It’s Not Just What You Say—It’s How You’re Heard (Lessons from Journalism)

Let’s start with this: Being a journalist teaches you to listen differently.

You don’t just hear words—you notice what’s being emphasized, what’s being left out, and who gets to tell the story in the first place.

I used to think communication was about having the right words. Then I worked in media. Then I worked in corporate spaces. And I realized something:

It’s not just about what you say—it’s about how people expect to hear you.

Because the same message, the same idea, even the same sentence can land differently depending on who says it.

I’ve seen it happen in real-time.

The Unspoken Rules of Being Heard

I’ve been in rooms where: I said something, but the idea wasn’t “great” until someone else repeated it. I was told to “slow down” while others spoke just as fast. The reaction wasn’t to my words—it was to their expectations of me.

And as a Latino, I know this isn’t just about tone or delivery.

It’s about perception.

Some voices are trusted instantly. Others have to prove themselves first. Some accents are “charming,” others are “hard to understand.” Some communication styles are “strong,” others are “too much.”

It’s not just about clarity. It’s about who the world decides to listen to.

What Journalism Taught Me About This

As a journalist, I was trained to look beyond words. To ask: Who’s telling the story? Who’s being left out? What’s not being said?

And once you start paying attention, you see it everywhere.

We praise “diverse voices” but expect them to fit a familiar mold. We say communication is about “confidence” but overlook those who don’t sound like us. We assume some people “belong” in the conversation before they even speak.

And the more I worked in media and communications, the more I saw this in action.

The Lesson?

?? Simple is powerful. The best communicators don’t try to sound smart—they try to connect.

?? Perception shapes opportunity. Talent alone doesn’t decide who gets heard—bias plays a role too.

?? Listening is an action. And it’s just as important as speaking well.

Now, I pay attention differently. Not just to what’s being said, but to who’s saying it, who’s listening, and what’s missing.

Because words don’t just tell stories. They decide who gets heard.

At the End of the Day…

“Communication isn’t just about words—it’s about connection. And the moment you stop changing your voice to fit the room, you’ll realise the right people were always willing to listen.”

?? Think about that.

#Communication #Storytelling #LinkedInVoices #RealDiversity #Truth #Authenticity #RepresentationMatters