Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP
Most jobs involve talking to other people. The way we speak affects our relationships and our success at work. If you know how to speak professionally, you will sound more confident and be taken more seriously. Whether you’re in a meeting, giving a presentation, or talking with coworkers or customers, strong communication skills help you stand out.
Some people think professional speaking sounds fake or forced, but that’s not true. Professional speaking isn’t just about using big words. It’s about clear, respectful, and effective communication. This includes your tone, timing, and body language.
Speech therapists are experts in the mechanics and techniques of professional communication. Keep reading to learn what it means to speak professionally, common mistakes to avoid, and how to improve your communication skills at work.
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Work with a licensed speech therapist on a personalized plan to improve your skills. Schedule a free consult call to learn more.
Free consultationWhat does it mean to speak professionally?
Speaking professionally doesn’t mean sounding robotic or using complicated words. It means speaking clearly, respectfully, and appropriately for the situation. Here are the key skills that go into professional communication:
Clarity: Speaking in a way that’s easy to understand, with appropriate articulation, pacing, and pronunciation
Tone: Sounding confident and respectful, not rude or uncertain; using appropriate vocal pitch and resonance to make speech sound more engaging
Body language: Using eye contact and gestures to support your message
Active listening: Focusing on what others are saying instead of just thinking about your response
6 tips to improve your professional speaking skills
1 Think before you speak
Organize your thoughts before you begin talking. It’s OK to take a pause!
2 Expand your vocabulary
Learn new words so you can express your ideas better. There are many available apps that will teach you a new word a day.
3 Practice active listening
Focus on truly understanding others when they’re speaking, instead of planning what you’ll say in response.
4 Ask for feedback
Get advice from coworkers, mentors, or a speech therapist for expert guidance.
5 Record yourself speaking
Listen to how you sound and make a plan to improve from there.
6 Consider working with a communication coach
You can partner with a speech therapist or communication coach to learn techniques and strategies that are personalized to you, then practice using them in sessions.
Common mistakes to avoid in professional speaking
Speaking clearly and confidently doesn’t come naturally to everyone! Here are some common mistakes people make when communicating at work.
Using filler words: Words like “um,” “uh,” and “like” make you sound unsure. Try pausing instead. A speech therapist can help you identify patterns of hesitation and teach techniques to reduce filler words.
Talking too fast: Speaking quickly can make you hard to understand. Slow down so people can follow. Speech therapy can improve your pacing and breath control for clearer speech.
Using slang or casual language: Depending on your workplace, phrases like “gonna” or “I dunno” can sound unprofessional.
Making distracting gestures: Moving your arms or shifting weight from side to side can distract from your verbal message.
Avoiding eye contact: Looking away too much can make you seem nervous or untrustworthy.
Speaking in a monotone: A flat voice makes you seem bored or uninterested. Speech therapy can help with intonation and vocal variation to make your speech more dynamic.
Overusing jargon: Too many technical words confuse people. Keeping it simple is best!
Interrupting: Cutting people off can seem rude. Let them finish speaking.
Making grammar mistakes: Poor grammar can hurt your credibility.
Why should you focus on speaking professionally?
Speaking well builds trust, credibility, and strong relationships. It’s also key for leadership and career growth. Strong communication helps with networking, job opportunities, and persuasion.
Professional speaking also cuts down on misunderstandings and conflicts. Clear communication creates a better work environment overall.
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of professional communication:
Better understanding: Prevents confusion and miscommunication
More confidence: Helps you feel and appear more capable
Stronger persuasion: Makes your ideas more convincing
More respect: Leads people to take you more seriously
Better networking: Leaves a great impression on others
Talk with one of our specialists
Ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about online speech therapy for adults during a free 15-minute consult call.
Free consultationLearn to speak professionally with communication coaching
For many people, working with a speech-language pathologist (also called a speech therapist) can be a game-changer. Speech therapists provide expert guidance on clarity, pronunciation, vocal tone, and speech confidence—all essential for professional communication. They can help you understand the soft skills you need to stand out and get ahead at work.
If you’re looking for a new job, working with a speech therapist can boost your confidence and provide valuable practice for answering interview questions. Plus, mentioning your commitment to self-improvement through speech therapy can be a strong point during job interviews.
At Expressable, we help adults in all sorts of jobs strengthen their professional speaking skills. Whether you need help with clear articulation, pacing, vocal tone, or confidence, we provide personalized coaching. If you’re curious, take our free online screener to see if you might benefit. You can also contact us for a free consultation with one of our specialists, who can guide you to the program that can help you become a confident, persuasive speaker.
