The Clearest Voice in the Room

Real power doesn’t shout; let your values shape your voice.

There are countless ways to use your voice and make an impact. The problem is, too many women hold back. And for the women who do speak up? They’re not communicating as effectively as they could. Often, the most needed voice in the room belongs to a woman who is silent.

Research shows that when women’s voices are missing from the rooms where decisions get made, organizations suffer. In The Clearest Voice in the Room, Dr. Kristine Sickels, a corporate executive turned entrepreneur, investor, and speaking coach, will inspire you to change this pattern, starting today, with your very next conversation.

The goal is not to be the person who speaks the loudest or talks the longest. The goal is to be the clearest voice in the room. Clear on what you stand for. Clear on the outcome you want to reach. Clear on the contribution you want to make.

Being clear, not loud, is how you become a powerful speaker and leader—a woman who gets remembered. It’s how you drive results for your organization, inspire your team, and advance in your own career.

This book guides you through Dr. Sickels’s VOICE framework: Values, Outcome, Identity, Consistency, Energy. Using this approach, you can speak with intention and make your mark—even in spaces where women’s voices have historically been muted. The book also offers strategies to ensure that your voice is heard, including what to do when male colleagues interrupt you or repeat your idea as if it’s their own. Learn how to make a meaningful contribution during meetings, presentations, one-on-one conversations, and other opportunities to speak up at work.

With compelling research on women in the workforce, relatable stories from Dr. Sickels’s corporate career, and concepts that are simple yet powerful, The Clearest Voice in the Room will shift the way you show up and speak.