If You’ve Ever Been Told to ‘Find Your Voice’ - Start Here
Unlock your authentic leadership voice through self-reflection, clear values, and effective communication techniques.
If you’ve ever been told to “find your voice” as a leader, you’ve probably nodded… then quietly wondered what the hell that actually means.
It’s one of those phrases that sounds profound but often lands a bit like a horoscope—encouraging but frustratingly unclear.
Let’s fix that.
Because your voice isn’t just how you speak—it’s how you show up.
It’s the thread that runs through how you lead, how you decide, how you connect, and how people experience you when the pressure is on.
It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room.
It’s about being clear, congruent, and credible.
And it starts with knowing who you are—and choosing to lead from that place.
Here’s where to begin.
Self-Reflection: The Starting Point
Key Self-Reflection Methods
Self-reflection helps you uncover and refine your leadership style. It’s about dedicating time to understand your values, beliefs, and behaviours.
One effective approach is the values-behind-values exercise. This method doesn’t just focus on what you value but digs deeper into why those values matter in your leadership. For example, if you prioritise innovation, ask yourself: Is this driven by a desire to solve problems, inspire change, or challenge the status quo?
"As a leader, it's essential to understand what you believe in and what you value. This will help you make decisions that are aligned with your beliefs."
– Gurpreet Kaur, Licensed Professional Counselor, Life Coach, Speaker, and Author
Here are some practical self-reflection techniques:
| Method | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Journal | Track leadership moments and reactions | Write down key interactions and learnings |
| Feedback Analysis | Understand your impact on others | Identify patterns in feedback and responses |
| Values Mapping | Clarify your core principles | List decisions and check alignment with values |
Once you’ve explored these methods, take a closer look at how your past experiences influence your leadership purpose.
Understanding Your Past and Purpose
Your past plays a major role in shaping how you lead today. Reflecting on these experiences helps you pinpoint what’s working and where there’s room to grow.
Consider exploring:
- Defining moments that shaped your leadership approach
- Mentors who left a lasting impression on your style
- Difficult situations that tested your leadership voice
- Successes that reinforced your strengths
By examining these areas, you’ll gain a clearer picture of how your leadership has evolved over time.
Linking Self-Knowledge to Leadership
Use what you’ve learned through self-reflection to improve your leadership communication and overall impact.
Here are some ways to put your insights into action:
- Review how you communicate during meetings and one-on-ones
- Identify when you feel most confident and authentic in your role
- Spot situations where your natural style might need slight adjustments
- Track feedback on how others perceive your communication
Self-reflection isn’t a one-off task. It’s an ongoing process that grows with you. As you uncover new insights, weave them into your leadership approach while staying true to who you are.
Making Your Values Clear in Communication
Finding Your Key Values
Clear personal values form the foundation of an authentic leadership voice. Start by identifying what matters most to you. For example, a family heirloom might symbolise integrity, serving as a reminder of your guiding principles in daily decisions.
Here are a few methods to help pinpoint your values:
| Method | Purpose | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Artefact Analysis | Link values to meaningful items | Choose objects with personal significance and reflect on their importance |
| Value-Time Audit | Track how your values shape your actions | Note how much time you dedicate to activities aligned with your values |
| Personal Credo Writing | Define workplace principles | Write a one-page statement outlining your core beliefs and priorities |
Once you've identified your key values, focus on ensuring your actions consistently reflect them.
Matching Words with Actions
Consistency between your words and actions fosters trust. Steve Vinson, DEI programme manager at Michigan Medicine, highlighted this during a key moment at the institution:
"We talk about those values a lot, but this was an example of folks really walking that walk." - Steve Vinson, DEI programme manager for ambulatory care at Michigan Medicine
To ensure your actions align with your values:
- Document decisions that clearly demonstrate your principles.
- Create measurable goals for values like honesty or creativity.
- Seek regular feedback to understand how well you're living up to your values.
Leading Through Clear Values
Once your actions reflect your values, use them to shape your leadership communication. Professor Morela Hernandez from the University of Michigan underscores this:
"Core beliefs are the cornerstone of effective leadership, guiding leaders on a path of principled decision-making and purposeful action."
A January 2024 incident at Alaska Airlines highlighted the pitfalls of misaligning stated values with actual practices.
To maintain clear, value-based leadership:
- Draft a memo outlining your decision-making principles before taking extended leave.
- Develop metrics to evaluate how well your team's work aligns with your values.
- Adjust your communication approach when discrepancies arise between your intentions and outcomes.
- Regularly review and refine practices to ensure they align with your stated principles.
As you grow as a leader, your values may shift. Taking time to reflect ensures your communication stays genuine and aligned with your evolving priorities.
Breaking Through Communication Blocks
Common Communication Roadblocks
Leaders often encounter obstacles that make clear communication challenging. These issues usually arise from emotional or psychological factors that affect leadership effectiveness.
| Roadblock Type | Common Signs | Effect on Leadership |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Barriers | Shame, self-doubt, nervousness | Hesitation in decision-making |
| External Perceptions | Seen as overly collaborative or pushy | Reduced team influence |
| Behavioural Patterns | Defensiveness, passivity, over-talking | Strained team dynamics |
These challenges can differ depending on leadership style and context. For example, some leaders may withdraw under pressure, while others might react defensively when questioned.
Identifying these barriers is the first step. The next is developing the confidence to address and overcome them.
Building Speaking Confidence
Improving communication confidence takes practice and intention. Megan Dalla-Camina, Founder and CEO of Women Rising, highlights its importance:
"Powerful communication is a cornerstone of leadership, influence, and success."
Here are some strategies to strengthen your communication skills:
-
Use the Power Pause
Before responding in tough situations, pause briefly to organise your thoughts and deliver a composed reply. -
Improve Physical Presence
Make direct eye contact and adopt open body language. Try "power posing" for two minutes before big meetings to boost your confidence. -
Polish Your Language
Avoid using qualifying or apologetic phrases. Instead, speak with authority, showcasing your knowledge and expertise.
Turning Communication Challenges into Growth
Sometimes, even confident communication isn't enough. When difficulties arise, use them as opportunities to grow:
- Focus on facts: Base your message on solid information instead of personal opinions.
- Stay calm: If anger surfaces, take a moment to collect yourself before continuing.
- Assert respect: When confronted with disrespectful behaviour, calmly but firmly insist on a respectful exchange.
Effective communication isn't about overpowering others - it's about fostering connection. Be present in every interaction, and ensure your message supports your leadership goals.
Tools for Better Leadership Communication
Writing Exercises for Leaders
Writing helps clarify your thoughts and strengthens your ability to lead effectively. These exercises can improve how you communicate:
| Exercise Type | Purpose | How to Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Value Statements | Align your words with beliefs | Write concise 250-word statements |
| Decision Journals | Track your reasoning process | Log key decisions and their rationale weekly |
| Feedback Reflections | Learn from feedback | Write responses to feedback before acting |
Take time to review your writing regularly. This will help refine your style and set the stage for better storytelling.
How to Tell Better Leadership Stories
Storytelling can strengthen connections within your team. As storytelling expert Esther Choy explains:
"Every person's life is rich with material for stories! And storylines create an easy-to-digest structure to your audience."
Different types of stories serve various leadership goals:
-
Origin Stories
These explain how projects or ideas started, making them great for introducing new initiatives or explaining organisational changes. -
Overcoming-the-Monster Stories
Highlight problem-solving and resilience. For example, Isaac Lidsky used this format to share his journey of overcoming major challenges. -
Rags-to-Riches Stories
Showcase personal growth and the traits that led to success. These are ideal for mentoring or inspiring teams during periods of change.
Once you've crafted your stories, focus on the best ways to share them.
Choosing the Right Communication Tools
The Canadian Management Centre highlights the importance of aligning communication channels:
"All leadership communication consists of three channels: Verbal - your actual words, as well as phrasing and sentence structure; Vocal - the volume, tone, pace and pitch of your voice; and Visual - your body language, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and posture, as well as how you dress, how you style your hair, and your speaking environment."
To ensure your message is effective, consider these key channels:
| Channel | Key Elements | Leadership Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Word choice, phrasing | Builds clarity and authority |
| Vocal | Tone, pace, volume | Conveys confidence |
| Visual | Body language, appearance | Establishes trust and credibility |
Align these elements to keep your message consistent and engaging.
Conclusion: Next Steps for Your Leadership Voice
Key Takeaways
Developing your leadership voice is an ongoing process that combines self-reflection, clear values, and the courage to break through communication challenges. As leadership communication expert Allison Shapira explains:
"Finding your voice is about self-actualization: determining what's important to you, what change you want to see in the world, and what you are going to do about it."
The strength of your leadership voice comes from staying aligned with your core values and personal beliefs.
How to Take Action
Here are some practical steps to turn these ideas into action:
| Focus Area | Action Step | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Discovery | Complete a values assessment | Clear understanding of priorities |
| Communication | Join Toastmasters or attend a workshop | Improved speaking skills |
| Feedback | Ask for input from trusted colleagues | Constructive insights |
Start small and focus on one area at a time. For instance, if you're working on written communication, refine your messaging before moving on to vocal delivery.
In meetings, connect your points directly to team objectives. Pay attention to moments when your values are tested - these are opportunities to reinforce your leadership voice.
Make it a habit to evaluate whether your communication reflects who you are. If it doesn’t, take a moment to recalibrate. Your perspective is a powerful tool - use it with confidence.
How to find your voice as a leader | Michael Ruiz ...
FAQs
How can I recognise and overcome self-doubt to strengthen my leadership voice?
To strengthen your leadership voice, start by recognising that self-doubt is a natural part of personal growth. Reflect on your experiences and acknowledge how they have shaped you - this helps you understand the unique value of your perspective. Owning your story is key to building confidence and connecting with others authentically.
To overcome self-doubt, try practical tools like journaling or storytelling exercises to clarify your thoughts and align your communication style with your values. Focus on small, consistent actions to build confidence, such as sharing your ideas in meetings or practising public speaking. Remember, your authentic voice has the power to inspire and create meaningful connections.
How can I ensure my leadership actions align with my core values?
To ensure your leadership actions align with your core values, start by identifying what truly matters to you. Take time to reflect on your values, strengths, and passions, and consider how they influence your decision-making and behaviour.
Regular self-reflection is key - try journaling or using prompts to evaluate whether your actions and communication reflect your principles. Additionally, seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to ensure your leadership style resonates authentically and remains consistent with your values.
How can leaders use storytelling to inspire and connect with their team?
Storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders to inspire and build trust within their teams. By sharing authentic stories that reflect your values and experiences, you can create a deeper emotional connection with your team members. Stories help to humanise leadership, making your message more relatable and memorable.
To use storytelling effectively, focus on:
- Clarity: Keep your stories concise and ensure they have a clear purpose or takeaway.
- Relevance: Share stories that align with your team’s goals or challenges.
- Authenticity: Be genuine and share experiences that reflect your true self.
When done well, storytelling can motivate your team, foster collaboration, and reinforce a shared vision for success.
