I moved to Melbourne and discovered 'belconies'

Why your communication accent is about much more than how you sound.

When I packed my bags and moved to Melbourne for uni, there were some big changes for this little Tassie gal. But it was the subtle changes that I found more interesting.

Like how my friends who grew up in Victoria spoke English differently to me!

(Currently bracing for complaints and counterexamples to land in my inbox…)

Up until then, I had no idea there were regional accents within Australia. I expected cultural differences, especially across languages and backgrounds - but not the kind that changed depending on which state you were from.

Turns out, I was wrong.

It took me a whole year to figure out what the subtle difference was. I was 18, deep in the uni life, when the word that finally gave it away was: alcohol. (Quite fitting for that era of my life!)

To my ear, Victorians pronounced it el-cohol. Not al-cohol. El.

Once I’d realised this, suddenly my world was full of belconies instead of balconies. More importantly, once I tuned in to this subtle shift, I couldn’t unhear it. (You're welcome!)

My realisation of that subtle shift is what sent me down a rabbit hole and into the world of unique communication accents. Yep, they’re a thing.

But I reckon it’s not just about the vowels. It’s about the vibe. Our unique communication accent is less about how we sound and more about how we show up. The way we respond. The communication habit we default to without even realising.

We’ve all got one.

You’ve got one. I’ve got one (as I’m sure my inbox is hearing about now). Most people don’t know what theirs is – but once you hear it, you can’t unhear it.

And once you know your default, you can choose whether to stick with it… or shift it, depending on what the moment calls for. You’re suddenly able to tune in and turn up the part of you that fits.

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How to shift communication accents to match the moment

Last week, I mentioned role archetypes - those hats we wear depending on who we are to the people in the room.

(This is the relationship part of my tuning-in trio: situational, relational, and vibrational.)

Most people I work with can name their role pretty easily. But then comes the harder bit:

• “What do I need to say?”

• “What are they expecting from me?”

• “How do I step into this role in a way that’s actually useful?”

Fair questions.

There’s no perfect script, but I reckon there is a shortcut.

Most of us have a default accent we slip into - especially under pressure. But that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with it. Just like learning a second language, we can become fluent in other styles too.

We can flex. We can shift. We can meet people where they are, and still bring them with us.

Each role archetype comes with a go-to communication style that helps us step into it - quickly and on purpose.

These are the four roles I see leaders play most often and the go-to communication style that helps each one land.

The Advocate
Creates trust, draws others in
Go to: Questions – curious, respectful prompts that help others feel seen, heard, and safe to open up.

The Anchor
Brings stability, grounds the room
Go to: Reflections – slow, steady, thoughtful responses and insights that calm the space and let people think.

The Architect
Builds clarity, structure, direction
Go to: Perspectives – frameworks, context and ideas that help people make sense of the moment.

The Amplifier
Energises the group, makes messages land
Go to: Narratives – stories, analogies, and lived experiences that bring energy and emotion to the message.

While we walk into a room in one role, the real magic is being able to move between all four.

Just like my ‘elcohol’ moment, once you tune into these styles, you’ll start spotting them everywhere. In meetings. In interviews. At the dinner table. And most importantly - in yourself.

And when you know your default communication accent, you get to choose: stick with it, or switch – depending on the situation, the relationships, and the vibe.

Next week:

Our communication accent lives in our bodies too. Next week, we’ll map the energy you bring into a room - and how to shift it when the moment calls for something else.

Let’s chat:

Want help figuring out your communication accent? Good news - that’s literally my job! Hit reply to this and let’s line up a no-obligation chat. You can tell me what help you’re after, and I’ll let you know if I think I can help. If we’re a good fit, great! If not, you can keep getting your tips here on The Penny Drop!

P.S.

If you thought this was an interesting read, I’d love you to forward it to someone else. Word of mouth is my favourite kind of marketing ;)

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Feed your feed, feed your brain:

If this idea has got you thinking, here are a few more gems from other minds. Different voices, fresh angles – all exploring how we communicate, show up, and connect. As always, there is something to listen to, something to read, something to watch, and someone to follow.

🎧 Listen:
"How to develop 'executive presence'" – This Working Life
In this episode, host Lisa Leong explores the concept of executive presence - what it is, why it matters, how to cultivate it, and it may not be what you think. The discussion delves into communication styles, body language, and the subtle cues that influence how others perceive us in professional settings. It's practical, it’s interesting.
Listen here:

📖 Read:
“Conversational Intelligence” by Judith E. Glaser
While it’s a few years old now, this book looks at what builds trust (or breaks it) in a conversation. Glaser blends neuroscience with leadership experience to show how tiny shifts in our language, tone, and timing can dramatically change the outcome of a conversation. It’s a deep yet interesting read if you want to understand the science behind why some messages land and others create resistance.
Read here

📺 Watch:
Watch the opening scene of The Newsroom (Season 1, Episode 1)
Perhaps an interesting time in the zeitgeist to suggest this clip? Politics aside, I’ll take any excuse to watch this bit of acting genius. Jeff Daniels' character is pushed to answer a simple question: “Why is America the greatest country in the world?” What follows is a full communication shift - from default mode to deep honesty. It’s a masterclass in shifting communication accents. Enjoy!
Watch here:

👀 Follow:
Dr Louise Mahler
If you want some interesting, thought-provoking insights popping up in your feed, Dr Louise Mahler is worth a follow. With a background in both opera and business, she breaks down voice, presence, and body language in a way that’s sharp, hilarious, and actually useful. Great for anyone looking to communicate with more confidence (and less awkwardness).
Follow here

Till next week!