Our voice is a very important tool. Too little attention is paid to it in business (and in general). The only people who really pay attention to their voice are singers and actors (and maybe some of the top internet marketers who speak on stage!).

Their livelihood depends on their voice. Rarely do women in business (or elsewhere) pay attention to or cultivate their voice.  Yet it is one of the most important aspects of everything we do in business. To quote Patsy Rodenburg who is a voice technique teacher: “As soon as we open our mouth to speak, we are judged”.  Instant assumptions are made “about our intelligence, our background, our education, abilities and ultimately, our power.”

As we all know, men’s and women’s voices are different. Men have much bigger chests, larger voice boxes and a much lower range. This immediately gives them more authority and it is much easier for them to get attention and to be heard. So it is not as crucial for men to cultivate their voices. They can get by.

A higher voice, especially if it is used in the upper register and gets closer to the sound of screaming,  means “danger”. So the person uttering those shrill sounds needs help, needs to be rescued and is not somebody who commands authority. So women start out on the backfoot so to speak and often make things worse by going up in pitch when they try to be heard.

The next problem is fashion. Yes, you heard me right. Tight pencil skirts and high heels  make it very hard for women to breathe properly. Breathing deeply, slowly and regularly (i.e. in a controlled, deliberate fashion) is of utmost importance to really be in charge of your voice. Good posture is vital for the the breath to flow properly.  The sound of your voice will be much better by just standing up straight and allowing the breath to flow freely.

Yoga has a variety of breathing techniques which all aim to control the breath, to make it deeper, more even and slower. Practising these techniques regularly and consistently will lead to slower and more controlled breathing in your everyday life. The sound of your voice will improve, you will command more authority, not only in the boardroom but also with your children! As an added bonus you will feel a lot calmer, more relaxed and it will take a lot longer to stress you out. It is impossible to take long, slow, deep breaths and be angry at the same time! Try it!

As always, regular practice is the key. Start by sitting up straight at your computer whenever you remember and take some deep breaths.  Stand in good posture when queuing anywhere and breathe!

Whenever you have to stop at a red light while driving, take the opportunity to straighten up and take a few long slow deep breaths. Eventually this much healthier breathing pattern will become an integral part of you and you will feel the difference!

To learn the more complex and very powerful yoga breathing techniques I really recommend you go to classes and get the guidance of an experienced teacher.

This post was inspired by:

“You’re the voice”, an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald in the “My Career” section of 12-13 April, 2008. It was written by Ann-Marie Moodie.

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