Can I change my voice?

Your voice is one of your most powerful communication tools—and it plays a much bigger role than most people realize, especially in first impressions.

Many of us treat our voice as something that is simply given. Like a fingerprint, it seems almost impossible to change. And to a certain extent, that’s true: we can often recognize dozens of people just by the way they say “hello.”

But here’s the good news. Even within the limits of your natural voice, there is enormous potential for improvement.

I’m not a voice coach myself, so the best advice I can give is to work with a professional—ideally a theater actor or a singer. If that’s not an option, even a drama student can teach you a surprising amount about voice awareness and control. Singing lessons in general are also highly recommended.

When it comes to improving your voice, the problem usually isn’t that you’re not doing enough. More often, it’s that you’re doing things you shouldn’t be doing.

Harsh, thin, or tense voices often come from unnecessary tension in the body—especially in the head, neck, and shoulder area. Simply adopting a “correct” posture rarely solves the issue. Years of habits and reflexes—like stiffening the neck under stress—distort your sense of what actually feels natural and relaxed.

This is where methods such as the Alexander Technique, widely used by professional actors and singers, can be extremely effective. These approaches focus on releasing chronic tension and retraining the body so that the voice is supported naturally, rather than forced.

A better-sounding voice, in other words, is often less about adding effort—and more about letting go.

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Communication Psychology and HR: in small and practical lessons once a week.

 

With a focus on international and multilingual business conversations.

 

Gerhard Ohrband is a psychologist from Hamburg/Germany, specialized in Communication Psychology and HR. He consults individuals and companies worldwide (in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian and Russian) on how to avoid costly misunderstandings and handle conflicts with employees and clients.

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