Tone at the Top: The Hidden Cost of Poor Leadership Tone and How to Fix It

By: Stephanie Bickel

The Problem You Don’t See

Believe it or not, your most powerful leadership messages aren’t always delivered in the boardroom, they’re delivered when you walk the halls.

Employees read your tone in everyday moments, your stride down the hall, your glance in the cafeteria, your response in a casual meeting. When tone and words don’t match, trust erodes. Without trust, performance falls.

Why Leaders Miss It

Most executives believe communication is defined by big speeches, investor calls, or all-hands meetings.

But your real communication happens when you think no one is watching. A furrowed brow, a distracted look, or a rushed walk to your office can set the emotional temperature for the entire team.

Tone at the Top in Everyday Moments

This is most visible in unguarded moments.

• If you look preoccupied, people assume bad news.

• If you appear rushed or tense, the team mirrors that anxiety.

• If you’re calm, approachable, and present, even in passing, you create confidence and stability.

Leadership presence isn’t what happens on stage. It’s what happens in everyday moments.

A Leadership Lesson in the Hallway

I once coached a leader whose team constantly felt unsettled. He couldn’t understand why.

It wasn’t his presentations, they were clear and inspiring. It was his presence between them. His “faraway” look in the office created uncertainty all around him. His rushed entries into rooms set people on edge.

We worked on small shifts, eye contact, pausing before speaking, and greeting people with openness. We worked on lifting the eyebrows and offering a genuine smile.

The transformation was immediate. His tone in casual moments stabilized the entire culture.

Strengthening Your Tone at the Top

My challenge to you is to get out and walk the halls this week. Work on your leadership non-verbal communication and presence.

---

Ready to Strengthen Your Tone at the Top?

At Speak by Design University, we help leaders master these everyday moments that define trust and performance. From walking the halls to leading the boardroom, you’ll learn how to align your tone, presence, and message so your team moves with clarity and speed.

Join us at Speak by Design University and build the kind of leadership communication that accelerates careers and transforms organizations