Leadership and the Power of Your Voice

"In life, finding your voice is about speaking and living your truth. You are an original. You have a unique voice, and once you find it, your story will unfold. Your voice will be heard."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       — John Grisham

As human beings, one of the most extraordinary gifts we have is the power of our voice.

With it, we can spark dreams, ignite passion, and share wisdom. Through our words, we lift others through oration, inspire with song, and heal with simple expressions like “I love you.”

As a professional speaker, I am honored to use my voice regularly, to connect with others and encourage them to grow. In my role as a martial arts and self-defense master instructor, my voice empowers people to access their inner strength, whether it’s through the energy of a martial arts Ki-Hap or through the fierce power of their own voice to ward off danger. Helping others discover their own voices has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

But nothing has been more impactful than witnessing my son, Jason, find the power of his voice.

For much of his early life, Jason struggled to find his voice. As a toddler, repeated ear infections led to significant speech delays. To help him communicate, we turned to sign language, which offered him a bridge to express his needs despite his inability to speak.

As an elementary schooler, Jason eventually began to speak fluently, but a new challenge emerged—he started stuttering. This would follow him into his high school years, growing more pronounced as he became self-conscious and more anxious about his ability to speak clearly.

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle with something so fundamental. I wanted desperately for him to speak easily, to share his thoughts and dreams without hesitation. But, in the quiet moments, I learned the power of patience, of providing him with tools to help him when he stumbled, without ever showing frustration.

Then, when Jason was 17, something remarkable happened.

He and two of his closest friends were preparing to test for their Senior 3rd Degree Black Belts. This would be the ultimate test of their decade-long martial arts journey—physically demanding, mentally challenging, and full of personal development tasks that tested not only their skill but their leadership.

One of the key components of the test was creating and performing a musical “creative form” to showcase their abilities. It was a highlight of our Black Belt testings, filled with passion, skill, and creativity.

But weeks before the test, Jason came to me with an unexpected request.

“Dad, I know I could do a creative form, but what would really challenge me is giving a speech.”

My heart sank. What if he struggled with his speech? What if the stutter came back? As a father, I wanted to protect him. But as his martial arts instructor, I knew this was the perfect opportunity for him to conquer his fear.

Testing day arrived, and Jason, along with his friends, gave extraordinary performances. The creative forms were brilliant, as expected, but the moment that left us all breathless was when Jason stepped up to the microphone.

The room fell silent. The crowd of over 300 people watched as Jason, with confidence and conviction, delivered a heartfelt, powerful speech—without a hint of stutter. When he finished, the audience erupted into applause. I couldn’t contain my emotions as I rushed from behind the judges' table to embrace him in a tight hug, tears streaming down my face. My son had found his voice.

From that moment on, something shifted inside him. His stutter almost disappeared entirely. Jason began teaching younger students at our martial arts school—something he had avoided for years because of his fear of embarrassment.

His newfound confidence took him to new heights. In college, he majored in film studies, where he led film crews and directed projects with ease. Four years later, I watched proudly as he graduated, chosen to speak at his class's commencement. Once again, he delivered a moving speech, and this time, there was no stutter.

Today, Jason runs his own business, Stories to Light Film & Photography, where he helps others find their voice through his work, inspiring people to step into their own power.

As I reflect on his journey, I can’t help but think how his story mirrors our own. We all have moments where we struggle to find our voice, where fear holds us back. But in those moments, there are invaluable lessons to be learned.

Here are three powerful lessons on how we can all find and express our voice:

1. Learn to say “Yes.”
   Often, the most transformative experiences lie just beyond our fears. Say "yes" to the things that challenge you, and you’ll discover what Emerson meant when he said, “Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.”

2. Learn to say “No.”
   Sometimes, finding your voice means knowing when to say "no." When something doesn’t align with your vision or values, have the courage to walk away. A powerful "no" creates space for even more powerful "yes’s."

3. Learn to say “I’m here.”
   The world needs your voice. Sometimes, the most important step is simply showing up. Whether it’s a small moment or a big opportunity, make space to share your thoughts, your truths, and your passions. Your voice is meant to be heard.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into discovering the power of your voice, I’ve created a new resource to help you transform your mornings and set the stage for greatness. My brand-new ebook, The 6 M’s of Morning Mastery, is packed with life-changing practices that will give you the clarity, energy, and inspiration to master your day—and your life. These practices are designed to help you start each morning with intention and focus, setting you up to thrive throughout the day.

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This week, I challenge you to find an opportunity to express your truth. Whether it’s through speech, song, or writing, there’s greatness inside of you that is waiting to be unleashed. Who knows? Your act of courage might just inspire someone else to do the same.

Chris Natzke
Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching