
5 Daily Voice-Training Exercises for Leaders and Public Speakers
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