters when choosing a leader. Candidates with a lower voice (male or female) were 13% more likely to win office than those with other voice pitches. This bias might be enough to switch favor from one candidate to another in a close election. It would be prudent to choose a candidate based on their message rather than the tone of their voice.

The same rationale can be applied to a CEO, a high-level executive, or an entry-level employee pitching an idea to their boss. When we determine what we need to say, how the message is conveyed can make a huge difference in its impact. Speak with confidence and authority and see how people respond to you.