Proven Methods

5 Daily Voice-Training Exercises for Leaders and Public Speakers

October 12, 20253 min read

5 Daily Voice-Training Exercises for Leaders and Public Speakers

Why your voice is your leadership advantage

Elite athletes train daily; elite communicators do, too. Whether you’re a CEO, public official, or founder, your voice shapes how people perceive your authority, clarity, and presence. Below is a 10–12 minute daily routine distilled from the transcript to help you sound clearer, calmer, and more compelling. You can watch the video here:

Exercise 1: Release facial and jaw tension (2 minutes)

Why it matters

  • Tension makes speech mumbled, edgy, and less pleasant.

  • Relaxed articulation improves clarity and facial expressiveness.

How to do it

  • Big face stretch, then scrunch tight. Repeat 5 times.

  • Jaw circles: rotate slowly both directions.

  • Tongue massage from inside the mouth: press tongue along upper/lower lips and cheeks, moving in circles.

Result

  • Looser articulators for crisp diction and more expressive delivery.

Exercise 2: Connect breath to voice (3 minutes)

Why it matters

  • Shallow breathing produces a weak, shaky, breathy sound and exhausts you.

  • Diaphragmatic breathing grounds your voice and calms your nervous system.

Test your breath

  • One hand on chest, one on stomach. Inhale.

  • Correct: lower hand (stomach) expands while upper hand stays relatively still.

Drill

  • Without taking a big inhale, exhale on a steady “shhh” or gentle “h.”

  • Feel your core engage to control the outflow; when finished, relax and let the breath naturally drop low.

  • Add a relaxed “lip roll” (flutter your lips) to connect breath and sound. If lip rolls are hard, hum lightly and locate the vibration on lips/cheeks (not in the throat).

Result

  • A steadier, more resonant sound with better control under pressure.

Exercise 3: Build range and vocal variety (2 minutes)

Why it matters

  • Monotone = forgettable. Variety = engaging and memorable.

  • Pitch, pace, and melody carry emotion and meaning.

Drills

  • Sirens: glide from low to high to low on a smooth “oo” or with a lip roll.

  • Explore chest voice (most speech), middle voice (more motivational/energized), and head voice (adds color—soft or excited depending on volume and pace).

  • Light singing-style scales on “mm” or “ng” to strengthen agility.

Result

  • More color, interest, and emphasis—people stay with you.

Exercise 4: Diction and articulation (1–2 minutes)

Why it matters

  • Clear speakers are perceived as more confident and competent.

  • Strong articulation improves intelligibility in rooms and on calls.

Drills

  • “Lickickety lickety lick” (tongue-focused)

  • “Pippity poppity pep” (lip-focused)

  • “Bibbidity bobbity boo” (lip precision)

  • “Banana, banana, banana” (full-face resonance)
    Repeat each several times with exaggerated precision, then at conversational pace.

Result

  • Cleaner consonants, better rhythm, and sharper clarity.

Exercise 5: Precision under pressure with tongue twisters (2–3 minutes)

Why it matters

  • Builds accuracy, speed, and cognitive-oral coordination for tough moments.

Try these

  • She sells seashells by the seashore. (S/SH)

  • Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers... (P)

  • Red leather, yellow leather. (R/L coordination)

  • How much wood would a woodchuck chuck… (complex sequencing)

  • Bobby Bippy bought some butter… (B consonants)

  • V vs. W contrast: “Grapes in the wine grow on the vine.”
    Focus on distinctly different lip/teeth positions for W vs. V.

Tips

  • Do 2–3 rounds in succession to test consistency.

  • Start slow, prioritize accuracy, then increase speed.

Result

  • Fewer stumbles, clearer consonant targets, and quicker recovery when you improvise.


A 10-minute daily warm-up you can follow

  • 2 min: Facial release + jaw/tongue massage

  • 3 min: “Shhh” breath control + lip rolls/hums

  • 2 min: Sirens and simple scale glides

  • 1–2 min: Diction drills (rotate 2–3 lines daily)

  • 2–3 min: Tongue twisters (pick two, slow to fast)

Pro tips for leaders

  • Practice before high-stakes calls to reduce vocal shake.

  • Record a 30–60 second message weekly; review for clarity, variety, and pace.

  • Hydrate and avoid excessive caffeine right before speaking—dryness impairs resonance.

  • Stand tall, soften knees, release shoulders—posture supports breath.

Call to action

Use this routine for two weeks and note changes in:

  • Clarity: fewer “What?” requests from listeners

  • Presence: calmer tone and steadier pace

  • Engagement: more nods and participation from the room

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