Is having a “pretty voice” more important than having a pretty face? According to research by Miron Zukerman and his associates at the University of Rochester, the answer is yes. They found that college students with highly attractive voices were rated as having more pleasant personalities than those with less attractive voices. Interestingly, while facial attractiveness also played a role, the impact of voice was stronger.

This research, as shared in the book Why We Don’t Talk to Each Other Anymore, raises an important question: Do you have an attractive voice? And should you even aim to have one?

The truth is, striving for a “pretty voice” is the wrong goal. Instead, focus on understanding how your voice is perceived by others and learning how to use it more effectively to enhance your influence.

To begin mastering your voice, it’s essential to confront a reality most people avoid: listening to their own recorded voice. This often feels uncomfortable because your voice sounds different on recordings than it does when you speak.

Here is a post explaining why your voice sounds different on an audio recording

Own the Conversation

The First Step to Vocal Influence

Start by recording short audio clips of your voice. Here’s how:

1.In the seven days leading up to your next presentation, use your smartphone to record the opening 45 seconds of your presentation.

2. Listen to this clip three times a day at four-hour intervals.

3.Repeat this process daily until the day of your presentation.

Why This Works

By repeatedly listening to your voice, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how it truly sounds, reducing your aversion to hearing it on recordings. More importantly, you’ll create a mental “audio file” that you can draw upon to deliver your presentation with greater confidence and authority.

Are you ready to make your voice work for you instead of against you?