Best Public Speakers: Jane Fraser’s Executive Communication Skills
Updated: Aug 16
By Stephanie Bickel
What can leaders learn from studying the best public speakers?
In our Best Public Speakers series, Speak by Design examines accomplished leaders and the specific communication techniques that contribute to their presence, credibility, and effectiveness.
In this edition, we are studying Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi. Fraser became CEO in 2021, making history as the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank. We identified Fraser as an effective public speaker because of her strong vocal presence and her use of tone, volume, articulation, and emphasis to communicate with authority.
For this analysis, we reviewed Fraser during a virtual interview on the consumer banking outlook.
Jane Fraser's Best Public Speaker Skills
1. Enunciation and emphasis
Fraser clearly articulates her words, making it easy for the audience to follow her message. She also emphasizes specific words and syllables, helping important points sound more definitive. (1:10)
Leadership takeaway: Do not give every word equal weight. Use emphasis to direct your audience toward the ideas you want them to remember.
2. Vocal tone
Fraser uses an assertive, serious tone when discussing important issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Her tone matches the weight of the subject and reinforces the importance of her message. (1:10)
Leadership takeaway: Your tone should support your message. When the topic is serious or high stakes, greater vocal weight can help you communicate authority.
3. Vocal strength
Fraser projects her voice and uses a grounded, lower pitch that contributes to her vocal poise and executive presence. (1:10)
Vocal strength does not require speaking loudly. Strong breath support, projection, pace, and pitch can help a leader sound confident without sounding forceful.
Leadership takeaway: A strong voice sounds supported and steady, not necessarily loud. Focus on breath support, projection, and a grounded pitch to communicate confidence and authority.
4. Facial expressions
While listening to the interviewer, Fraser often appears to "think" a smile. She maintains a relatively neutral expression while considering questions and then responds when it is her turn to speak. (1:51)
Leadership takeaway: Your executive presence continues when you are listening. Facial expressions can communicate engagement, confidence, uncertainty, or disagreement before you ever say a word.
5. Eye contact
Fraser looks directly at the interviewer when answering questions. This strengthens her connection and helps demonstrate confidence in her responses. (13:18)
Leadership takeaway: Strong eye contact helps leaders appear present, engaged, and confident in what they are saying.
What Jane Fraser Could Do to Improve Her Public Speaking Skills
Even accomplished executives have communication habits they can continue to refine. Here are four opportunities we noticed in this interview.
1. Reduce filler words
Fraser uses "um" periodically while formulating her responses. Slowing down and becoming more comfortable with silence could help minimize filler words. (1:19)
A deliberate pause often sounds more confident than filling the space while deciding what to say next.
2. Be aware of facial expressions while listening
At several points, Fraser fidgets with her mouth while listening to the interviewer. Small facial movements can unintentionally convey uncertainty, nervousness, confusion, or disagreement. (4:01, 7:04)
Leaders should pay attention to what their faces communicate even when someone else has the floor.
3. Eliminate unnecessary qualifying language
Fraser sometimes begins answers with phrases such as "I think" or "I believe." These phrases are not always necessary and can weaken an otherwise confident response. (1:08, 2:16, 4:08, 7:16)
For example, compare:
"I think the biggest opportunity is..."
with:
"The biggest opportunity is..."
Removing the qualifier makes the statement more direct and decisive.
4. Create more stillness
Fraser uses frequent head movement while speaking. Greater stillness through the head and upper body could strengthen her executive presence. Movement and energy can then be directed into purposeful gestures. (8:38)
Stillness can be powerful, particularly when communicating an important message or answering a high-stakes question.
What Leaders Can Learn From Jane Fraser's Communication Style
Jane Fraser demonstrates several qualities we see in strong executive communicators: clear articulation, vocal strength, direct eye contact, and a measured tone.
Her communication also shows why small details matter. Filler words, qualifying phrases, facial expressions, and unnecessary movement can influence how an audience experiences a leader.
The best public speakers continue to refine these details. Leaders who become more intentional about their voice, words, facial expressions, and body language can communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and executive presence.
Continue Improving Your Leadership Communication
Your voice is only one part of becoming a more impactful communicator. The strongest leaders know how to use their voice, structure their message, tell compelling stories, and communicate with confidence in high-stakes moments.
Continue your communication growth with these Speak by Design resources:
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