Find Your Voice

It’s never too late to develop a confident and commanding voice – speaking up could even give you a salary bump

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Do you wish your voice could sound more authoritative? Would you like to sound calm and in control, even when you’re upset or angry? Whether you’re communicating with your boss, partner or children, your voice can help you get your point across.

“We need to understand the effect our voice has on people when we use it correctly,” says Dr Louise Mahler, a voice coach and author of Resonate.

She reveals the blocks that can lessen the impact of your voice and shares her techniques to ensure people take notice when you speak.

Strike a pose

How you stand, sit and hold yourself affects the clarity and strength of your voice. “Women tend to cross their legs and their arms; if [your body is] twisted or unbalanced, your head comes forward, and your voice becomes strangled,” explains Dr Mahler. So you sound tense, and your voice is weaker and unclear.

TRY THIS: Stand with your feet apart, knees relaxed, and pelvis tucked under, with your chest out and shoulders back. Keep your shoulders and arms relaxed and place your hands in front, one holding the other wrist.