This One Change Will Make You a More Persuasive Communicator: Get Active.

1 day ago
3 min read

US business communication is action oriented. Speaking like a “doer” is essential. Active voice is a key tool for that. Is your speech active enough?

Open sign — Active Voice. Clear Message.

Speaking Like a “Doer”

If your native tongue is German, there’s a good chance that you use a considerable amount of passive voice, even when you speak English. (The next section has some examples, so you know what I’m talking about.) Most German speakers do. In German, passive voice indicates professionalism and objectivity.

In English, passive voice can weaken both your message and your presence in the room.

Passive sentences are often longer and harder to understand. As a result, they can be less effective. To American ears, they sound more formal and aloof – even cautious. That can hinder relationship building.

When you use active voice, on the other hand, you speak like a “doer” — someone who takes action. Your speech is not just more dynamic and engaging, it’s often more precise and direct.

Passive May Be Correct, but Not Right

Let’s take an example from a conversation where a seller is pitching a new product version using these words:

The latest product version was developed by our team to address the specific challenges faced by many companies in your sector. The updates were tested extensively in-house and have also been distributed to the first clients. The results that have been reported back by these first clients have been excellent.

This short section is grammatically correct. And it’s not uncommon for German-speaking engineers and business leaders, who tend to have high proficiency levels in English, to talk that way. So, if it’s not wrong, what’s the problem?

The problem isn't grammar. The five passive structures makes the overall tone stiff and detached. The “by”-structure is clunky. It lacks the “can-do” dynamic expected in US business, especially when you want to convince a client of the strength of your product and a partner of the strength of your team.

Why Active is More Effective

US conversation style leans strongly towards active: Who does what (subject – verb – object). The more active you are, the more persuasive you become.

Let’s look at the section from above, now in active voice.

Our team developed the latest product version to address the specific challenges faced by many companies in your sector. We tested the updates extensively in-house and we’ve distributed them to initial clients. They’ve reported excellent results.

Here’s what we changed and why it matters:

Passive: The latest product version was developed by our team...
Active: Our team developed the latest product version...
What you're saying clearly: Our team takes action. They get results.
Passive: The updates were tested extensively in-house and have also been distributed to the first clients.
Active: We tested the updates extensively in-house and have distributed them to initial clients.
What you're saying clearly: We take the right steps and own the process.
Passive: The results that have been reported by these clients have been excellent.
Active: Our clients have reported excellent results.
What you're saying clearly: Our clients matter. They take center stage and validate the product.

Apart from conveying action and accountability, the rewritten versions are shorter. They are easier to understand and are more memorable.

Is Passive Always the Wrong Choice?

Absolutely not. Passive voice holds an important place in communication, especially in academic writing. You can also use it in everyday conversations. Passive makes sense when you don’t know who performed an action or when it’s irrelevant who did it, such as in “The event was cancelled.” Sometimes, you may not want to name the doer to avoid blaming them and help them save face.

Use passive with intention, not as a default structure.

How Can You Get More Active?

You can diagnose and train your own style through awareness, re-writing, and practice.

We are often not aware of how we speak and sound, especially in English. Here's a way to learn more about your own style: Pretend you’re talking to a client or partner. (Ideally, you role play this with a colleague.) Record the conversation. Then analyze the recording to see how often you use passive. Re-write sentences in active voice and say them out loud repeatedly to get used to them.

Do targeted language drills. Rephrase sentences from passive to active in writing to build muscle memory for speaking.

Be patient with yourself. Self-diagnosing and self-training take time.

Want to improve faster? Reach out. As an experienced trainer/coach, I can help you identify and overcome your communication challenges in just a few sessions. Let’s talk.