Sound more firm and assertive by delivering your messages with a firm, downward inflection at the end of the sentence rather than letting your pitch rise.
Why?
Ending your statements with a rising intonation—known as uptalk, upspeak, or high-rising intonation (HRI)—can make you appear less confident and uncertain about your knowledge and ideas. However, in the right context, uptalk can be beneficial: it softens communication, invites collaboration, and helps manage interruptions. Being aware of how you use it can significantly improve your communication effectiveness.
You know it’s working when:
You'll notice colleagues and managers stop pausing or asking, "Was that a question?" or "Are you sure?"
You feel more assertive and in control of your message
Others treat your professional opinions as conclusive and well-founded
