The Boardroom Beat #40 - Coaching is... a Voice Amplifier

#3 Of the a Five Part Series “Coaching is…..”

Coaching is a Voice Amplifier. Elevating your leadership brand and increasing your contribution requires having a clear point of view (POV), and the confidence to assert it. This builds on the previous article in the series which focused on conquering the Imposter. Overcoming the Imposter voice is the first step; speaking up and out is how you put that growth into action.

Speak up. It's your job.

I encourage voice with this truth — you are paid to share a POV that is uniquely yours, shaped by your experience, your interactions, and your seat in the organization. Imposter influence, introversion, or perceived cultural norms may all deter speaking up, especially in rooms that convene cross-functional teams, varying levels of seniority, or external clients. I have worked with more clients than I can count whose ingrained deference to hierarchy renders them silent. 

Speak up. Make it count.

Your POV should be should be grounded in facts and supported by data. Framing recommendations as a business case is often the most effective approach. Using your voice to share information in a measured, pragmatic manner builds credibility and strengthens your leadership brand. Executive presence is not just for executives! It is an attribute that is achievable at every stage of your career. Speaking up when you have something meaningful to contribute is a vital part of that presence.

Speak up. Then what?

Then listen up. How do other POVs influence the brainstorming or the execution planning? Using your voice means ensuring that your voice is a part of the solution. It also means collaborating with others to reach a more complete understanding of the issue at hand. Returning to hierarchical realities, you may not have access to all the information a senior decision-maker uses to reach a conclusion. Their decision may differ from what you proposed or believe to be the best course of action. Once your voice has been heard, your role is to support execution—whether that means following the leader’s plan or the group’s consensus. However, if you strongly believe that the chosen direction will be detrimental to outcomes, continue gathering data. Use your voice again with new insights to reopen the discussion constructively.

Speaking out. Thought Leadership.

So far this article has referred to “amplifying voice” within the context of internal organizational communication. But it absolutely extends to external communication, as well. Using your voice as a professional is a powerful way to increase visibility for your company while simultaneously building your own credibility and influence. Done well, it creates a win-win: your employer gains trusted exposure, and you establish yourself as a thought leader. Here are a few possibilities:

•    Speak on topics that align with your subject matter expertise and your company’s value proposition.
•    Write on platforms like LinkedIN with posts, articles, or comments that deliver credibility, clarity, and relevance.
•    Join panels, webinars, or industry events to position your company as a source of talent and innovation. 

Amplify your voice.

This article began with building the confidence to speak up in conversations and internal meetings, then stretched toward the growth that comes with speaking out across external channels. Coaching is a Voice Amplifier because, in nearly every engagement, I encounter clients somewhere along this continuum of personal and professional growth.

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