…‘Our career and romantic prospects, social status and reproductive success depend to an amazing degree on how we sound. This is a question not only of our vocal timbre, which is partly passed down by our parents (in the size, density and viscosity of our vocal cords, and the internal geometry of the resonance chambers of our neck and head), or our accent, but also our volume, pace and vocal attack.

These elements of our speech betray dispositions toward extroversion or introversion, confidence or shyness, aggression or passivity – aspects of temperament that are, science tells us, partly innate, but also a result of how we respond to life’s challenges, in the innumerable environmental influences that mould personality and character and, consequently, our voice.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. For Zeitels now added: “You are not being transmitted by your voice.”

That

the voice is a vital clue to character and personality –

to fundamental identity – was not news to me. I had always known that the voice is a kind of aural fingerprint, something unique to every individual and from which listeners draw strong inferences. But in “speaking around” that injury, I was apparently projecting a new personality into the world: a more monotone, less enthusiastic, less engaged personality.

…

To alter your voice in ways that conform better to the person you feel yourself to be, or that you wish you were

 means changing, fundamentally, who you are.

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The above vignettes are from a superb, thought-provoking, challenging Guardian article by John Colapinto,  The day my voice broke. What an injury taught me about the power of speech

The article is a longish (but highly worthwhile) read.

Own the Conversation

In the next seven days, start getting curious about your voice – and pose and reflect on these questions during your daily speaking:

• What is my voice telling about me when I’m at work?
• What does my voice say about my character and personality?
• How have my career prospects, romantic prospects and social status been determined by how I sound?
• Is my voice transmitting how I want to be perceived by others?

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p.s. This prior post will help you better understand your voice and how it is perceived.