On Cue with Kafui Dey: Five (5) ways executives can speak with authority without shouting

There’s a certain kind of  boss you can hear from the car park. He doesn’t just speak—he broadcasts.

By the time he finishes giving instructions, the receptionist already knows, the driver already knows, and the coconut seller across the road also knows. Here’s the problem: shouting is not the same as authority.

In fact, the louder you shout, the less powerful you appear. Real authority comes from presence, clarity, and confidence—not from turning your voice into a loudspeaker. So how can you speak with authority without sounding like a trotro mate at Kwame Nkrumah Circle? Let’s break it down.

1. Master the pause

Silence is not weakness—it’s power. When you pause at the right moment, people lean in. They wait for your next word. Think of President Barack Obama: he could say, “My fellow Americans…” and pause, and suddenly 300 million people would be hanging on for the next line.

In Ghana, we often feel the need to fill every space with words, but your pauses can command more attention than a three-minute monologue. Next time you’re in the boardroom, pause before delivering the key message. Your colleagues will feel the weight of your words—no shouting required.

2. Use the power of eye contact

Authority is as much visual as it is vocal. If you avoid eye contact, you look unsure—even if you have the best ideas in the room. On the other hand, looking people in the eye while you speak sends a message: “I know what I’m saying, and I mean it.” Of course, there’s a balance. Don’t stare so hard that your staff think you’re challenging them to a staring contest. A calm, steady gaze across the table works better than a raised voice. After all, it’s hard to ignore someone who is confidently looking right at you.

3. Cut the verbal fat

Have you noticed that the executives who shout the most often say the least? Authority comes from clarity, not volume. If your staff need a translation service after your 20-minute explanation, you’ve already lost them. Instead, speak in short, sharp sentences. Trim the “umm,” “you know,” and “basically” out of your speech. Imagine you’re paying GH¢10 per word—you’ll be amazed at how quickly you get to the point. As an African proverb says: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” But if you take too long explaining, your audience may run off to embrace lunch instead.

4. Control your body language

Sometimes your body is shouting louder than your mouth. Waving your arms wildly or slamming the table might get attention—but it won’t earn respect. Instead, stand or sit tall. Keep your shoulders relaxed but upright. Use controlled hand gestures to emphasize your points. Picture yourself as the conductor of an orchestra: every small movement should guide your audience, not scare them. Remember: if you look like you’re in control, people will assume you are.

5. Warm up your voice

Authority doesn’t mean deepening your voice until you sound like a faulty generator. But a steady, well-projected voice makes all the difference. Try this simple warm-up before meetings: take a deep breath, hum for a few seconds, then speak a sentence in your normal tone. You’ll sound more grounded and confident. And drink water. A dry throat makes you croak like a village frog—hardly the image of an executive in control.

Final word

Shouting might make you heard, but it won’t make you respected. Authority comes from how you carry yourself, how clearly you express your ideas, and how you connect with your audience. So, the next time you feel like raising your voice, pause.

Make eye contact. Cut the fat. Control your body. Warm up your voice. That way, you won’t need to shout to be taken seriously. Even the coconut seller outside will know—you are a leader who speaks with authority.

>>>Kafui Dey is a TV presenter, Corporate MC and public speaking trainer. Email him on [email protected]

The post On Cue with Kafui Dey: Five (5) ways executives can speak with authority without shouting appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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