We develop different voices for different rooms — then wonder why none of them feel quite right. This is about returning to a voice that actually fits.
Your Voice is Doing More Than You Think
Many professionals I work with want to find their authentic voice and connect more deeply with the way they sound. Most people think of the voice as a tool — a way to express ideas. But your voice communicates much more than your words. It broadcasts what you believe about yourself, what you fear, what you want, and how much space you think you’re allowed to take up.
Sometimes, you don’t even notice what your voice is telling the world — until you start to listen.
It’s Not About “Speaking Better”
Voice work isn’t just about eliminating “um”s or learning to pause — though those issues matter. It’s about noticing when your throat tightens before you disagree, or when your voice drops off while explaining your job title. It’s about that slight upward lilt at the end of a sentence when you’re actually making a point, not asking a question.
You can have all the credentials, insights, and ideas, but if your voice contradicts your message, people won’t fully hear you. And worse: you won’t fully hear yourself.
A Voice Can Shrink—or Expand—Us
I’ve worked with people who spent years hiding behind quiet, fast, or overly polite voices, or voices they cultivated for a specific role.
Some were told their voices were “too much,” “not enough,” or “hard to understand.” Many felt invisible in meetings, even when they were the most qualified person in the room.
Most of the time, the issue isn’t skill. It’s a buildup — of defenses, habits, experiences. When people stop trying to sound “professional” or “nice,” what emerges is usually more compelling than what they were trying to create. When you stop trying to sound like what you think others want, what emerges is almost always more interesting.
What Happens When the Voice Changes?
The change is subtle at first. Then it’s undeniable.
- People tune in to what you say instead of tuning out.
- You speak up in situations where you used to shrink back.
- Conversations feel less exhausting.
- You stop replaying what you “should have said.”
You start recognizing your own voice as something powerful and trustworthy.
Where Real Voice Work Helps You Find Your Authentic Voice
Your voice lives in your whole body, not just your vocal cords. It’s shaped by your breath when you’re nervous, how you hold tension in your shoulders, and even whether you make eye contact.
The most effective voice work combines physical awareness with addressing the stories we tell ourselves about taking up space. Breath support and vocal placement are important, yes. But we also work on the part of you that learned to make yourself smaller, faster, or quieter to avoid conflict or judgment.
This is what real communication coaching looks like — deep, physical, and often the missing piece people didn’t know they needed.
How We Get There
- Identify moments when your voice changes (defending an idea, stating credentials, disagreeing with someone senior).
- Work on physical foundations that support vocal strength and clarity.
- Practice speaking from your actual expertise rather than from uncertainty or apology.
- Address habits that undermine your message before it reaches your audience.
The goal isn’t to sound like someone else. It’s to sound like yourself — confident, clear, and authentic.
Real Examples:
Sarah, a banker at a major NYC firm, watched colleagues repeat her ideas and get credit while hers were ignored. She held her breath during tense meetings, so when she spoke, she sounded frantic and breathless. Once she learned to breathe consistently throughout meetings, her voice became grounded and resonant — and people started listening.
Rochelle grew up in a family where being “quiet” and “polite” was expected. As a project manager, she struggled to access her authority. She was so used to making herself small that her voice had no room to resonate. Once she learned to physically take up space in her body, her voice became stronger and richer. This shift gave her confidence to speak boldly and be truly seen and heard.
Let’s Have a Conversation
If you recognize yourself in any of this, I offer a brief consultation — no charge, no pitch. We’ll talk about your voice, identify one or two areas that might be holding you back, and I’ll give you something concrete to try.
Whether we work together or not, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what’s possible.
Your voice isn’t broken. It’s just been adapted for situations you’ve outgrown. You can shape it into something stronger — something that actually fits.
I’m Judith Weinman, a certified speech-language therapist and a member of CORSPAN, the Corporate Speech Pathology Network and VASTA, the Voice and Speech Trainers Association.