The Myth Of "Speaking Up"
"They told her to speak up more if she wanted to be seen as a leader".
It wasn't bad advice, exactly. But it missed the point. Because what they didn't see - what most people overlook - is how everyone leaned in when she did speak.
Because presence isn't about how loud your voice is, it's about how clearly your values ring through.
What Resonance Looks Like
This leader didn't fill the room with noise. She filled it with precision.
- She asked the questions others avoided.
- She named the tensions no one else would.
- She held the silence long enough for something real to emerge.
And in doing so, she became unforgettable. Not because she performed, but because she resonated.
Why Volume Is A Myth
Ambitious emerging leaders often feel the pressure to be louder. To speak first, to project confidence, to take up space.
But here's the quiet truth: loudness without clarity is just noise.
What people remember isn't the decibels. It's the depth. It's not the volume of your words, but the weight of them. Not how quickly you jump in, but how fully you stand in what you say.
Resonance Over Performance
Resonance occurs when your values, voice, and presence align. It doesn't require volume. It requires congruence.
Think of a tuning fork. When struck, it vibrates not because it shouts, but because it carries a frequency others can feel. Leadership presence works the same way.
When you lead with resonance, people don't just hear you; they feel you.
The Cost Of Chasing Volume
The myth of volume leaves many leaders drained. They try to perform leadership instead of practising it. They mistake noise for influence. And they end up doubting themselves when the performance feels hollow.
But the leaders who shift from volume to resonance? They reclaim their energy. They find clarity in their own voice. And they discover that presence isn't about filling the room, but anchoring it.
My Gentle Invitation
If you've been told to "speak up more" or to "project confidence", pause before you take that advice at face value.
Because leadership presence isn't about being the loudest voice in the room, it's about finding the resonance that makes people lean in.
At Foresight, our coaching programs help leaders discover that resonance, not by teaching them to perform louder, but by guiding them to align their voice, values, and presence.
The strongest leaders aren't unforgettable because of their volume; they're memorable because of their resonance.
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