I often get asked the question, “How do I know I need voice and presence coaching?”.  My initial, perhaps glib, response is that everyone needs this coaching.  Actually, I do believe that – no matter how successful of a communicator you are, there are always things you aren’t aware of and improvements that can be made.  But the coaching we offer at The Distinguished Voice is geared towards professionals who are looking to discover ways to advance in their world and uncover that extra something that separates them in their field.  That said, let me point out some indicators that may suggest our coaching is what you need.

• Struggling to make an impact in presentations or meetings.  This issue potentially has two sides:  what can be called “stage fright”, and your own sense of confidence and authority – whether conscious or unconscious.  You might say they are intertwined, and they are.  They are cause and effect in both directions, but you may not think you have stage fright and yet don’t feel confident in these situations.  Improving the sound of your voice and how effectively you use it will diminish stage fright while also building confidence and authenticity which, in turn, create a sense of authority.  We have been shown time and again, especially in recent years, that it’s not what you say that will necessarily sway your audience, but how your voice sounds, how confident and authentic you sound, and how you say it.  This is the essence of the coaching at The Distinguished Voice – empowering your voice to empower your life.
• Vocal fatigue or strain.  There are several ways that your voice can become fatigued and feel strained or you may experience hoarseness after speaking.  Many have experienced this when they are asked to speak for a long period of time, especially under stressful situations.  There are reasons that are not specifically vocal – lack of sleep, dehydration, emotional state, and the atmosphere and ambience of the location, to name a few.  Some occupations may seem to have vocal fatigue as inevitable – cheerleader, singer’s arena tours, broadcaster, politician on a campaign, teacher, and coach.  However, barring some other extra-vocal problem, especially lack of sleep or chronic dehydration, there are techniques and training that can help you maintain the quality and character of your voice in almost every situation.  At The Distinguished Voice, we can determine if there is something inherent about your voice or how you use it will give you a tendency towards fatigue and discomfort.  Through exercises and various techniques, we will give you tools that will develop a more efficient vocal process and refresh your voice when needed.  Your voice is essentially a muscle, or a series of muscles, and as every athlete knows, it needs to be trained and taken care of.
• Feeling professionally stuck.  Improving your voice and communication skills will increase your self confidence and strengthen your position in your profession or job.  Perhaps you’ve tried more typical changes or improvements to get a better footing, but not much has changed.  How you sound, how you use your voice, and how you communicate your ideas may be the atypical option that you haven’t considered.  Whether you’ve been trying to get ahead in your current position or have been seeking promotion or move up to another job, coaching with The Distinguished Voice will help you uncover your authentic, confident sound which will lead you to better overall communication and add authority to how people perceive you.  Studies have shown that around 90% of how people perceive you is based on the sound and quality of your voice, and only about 10% is based on what you are saying.

There is not enough space to give you more ways to recognize why The Distinguished Voice can be of help to you.  The best way to find out is to schedule a free, no-obligation, 15-minute Zoom assessment session.  Click on the button at the top of the homepage.