Sound more competent with your voice (without forcing it)

Many professionals don’t doubt their competence. What they question is how it comes across when they speak ("My voice is too soft" / "My voice is too high" / "My voice gets jittery" ...)

They know their subject, can think clearly, structure ideas, make decisions. And yet, they say their voice sometimes feels:

• less steady than the thinking behind it

• more effortful than the message requires

• less convincing than the content deserves

This is not a lack of expertise, just a little transmission issue.

First things first: why "authority" is often confused with a lower pitch

Research does show that, on average, lower-pitched voices are often perceived as more dominant or authoritative, especially in first-impression contexts. This has been documented in studies on vocal pitch and leadership perception, notably in political and leadership psychology.

So the conclusion many of us draw is simple:

"If I want to sound more competent, I should lower my voice."

The problem is not the research, but how it is applied in real life.

When pitch is deliberately lowered beyond a speaker’s natural range, the effect is less predictable. Research and perceptual studies suggest that audible effort or vocal incongruence can reduce perceived authenticity, and with it, credibility.

In these cases, lowering pitch does not reliably increase authority and may offer little to no perceptual benefit.

In short: lower pitch helps when it is authentic and sustainable.

Yes, you can sound authoritative with a higher pitch

A naturally higher pitch is not a disadvantage.

From a perceptual standpoint, the human ear is more sensitive to higher-frequency components of speech, the part that carries intelligibility and clarity. This is why well-coordinated voices can carry better, even without added volume or depth.

A voice at a higher pitch can:

• be heard clearly

• feel more present

• require less effort

• remain reliable over long speaking days.

If it sounds like YOU, it's better. Don't force the pitch down. We also nearly always suggest that speakers raise their pitch to feel more comfortable, be heard, and avoid a voice that fatigues rapidly.

Why forcing the voice rarely increases authority

Authority is not carried by a single vocal parameter.

Listeners don’t consciously think “This voice is low, therefore competent.”

They respond to a global impression:

• stability

• clarity

• coherence between voice and message

• ease under pressure

When a voice is forced, even subtly, the listener often picks up on:

• excess effort

• tension

• instability

• a mismatch between content and delivery.

Paradoxically, the more someone tries to sound authoritative, the less reliable the voice can feel. Forcing pitch or vocal weight may feel effective for a short moment. But over time, it often leads to:

• vocal fatigue

• reduced flexibility

• loss of nuance

• a growing disconnect between voice and identity

What actually helps to sound more competent with your voice

Competence is also conveyed through discourse (among other things, in public speaking, but let's focus on discourse):

• how ideas are structured

• how precisely they are expressed

• how relevant they are

The role of the voice is not to add authority, but to stop interfering with it.

Voices perceived as competent tend to:

• remain stable in quality across sentences

• sound intentional rather than effortful

• stay consistent throughout the day

None of this requires a specific pitch, vocal “weight,” or imposed persona.

Finding an authoritative voice that sounds like you

You can work on your voice to make it sound more accurate.

Accurate to:

• how you think

• what you value

• how you want to relate to others

People often want their voice to convey qualities they are proud of, such as:

• clarity

• intelligence

• calm

• integrity

• decisiveness

• warmth

An authoritative voice is one that allows these qualities to pass through without distortion.

Authority is not something to perform.

What people actually remember is coherence.

If you are thoughtful and want that to come across, your voice doesn’t need to harden. If you are kind and want that to be felt, a softer voice is not a weakness. If you value clarity, curiosity, or integrity, those qualities matter more than sounding “leader-like.”

The first step is not technical. It is owning the qualities you want others to perceive.

Only then does technique make sense.

The role of vocal technique is not to replace who you are, but to help your voice carry those qualities clearly, without effort or distortion.

This translation from intention to voice is where personalized vocal work becomes particularly effective.

Click here so we can work on your beautiful voice together

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When one-to-one vocal work becomes relevant

Generic advice works up to a point.

When vocal issues persist, it is usually because:

• the problem is individual

• the professional context is specific

• the solution requires precision

Personalized vocal work focuses on identifying what interferes with clarity and stability, rather than adding techniques on top of an already overloaded system.

A question to take home with you today: what is ONE thing that you like about your voice? You can't answer "nothing" :).

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Take care! ***