Stop Shrinking: Voice, Habit and Presence
About this episode
Anne Leatherland discusses how women can stop shrinking their voices and take up more vocal space in professional settings.
In this episode of Be Truly Heard, coach and voice expert Anne Leatherland explores the subtle ways women “shrink” their voices, speaking more softly, holding back in meetings, choosing minimising language – and how that quietly erodes impact at work. She unpacks where this habit comes from (early conditioning, gender expectations, fear of being judged), then shares practical mindset, body and visualisation tools to help you take up more vocal space without needing to be loud or “pushy”. She walks you through noticing when you retreat, experimenting with speaking earlier in “low-stakes” situations, shifting the thoughts that sit behind your sound, and using simple visualisations to retrain your nervous system so that being heard feels safe, not scary. The episode is a reminder that while shrinking may once have felt like self-protection, it no longer serves you if you want to be remembered, respected, and truly heard in business. Key Takeaways Shrinking shows up in your body and your sound. Rounded shoulders, shallow breath and small posture lead to a quieter, tentative voice that makes it easier for others to overlook you. Awareness is the first step to change. Start noticing…
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