Level Up Your Professional Speaking Voice

Do you want to elevate your professionalism and confidence in how you speak? Has something about your voice always made you feel self-conscious or “less-than”? You’re not alone! Many people struggle with how they communicate, and cultural factors often play a significant role in shaping our verbal expression. From a functional perspective, challenges with speaking are often rooted in three key areas: air flow, articulation of consonants, and tongue and jaw independence.

Why Air Flow Matters in Speaking

Voice teachers are famous for emphasizing breath support—how many times have you heard, “Sing that with a supported sound”? The same principle applies to speaking. To develop an efficient and professional speaking voice, free and steady air flow is essential.

Research shows that employees with healthy, vibrant voices are often perceived as more professional in the workplace. Letting air flow naturally as you speak contributes to a free, clear, and engaging sound—key components of effective communication.

Mastering Consonant Articulation

Consonants can be tricky! While some stop air flow (like “b” or “t”), others require continuous air flow to be articulated clearly (like “m” or “y”). Understanding how air interacts with consonants can drastically improve your speaking clarity.

Here’s the secret:

• Stop Consonants: Sounds like “b” or “p” involve an “explosion” of air.
• Continuant Consonants: Sounds like “m” or “n” require smooth, ongoing air flow.

By learning to control your air flow, you’ll naturally articulate consonants more clearly, giving your voice a polished and professional quality.

The Role of Tongue and Jaw Independence

Here’s a fun exercise:

1. Stand in front of a mirror.
2. Lower your jaw and try articulating the “l” sound without moving your jaw.

What happened? Did your jaw move? If so, don’t worry—that’s common! Developing tongue and jaw independence is crucial for clear articulation.

Try again:

• Keep your jaw still while allowing only the tip of your tongue to touch the roof of your mouth to make the “l” sound.
• This exercise trains your tongue to move independently of your jaw—a skill that is harder than it sounds but absolutely essential for professional, clear speaking.

The Interconnected Nature of Your Voice

As with most aspects of physiology, each part of the vocal system influences the others. For instance:

• Air flow impacts consonant articulation.
• Tongue and jaw independence affect how consonants are pronounced.

When all these elements work together, you’ll achieve a healthy and free speaking voice that resonates confidence and professionalism. Investing in your voice is an investment in yourself.

Final Thoughts

Your voice is your instrument, and like any skill, it can be developed and refined. With consistent practice in managing air flow, mastering consonant articulation, and improving tongue and jaw independence, you can transform your speaking voice into one that exudes clarity, confidence, and professionalism.

Ready to take the next step in your vocal journey? Contact us today for personalized coaching and start investing in the power of your voice!