The Leader's Voice: Respect It, Protect It, and Use It Properly!
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
Lynda Bourne, Kevin Korterud, Conrado Morlan, Peter Tarhanidis, Mario Trentim, Jen Skrabak, David Wakeman, Wanda Curlee, Christian Bisson, Yasmina Khelifi, Sree Rao, Soma Bhattacharya, Emily Luijbregts, Lenka Pincot, cyndee miller, Jorge Martin Valdes Garciatorres, Marat Oyvetsky, Ramiro Rodrigues
Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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The Leader's Voice: Respect It, Protect It, and Use It Properly!
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Date
By Yasmina Khelifi, PMP, PMI-PBA, PMI-ACP
A few weeks ago, I lost my voice entirely for two days. It finally came back, but I had to wait a few weeks for it to regain its strength.
It was an unpleasant experience on a personal level. I had to use an old slate, a pen, and an eraser to communicate with my family and other contacts. I became aware that my daily environment was not suitable for people who did not speak.
However, it was also an enlightening experience at the professional level. I had to take sick leave for two days because I was not able to work without a voice.
I wrote emails, messages and texts to move projects forward, but I missed being able to use the power of my voice. Electronic communication methods are not enough.
As a project leader, you need to connect, explain, help, negotiate, organize, collaborate and brainstorm. But you also need to listen. I also realized that I spoke too much during conference calls and sometimes had to repeat myself.
The voice translates our inner state, even if we are not conscious about it. We have all experienced team members saying, “I’m fine” with a big smile, but we felt it was not true.
I work most of the time with no videos, and thanks to the international background I work in, I have learned to listen to the hesitations, the “yes” that means “no,” the pauses that indicate a need for help. Smiles can also be “heard” through the phones even if there is no video.
Having a voice is also about learning how to use it. We are so familiar with the sound of our own voices that, for most people, it’s hard to listen to their own voice. But I encourage you to do it. When I began producing podcasts, I had to listen to each entire episode several times to edit it. I heard my voice, and I was surprised—I had spoken too fast, with too much energy, and sounded like I was giving orders. This also explained why, at the beginning of my career, a colleague (politely) told me, “Don't give me any orders.”
My next step is to take vocal training with a coach to learn more about it.
The voice is a fragile muscle: you need to respect it and protect it.
When you have a voice, activate it! Don't shut up, but listen.
How do you use your voice as a project leader?
Posted
by
Yasmina Khelifi
on: May 29, 2025 02:19 PM |
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Comments (8)
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Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Yasmina, this is a powerful—and rare—testimony on a topic many leaders tend to overlook: the voice as a leadership tool.
Your experience turns a temporary limitation into a deep learning moment, both personally and professionally.
It’s especially relevant in a world where we lead through screens, and tone and listening often replace physical presence.
Your insight that 'the voice reveals our inner state' is something every project leader should take to heart.
I particularly appreciated your reflection that listening is more than hearing sounds—it’s about decoding hesitations, silences, and tone—essential in multicultural and remote environments.
The honesty with which you acknowledged your own tone, and your commitment to vocal training, reflect authentic and conscious leadership.
Perhaps the next step is to turn this reflection into shared practice: what about a short series on vocal presence, active listening, and communication in virtual settings?
Thank you for bringing forward something so simple—and so often overlooked: the art of leading with voice—and with listening
Thank you Luis for your powerful comments. Perhaps I'll make a part 2 when I did the vocal training:)
As a project leader, I use my voice to foster trust and clarity. I’ve built a habit of listening first, then responding with intent. This shift took time but strengthened my presence. Now, when I speak, others listen—because they feel heard, valued, and aligned with a clear direction forward.
Denver Nario
Project Manager| ELS Consultancy And Management Inc.
Quezon City, 00, Philippines
Thank you for this insightful reflection, Yasmina. As project leaders, we often underestimate the power and impact of our voice—not just in speaking, but in truly listening. This is a great reminder to use our voice with intention, clarity, and empathy.
Marios Efthymiou
Consultant - Coach - Trainer| Affirma Consulting and Coaching
Lefkosia, Cyprus
Amari Zivai
Sales Representative| Total Life Changes
Michigan, United States
Shumaila Sadaf
Legal Advisor| Billions works SMC Pvt LTD
Karachi, Pakistan
SANTOSH BADGUJAR
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER| Accumax Lab Devices
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Leadership voice is both a privilege and a responsibility. As a COO, I've seen how an overused voice loses impact — when leaders speak constantly, people start filtering them out. Conversely, those who speak less but with greater intentionality tend to hold rooms. The advice to protect your voice is spot on: don't spend it on every issue. Reserve it for the moments where it will create the greatest clarity, direction, or inspiration. This framing is a valuable self-check for every leader.
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