6 Speech Habits That Can Hold Women Back at Work
The minute we speak - others judge us. It may be unfair – but it happens!
We all are familiar with the “ negative” speech habits we hate to hear. It’s like hearing nails on a chalkboard – too many “um’s,” using an“up” tone, talking too fast, high pitched breathiness – to name a few.
From my experience, women can be judged harshly for how they speak - especially in the corporate world.
Below are the most common speech habits that we work with our clients to eliminate. These are the habits we wish we didn’t have.
Vocal fry: Vocal fry refers to a creaky, often low-pitched vocal quality. This sound is often perceived as annoying or distracting when used excessively .
Upspeak: Upspeak sounds like you’re asking a question with your “up” tone at the end of a sentence - when you are not actually asking a question.
Overuse of filler words: Fillers like "um," "uh," "like," or "you know" can be distracting when used excessively, regardless of gender. We use it to “fill in dead air” or to stop being interrupted. But the result is distracting and takes away from your main message.
Vocalized pauses: Some people insert vocalized pauses, such as saying "uh" or "uhm" frequently, which can interrupt the flow of speech and be distracting.
Speaking too softly: Speaking too softly makes it difficult for others to hear you and to engage. It’s very frustrating!! It also makes the speaker sound unconfident.
Over-apologizing: While it is important to acknowledge mistakes or take responsibility when appropriate, over-apologizing can diminish the impact of your words.
It's important to recognize that these speech habits are not inherently exclusive to women, and they can vary greatly among individuals. But at the same time, we know that women are often strongly scrutinized for how they speak, particularly in the corporate world.
A woman with an unconfident speech pattern may be perceived as not having leadership qualities. This can lead to negative consequences such as not being taken seriously or being denied advancement opportunities. But there is good news!
You CAN work to cultivate clarity, confidence, and engaging delivery skills.
You CAN communicate effectively, persuasively and confidently in all situations.
Let’s work together to improve your speaking skills.
