🎤 Mumbling: How It’s Hurting Your Business (More Than You Think)

According to Voice Empowerment, mumbling is one of the top five most annoying vocal habits that humans exhibit.
Well, it’s not just annoying…
It’s costing your organization time, money, and maybe even your sanity.

Overly dramatic? Stay with me.

🤫 “Is It My Hearing… or Are People Actually Mumbling?”

For a while, I thought maybe I was the problem. Age. Hearing. Loud rock concerts from my youth. You know, the usual suspects.

But then I actually started paying attention…
And no—it's not me.
They. Are. MUMBLING.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it—like the “pink Volkswagen” phenomenon. Suddenly you’re surrounded by mumblers. They’re in meetings, on your team, at the grocery store, probably talking to you right now.

🧠 Why People Mumble (Besides Actual Speech Impediments)

1️⃣ Lack of Confidence

Some people mumble because they don’t want to be heard.
Why?
Because they’re not confident in what they’re saying.
Watch your leaders. If someone in charge can’t speak clearly, there’s usually a confidence issue lurking in the background like a shy raccoon.

2️⃣ They’re Not Present

Ever talk to someone who’s physically there but mentally on a beach in Maui?
Mumblers often drift off mentally, so their words drift off physically.
And nothing says “I value you” like… well… not being mentally present at all.

3️⃣ They Speak Their Own Secret Language

Some people mumble in what I call “inner-circle speak.”
Totally fine if everyone in the circle speaks the same dialect.
But if you’re not in the club?
It’s like reading your teenager’s texts:
No idea what’s happening.
None.

4️⃣ The Deniers

These are the snorers of the communication world.
Everyone else knows they mumble, but they’ll deny it until the end of time.
Even when six people ask, “Sorry, what was that?”
They respond, “I did say it clearly!”
Sure you did.

⚠️ The Cost of Mumbling in Organizations

Here’s a classic scenario:

A manager mumbles directions.
The employee doesn’t understand but doesn’t want to look stupid.
The task gets done… badly.
Manager gets mad.
Employee gets confused.
And round and round we go.

And what happens when leaders mumble?

Employees tune out.
Buy-in drops.
Engagement takes a nosedive.
And suddenly you’ve got:
“A mumbling leader creating a bumbling organization.”
(Yes, I just made that up. You're welcome!)

Simply put:
If you mumble, people stop listening.
And once your credibility fades, it’s nearly impossible to get back.

🛠️ So… How Do You Stop Mumbling?

I’d be a terrible human (and coach) if I didn’t offer help.
Check out the article Ways To Stop Mumbling—it’s full of great techniques to help you speak clearly and confidently.

Because now that you’ve read this?
You’re going to hear mumbling EVERYWHERE.
And as responsible citizens of the world, we simply can’t let the mumbling epidemic continue unchecked.

🚀 Your Turn — Let’s Make Your Organization a No-Mumble Zone

If mumbling (or unclear communication of any kind) is slowing your team down, I can help.
Let’s boost clarity, confidence, and leadership communication in your organization—without the mumble-mumble.

👉 Book a call with me and let’s get your leaders speaking like leaders.