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Speaking & Articulation Skills
Speak to Be Heard: How Clear Communication Builds Authority
Your ability to articulate ideas with clarity and confidence directly shapes how others perceive your professionalism and credibility. Strong communicators inspire trust, command attention, and drive action—while poor delivery quickly weakens impact.
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Non-Native Speakers – Language barriers can affect clarity, but practice and coaching help.
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Poor Pronunciation – Weak articulation undermines credibility.
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Monotone Delivery – Flat speech dulls engagement; vary tone and pace to bring ideas to life.
"Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room."
Jeff Bezos
So what will they say about you?
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Yes, the content of what you say matters. So do the questions you ask. But beyond that...
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Will you be remembered as credible and compelling?
Will your words carry weight when you’re no longer in the conversation?
Will people treat what you said as important—something to act on with urgency?
To leave that kind of impression, you must speak with clarity, presence, and purpose.
The ability to articulate well is what helps you command attention and build influence.
A Matter of Clarity and Expression
Low credibility. Highly credible.
Over the last 10 years, the world of work has developed an increasingly casual attitude. Whilst regional accents and incorrect pronunciation of words have always existed, it has become more commonplace for people to express themselves using street slang and informal expressions, often incorporating expletives.
Widespread incorrect pronunciation of words can lead many listeners to question whether the content of the message itself is also incorrect.
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Many people associate poor articulation with an incomplete education and low IQ. The phrase 'Were you brought up in the gutter?' illustrates this perception.
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In contrast, well-educated, privileged individuals who have been immersed in environments where people speak with clarity tend to develop articulate speech.
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There is a strong correlation between articulate speech and perceived quality, precision, and status.
Complacency has become widespread in the workplace. If you want to be seen as having gravitas, impact, and influence, you must recognize that speaking and articulation skills are the cornerstone of these qualities. The opposite of being understood is being misunderstood. If you fail to articulate yourself clearly, you will not be taken seriously. Being misunderstood results in not being taken seriously.
Speak with Authority
Sophistication...
How Clear Communication Elevates Your Professional Presence
Whilst matey talk, geezer language and informal styles may seem approachable or authentic in certain settings, it lacks the polish and authority expected from senior professionals.
Struggles with pronunciation, informal phrasing, or slang—such as saying 'feelin' instead of 'feeling' or 'somethink' instead of 'something'—can make communication less effective and diminish the perception of professionalism.
Consider these examples:
Good articulation: “I completely understand your perspective.” (Each word is clear and distinct.)
Poor articulation: “I c’mpletely understan’ yer perspe’tive.” (Words blend together, making it harder to understand.)
Additionally, using expressions like 'mate' or addressing mixed groups as 'you guys,' alongside other casual language or expletives, can detract from the gravitas needed for leadership roles. To be taken seriously at the highest levels, it's essential to adopt a communication styl`e that reflects both confidence and clarity, ensuring that one's message resonates with professionalism and authority.
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Projection: You need to project yourself well, your voice shapes how others perceive you. Speaking in a soft low voice suggests you lack confidence and conviction while a strong, clear tone conveys confidence and authority. Precise articulation reinforces credibility and commands respect.
Speaking with impact
One of the most common obstacles to be impactful and influential is being monotone in the way in which people speak. Possibly you?
A radar analogy applies... Like a radar, your voice must stay in motion to stay effective. A still radar picks up nothing; a flat voice loses its audience. Keep your voice dynamic by varying tone, pitch, volume, pace, and pauses—but do so with purpose, not theatrics.
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Balance is everything. Speaking clearly, confidently, and persuasively shapes how others perceive your credibility and authority. Strong articulation ensures your message resonates, whether addressing teams, engaging stakeholders, or leading at the highest levels.
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By mastering the right words, tone, and delivery, leaders command attention, inspire trust, and drive action—leaving lasting impressions and building alignment across any organization.
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In contrast, some individuals have developed speech habits that compromise their professionalism. Communicating in a street talk kind of way, with geezer-like expressions and common accents, can undermine credibility, especially in more formal or high-stakes environments.
How Well Do You Communicate?
Explore the most common speaking challenges—do they show up in your day-to-day?
Challenge 1:
Mispronunciation – Clear Words Build Trust
Pronunciation challenges, such as mispronouncing words or struggling with heavy accents, can lead to misunderstandings and hinder clear communication. These issues may also create an unintended impression of being less polished or professional, even when the content is strong.
If you realise you have a severe shortcoming in this area, then you may wish to seek the coaching of an elocution teacher.
If your issue is less severe, there are apps that you can use and some really good videos on YouTube.
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A significant number of people consistently mispronounce a small set of words or parts of words. Does this apply to you? Can you identify any patterns, or has anyone brought this to your attention? If so, consider addressing it using the methods mentioned earlier, whether through professional coaching, apps, or online resources. Or simply stop repeating bad habits.
Do you speak using slang and expletives?
Speaking with slang or expletives may feel natural or authentic in casual settings, but in professional or high-stakes environments, it can undermine your credibility. To be seen as influential and taken seriously, your language needs to match the level of impact you want to have.
Challenge 2:
Tone, Volume & Pace – Keep the Listener Engaged
Varying volume, pace, pitch, and projection keeps your audience engaged and enhances your impact. Without these techniques, delivery feels flat, unclear, or forgettable.
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Volume – Speak loud enough to be heard, but adjust for emphasis. A softer tone can draw listeners in; contrast keeps them engaged.
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Tone – Reflect confidence, warmth, or seriousness. Align it with your message for clarity and impact.
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Projection – Ensure your voice carries across the room. Speak assertively, not aggressively to maintain engagement.
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Pitch – Lower pitch conveys authority; higher pitch adds enthusiasm. Find the right balance for natural, persuasive delivery.
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Pace – Speed up for excitement, slow down for key points.
Master these, and your words will command attention.
Do You Project Your Voice Properly?
In meetings—whether you're with five people or fifteen—can everyone clearly hear you? Do you hold your head up, speak with intention, and project your voice across the room? If not, it’s time to work on it. Being heard isn’t just about volume—it’s about presence, clarity, and confidence.
Challenge 3:
Pausing with Purpose – Let Your Message Land
Use pauses to give your audience time to understand and reflect on what you’re saying. Longer pauses are needed for more complex points. By varying your tone, pace, pitch, and use of pauses, you’ll keep your speech engaging and align its delivery with the emotional context of your message.
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Pause before an important point to create anticipation, then deliver it clearly.
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Alternatively, pause, introduce the importance (e.g., "This is critical..."), and then explain.
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For structured points, pause, highlight their significance (e.g., "There are three key factors..."), and proceed. Keep lists concise—3-5 items work well for verbal communication; anything longer may need a visual aid.
Challenge 4:
Expression & Emphasis – Make Key Points Count
Failing to highlight key points makes your message less memorable. Your expression must match the message—positive, negative, or neutral.
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✔ Positive news: Energized tone, smile, enthusiastic body language.
✔ Negative news: Softer, slower tone, neutral expression, sensitivity.
✔ Neutral points: Calm, balanced tone and demeanor.
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Your tone, words, and body language must align with context to hold attention and reinforce impact—like punches and jabs in a boxing match. The right words, at the right time, with the right emphasis can deliver a knockout punch.
Recognizing this will help you command attention, increase impact, and be taken seriously.
Challenge 5:
Making and Maintaining Eye Contact – Speak with Presence
Failing to make meaningful eye contact, which can undermine connection and authority.
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If you’re not already maintaining a good level of eye contact, then consider this a priority.
Good eye contact is essential for building trust and projecting confidence.
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The 70/30 rule serves as a helpful guideline: maintain eye contact about 70% of the time and look away for the remaining 30%.
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This balance ensures you appear engaged and confident without making others feel uncomfortable. Failing to maintain eye contact can unintentionally signal insecurity or disinterest.
Challenge 6:
Knowing When To Shut Up
Once you've made your point, stop talking repetition doesn't reinforce your message, it dilutes it. The more you repeat yourself, the less impact you have—clarity comes from precision, not excess words. Great speakers know that silence after a strong point is more powerful than filling space with unnecessary words.
Challenge 7:
Non Native Speakers – We Admire You. But...
Non-native speakers can struggle with pronunciation, pacing, and tone—making them harder to follow or less impactful. Literal translations, limited vocabulary, or overly formal language can dilute credibility.
Even strong ideas lose influence if delivery feels hesitant or unclear.
For gravitas and impact, clarity and confident expression are essential.
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Practical Ways to Improve Your Speaking Skills
Reinforcement Techniques – Learn from Pros & Practice Often
Watching and listening to newsreaders is an engaging way to see excellent speaking skills in action. Notice their tone, clarity, and pacing, and consider how you can adapt these techniques. You can also notice their expression and body language.
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Similarly, listening to people on the radio, will help you to tune into how tone, volume, pace etc can be applied to capture and maintain your attention. Techniques you can apply for yourself! Leverage apps, YouTube, and coaching: Online resources abound with tips and exercises to enhance your speaking skills. For significant challenges, working with an elocution coach can provide personalized support and fast-track your improvement.
Practicing:
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Choose specific topics or scenarios and rehearse what you’d say, focusing on tone, pace, and strategic pauses. With practice, you’ll build confidence and polish your delivery.
For non-native English speakers
There’s some exceptionally good content on YouTube , simply search on speak English clearly or pronunciation here are three examples:
https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishwithLucy
https://www.youtube.com/@mmmEnglish_Emma https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakEnglishWithVanessa
A Final Word
A smile uplifts, engages, and draws people in—just like a clear, well-articulated voice. When you speak with clarity, warmth, and authenticity, your message becomes more engaging, convincing, and memorable. Smile, project confidence, and let your voice leave a lasting impact.
You may wish to set a calendar reminder to apply these insights and refine your communication skills.
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