You might have something to say. But do you have your own voice?

We live in a time of nearly nonstop — OK, scratch that … absolutely nonstop — communication. More than ever, finding and developing your voice can help you cut through the noise and connect with your audience.

For executives, especially those in the C-Suite, communicating with a clear, consistent voice is essential. They’re called on frequently to write and deliver speeches, statements to the media, employee town halls, shareholder presentations and many other communication vehicles. Each of those presents an opportunity, and an obligation, to sound on-point not just for the organization but also for the executive.

The stakes are high. Studies on workplace effectiveness and corporate communication routinely find that getting it right can build trust with customers and partners, improve employee morale, elevate your brand, gain buy-in for new initiatives, deliver essential information and much more. A report by global consulting firm McKinsey & Co., for example, found that effective communication can increase team productivity by 20-25%.

With that in mind, here are a few considerations for executives and the communications teams that support them.

Get clear on ‘voice’: Many components create great written and spoken language — a targeted message, proper syntax and grammar, the right tone (conversational vs. formal, positive vs. negative, etc.) and more. But your voice is the personality that underpins it all, the specific way you express your experiences or thoughts, the “you” that forms your communications.

Let authenticity reign: It’s nearly impossible to write or speak in your own voice when you’re trying too hard to sound … smart, academic, proper. That’s not to say your finished product won’t achieve those things, but writing with a “Does this sound important enough?” drumbeat in your head is a sure way to get off-track. Being authentic — to the organization, to the goals of the communications piece, and to how you communicate at your best — should instead inform your process.

Start with the end in mind: What are you trying to accomplish? Who is the audience? What problems do they want you to solve in this speech or thought leadership piece? What are the two or three most important things you want them to take away? These questions can help you craft communications that land — and sound like you.

Perfecting your executive voice takes time, practice and an openness to the process. These five tips help with the nuts-and-bolts of leveling up.

Focus on just one: It can be overwhelming to write something with the weight on your mind of the dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people who will hear or read it. Try writing with a single, representative person in mind — a typical shareholder or customer, a specific internal influencer. While the piece still needs to land with the full audience, writing it as though you’re crafting an email to a single reader or telling the story to an individual listener can free you up to speak in your true voice.

Scrutinize and improve: Most people don’t love to listen to recordings or watch videos of themselves speaking, but it’s invaluable. Record some of your team meetings, community speeches and client Zoom calls and review them to get a real sense of your voice. Review occasions where you’re comfortable and confident (and, therefore, probably communicating in your authentic voice), as well as occasions when you stumbled or felt out of your depth. Reviewing these with an objective eye and ear can help you shape your future communications.

Find a trusted adviser: Having someone listen to your presentations, review your written materials and offer honest feedback can be critical. Whether it’s an industry peer, trusted colleague or member of your communications team, tap this resource. Aim for ongoing feedback and regular check-ins, so you can fine-tune your voice over time, not just when you have a big speech looming over you.

Practice, and practice more: There’s no substitute for doing the work. We get better at writing by writing. We get better at giving speeches by giving speeches. We hone our voice by writing, reviewing, rewriting, checking in with our advisers and reviewing our past work to see where we “nailed or failed.” Most great writers take multiple stabs at any given piece, getting better at not only crafting the message they want, but sounding like the best version of themselves. Whenever possible, practice out loud. Read your op-ed to your adviser. Read it in front of the mirror. Give your speech to your communications team. Or even to your dog. The very act of reading out loud helps you find your voice.

Tap your passion: What makes you most excited about your company, its future and the initiative or announcement at hand? When does your energy shine through as you’re talking about issues? Using some of the other tips (listening to past speeches or meetings, practicing out loud, tapping a practice audience) can help you identify when and how you’re most passionate and better incorporate that energy into your communications.

Perfecting your voice — your authentic, authoritative, trusted and inspiring voice — may be the trickiest part of communication. And it’s a bit more art than science. But it’s a pursuit that pays off. Many, if not most, executives communicate well enough. Fewer of them wield that seemingly elusive X factor. But it’s a sure bet that those who do have taken the time to hone their authentic voice.