When I ask my business clients how they want to come across I can predict the word ‘authoritative’ will be near the top.
There are, of course, many ways to present as authoritative depending on the context – but here are three ways to help your voice sound more authoritative. These tips are particularly useful to use in meetings, presentations and interviews and are guaranteed to give you more impact…
1 Breathe deeply and slowly: Learn to deepen your breathing and strengthen your lower breathing muscles. We connect authority with people who appear to be at ease with themselves. They appear to be in control. By breathing deeply (and so supporting your voice with your diaphragm and intercostal muscles) your voice will sound more authentic. Slowing our breathing can help us appear and feel more in control, a characteristic of authority.
2 Project your voice: By this I don’t mean shout or speak in a forced way – but if you want to appear to have authority we need to hear vocal energy. Try imagining that your voice needs to carry slightly beyond the furthest person. Most people under-project, particularly when sitting down, so you may feel that the extra effort feels odd, but you will get used to it. Extra projection will give your speech energy and assertiveness – the increased breath supply will make your tongue and mouth muscles work harder giving your speech definition. We associate energised, definite speech with authority.
3 Speak in a measured pace with pauses: Authoritative speech is generally more measured than the pace we use to chat. A fast-paced talker can give the impression of nervousness, (breathing will be shallow, shoulders and face muscles will probably look slightly tense). Slowing your speaking pace will help you relax, give you time to think and give your listener time to take in what you saying. Speaking in a measured pace can help us appear confident.
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