Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM - 5 PM
Contact for consultation: hilary@hedcoaching.com
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Hi, I’m Hilary.

I’m passionate about increasing gender equality in the workplace by building support structure, developing a sense of belonging and creating inclusive work cultures. I do this by supporting individuals and organisations build their equality, integrity and belonging.

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Contact Info

  • 146 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
  • +27 72 023 1127
  • hilary@hedcoaching.com
  • Week Days: 09.00 to 17.00 Saturday/Sunday: Closed

Voice – what are you saying?

Voice – what are you saying?

A friend of mine is the “voice” of a well-known bank in south africa, and not surprisingly because his voice is beautiful to listen to. He pops up unexpectedly on the radio or on youtube from time to time. What’s funny about it though, is that its his voice but its also not his voice. Its his “voice-over voice”. My sister used to tease me of the same thing when I answered the phone. My telephone voice. We adapt our voices on situations, depending on when we want to be heard as one thing more than another.

I’ve also noticed I do it with my accent. I become more Geordie when I go home, I adopt a more standard British accent when I’m presenting or I’m facilitating, and somehow I merge into some south African slang when I’m trying to fit in with friends here. Our voice is another way in which we adapt in order to influence how we are received. In this way, our voice is an extension of our identities.

There is more to our Voice

Our voice is not just limited to the way we say something though. It is so much more than the depth, the tone, the camber and accent of what comes out of us. Our voice is an external projection of our internal reality, and it’s a tool that can enables us to take up space in the world, to share our opinions and thoughts, to connect with other people and to ask for what we want and need. Often in the work I do, I hear stories or experience clients who have lost their voice.
Sometimes our voice is overpowered by others. Sometimes our voice is lost from within. Other times, our voice changes, much like my telephone voice, because of the situation I am in or who I am with. Recently I have become more mindful of my voice and how I am using it in those situations.

Ask yourself

Is my voice authentic, or is it performative? What is the message my voice is sharing to the world?

Who is my voice representing? Who can my voice speak for, for others who have lost theirs?

How can I build my confidence in my authentic voice, the message it shares and the people it is reaching? How do I stay true to my own voice even if it means being different from the voices around me?

Our voice is an extension of our identities.
Hilary Davies

My voice is unique. My Geordie lilt, my tone, my speed. My words, my message and my inner voice that I choose to share with the world. These are things that I hope to stay true to, and in doing that, help others to find and share their unique voice with the world too.