Few phrases carry as much pressure as this one:
“You need to sound more professional.”
It’s said in offices, classrooms, interviews, and performance reviews. Often without explanation. Almost always without definition.
So what does “sounding professional” really mean?
Why This Phrase Feels So Vague
Rarely does anyone explain how to sound professional.
There’s no checklist.
No clear standard.
No universal tone.
Instead, the phrase acts as a signal — one that suggests something is wrong, but never says exactly what.
For many people, especially those who speak more than one language or have an accent, the message feels familiar: adjust yourself.
Is “Sounding Professional” About Clarity?
Sometimes — but not always.
Most people with accents are understood perfectly. The issue isn’t communication. It’s comfort.
Certain voices are treated as neutral.
Others are treated as noticeable.
When professionalism is defined by familiarity rather than clarity, it quietly reinforces who belongs without question — and who is expected to adapt.
How Language Became a Workplace Filter
Professionalism is often framed as skill.
But historically, it has functioned as a filter.
Language standards were shaped in environments that privileged:
- whiteness
- wealth
- Western norms
As workplaces diversified, the definition of “professional” often stayed the same. The result? People are evaluated not just on what they say, but how closely they sound like what’s already accepted.
Why This Pressure Is Exhausting
Constantly monitoring how you speak takes energy.
It means:
- rehearsing before meetings
- flattening your tone
- avoiding certain words
- second-guessing your voice
Over time, this pressure doesn’t just affect communication — it affects confidence, participation, and belonging.
Sounding professional becomes less about work quality and more about survival.
What Professionalism Could Actually Mean
Professionalism doesn’t have to sound one way.
It could mean:
- being understood
- being respectful
- being effective
It doesn’t require erasing identity or flattening voice.
At VOZ NYC, we believe professionalism should be measured by contribution — not conformity.
Why This Conversation Matters
As work becomes more global and multilingual, the way we define professionalism will continue to shape opportunity.
Questioning the phrase “sound more professional” isn’t about rejecting standards. It’s about asking whose standards we’re enforcing — and at what cost.
Language doesn’t need to be neutral to be effective.
It needs to be human.
Related Reading
These questions are explored further in Your English Is Great, But…, a VOZ NYC–published book examining how language, identity, and power intersect in everyday life.
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