The Working Voice: Vocal Health and Effective Communication

The Working Voice is an accessible, go-to resource to help readers get to know, take care of, and develop their voice. An essential guide for anyone whose voice acts as an integral part of their professional role, this highly practical yet informative book provides the necessary insights to achieve real results, drawing on the experience of an expert speech and language therapist, and an accomplished actor and voice and communication coach.

Each chapter offers a wealth of information on a key element of voice, including posture, tension release, breathing, resonance, volume, intonation and effective communication, alongside advice and exercises to maintain your vocal health and empower your communication in the workplace.

The book includes self-assessment checklists, questionnaires and thought-provoking prompts to help you understand your voice better, identify the challenges you face as a professional voice user. It also contains exercises to enhance your vocal ability. Expert advice on what to embrace and what to avoid ensures a safe and structured path towards vocal health, quality and authentic presence.

This crucial introduction to voice in the professional workplace will benefit anyone who speaks as part of their job, including education, law, media, health, entertainment and corporate professionals, whether communicating in person, online or to a large audience.

Stephanie Martin, a speech and language therapist, has a multifaceted career combining clinical practice, communication skills training for business leaders, research, lecturing and writing. She specialises in occupational voice disorders and holds an MA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London). Her doctoral research at The University of Greenwich examined factors affecting vocal performance of newly qualified teachers and lecturers. Stephanie is a past president of the British Voice Association and represented the UK on the Standing Liaison Committee of EU Speech and Language Therapists and Logopedists. In 2005, she received a Fellowship of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for research and teaching.

Olivia Darnley is an actor, voiceover artist and voice and communications coach. She studied English and Drama at Birmingham University and earned a master’s degree in drama from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Over her 20-year acting career Olivia has worked extensively on stage, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, as well as on TV, in film, and in audiobooks and radio dramas. For over a decade, she has coached actors and business professionals in accent modification, voice and communication, supporting her clients to express themselves effectively and confidently.