Do “lower” voices command more respect?

Misconceptions about voice and presence

Well, this has a nice ring to it, and it sounds “right” on the surface… but I think it leaves a lot open to interpretation.

When we talk about “lowering” a voice, we might mean pitch, or we might mean volume. If it’s volume, I get it. Staying calm and not raising your voice in a tense situation can certainly make you appear more professional and in control.

But if we’re talking about pitch, that’s where things get a little muddled. It’s not really about lowering the frequency of your voice. It’s about deepening the resonance of your sound. These are two very different elements of voice. If the idea of lowering pitch is taken at face value, it implies that women can never match the gravitas of men because men’s voices are typically lower due to anatomy. And that’s just not true. I’ve worked with enough men and women — and read enough research on marketing and voice — to know that credibility and strength aren’t gender-dependent.

To illustrate, let’s look at what some of my clients often do. Many businessmen I’ve worked with push their voices to the bottom of their range, presumably to sound more masculine, authoritative, or strong. In doing so, they rob their voices of depth and richness, making their sound smaller. This also tends to flatten their voices into a monotone because there’s less room for inflection — a critical element for conveying emphasis, emotion, and connection. The result? Their message comes out dulled and less impactful..

Many businessmen I’ve worked with have gotten in the habit of pushing their voices down to the bottom of their range, in an attempt (I assume) to sound more masculine, more authoritative, stronger… By doing this, they end up robbing their voices of depth and richness, ultimately making their voices sound smaller. They also typically end up speaking in what’s closer to a “monotone,” because there’s less room for their voices to change, to move up and down, and show inflection, which is important for conveying emphasis, emotion, and connection to what’s being said. Their message comes out dulled down and less potent.

Many women I’ve worked with do something similar. In an effort to sound more powerful or credible, they end up using glottal fry, which diminishes their voices and strips away their character, dynamism, and true power.

Here’s the thing: your mindset, personality, and commitment to what you’re saying — along with your attitude toward your listeners — are all conveyed through your voice. If you’re not using your voice effectively, you’re weakening your message and, in some ways, watering down the essence of who you are.

Your mindset, personality, and commitment to what you are saying, as well as your attitudes toward your listeners, are conveyed through your voice. By not knowing how to use your voice most effectively, you’re not only weakening your message, you’re watering down the essence of who you are.

The Secret to a Strong, Effective Voice

The key lies in learning how to connect your breath to your sound while creating large, open spaces within your body for that sound to resonate. When we’re nervous or tense, we tend to breathe more shallowly and make ourselves smaller. This is where voice training can be a game-changer. Learning how to use your voice properly can help you remain calm, present, and credible.

It may take a little training, but what a difference good speech and voice can make in not only the delivery of your message, but in the thoughts and feelings you experience while you are speaking. Two speakers can say the same thing, yet create completely different impressions in the hearts and minds of their listeners, and elicit very different responses — all because of the voice that was used.

Why Don’t More People Use This Tool?

I often wonder why people don’t take advantage of what could be a transformative tool for both their professional and personal lives. Then I remember: most people aren’t taught about their voice or how to use this incredible instrument they were born with. But it’s simpler than you might think to learn how your voice works and how to “play” it in the most practical sense.

If you knew how much of an asset your voice could be — in business and beyond — wouldn’t you want to explore its potential?

Ready to Explore?

For a free consultation or advice on how to use your voice more effectively and healthfully — professionally or socially — drop me a note. It’s easier than you think to unlock the power of your voice and see the difference it can make, not only in your professional success but in your overall well-being.

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