Tone of Voice

Why Tone of Voice Matters

This blog is a reflection of over twenty years in tech; the highs, the lows, the lessons, and the laughs, and they deserves a voice that carries that same honesty, warmth and edge.

A clear tone of voice also helps maintain coherence as the blog evolves, whether it’s tackling leadership, wellbeing, AI or surfskating. Most importantly, it ensures every post feels like a genuine signal, not noise.

Tone of Voice Overview

The tone of voice for The Gated Signal is:

• Authentic, not polished.
  This isn’t a corporate blog or a CV in disguise. It’s honest, personal and real. It's sharing stories with openness and reflection, not ego or jargon.

• Wry, not cynical.
  There’s room for humour here; dry, observant, sometimes playful. But it never punches down or veers into bitterness. Even when calling out the absurdities of business life, the aim is insight and connection, not snark.

• Human, not robotic.
  Posts read like conversations. They may use metaphors, music analogies or storytelling devices, but always in service of clarity and connection. You’ll find rhythm, warmth and a sense of personality in the writing.

• Curious, not preachy.
  The blog explores ideas rather than dictating them. It invites reflection, shares experiences, and leaves space for interpretation. It doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.

• Creative, not chaotic.
  Structure matters, but it’s fluid. Posts are crafted with care, weaving together themes like music, tech, leadership and wellbeing with a clear purpose.

Recurring Devices

To keep things fresh but familiar, The Gated Signal regularly uses:

• Metaphors and analogies, like surfing the chaos or the tech rollercoaster, to explain complex topics or reveal something more personal.
• The “Signal Boost” section: Each post begins with a hand-picked song to match the mood, meaning, or message of the piece.

Together, these elements build a consistent and distinctive voice that helps every post cut through the noise.