One idea
You've been quiet all morning, you walk into the meeting, and your first sentence comes out thin or cracks. Your voice is fine; it just hasn't been used yet today.
Before the meeting, the presentation or the video call, hum for a couple of minutes, low and easy, which wakes your voice up without straining it. Then say a few words to someone before it starts, even about the weather, so the first sentence people hear from you isn't your first sentence of the day. Skip the hard throat clearing and the whispering, because both are rough on the voice you're about to depend on.
My vocal coach taught me a straw exercise I still do before every talk and even before meetings, because it gives me a stronger, steadier voice and better breathing from the first word. If you want to try one, there's a short how-to below.
One style tip
Treat the server the way you'd treat the boss.
One quote
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
James Clear, in his 3-2-1 newsletter
Humming before a big meeting is that kind of system.
One thing worth reading
Voice scientist Ingo Titze explains how to do a straw exercise in this short write-up, with a routine that takes a few minutes.
One thing you can use before the weekend
If you have something big next week, start drinking more water tonight, because a glass the morning of may not reach your voice in time.
Hit reply and tell me what you do before a big conversation.
Grant
P.S. Want help with how you look and sound for something coming up? The Studio does personal styling, media coaching and Creative Direction, and the first 30-minute call is free: galxndr.com/book