How to Sound Like a Business Leader (not a casual TikTok user)

In large companies, getting employees to pay attention to internal messages is harder than ever.

When HR, L&D, or senior leadership needs to communicate with staff—whether it’s a new policy, a cultural shift, or a vision for the future—the default is still email. But let’s be honest: inboxes are overflowing, and even important updates from HR or executives often get skimmed, archived, or ignored entirely.

Another option is the company-wide town hall. And while those can be effective, they also take weeks (or months) to coordinate—not ideal when timing matters.

Over the past two decades, across five global companies, I’ve helped solve this exact problem by bringing in tools and strategies from the world of digital marketing to internal comms: video storytelling, branding, and communication design.

Working with HR and leadership teams to record short, engaging video messages—and combining that with pro-level post-production—we were able to deliver timely, impactful internal content that employees actually watched and remembered.

This blog post is meant to share some of those lessons to help other teams achieve the same results, without needing a full production department or a Hollywood budget. The key factor across all setups isn’t the camera—it’s the sound.

And that’s why this post focuses on one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of video communication: audio quality.

Why Sound Is the Secret to Leadership Credibility

Video is one of the most powerful tools for building trust, alignment, and connection across a large employee base. But while many marketing and internal comms teams focus on the script, the visuals, or the speaker’s background, there’s one thing that determines whether your message will land or fall flat: Can employees actually hear the message—and does it sound like leadership?

A slightly grainy video? Forgivable.
Audio that’s echoey, tinny, or hard to understand? That’s distracting at best—and credibility-killing at worst. In fact, a Google/YouTube study found that 84% of viewers say good audio is more important than good video when watching online content.

If your sound quality makes your speaker feel distant or awkward, the audience disengages—even if the content is well-written.
But when the audio is clear, warm, and confident?
Your message feels real. Human. Worth listening to.

When Internal Teams Use Video

Here are a few of the most common use cases I’ve supported in global organizations, where video dramatically improved engagement:

• Company-wide announcements from leadership
• Culture or values-based messaging
• Motivational videos during times of change
• Training module intros from HR or L&D
• Welcomes and milestone celebrations
• Global alignment or strategy updates

In each of these, a short video is more dynamic and emotionally resonant than email—and far easier to produce than a live all-hands meeting.

But again, it only works if it sounds good.

What Mic Should You Use for Internal Comms Video?

Let’s look at two common setups.

Scenario 1: You’re Behind the Camera, Recording Someone Else

In this setup, an HR, marketing, or comms team member is filming a leader or spokesperson.
This is the most common arrangement for internal announcements and planned messages.

Good: Wired Lavalier Mic

• Clips onto the speaker’s clothing and plugs into a phone or camera
• Delivers clean, clear sound in a quiet room
• Affordable and easy to use

Best for: Seated interviews, office recordings, scripted messages
Watch out: Cords can be tricky to hide under jackets or dresses

Better: Wireless Lavalier Mic

• Offers freedom to move—no wires to deal with
• Cleaner look and feel for leadership appearances
• Modern kits like Rode Wireless GO or DJI Mic are compact and intuitive

Best for: Standing updates, mobile setups, executive messages
Bonus: Many come with two mics—perfect for dialogue or Q&A formats

Best: Shotgun Mic

• Ideal for fast setups where clipping on a mic isn’t practical
• Directional mic that focuses on the speaker’s voice
• Important: Use a boom arm or mic stand to get the mic close—just out of frame.
  Do not mount it on the phone or camera unless the speaker is very close.

Best for: Leadership videos in controlled spaces, small team shoots
Watch out: Picks up more room noise if placed too far away

Scenario 2: Your Leader Is Recording Themselves

Sometimes a regional leader or department head might record their own video—especially if they’re remote, traveling, or working solo.

These same mic options apply, with slight adjustments:

• Wired Lavalier: Reliable and simple—plug into phone or laptop
• USB Mic: Great for seated desk recordings or Zoom updates
• Shotgun Mic: Perfect for polished solo setups (just mount it off-frame and get it close)

The goal is the same: help your speaker sound confident, warm, and clear.

Quick Tips for Great Audio

• Get the mic close to the speaker’s mouth. Distance = loss of clarity.
• Avoid echoey rooms. Use curtains, rugs, bookshelves, or move to a smaller space.
• Always test the sound. A 30-second test clip during preparations can catch problems early.
• Use airplane mode when recording on a phone with an external mic to avoid interruptions or static.
• Outdoors? Use a windscreen or foam cover to reduce noise.

Final Thoughts

We put a lot of effort into crafting the right message—especially for internal communications.
But if that message is delivered in a way that feels low-quality or hard to hear, the impact is lost.

With the right microphone and a few simple practices, your leaders can show up on camera in a way that feels authentic, confident, and human.

And when employees actually hear what’s being said—and it sounds like leadership?
That’s when video becomes more than a format.
It becomes a force for alignment, trust, and action.

---

I’m not trying to sell you anything—but the question inevitably comes up: “What mic should I buy?”

Here are a few options I recommend. These are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission (no extra cost to you)—If you buy through them, it helps keep me caffeinated. Thanks in advance!

All-in-one 2 microphone kit

DJI 2 Wireless microphone kit:  https://amzn.to/42yBtY5

USB C microphones

Clip-on lavalier microphone:  https://amzn.to/3Ej7M5s
Shotgun microphone:  https://amzn.to/42Jex8R

3.5mm jack plug in microphones

Clip-on lavalier microphone:  https://amzn.to/4lA0H17
Shotgun microphone:  https://amzn.to/3GiW2An