Verbal Communication Skills in the Workplace

I’ve trained 400,000+ students to speak confidently in meetings, on dates, and in high-stakes situations (like asking for a raise). Here are 3 vocal habits I teach every single one: Before we dive in, briefly imagine a coworker tells you: “I got promoted and doubled my salary.” But they say it in a monotone voice.  No smile. No hand gestures. Do you feel excited for them? Or confused? That’s the power of vocal delivery. Before people process what you said, they subconsciously judge how you said it. If your tone lacks confidence, warmth, or energy—your message doesn’t land. Vocal charisma isn’t about “sounding good.” It’s about sounding believable. Here are 3 ways to start doing that today: 1. Speak in the lowest natural range of your voice Your voice has layers. When you speak in your higher register, you sound anxious—even if your words are calm. When you speak from your lowest natural range, people trust you more. To get there: - Drop your shoulders - Take a deep breath - Speak on the out-breath, not the inhale Try it now: Take a breath and say “hello” at the top of your breath. Now take a breath and say “hello” on the exhale. That second one - that’s the version that sounds confident and feels grounded. ____ 2. Fix vocal fry with one move: speak louder That scratchy, creaky tone (like “uhh… yeah… I guess…”) is vocal fry. It usually happens when you're speaking too softly or from your throat. The fix: Add volume. A stronger voice = clearer tone = more authority. ____ 3. Use volume to signal emotion Once you’ve found your natural pitch and can project clearly, play with volume for impact: - Raise your volume slightly when setting a boundary or deadline - Lower it when you're being vulnerable or sharing something meaningful to draw people in Think of your voice like music - the variation keeps people listening. —- If you want more recognition, more influence, or a raise, start with your voice.

I didn’t plan on being a career coach. Before the pandemic, I actually wanted to become a public speaker. I took courses. I hired a mentor. I practiced for hours - because I knew how powerful this skill would be for life. Then the world shut down. Speaking opportunities disappeared. And I had to pivot. That’s when I gave career coaching a real shot. But here’s the thing... Everything I learned while training to speak? It changed how I show up for clients, on sales calls, in content, & with my team. So instead of a “how to…”   Here are 10 things I learned that completely transformed the way I communicate: 1. Practice active listening Pay attention fully. People can feel it when you do. 2. Slow down your speech Fast talkers lose attention. Clarity builds authority. 3. Use simple words If you can’t explain it clearly, you don’t know it well enough. 4. Make eye contact It builds instant trust. Even on Zoom. 5. Use pauses effectively Silence isn’t awkward; it’s powerful. Let your words land. 6. Vary your tone Monotone = tune out. Great speakers sound like music. 7. Prepare and practice Confidence is earned in private before it’s shown in public. 8. Ask for feedback Growth only happens when you're willing to hear the hard stuff. 9. Record yourself Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But it’s the fastest way to improve. 10. Stay positive Energy is contagious. If you don’t believe in your message, no one else will. Whether you’re selling, coaching, interviewing, or leading… Your communication matters more than you think. And the good news? It’s a skill anyone can build. Don’t wait for a stage to learn how to speak. Start practicing now. Your voice is one of your biggest business assets. Use it like it matters. Because it does.

Fact: The secret to being a top performer isn’t in working harder. It’s in communicating smarter. Yes. Let me elaborate: After more than 15 years in the corporate world, the biggest lesson that I’ve learned is that the way we communicate plays a pivotal role in rising the ranks. Top performers take ownership of the room. They make people feel heard, they are considerate to everyone, and they lead not just through their work, but through their language. I've spent countless hours across executives, and the one quality that I often see in them is excellent communication skills. The language we use has a profound impact on our success, and the way we’re perceived by the world. People want to work with those who set a positive, empowering tone. These are the kind of folks who sneak out the promotion right from under their most productive team members. In my experience, it’s not the hardest workers who always get ahead, it’s the ones who know how to speak with conviction, empathy, and professionalism. The best news about this? You can get better at your communication skills to become a top performer. -> Here are a few simple language changes that can make all the difference: 1/ Thank, Don’t Apologize: Instead of saying “I’m sorry for the delay,” say “Thank you for your patience.” It shifts the focus from the negative to the positive and shows appreciation. 2/ Commit to Learning, Not Admitting Ignorance: Instead of “I don’t know,” try “I will look into that and get back to you.” This demonstrates growth, accountability, and a proactive attitude. 3/ Be Grateful, Not Apologetic: Instead of “Sorry for disturbing you,” say “Thank you for your attention.” It acknowledges the other person’s time without sounding uncertain. 4/ Own Your Actions: Instead of “I didn’t mean to,” say “I take responsibility for this.” Owning your actions shows confidence and accountability, not excuses. 5/ Ask, Don’t Assume: Instead of making statements, try asking open-ended questions like, “What do you think about this?” It invites collaboration and shows respect for others' input. 6/ Focus on Solutions, Not Problems: Replace “This is a challenge” with “Here’s a potential solution.” This shifts the mindset from obstacles to opportunities and demonstrates problem-solving skills. This level of intentional communication is what sets them apart. It’s not just about delivering excellent results, it's about expressing ourselves in a way that builds confidence, respect, and rapport with your underlings, peers, and bosses. What small changes in your communication have made a big difference? #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Communication #ProfessionalDevelopment