Right Voice, Right Room

There is no single "correct" voice. The register that works in a board meeting falls flat at a team celebration, and vice versa.

When you do not yet know a room's vocal norms, read them before you commit. Three quick reads:

• Match the energy people give you for the first minute, then adjust
• Watch the senior person — the group usually mirrors their pace and volume
• Notice what earns nods — calm points or animated ones — and lean that way.