If you want to become a better leader, start with your voice.

Not your “radio voice” or a rehearsed stage persona—but the real, resonant voice that emerges when you speak with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Because every time you speak—whether you’re giving a presentation, sharing an idea in a meeting, or just weighing in during a hallway chat—you’re leading.

That’s the core message we explored at the Arizona Municipal Clerks Institute this March: Speaking *is* leadership. And here’s why that connection matters more than ever.

A Speaker *Is* a Leader

We tend to separate “public speaking” from “leadership,” as if one happens in conference rooms and the other behind podiums. But leadership is communication in motion. Every time you speak, you influence: decisions, direction, culture. Your tone, timing, and truthfulness shape how people engage with your vision.

Great leaders don’t just issue directives—they connect. And that connection is built through voice.

Why Speaking Equals Leading

Let’s break it down:

🗣 1. Your Words Influence
From the boardroom to the break room, your words set a tone. Purposeful communication inspires trust and guides action. It’s not about being polished—it’s about being clear, grounded, and intentional.

🎯 2. People Judge Leaders by Their Voice
Like it or not, people assess your competence based on how you speak. A great idea, poorly communicated, will fall flat. But confidence, clarity, and conviction? That gets buy-in.

🌉 3. Speaking Is the Bridge Between Vision and Action
You may have a compelling vision—but unless you can share it in a way that moves people, it won’t go anywhere. Public speaking turns strategy into momentum.

🧭 4. Poor Communication Derails Leadership
Confusion, hesitation, disengagement—all symptoms of vague or absent communication. Leadership thrives on clarity. And clarity requires courage and effort.

💗 5. Speaking Well Shows You Care
People can feel it when a leader speaks from the heart. Empathy, storytelling, listening—these aren’t soft skills. They’re power tools for building trust and inspiring action.

Your Leadership Voice: What’s Your Style?

You don’t need to be a “natural” speaker. But you *do* need to know your voice—and grow it.

There are four distinct “voices of leadership”. Which one feels most like you?

– 🧠 The Teacher – You simplify, explain, and guide.
– 🔥 The Motivator – You energize and uplift.
– 💬 The Storyteller – You connect through real-life narratives.
– 🌟 The Visionary – You inspire with the big picture.

We all have a dominant voice—but developing the others makes us more flexible, compelling leaders.

Overcoming the Fear of Speaking

Yes, public speaking still ranks high on the fear charts. But fear is just excitement without direction. You can channel it:

– Reframe nerves as energy
– Visualize success before speaking
– Use grounding tools like power poses and affirmations (“I am a leader when I speak.”)
– Practice, practice, practice

Final Thoughts: Speak Easy, Speak Well

At the end of the day, speaking well isn’t about sounding smart. It’s about making people feel seen, understood, and inspired to act.

As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said… but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”

So next time you speak—whether to a packed room or a single colleague—remember: you’re not just talking.

You’re leading.