Women-Find your Voice and Be Heard — Women’s Voices in the Indian Corporate & Business Environment

Location: The conference room of a large financial organization.

Agenda: To brainstorm ideas for a new service…… As the discussion gains momentum, one of the women vice presidents has an incredibly good idea shaping up in her head. After some hesitation, she clears her throat and tries to speak. But her soft, apologetic voice is lost among the high decibel male voices in the room.

The number of women in the corporate & business environment in India is on the rise. And yet, women have a hard time being heard. They feel that their voice often undermines their message in a male dominated setup. Women have to contend with unique challenges related to vocal communication in getting their point across. According to Caroline Turner, an expert on gender differences and a former corporate executive & business attorney, women’s voices are not fully heard in the business & corporate environment in the U.S.A. She says that “the feminine style of speaking sounds less confident as a woman speaks more humbly, often posing her point as a question. While a man speaks in declarative sentences, sounding confident, regardless of whether he has the facts or the expertise. In the business world, where the masculine style is the norm, the feminine style of speaking is perceived as lacking in confidence”.

In Asian countries like India, cultural & social factors often influence the way women use their body and voice to express themselves. As a result, free & full vocal expression is restricted. Women’s voices are often not heard in the corporate & business world.

Dr. Sadhana Nayak M.S [Otolaryngology], D.O.R.L 

Many professional women do just about everything they can, to ‘disempower’ their voices. Some of the physical & vocal habits and factors that restrict effective & powerful vocal communication in women are:

1. Women often slouch, allowing the spine & chest to collapse and shoulders to slump forward. Apart from squeezing the voice, a collapsed spine & body convey diffidence

2. Women have a naturally higher pitch, compared to men, as they have shorter & thinner vocal folds, and a smaller larynx (voice-box). The pitch of the voice tends to rise further whenever a woman is nervous or under pressure. As a result, they end up sounding shrill, squeaky or immature – vocal qualities that undermine their professional ability.

3. Upspeak or uptalk is a trend among young urban professional women. It is a rising inflection at the end of a sentence, making every sentence sound like a question. The end result is that they sound unsure and diffident.

4. Women tend to speak with a breathy voice- a vocal habit where the vocal folds are held apart, allowing more air to escape. A breathy voice is soft & therefore not heard, and the speaker comes across as immature.

5. Women often develop breathing patterns & habits like taking in quick shallow breaths using the upper chest or holding the breath, to avoid expressing their point of view fully. This disempowers the voice, as the breath is the source of power for the voice.

6. Women tend to use an apologetic tone more than men as they have traditionally played a nurturing role in society.

Apart from physical & vocal patterns that women develop, the demands of fashion and use of modern technology have created additional problems for the woman’ s voice. Working on computers for long hours encourages women to slump. Clothes fitting snugly at the waist and on the chest do not

allow them to breathe deeply. High heels misalign the body and spine. Put together, it is a combination that restricts the voice.

Voice coaching starts with changing physical, breathing and vocal patterns to allow organic and free vocal expression. The coaching initially focuses on allowing a full flow of the voice through a relaxed & aligned body and spine, developing an empowered & supported breath, an open throat & a relaxed jaw. It progresses to clear speech and intonation- learning pitch inflections & volume variations, the power of pausing & pacing, and projecting the voice. The coaching is designed to help women in the corporate and business world find their voice and express themselves fully. A clear, smooth & modulated voice projected from a relaxed body conveys confidence and increases your credibility in any communication situation – whether it is a presentation, meeting, conference or a client interaction.

When you enhance the tone, flexibility, modulation and power of your voice, you project yourself and your ideas clearly, with all the energy and passion you feel. Every communication whether on the telephone, in a meeting or before an audience becomes an empowering experience.

About Dr. Sadhana Nayak

She is a Mumbai based vocal medicine specialist and voice coach for professional and artistic voice users. She has trained business leaders, corporate speakers, actors, news anchors and singers in India and the U.S.A

Website: www.drsadhananayak.com

Email: drnayakvoice@gmail.com

Mobile: +919819752312

Timing: 11 a.m- 5 p.m

The Importance of Hydration for a Healthy Voice

Hydration is important for healthy vocal folds. Drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated is vital for it to function efficiently. The adult human body is approximately 60- 65 % water. Dehydration or inadequate hydration affects every cell, organ and system in the body, including the vocal system. Those who seek help for voice problems & disorders are often not aware of the importance of hydration. They usually have their own reasons for not drinking enough water - some who drink as few as 1-2 glasses a day because they think it is adequate; others who believe their tea, coffee or cola intake takes care of their hydration; some who argue that they don’t drink water since they don’t feel thirsty.

How does inadequate water intake affect the voice?

Inadequate water affects the efficient functioning of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are responsible for phonation i.e converting the airflow from the exhaled breath into acoustic energy or the raw sound. When we speak, the vocal folds vibrate & there is contact between the two vocal folds. Normally, the natural structure of the vocal fold lining and a thin layer of mucus protect the vocal folds from voice problems or injuries, that can be caused by long hours of speaking or singing. Mucus acts as a lubricant for the vibrating vocal folds & water provides the raw material for producing mucus. If you don’t drink enough water, mucus tends to be thick & viscous [sticky], and the vocal fold tissues dry up. This makes your vocal folds vulnerable to voice disorders. Water also hydrates and lubricates the mucous membranes [lining] of the throat and mouth, making speaking & singing easier. Dehydration increases your vocal effort while speaking or singing.

Professional voice users and performers, including corporate & business speakers, actors, singers, television anchors, newscasters & radio jockeys use their voice for long hours, often at the extremes of their pitch & volume range. Using the voice for long hours tends to dry up the throat because we often breathe through the mouth while speaking or singing. They work in dry environments like airconditioned offices, studios, that further contribute to drying of the throat & voice. As a result, they are vulnerable to vocal problems and injuries, if they fail to drink enough water.

Recognizing dehydration or dryness of the vocal folds

These are a few indicators [Note that the following symptoms could also indicate other vocal or health problems]

• Your mouth and throat feel dry and scratchy

• You often need to clear your throat

• Your urine looks yellow/dark

• Voice use is effortful

• You feel thirsty very often

A few factors that contribute to dehydration of the vocal folds

• Caffeine in coffee, cocoa, chocolates, colas

• Alcohol

• Dry, polluted, hot & airconditioned environments

• Excess consumption of sugar/ sweets/ lozenges

• Mouth breathing- habitual or due to a blocked nose

• Health issues like diabetes, hypertension, anemia, among others

• Medication used for colds, cough, depression, anxiety, hypertension, very high doses of vitamin C, among others

                                Dr. Sadhana Nayak M.S [Otolaryngology], D.O.R.L 
                                             
Staying hydrated for a healthy voice

The amount of water you drink depends on your voice use, health, lifestyle, physical activity and environment. A general recommendation for healthy adults, especially if you are a professional or occupational voice user, is between 2.5 to 3.5 liters of water in a day. Here are a few ways to keep your body & vocal folds hydrated, however busy you are. [Check if you have renal, cardiac or other health issues, that call for restriction of water intake]

• Keep sipping water. Don’t wait till you are thirsty. Thirst is a sign of dehydration

• Eat fruits and vegetables as they will contribute to your water intake. They will also give you the additional health benefits from fiber, vitamins and minerals

• Reduce your consumption of coffee, colas, alcohol & other vocal dehydrators. For every unit of coffee, colas, alcohol you consume, drink extra water

• If you live or work in an air conditioned, smoky or dusty environment or under hot lights in a studio or on stage, drink more water

• If you exercise or work out regularly, compensate for the loss of water through sweating, by drinking more water

• Keep water handy at all times. Always carry a bottle of water with you. Have a bottle or two at your work desk.

• Start your day with a glass or two of water.

• The color of your urine is an indicator of how well hydrated you are. The paler, the better.

• Air travel dehydrates the vocal folds. Speak less and drink more water when you fly.

• Keep your vocal folds well hydrated before a performance, presentation or rehearsal

• Seek medical help if you are a mouth breather


Does drinking water during a performance/presentation help in hydrating the vocal folds?

This will instantly moisten the lining membranes of your mouth and throat, but it takes time to reach your vocal folds. Water reaches all the cells in your body, including those in your vocal folds through the blood stream. It takes anywhere between 45 to 90 minutes for water to reach your vocal folds & hydrate them.

Warm or cold water?

What is more important is to drink enough water, whichever way you like it. If cold water does not affect your throat, there is no reason for you to stop drinking it. However, drinking cold or iced water just before or during a performance may contract/tighten the throat muscles & constrict/ shrink the blood vessels. Water at room temperature, before and during a presentation/performance is a safe bet.

About Dr. Sadhana Nayak

She is a Mumbai based vocal medicine specialist and voice coach for professional and artistic voice users. She has trained business leaders, corporate speakers, actors, news anchors and singers in India and the U.S.A

Website: www.drsadhananayak.com

Email: drnayakvoice@gmail.com

Mobile: +919819752312

Timing: 11 a.m- 5 p.m

Power Speaking for Presentations

For most speakers, preparing for a presentation involves working on the content and power point slides. ‘What you say’ is important. But ‘How you say it’, is what transforms a good presentation into an excellent one. If you want to be perceived as a charismatic and memorable speaker, learn to prepare ‘Your- Self’ - your voice, breath, body and vocal delivery for presentations , so that you exude confidence & presence while speaking.

Preparing Your Voice, Breath, Body and Vocal Delivery for Presentations

• Tap into the full potential of your breath. Learn thoracoabdominal breathing – how to use the lower chest and abdomen (belly) effectively, to power your voice

• Develop healthy posture. Learn to keep your spine and body aligned.

• Practise exercises to keep your jaw and throat relaxed so that your voice sounds resonant and richer

• Find and use your optimal vocal pitch, which is usually in the lower half of your pitch range

• Practise speaking at the right pace so that you are not too fast or too slow. Learn to vary the pace at which you speak, so that you sound interesting

• Learn to use the right tone of voice so that you sound authoritative, credible and confident

• Practise articulation or speech exercises so that your words are clear & precise, and your audience receives your message

• Learn to stress on the right words, using pitch & volume variations and effective pauses, so that your audience can make meaning of what you are saying

                                      Dr. Sadhana Nayak M.S [Otolaryngology], D.O.R.L

• Practise effective intonation or voice modulation by using a combination of variations in pitch, volume, pauses, & the pace or speed at which you speak, to hold the attention of your audience

• Learn how to project your voice. Projection is a healthy and effective way of making yourself heard.

• Practise your vocal delivery regularly for a few days before the presentation. Your vocal delivery should empower your message & effectively convey your professional image

• Record your presentation and listen to it objectively. Check if you are sounding monotonous, unclear, shrill, breathy, nasal, too fast or slow, too soft or loud, and work on it

• Practise your presentation in front of a mirror. You will get to see & understand how you use your body and breathing for speaking

• Improvise every time you practise, so that you sound spontaneous. Develop a conversational and natural style of speaking.

• Take a few relaxed breaths, align your spine, center your body, before you start your presentation.

• Avoid holding your breath when you are planning what to say next.

• Learn to make effective use of pauses. Don’t use vocal fillers like ‘Uhm, Uh’. Breathe whenever you pause.

• Avoid using long sentences that will strain your breathing. Your audience will also find it difficult to understand you.

• Speak at a pace that is not too fast or slow. Vary your pace depending on your content.

• Make yourself interesting with vocal variations, often referred to as voice modulation.

• Warm up your voice regularly before every presentation.

• Avoid wearing high heels and waist hugging clothes, that squeeze your body & breath, and affect the alignment of your spine & body.

About Dr. Sadhana Nayak

She is a Mumbai based vocal medicine specialist and voice coach for professional and artistic voice users. She has trained business leaders, corporate speakers, actors, news anchors and singers in India and the U.S.A


Website : www.drsadhananayak.com

Email : drnayakvoice@gmail.com

Mobile : +919819752312

Timing : 11 a.m- 5 p.m

Why is it important to have vocal coaching?

For individuals who are aspiring to become successful vocalists, it is important for them to have good voice and same can only be achieved by undergoing vocal training from the best centers in the city. The choice of best centers can bring in tremendous improvement in voice quality and help them achieve their career targets easily. Vocal coaching can be of help in various ways and same has been listed below.

Presence of professionals at coaching centers

Enrollment with the best vocal coaching for public speaking can enable individual get education or knowledge from the best professionals in the town. The professionals at the centers analyses, monitor and also supervise the individuals and offer them best methods following which good vocals can be achieved.

Effective regimen

After getting associated with professionals, they can help you to achieve effective regimen which in future is quite useful for having a long and successful career. Even individuals who have achieved great heights in their career, they also make a point to stay in touch with coaching centers or professionals such that they can stay stable and successful in their career.

Confidence and encouragement

For individuals who are trained by specialists in the field they tend to develop more confidence in comparison to other people. Such individuals become capable of presenting themselves in the crowd and also achieve high goals in life. Such trainings at the end are helpful for personal growth of an individual and hence should be pursued.

From the facts mentioned above it is well evident that pursuing or enrolling at vocal trainingMumbai centers is an important decision to make. Hence same should be taken wisely and utmost benefits should be achieved from the same.