How to Speak Like a Leader: Mastering Tone, Confidence & Influence

Salesforce Hiring Edge

In this thought-provoking episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant—joined by expert guests Josh LeQuire and Jon Cline—tackle a crucial yet often overlooked skill: tone and professional communication.

Our tone of voice shapes how we are perceived in different professional settings—whether we’re speaking to executives, leading a meeting, presenting at a conference, or conducting an interview. But does a confident tone always mean success? Should you adjust your tone depending on your audience? Is “consultant speak” helpful or harmful? The panel dives deep into the nuances of communication, exploring when and how to adapt your tone for impact while staying authentic.

This episode also marks Vanessa Grant’s final show as co-host, as she reflects on three years of sharing insights, growing her platform, and helping thousands of Salesforce professionals advance their careers.

Key topics include:

• The power of tone: how musicality, pacing, and emphasis affect perception.
• When to adjust your tone—and when to stay authentic.
• Why confidence doesn’t always mean certainty and how to use uncertainty strategically.
• The difference between effective leadership communication and “sounding smart.”
• How to improve your vocal presence with a one-minute voice training exercise.
• A special farewell segment: Vanessa Grant reflects on her journey as co-host.

Whether you’re navigating high-stakes meetings, client interactions, or public speaking engagements, this episode will help you develop a strong, adaptable, and authentic professional voice that commands respect and fosters trust.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Matthews: thesalesforcerecruiter.com

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Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome and Vanessa Grant’s Final Episode Announcement
00:12:45 - The Importance of Tone in Professional Settings
00:27:50 - Confidence vs. Authenticity: When to Adjust Your Tone
00:42:15 - How to Communicate Uncertainty Without Losing Credibility
00:55:30 - The “Consultant Voice”: Does It Build Trust or Push People Away?
01:10:45 - Mastering Tone: Pacing, Emphasis, and the Power of the Pause
01:25:00 - One-Minute Vocal Training Exercise for Stronger Speech
01:40:15 - Vanessa’s Reflections: Three Years of the Salesforce Career Show

Chapters

1. Exploring Professional Tone in Communication (00:00:00)

2. Navigating Confidence in Professional Communication (00:12:31)

3. Mastering Confidence in Professional Communication (00:23:56)

4. Effective Communication Strategies in Professional Settings (00:28:50)

5. Promoting Confidence Through Vocal Exercises (00:36:26)

6. Lessons Learned Through Professional Networking (00:45:27)