Podcasts about leadership communication

What it takes to lead as a communicator and communicate as a leader.Leadership isn't just about making decisions — it's about how you communicate them. As Matt Abrahams puts it, “Communication is operationalized leadership.”At a recent Me2We event, in connection with Stanford GSB's Executive Education LEAD program, Abrahams held a live discussion with four of the podcast's most popular guests: Celine Teoh, facilitator of the GSB's famous Interpersonal Dynamics course; Huggy Rao, organizational behavior professor and co-author of The Friction Project; legendary Stanford basketball coach Tara VanDerveer; and Dave Dodson, lecturer and author of The Manager's Handbook.In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the panel shares frameworks and lessons for leading and communicating more effectively. From Teoh's five A's for inviting dissent to Rao's warning against “jargon monoxide,” from VanDerveer's relationship-first approach to Dodson's case for leading like a teacher, this conversation explores what it takes to communicate as a leader — and lead as a communicator.Episode Reference Links:Celine TeohTara VanDerveerHuggy RaoHuggy's Book: The Friction ProjectDavid DodsonDavid's Book: The Manager's HandbookEp.194 Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1 Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:18) - Encouraging Dissent (06:40) - The Addition Bias (09:57) - Coaching Through Encouragement (12:12) - Leadership in the AI Era (16:24) - Teaching vs. Managing (17:46) - Making People Feel Appreciated (19:06) - Slowing Down Decisions (21:24) - Listening More (24:24) - Avoiding Jargon (26:31) - Giving Better Feedback (28:53) - Preparing for Communication (29:44) - Using Communication Frameworks (31:15) - Skills for Future Leaders (37:47) - Conclusion

Send us Fan MailShe had spent three nights preparing her counter-argument. Data, stakeholder feedback, a slide deck she wasn't even sure she would get to use. By the time she sat down for the meeting she was dreading, the knot in her stomach was already there.She was preparing to disagree with her VP. But that wasn't the real conversation.In this Monday Momentum episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton kicks off a five-part June series on the difficult conversations women leaders walk into braced for a fight. This episode shows why the conversation you name before you walk in shapes everything that happens inside it, and how reframing disagreement as alignment changes your tone, your language, and the response you get back.What You Will LearnWhy high-performing women leaders often over-prepare for disagreement, and what that costs them over time.The difference between debating to win and aligning to make a better decision.A simple opening phrase and follow-up question you can use to stay grounded, surface your perspective, and keep the conversation productive.Your Action StepIdentify one conversation this week where you've been preparing to disagree with someone. Before you walk in, ask yourself: what do I actually want to walk out of this room having accomplished?If the answer is, “I want us to make the best decision,” then this is not a disagreement. It is an alignment. Walk in with that frame, use the phrase and question from this episode, and notice what changes.AI PromptUse this prompt to prepare for your next alignment conversation. Paste it into your preferred AI assistant and answer the questions as they come.I'm a [role] in [industry]. I have an upcoming conversation with my [manager, peer, stakeholder] in which I see the situation differently from them. Help me reframe this conversation from a disagreement to an alignment.Ask me 3 questions:What decision is being discussed, and where do I see it differently?What outcome do I actually want to walk out of this conversation having accomplished?What might my counterpart be seeing that I am not?Then write:One opening phrase I can use to surface my perspective without sounding defensive.One follow-up question I can use to invite their thinking and find the real gap.Constraints:Forward-facing toneNo language that signals confrontation or asks permission to speakMust carry the same weight as “surface it” or “flag it”Must sound natural when spoken aloudAvoid softening language like “just,” “a little,” “maybe,” “I was thinking,” or “I wanted to mention”Example output:Opening phrase: “I'm tracking something different on this, and I want to surface it before we decide.”Follow-up question: “Can you walk me through how you got there?”Ready to Go Deeper?Book a complimentary Leadership Strategy Call with Kele to talk through where you are, where you want to go, and what it will take to get there.About Your HostKele Belton is a communication and leadership trainer who specializes in helping women leaders develop confidence and impact through strategic communication and practical leadership frameworks.Connect with KeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

The hidden habits behind calm, confident communicators.What does it really take to become a more confident communicator? In this special collaboration between Think Fast, Talk Smart and Headspace, host Matt Abrahams shares practical, mindful strategies for speaking with clarity, managing anxiety, listening more deeply, and connecting more authentically with others.Across five short lessons, Matt outlines how to calm speaking nerves, become a better listener, structure your ideas clearly, engage any audience, and strengthen your presence — whether you're leading a meeting, giving a presentation, or navigating everyday conversations.Whether you're speaking to a crowd or having a one-on-one conversation, these tools can help you communicate with more confidence, calm, and connection.Episode Reference Links:Headspace Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:36) - Speaking Anxiety (08:42) - Mindful Communication (13:51) - Clarity & Structure (17:28) - Creating Engagement (24:53) - Building Presence (29:55) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Why “easy to work with” can become a leadership liability How small acts of avoidance create cultural drift The hidden relationship between accountability and trust Why high performers notice inconsistent standards first How unclear expectations frustrate teams over time The concept of “autopilot leadership” from Think First Learned helplessness and what it does to workplace culture The difference between Firefighter leadership and Architect leadership Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems later A practical question leaders should ask themselves regularly:“Am I protecting this relationship, or avoiding discomfort?” How deliberate leaders create clarity without sacrificing compassion Why strong cultures are built through consistency, honesty, and accountability Think First

I grew up shy, introverted, and terrified of public speaking.A bookworm in Hong Kong. A wallflower who couldn't hold a room. A kid who went into investment banking because that's where smart people were supposed to go, not because it was right for me.So I walked away.Professional football. BBC radio. The Premier League. A microphone. A stage.And somewhere along the way, the worst public speaker in the room became one of the most sought-after communication coaches in the world.But here's what I'll tell you: it wasn't talent. It was never talent.It was one conversation with a stranger every single day, for years.What I discovered through football, banking, 15 years on stage, and six years coaching some of the most senior executives on the planet is this: communication is not a gift. It is a skill. And most leaders are operating at seven out of ten of their potential without even realizing it.The expertise is there. The knowledge is there. The years of experience are there.But if you can't make people feel something, none of it lands.I sat down with Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment Group and host of the HR L&D Podcast, for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations I've had on communication, leadership, and influence.We go deep on public speaking, the art of listening, why preparation is the only thing that separates great communicators from average ones, and why in a world flooded with AI-generated content, the human touch has never been more valuable.Nick and I unpack the real reason most presentations fail, why following your passion is terrible career advice, what every great leader he's ever interviewed has in common, and the one question you should ask before you build your next deck.This is one of the most practical and honest conversations I've been part of on communication and leadership.I hope it changes the way you speak.Apply to work with me: https://www.michaelxcampion.com/Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelxcampion/This episode is from the HR L&D Podcast hosted by Nick Day.Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Learn more about JGA Recruitment Group: https://jgarecruitment.com/I'm a Hong Kong-born, UK-based professional speaker, executive coach, and corporate trainer with over 15 years of experience on the global stage. Before stepping into this world, I worked in investment banking and played professional football, representing the Hong Kong national team and competing in the Premier League.Today, I help senior leaders and high-performing teams unlock their communication potential. I'm also a Partner and Head of Corporate Training at Quinlan and Associates, working with organizations across Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and the Middle East.My one-line thesis is simple: talent is practice in disguise.(00:00) Why Communication Is the Skill Every Leader Is Missing(01:26) Human First, Not Resource First(02:23) From Banking to Professional Football, Michael's Story(07:56) Talent Is Practice in Disguise(09:35) Curiosity Beats Chasing Passion(15:58) The Communication Gap Most HR Leaders Don't Know They Have(21:07) Preparation Is the Only Thing That Earns Confidence(23:41) The Art of Listening on Stage(40:09) AI and the Rising Value of Human Connection(44:38) Design Emotion, Not Slides

Send us Fan MailYou had the right answer. You knew the numbers cold. You made your case, and ten minutes later, the room shifted toward someone else's version of the same idea. In the debrief, your manager said: you had the right answer, but you did not sound like you knew it. If you have ever been told you need more gravitas, more confidence, or more executive presence without anyone explaining what that actually means, this episode breaks it down into four vocal behaviors you can practice this week.In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton goes deep on vocal presence: how you say your words, not what you say. She breaks down the four behaviors that determine whether your voice supports or undermines your message, namely pitch, pace, volume, and intentional pauses, and names the gendered penalty around women's voices. Kele also looks at what the most recent vocal fry research from 2025 and 2026 shows, and it contradicts a decade of leadership advice given to women.This is Part 2 of the four-part Executive Presence Series, following Episode 168 on the visual pillar and the Three Anchors of Embodied Presence. Part 1 covered what your body is doing while you speak. Part 2 covers what your voice is doing with the words.What You Will Learn:The breath technique that settles your pitch in high-stakes moments, so you sound grounded instead of tense, without forcing a lower voice.What the newest vocal fry research reveals about who uses it, so you can stop fixing a voice that may not need fixing.The one moment to slow your pace that makes the whole room calibrate to you instead of talking over you.How to project authority when you are naturally soft-spoken, the way Dr. Lisa Su commands a room without raising her voice.The three exact moments where a three-second pause reads as authority instead of hesitation.When upspeak costs you, and the targeted fix that does not require changing how you naturally speak.Your Action Step:Pick one of the four behaviors and practice it this week:Choose the behavior you suspect is your biggest growth opportunity: pitch, pace, volume, or pauses.Identify one specific high-stakes moment on your calendar where you will deploy it on purpose.Notice what shifts. Optional: record a sixty-second voice memo and listen back once, using the four behaviors as your lens.Mentioned in This Episode:Episode 168: How to Build Executive Presence: 3 Anchors for Women Leaders | Part 1 of 4Book a Leadership Strategy Call (30 minutes, complimentary): https://calendly.com/kele-thetailoredapproach/leadership-strategy-callAbout Your Host:Kele Belton is a communication and leadership facilitator, coach, and consultant who helps high-performing women in middle management build the communication and leadership strategies that get them recognized, sponsored, and promoted.Connect with Kele:•       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/•       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/•       Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

Molly Tschang helps senior executives and leadership teams build chemistry, clarity, and trust. She's the founder of Abella Consulting and the creator of Say It Skillfully®, an acclaimed video series, podcast, and bestselling book focused on making what's hard to say easier. Molly also created LinkedIn Learning's first leadership communication course, Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work. Earlier in her career, she spent more than two decades at Cisco and U.S. Filter, integrating over 80 acquisitions globally. Molly joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to talk about how leaders can build world-class communication skills. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Framer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠framer.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Indeed: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠indeed.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QuickBooks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quickbooks.com/billpay⁠⁠ Ethos Life: ⁠⁠ethos.com/elevate⁠⁠ Keeper Security: ⁠⁠keepersecurity.com/ELEVATE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why the most damaging leadership problems are rarely the loudest How small tolerated behaviors become cultural standards The hidden cost of waiting too long to address issues Understanding “thinking debt” and how it compounds over time Why reactive leadership narrows long-term vision The difference between Firefighter mode and Architect mode How disengagement and resentment quietly build inside organizations A powerful leadership reframe: “What happens if this pattern continues for another year?” Why systems, not isolated incidents, shape organizational culture How deliberate leaders identify and address problems early before they escalate Reflection questions to help leaders identify their own “slow burn” issues Why resilient cultures are built through consistent, intentional leadership Think First

Today, I'm joined by Robin Dreeke, United States Marine Corp veteran, global behavioral expert, master spy recruiter, and author focused on trust, relationship building, and communication. During his FBI career, Robin spent decades recruiting spies and confidential human sources in some of the highest-pressure situations imaginable. In this episode, Robin and I explore what truly builds trust in conversations and relationships. We talk about the power of non-judgmental curiosity, why great communicators focus more on understanding than convincing, and how humility and empathy create stronger connections both personally and professionally.   This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for leaders, sales professionals, parents, and anyone looking to improve how they connect and communicate with others. Let's dive in. Additional Resources: ► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond ► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/ ► Connect with Robin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdreeke/ ►Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/ ► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com

How should leaders introduce AI into their companies without creating confusion, resistance, or disconnect inside their teams? In this episode of the Grounding AI Podcast, Donna Peterson shares practical leadership insights on how businesses can approach AI implementation in a way that strengthens communication, improves team alignment, and builds long-term trust. As more companies invest heavily in AI tools, many leaders are realizing the challenge is no longer access to technology. The real challenge is helping teams use AI in ways that improve decision-making, relationships, and business growth. In this episode, you'll learn: Why AI adoption often fails inside organizations How leadership communication impacts AI success The difference between AI usage and meaningful business results Ways to help teams feel more confident using AI tools How executives can create stronger alignment around AI initiatives Why trust and clarity matter more than speed If your company is trying to scale AI adoption while keeping teams connected and productive, this episode offers practical ideas you can apply immediately. Subscribe for weekly conversations on AI leadership, B2B marketing, business growth, and relationship-driven strategy. Listen to more episodes from the Grounding AI Podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHaiJYXhZ8PD-8NolyFNPeGx7XAK4ZeJt&si=uo0DWXSlQwX5cmFs *** Reach out to dpeterson@worldinnovators.com if you'd like help building a marketing strategy that builds relationships and/or AI training for individuals or full teams.*** Visit www.worldinnovators.com for more resources on building stronger marketing and leadership strategies.*** Subscribe to the Grounding AI podcast for weekly insights into marketing, leadership, and the future of AI.

Send us Fan MailShe was leading her team through one of the most stressful quarters of her career. Layoffs were in the air. She was fighting hard behind closed doors to protect every person who reported to her. And in every team meeting, she said the same thing, with all the conviction she could find: everything is going to be fine.She meant it as protection. Her team heard something else entirely.In this Monday Momentum episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton shares what happens when high-performing women leaders try to shield their teams from uncertainty by offering reassurance they cannot guarantee, and the one communication shift that rebuilds trust and refocuses a team in the middle of a shaky moment.What You Will LearnWhy premature reassurance, even when it comes from a place of care, creates distance with the high-performing team members you most want to keep engaged.The difference between managing your team's emotions and respecting their intelligence, and why one builds trust while the other quietly erodes it.A simple two-part communication move you can use in your next team meeting to name uncertainty directly and anchor your team in what they can own.Your Action StepBefore your next team meeting, write down three things: what you know, what you are still working to find out, and one priority your team can own right now. Open the meeting by saying those three things out loud. Close by inviting your team to come to you individually if they need more.Ready to Go Deeper?Book a complimentary Leadership Strategy Call with Kele to talk through what you are navigating with your team and identify the next move that will steady your leadership in this season.About Your HostKele Belton is a communication and leadership trainer who specializes in helping women leaders develop confidence and impact through strategic communication and practical leadership frameworks.Connect with KeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

The hardest shift in business is learning to lead your team without doing their jobs for them. Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, runs a 6,000-person, 24/7/365 operation where a communication breakdown is both costly and dangerous. She took a struggling, de-hubbed Pittsburgh International and turned it into one of the most celebrated airports in the world, and she did it by mastering how to communicate the WHY behind every decision. If you're a founder who has built your business on doing everything yourself and you're hitting the ceiling, this episode articulates why your ability to communicate a vision your team can execute without you in the room is the number one way to scale with excellence.In this episode of The She Leads Podcast, Adrienne Garland speaks with Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County Airport. Under Christina's leadership, Pittsburgh International became the first major airport in the world powered entirely by a microgrid, an Air Transport World Airport of the Year, and one of Fast Company's most innovative companies.Christina makes the case that communication is not a soft skill. Rather, it is a core leadership skill. Her assertion is backed by her actions during COVID: all-hands calls every Wednesday across three shifts for fourteen months. She also explains what she calls her legacy-first leadership approach and why she has no plans to put AI bots in front of passengers.If you have ever wondered whether your team actually understands what you are trying to build and why you're building it, Christina has spent eleven years answering that question one Wednesday at a time.Chapters:

Send us Fan MailYou walk into the meeting. The room has not started yet. People are still settling in. And in the space of about three seconds, something gets decided about you, before you have said one word. You can have done the work, prepared harder than anyone else, and built a track record that speaks for itself, and still feel like something is missing in how you land in that room. That something has a name. It is executive presence.In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton kicks off a brand-new four-part series on executive presence by tackling the question most leadership books never answer clearly: what is executive presence, really, and how do you build it on purpose? Kele reframes executive presence as a set of learnable behaviors, not a personality trait, and walks through the three aspects of communication based on Dr. Albert Mehrabian's foundational research. This is Part 1 of the four-part Executive Presence Series, and the natural next step after the April visibility series (Episodes 160, 162, and 164).What You Will Learn:Why executive presence is a set of learnable behaviors, not a personality trait you either have or do not have.The three aspects of communication, verbal, vocal, and visual, and why the body wins when those aspects conflict.The Three Anchors of Embodied Presence and the behaviors under each: Engagement, Aliveness, and Authority, with concrete practices you can use in your next meetingTwo incredible women leaders to study for two different styles of presence: Kat Cole and Mellody Hobson.Your Action Step:Pick one behavior from the Three Anchors and practice it this week:Choose a single behavior. One. It might be holding eye contact a few seconds longer, planting your feet before you walk into a meeting, or letting a three-second pause sit after you make a point.Use it intentionally in one meeting, one conversation, or one call each day this week.At the end of the week, notice what shifted, even slightly. Optional bonus: record yourself for sixty seconds and watch it back, looking for one strength and one thing to refine.Mentioned in This Episode:Episode 160: How Perfectionism Keeps Women Leaders Invisible | Part 1 of 3Episode 162: Why Your Work Environment May Be Blocking Your Leadership Growth | Part 2 of 3Episode 164: How to Communicate Your Value Before You Feel Ready | Part 3 of 3Episode 151: Naming the Tension in Tough Conversations (Mellody Hobson)About Your Host:Kele Belton is a communication and leadership facilitator, coach, and consultant who helps high-performing women in middle management build the communication and leadership strategies that get them recognized, sponsored, and promoted.Connect with Kele:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.comBook a complimentary Leadership Strategy Call: https://calendly.com/kele-thetailoredapproach/leadership-strategy-call

Andy Freed is Chairman of Virtual, Inc., advising global organizations including Microsoft, Meta, and Google and his company has been named a Best Place to Work for more than a decade. He is a leadership professional keynote speaker, and a business strategy consultant, leveraging my expertise to help organizations and people grow. In the last 35 years, Andy has guided candidates in their runs for state and national office, coached a Division I college sports team, and chaired a hospital board, all while finding the time to catch nearly 100 Bruce Springsteen shows around the world. He also brings a unique twist to leadership conversations in his book, Lead Like The Boss using Bruce Springsteen's leadership style as a framework for building trust, communication and momentum inside teams. For more information, visit https://www.andyfreed.com. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-honesty-and-transparency-look-like-to-employees/id1567769910?i=1000721758657 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-local-news-still-matters-and-isnt-dead-yet/id1567769910?i=1000728168401 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wisdom-of-ignorance/id1567769910?i=1000730729820 Subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7373364855967461376 Check out our website: https://canyouhearmepod.beam.ly/ Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, University of Memphis expert Michele Ehrhart joins host Jason Mudd to discuss crisis communication, leadership preparedness, reputation management, and how organizations can navigate high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Michele Ehrhart, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Memphis. Michele is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. Five things you'll learn from this episode:1. Why crisis preparation must happen before a crisis occurs2. How leaders can use “what if” scenario planning to prepare for high-risk situations3. Why silence can be a strategic communication choice depending on context4. How reputation is built slowly but can be damaged quickly during a crisis5. Why defining roles and responsibilities in advance improves crisis response executionQuotables“The day you have a crisis should not be the first day you've thought about what you'll do.” — Michele Ehrhart“Planning the work and working the plan.” — Michele Ehrhart“Silence is a strategy. If the story isn't yours, don't talk about it.” — Michele Ehrhart“The brand is what you put out there; reputation is what they think of you.” — Michele Ehrhart“When PR is at its best, it's building a reputation for your company — just not visibility, but also the reputation. You could have great visibility, but it's not positive.” – Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.More About Michele EhrhartMichele Ehrhart is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. After 22 years with FedEx, she now serves as the University of Memphis's senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and industry expert helping leaders navigate crises with confidence and clarity.Guest's contact info and resources:Michele Ehrhart on LinkedInMichele Ehrhart's websiteGet the “Crisis Compass: How to Communicate When It Matters Most” bookAxia's CrisisPoint serviceAxia's Reputation Restoration serviceAdditional Resources:How to recover from a PR crisis and manage Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

• Why the “I'll just do it” habit feels productive but creates long-term leadership problems • The difference between being the fastest person to solve a problem and the right person to solve it • How leaders unintentionally train teams to become dependent • The hidden cycle of organizational bottlenecks and learned helplessness • Why stepping in too quickly limits strategic thinking across the organization • The shift from reactive firefighting to building thinkers • Coaching questions that encourage ownership and better decision-making • How to scale leadership by multiplying thinking capacity instead of personal effort • Insights from Allison Dunn's book Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers • Reflection question: “Where am I stepping in too quickly, and what is that teaching my team?” Think First

To celebrate five years of Can You Hear Me, co-hosts Eileen Rochford and Rob Johnson revisit some of their favorite conversations from the past year — from AI best practices and the future of newsrooms to the power of honesty, transparency, and the wisdom of ignorance. While each episode explores a different topic, they all share one goal: helping leaders become stronger, more effective communicators. Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

Send us Fan MailShe showed up to the coaching session with her laptop open and her defense document ready. Two weeks of work. ROI figures, headcount justifications, three years of performance data — all of it organized into slides, all of it prepared to answer one question: “Why should I keep my job?”There was just one problem. Nobody in her organization was asking that question.In this Monday Momentum episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton shares what this director at a financial services firm discovered in that coaching session — and the shift that changed how she walked into every high-stakes conversation after it. Not with a defense. With a position.What You Will LearnWhy the instinct to defend your past makes high-performing women less visible at the exact moment visibility matters most.The difference between defending your value and positioning it — and why it changes how decision-makers see you.A three-part framework you can build today that shifts the entire tone of any high-stakes conversation with leadership.Your Action StepListen to the full episode and build your own version of the framework Kele walks through. Then say it out loud before your next conversation with leadership. Not as a rehearsed speech. As a reminder of something you already know.AI Prompt: Build Your Positioning StatementUse this prompt to put the framework into your own words:“I am a [job title] in [industry]. I want to build a three-sentence positioning statement that communicates my value clearly and confidently without sounding defensive. The Result: [describe a specific outcome you have delivered recently and its impact]. The Strategic Focus: [describe the business problem you are currently solving]. The Direction: [describe where you are taking your work next and why it connects to what your organization needs most]. Requirements: Write three clear, confident sentences. No jargon. No defensive language. Forward-facing tone. Each sentence should feel natural to say out loud in a professional conversation.”Ready to Go Deeper?Book a complimentary Leadership Strategy Call with Kele to identify exactly what is standing between you and the recognition you have earned.About Your HostKele Belton is a communication and leadership trainer who specializes in helping women leaders develop confidence and impact through strategic communication and practical leadership frameworks.Connect with KeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

Complete the quick Leadership Survey (first 30 people get a signed copy of one of our books!)What if one simple question could instantly eliminate confusion, boost accountability, and improve your team's conflict resolution?You've been in those meetings—everyone agrees, the conversation feels productive, and then… nothing happens. Deadlines slip, fingers start pointing, and suddenly you're stuck solving avoidable problems instead of moving forward. This episode tackles that exact frustration by showing you how to create crystal-clear ownership so your team can follow through, reduce miscommunication, and avoid unnecessary conflict altogether.Turn vague discussions into clear, actionable responsibilities your team actually follows through onReduce stress and conflict by eliminating “I thought someone else was handling it” momentsBuild momentum and trust with a simple framework that keeps everyone aligned and accountableHit play now to learn the one phrase you can use today to instantly improve productivity and make conflict resolution easier for your entire team.Check out:00:53 – Where the core problem is introduced: why teams fall into the “I thought someone else was doing it” trap and how it impacts productivity and conflict resolution.01:42 – The powerful framework is revealed: “Who will do what, by when, and how will we know?”—the simple phrase that creates ownership and accountability.06:14 – Real-world application: how to implement the framework with clear deadlines, handoffs, and built-in accountability to prevent breakdowns and confusion.Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success.Mentioned in this episode:2026 Audience Survey We appreciate you. Click "Leadership Survey" - first 30 responses get a signed book. Thank you for helping us make the show even more helpful. 2026 Audience Survey We appreciate you. Click "Leadership Survey" - first 30 responses get a signed book. Thank you for helping us make the show even more helpful.

Send us Fan MailAre you being told that AI can replace people, but something about that strategy doesn't sit right with you? Are you wondering what happens to leadership when organizations prioritize efficiency over human judgment, trust, and connection?In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton explores why human leadership still wins in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Through a real-world story about Oracle, current workforce trends, and practical guidance for both leaders and individual contributors, Kele makes the case that replacing people with AI is not a leadership strategy — it is a short-sighted cost-cutting move.This episode is for the leader in the middle: the person asked to implement decisions they didn't make, while still trying to protect their team and their own career. It is also for any professional who wants to stay valuable in a world that is becoming more automated. Kele explains why relational leadership, contextual judgment, and human connection are skills AI cannot replicate — and how to make those strengths more visible.What You Will Learn:Why AI can process information, but cannot build trust, read the room, or lead people.What recent workforce trends reveal about the risks of replacing employees with AI.Why middle managers face a particularly difficult leadership challenge in AI-driven change.How to communicate honestly when you are asked to deliver decisions you did not make.Why your relational intelligence and contextual judgment are professional assets.How to make your value visible in ways that go beyond metrics and documentation.Book your Leadership Strategy CallSchedule your complementary session so we can explore how best to support you.Your Action Step:Identify one professional relationship you have been meaning to invest in but haven't. Reach out this week without an agenda — just to connect, check in, and show up as the kind of leader AI never can.About Your Host:Kele Belton is the CEO and founder of The Tailored Approach LLC. She is a leadership communication coach and consultant who specializes in helping women develop impact through practical leadership frameworks. Her podcast, Communicate to Lead, is ranked in the Top 10% of podcasts globally.Connect with Kele for more leadership insights:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com/

We all need refreshers on communication. This podcast reviews basic skills and introduces strategies that leaders can use to raise the bar on their abilities to create meaningful dialogue.

Why “trust takes time” is an incomplete leadership belief Time reveals patterns, it does not create trust The real foundation of trust: consistency in behavior and response How teams evaluate trust through patterns, not words Signs trust is breaking: hesitation, avoidance, filtered communication The impact of inconsistent leadership on team engagement and performance Common leadership gaps: uneven accountability, defensive reactions, shifting expectations Why predictability creates psychological safety The difference between being rigid and being reliable Practical reflection: Where am I being inconsistent without realizing it? How consistent leadership builds high-performing, trust-driven teams Connection to Think First: slowing down reactions to lead with intention Think First

Special thanks again to Shannon for joining us and sharing such valuable insights on communication, leadership, and the power of awareness. As we close, here's a key takeaway from our conversation: great communicators don't just focus on what they say. They pay close attention to how it's being received. They read the room, adjust in real time, and create alignment through both their words and their presence. Communication isn't just about delivering a message. It's about building connection, trust, and understanding in every interaction. Be sure to subscribe to Communicast so you don't miss future episodes with leaders, coaches, and experts redefining what great communication looks like. And if this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating or review. It helps others discover the show and supports our growing community. Thanks for listening. Have a great day. Additional Resources: ► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond ► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/ ► Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmieloch/ ►Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/ ► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we're featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum — whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life — because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.Episode Reference Links:TED Business Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:46) - If Not You, Then Who? (04:01) - The Cost of Silence (05:25) - Avoiding Conflict at Work (06:20) - Why Speaking Up Matters (07:30) - Building Courage Through Practice (08:40) - A Moral Compass for Conversations (12:01) - Handling Tough Feedback (17:41) - QORC Apology Framework (19:31) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Send us Fan MailYou walked into the meeting prepared. More prepared than anyone else in the room. You knew the analysis cold. And when the moment came to advocate for your work, you said something like, “I think the team covered it well. I can share more later if it would be helpful.”Later never came. The decision was made without you.In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton breaks down why waiting until you feel ready keeps high-performing women leaders invisible, and gives you a specific, repeatable method for communicating your value with clarity, authority, and impact, even when conditions are not perfect.As Part 3 of the three-part April visibility series (following How Perfectionism Keeps Women Leaders Invisible and What Unsupportive Work Environments Do to Your Leadership), this Thursday's deep dive is the bridge between everything covered in this series and the kind of recognition you have already earned.What You Will Learn:The Readiness Myth: Why waiting until you feel fully ready keeps your leadership invisible, especially in environments that keep shifting the definition.The Communication Double Bind: Why women leaders are often judged more harshly than men for identical self-advocacy, and how to communicate in a way that lands as leadership.The S.P.E.A.K. Method: State, Position, Express, Anchor, and Keep the conversation going with a specific ask.Execution vs. Strategic Language: The single sentence formula that shifts how decision-makers perceive your work.Apologetic vs. Confident Expression: How to identify the hedging patterns that undercut your message before you make it.The Five Moments That Matter Most: Where to apply the S.P.E.A.K. Method first for the highest visibility return.Your Action Step:Identify one moment in the next seven days where you would normally stay quiet, undersell your work, or wait to be asked. Apply the first two steps of the S.P.E.A.K. Method to that moment:State: Name your specific contribution clearly. Use “I” when you mean “I,” and name the outcome, not the process.Position: Translate it into strategic language using this formula: “I did this so that the business could achieve that.”You are not trying to master the entire method in one week. You are testing what happens when you stop waiting and start speaking.Mentioned in This Episode:Episode 160: How Perfectionism Keeps Women Leaders Invisible (Part 1 of 3)Episode 162: What Unsupportive Work Environments Do to Your Leadership (Part 2 of 3)Book a complimentary Leadership Strategy Call HEREAbout Your Host:Kele Belton is the CEO and founder of The Tailored Approach LLC. She is a communication and leadership facilitator, coach, and consultant who helps high-performing women in middle management build the communication and leadership strategies that get them recognized, sponsored, and promoted. Her podcast, Communicate to Lead, is ranked in the top 10 percent of podcasts globally.Connect with Kele for More Leadership Insights:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/• Website: https://thetailoredapproach.co

What we cover: Why neutral leadership feels reasonable but creates unintended consequences How silence communicates standards more powerfully than words The subtle way culture drifts through unaddressed moments Why high performers feel the impact of inconsistency first The real reason capable leaders avoid addressing issues The connection between neutral leadership and autopilot decision-making A practical leadership lens: “If I don't address this, what am I teaching my team?” How to address issues without becoming reactive or overly critical The long-term cultural cost of avoidance Key takeaway: Leadership is always teaching. The question is whether you are teaching intentionally or by default. Think First

About Kevin Connor: Modern Strategic Branding + Communications - Business owner with his sister Diane since 1999. - We put the lessons of big business brands in the small business communications toolbox. Company works with companies and organizations who aspire to be great. - Professionally branded communications can increase both top and bottom-line revenue for companies that care. This added credibility enhances an organization's confidence and character with clients, prospects and, most importantly, employees. - We've been helping companies and organizations express who you are, what you do and why you do it – with coordinated and consistent language and images. Bringing your brand to life, both on and offline, is what we do for our clients. - Kevin volunteers with community groups, presents on the value of communications and networking in business success and works with high school and college students in preparing them for the workforce. He believes the ability to improve interpersonal skills is a talent everyone can develop and use to their advantage personally and professionally. Remember, if you want to move products, services or ideas, you must learn how to move people.   Website: canyouhearmepod.podcastpage.io Subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7373364855967461376 Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

On this episode of Can You Hear Me?, co-hosts Eileen Rochford and Rob Johnson sit down with brand strategist Kevin Connor to explore what your brand says about you, how brand building is evolving, and what it's like to run a firm with family. Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Stay connected with us: - Follow us on LinkedIn! - Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin! - Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!  

Nate Amidon is the founder and CEO of Form 100 Consulting, a veteran-owned technology consulting firm focused on transforming software development organizations using military leadership and mission execution principles. Key Discussion Themes Why “command and control” is a myth—and what high-performing teams actually need How alignment breaks down between business priorities and engineering execution The visibility problem in software work (and why leaders can't “see the widgets”) AI adoption as change management: “how you use it” matters more than “what you use” Why Form 100 embeds for execution instead of parachuting in with an assessment The “seek to understand” habit—and Nate's “good idea list” that prevents bad fixes Listener Takeaway If your teams are busy but results feel unclear, the fix usually isn't more tools or more pressure—it's clearer mission-level alignment: what matters, who owns what, and how execution will be tracked. Guest Website www.form100consulting.com Guest Social Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/nateamidon/ CTA Subscribe to Entrepreneur Conundrum, leave a review, and share this episode with a business owner trying to get their team moving in the same direction. Nate Amidon www.form100consulting.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nateamidon/ Virginia Purnell Funnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

Send us Fan MailYou're prepared. You're contributing. You're taking thorough notes. And you're still being passed over for the stretch projects and promotions going to peers who seem less qualified. The problem isn't your work. It's that no one gets promoted for being the most thorough note-taker in the room. In this Monday Momentum episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton shares the one strategy women leaders can use this week to be seen as executive-ready in every meeting, and it takes 90 seconds.If you've ever left a meeting wondering why your insights didn't land or why the room responded to someone else's idea instead of yours, this 5-minute episode breaks down why visibility isn't about talking more, and how to claim strategic space early with a single comment that shifts the room.What you'll learnWhy speaking early in meetings positions you as more confident and leadership-ready, even if you speak less overallThe difference between contributing in meetings and leading them, and why the timing of your comments matters more than the volumeThree types of executive anchor comments you can use, depending on the meeting dynamicYour action stepIn your next meeting, wait three minutes, then drop one 90-second executive anchor. Use this simple script: "This impacts [business result] by [specific number]. Can we consider [strategic alternative or question]?" Write it down before the meeting so you don't have to improvise.AI PromptI'm a [role] in [industry]. I'm entering a meeting on [topic] and need to establish strategic leadership early.Generate 3 executive anchor statements I can use within the first 5 minutes.Each statement must:Reference a clear business impact (metrics, revenue, cost, or risk)Introduce a strategic trade-off or decision pointBridge technical execution to business outcomesBe deliverable in 20–30 secondsConstraints:No generic facilitation languageMust redirect conversation toward priorities and decisionsTone: calm, authoritative, and outcome-focusedExample (output style)"If we optimize for speed here, we can reduce deployment time by 30%, but we'll trade off standardization, are we prioritizing short-term velocity or long-term scalability?""This decision impacts roughly $5M in operational cost, so I want to anchor us on which outcome we're optimizing for.""From a business lens, the question isn't just feasibility, it's whether this drives adoption or adds friction to the user workflow."About your hostKele Belton is a communication and leadership trainer who specializes in helping women leaders develop confidence and impact through strategic communication and practical leadership frameworks.Connect with KeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

Simple strategies to think faster, stay authentic, and communicate with confidence. How do you stay genuine without sounding rehearsed? What helps when your thoughts are moving faster than your words? And how can you handle high-pressure moments with more ease?Strong communication isn't about having the right lines ready—it's about being present enough to respond with clarity. In the moment, it's easy to rush, overthink, or lose your structure. But with the right tools, you can slow down, connect, and communicate with intention.In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares insights from a live session with the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community. Through real audience questions, he outlines practical ways to manage nerves, adapt to different situations, and build communication habits that last.Episode Reference Links:Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:22) - Email Small Talk (04:59) - Slowing Down Your Thinking (07:09) - Controlling Speaking Pace (09:16) - Authenticity vs. Adapting (13:42) - Scripted Talks (16:34) - Handling No Questions (20:09) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

If you can make conversation, you can make your own luck.Good communication isn't passive. And good luck, says Tina Seelig, is the same. There's “what the world gives us,” and then there's “how we respond to it.”Seelig is executive director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University and author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck. For her, good fortune doesn't find us, we find it. “Opportunities for lucky things to happen are ubiquitous. But they're invisible and most people don't see them,” she says. In the same way that communication requires active listening, making our own luck requires presence to the people and possibilities that come our way.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seelig and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication creates luck. From curious listening to resolving the conflicts that block opportunity, Seelig offers practical ways to respond to what life offers — and turn everyday interactions into the foundation for good fortune.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Tina SeeligTina's Book: What I Wish I Knew About LuckEp.111 Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your CommunicationEp.159 Earn Your Audience: You Can't Lead If No One's Listening Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:46) - Luck vs. Fortune (03:55) - The Idea of Making Luck (04:40) - Building Your Luck Framework (05:49) - Listening Creates Opportunity (06:56) - Focus on Others (09:57) - Staying Connected to Others (11:09) - Appreciation as a Habit (12:04) - How Conflict Blocks Luck (13:35) - Apologies Create Opportunity (14:33) - Ask, Don't Assume (16:26) - Communicating for Your Audience (18:13) - Prepare Your Stories (21:46) - The Final Three Questions (26:16) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Today I sit down with Kelly Abbott, one of my absolute best friends and someone I have known for more than 20 years, and we get into a conversation I think all of us need to be having right now. Kelly is one of the most talented CIOs, internet entrepreneurs, and technology minds I know, and what I appreciate most about him is that he does not approach AI like a hype man. He approaches it like a builder, an artist, a strategist, and a deeply curious human being. That combination is rare. What really stands out to me in this conversation is that Kelly is not using AI in a shallow, gimmicky way. He is exploring how it can become a genuine creative partner. He walks me through a project he has built called Writer's Room, a tool designed to simulate the collaborative energy of a real writers room so people can develop long-form fiction with multiple AI personas, story structure, quality control, continuity, and creative tension built in. It is a fascinating example of what becomes possible when you stop thinking about AI as a shortcut and start thinking about it as a thought partner. We also talk about the AI-generated video he created for Seven CTOs, and this part of the conversation opens up something deeper than tools alone. Kelly shares how he used AI to translate an inner idea into a full creative artifact by scripting with ChatGPT, shaping voice in ElevenLabs, experimenting with music, and embracing imagery, archetype, and non-deterministic outputs along the way. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is hearing him describe why he chose an unexpected narrator voice and how he thinks about the relationship between text, emotion, music, image, and trust. It is a masterclass in taste, not just tech. We also get honest about the tension many people feel around AI. I say in the episode that I am less worried about AI destroying the world by itself than I am about people using it stupidly and at scale. Kelly does not brush that off. He agrees that the concern is real, and he makes a strong case that the answer is not avoidance. The answer is learning. He talks about why he teaches Claude in particular, why he respects Anthropic's stance on safety, and why becoming capable with these tools puts you in the driver's seat instead of leaving you vulnerable to being outpaced by them. Another piece I love is that this conversation is not just about AI in the abstract. It becomes personal. Kelly starts exploring what it could look like to use tools like NotebookLM to understand my body of work more deeply, surface the real pain points my clients face, and eventually help build something like an on-demand “Johnny brain” people could interact with for coaching and insight. That is where this episode gets especially exciting to me, because it moves from fascination to application. We are not just asking what AI is. We are asking how to use it in service of real communication, real creativity, real usefulness, and real human connection. And then, because life is funny and friendship matters, we close by telling the story of how Kelly and I first met on a flight to South by Southwest. It starts with him defending an empty seat, me walking back up the aisle in a too-tight Flash T-shirt, and Kelly greeting me with, “I don't like you very much right now.” What followed was a conversation, a weekend, and a friendship that has lasted for decades. Honestly, that ending says a lot about this whole episode. Beneath all the tools and ideas is something more important: curiosity, candor, play, and the willingness to engage what is right in front of you. This episode matters because AI is not coming someday. It is here. And like it or not, all of us need to get familiar with what it can do, where it helps, where it misleads, and how to use it without giving up our judgment, our values, or our originality. That is why I expect this to become a semi-regular part of the podcast.   Key Takeaways AI becomes far more useful when you treat it as a creative partner rather than a magic shortcut. Kelly's “Writer's Room” concept shows how AI can simulate diverse voices, roles, and editorial functions to strengthen storytelling and idea development. A learner's mindset still matters as much as any tool. Kelly says one of his advantages has always been being “a page ahead in the manual” because he stayed up learning. Great AI output still depends on human taste, curation, and judgment. The tools can generate, but the human being still has to choose. Non-deterministic outputs are not always a flaw. In creative work, unpredictability can actually produce something more alive and surprising. Voice, music, and image are not separate from strategy. They shape trust, tone, and emotional impact. AI literacy is quickly becoming a real professional advantage. The people who learn how to use these tools well will be far less likely to be overwhelmed by them. Safety matters. Kelly makes a clear distinction between powerful use and careless use, which is one reason he emphasizes Claude and Anthropic's public posture around AI safety. The future is not only about automating tasks. It is also about making your ideas more discoverable, more creative, and more accessible to the people you serve. Friendship, curiosity, and long conversations still matter. Some of the best ideas begin with a human relationship, not a prompt.   Addressing Relevant Issues This conversation touches a nerve that a lot of people are feeling right now. We are living through a moment where AI is moving faster than most people can comfortably track, and that creates a strange mix of excitement, intimidation, skepticism, and risk. This episode speaks directly to that. We get into leadership, creativity, communication, entrepreneurship, technology, safety, and discernment. We also touch the deeper issue underneath all of it, which is whether we are going to let technology flatten our humanity or help us express it more powerfully. To me, that is the real issue. Not whether AI exists, but whether we develop the judgment, character, and skill to use it well.   Why This Episode Matters This episode matters to me personally because Kelly is not just a brilliant technologist. He is someone I trust. That matters a lot in a space where there is so much noise, so much hype, and so much confident nonsense. What really stands out to me is that Kelly brings both depth and play to this conversation. He understands the technical side, but he also understands voice, story, aesthetics, and what makes something actually resonate. I think listeners will come away with something rare here: not just more information about AI, but a healthier and more useful way to think about it. And honestly, I care about this because I do believe we all need to start getting familiar with what these tools can do. The people who learn thoughtfully are going to be in a much stronger position than the people who ignore this and hope it goes away.   Resources Mentioned Writer's Room Studio — https://writersrooms.studio/ Kelly's AI video — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XteCrxWZIvA ElevenLabs — https://elevenlabs.io/ Mother / music sample generation invite — https://mother.is/invite/USER-D071D3FA Ideogram — https://ideogram.ai/ Google Flow — https://labs.google/fx/tools/flow NotebookLM — https://notebooklm.google.com/ BOL Agency — https://www.bol-agency.com/ The K State — https://thekstate.com/   Connect & Subscribe If this conversation gave you something to think about, subscribe to Live Like a Leader, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is trying to make sense of AI, leadership, creativity, or where communication is headed next.   Next Steps A good next step is to spend a little time with Kelly's work and then actually try one of the tools we discuss. Don't just have an opinion about AI from a distance. Get your hands on it. Explore it. Test it. See where it helps, where it falls short, and where your own judgment needs to get stronger. And if this conversation resonates, stay with us, because this is going to be an ongoing part of the show. -----   Kelly Abbott is Chief AI Officer at BOL Agency and founder of K-State LLC, where he helps organizations stop talking about AI and start operating with it. A two-time exit founder (Match.com, Adobe), Kelly now builds AI-native systems for marketing agencies, law firms, and enterprise teams. He trains teams on Claude, designs agentic workflows, and creates products at the intersection of AI, music, and creative technology. He lives in Washougal, WA with his family. Ohio State alum. Still writing stories. --------John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online. He also gets 92+ Net Promoter Scores for his large and small group leadership development trainings at organizations like Johnson & Johnson, NASA, Google, Intuit, Boston Scientific, and many more. Find more at https://executivespeakingsuccess.com.Sign up for his weekly micro-trainings for free at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty, and connection.

Great communication isn't about saying more—it's about making what you say matter.If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to treat communication less like a habit—and more like a series of intentional choices. In this special feed drop, we're featuring a conversation from the ⁠Masters of Scale⁠ podcast, where host ⁠Jeff Berman⁠ sits down with Stanford lecturer and ⁠Think Fast, Talk Smart ⁠host Matt Abrahams to explore what it really takes to communicate with intention.Most of us default to what feels natural—long-winded openings, generic pitches, or focusing on what we want to say. But as Matt explains, effective communication starts with the audience. Get to the point quickly. Focus on what's relevant. “Tell the time, don't build the clock.”From high-stakes presentations to job interviews and everyday interactions, Matt shares practical, science-backed strategies for showing up with clarity and confidence. Communication is something we all do every day—but doing it well, especially when it counts, takes intention. As this conversation makes clear, small shifts in how we prepare, structure, and deliver our message can make all the difference.Episode Reference Links:Jeff BermanMasters of ScaleConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:02) - Communication as a Skill (04:32) - The Impact of Communication (05:10) - Prevalence of Speaking Anxiety (07:11) - Techniques for Reducing Anxiety (09:46) - Core Principles: Repetition, Reflection, Feedback (10:53) - Communication in Education (12:03) - Opportunities to Improve Communication (14:26) - Presenting & Pitching Ideas (16:41) - Setting Clear Expectations (19:58) - Characteristics of Productive Meetings (24:13) - The Role of Repetition in Leadership (25:03) - Structured Preparation for Interviews (26:29) - The ADD Framework for Responses (27:57) - Asking Insightful Questions (29:17) - Defining Communication Objectives (32:23) - Adapting Messages to Different Formats (33:38) - Building Confidence in New Mediums (34:48) - Recovering from Cognitive Lapses (36:14) - The Pace, Space, Grace Framework (38:09) - Navigating Differing Perspectives (40:01) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Howard Karesh is a global communications leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate complexity, from large-scale acquisitions and organizational change to high-stakes issues and employee engagement. He has served as Chief Communications Officer at TreeHouse Foods and previously led global communications for Hillrom through its acquisition by Baxter, partnering closely with CEOs and executive teams to bring clarity, alignment, and steady leadership in fast-moving environments. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles across corporate and agency settings, and has advised organizations through his own consultancy. Website: canyouhearmepod.podcastpage.io Subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7373364855967461376 Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

In today's environment, leadership requires more than results. It requires connection, clarity, and the ability to lead people through constant change. In this episode, you'll learn: Why “good” leadership is a hidden liability What employees are really thinking but not saying The six differentiators of exceptional leaders Why Heart skills are critical in today's workplace How leaders unintentionally create distance by “wearing armor” What it looks like to lead with authenticity and clarity Simple, practical actions you can implement this week Learn more from David Grossman:

In an era shaped by AI and misinformation, mastering crisis communication has never been more critical. Join co-hosts Rob Johnson and Eileen Rochford as they sit down with CCO Howard Karesh to explore what calm, effective leadership looks like when it matters most. Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Stay connected with us: - Follow us on LinkedIn! - Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin! - Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!  

Send us Fan MailAre you describing your projects as “execution” instead of strategic leadership—and wondering why it's not leading to promotion?In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton breaks down the 60-Second Impact Script, a three-part framework that reframes your results as leadership in any meeting or 1:1.If you're delivering strong work but still hearing “not quite ready,” this 5-minute Monday Momentum episode shows you why task‑focused language keeps you overlooked and how to sound like the senior leader you are. Kele shares the exact template, AI prompt for customization, and an action step to use it this week.What you'll learn:Why “execution talk” costs women leaders promotion opportunitiesThe 60-Second Impact Script: Result + Strategic Why + Future DirectionHow specificity and numbers turn updates into leadership statementsHow to connect your work to business impact and systems thinkingHow naming your next strategic move signals senior‑level readinessThe script template and AI prompt to build yours in 2 minutesYour action step:Pick one current project. Write your 60-second script using the template below. Practice it out loud, then use it in your next meeting or 1:1.Script Template:“Recently I [specific result]. That means [business impact]. Next, I'm [strategic direction]. Thoughts on how we connect that to [company goal]?”AI Prompt (Copy‑Paste Ready):I'm a [role] in [industry]. Help me craft a 60-second executive impact narrative that positions me as a strategic force multiplier.Ask me 3 questions:A quantified result I deliveredThe business or financial impact of that resultThe next strategic initiative I ownThen write a tight 60-second script using:Recently, I [quantified result].This drove [clear business impact/dollars].Now I'm focused on [strategic initiative] to achieve [forward-looking business outcome].Constraints:No buzzwords or fillerMust sound natural when spokenEmphasize decision-making and business impact over executionExample (output style)“Recently, I led the rollout of 800+ automation blueprints, reducing deployment time by 40%.That translated to roughly $10M in operational efficiency gains.Now I'm focused on scaling a GenAI-driven classification system to further accelerate delivery and unlock additional cost savings across the platform.”Mentioned in this episode:Episode 156: The Visibility Gap: Why Women Leaders Get OverlookedIgnite Your Leadership Power Accelerator: Move from doing to leading. Join the Fall waitlist. JOIN THE WAITLIST HEREAbout your host:Kele Belton is a communication and leadership trainer, coach, and speaker who specializes in helping women leaders develop confidence and impact through strategic communication and practical leadership frameworks.Connect with Kele for more leadership insights:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.com

How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.If you want to be a changemaker, you'll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn't about creating new motivation — it's about leveraging the motivation that's already there.“The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,” says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,” he says.In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using “leverage points,” or as Heath says, “where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.” Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change.Episode Reference Links:Dan HeathDan's Books: Reset: How to Change What's Not WorkingDan's Podcast: What It's Like To Be Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already WantEp.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:59) - The Power of Storytelling (07:09) - Crafting Powerful Stories (12:08) - Finding Great Stories (15:27) - Leverage Points For Change (18:39) - Wasted Resources & Motivation (23:06) - Latent Desire in Systems (25:15) - The Role of Systems in Communication (29:04) - Communicating Progress (32:26) - Lessons from Hosting a Podcast (34:58) - The Final Three Questions (43:00) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Effective communication is an essential leadership skill. It enables leaders to convey vision and strategy, engage people in the mission, build trust and engagement, resolve conflicts, and create environments where people feel heard, valued, and motivated.Yet this skill is problematic for many leaders. That skill deficit can undermine organizational performance and team morale. Improving communication skills requires intentional practice, self-awareness, and a repertoire of techniques that leaders can refine over time.

The Core Idea Execution problems are often misdiagnosed as strategy issues In reality, teams respond to the energy behind the message, not just the message itself  Why Energy Matters Same strategy + same team ≠ same results The difference is often how the leader shows up Energy sets the tone for how people receive, interpret, and act The Leadership Blind Spot Many leaders default to their natural energy (optimism, urgency, momentum) Strengths can become liabilities when mismatched to the moment Example: positivity can feel dismissive when people need acknowledgment Key Insight Energy is not about personality It's about intentionality The Three Questions to Lead with Energy What does this moment actually require? Push forward vs. pause Momentum vs. reflection Direction vs. collaboration Am I creating clarity or just intensity? Clarity drives confident action Intensity creates urgency without direction Fast does not equal effective Do people need to be lifted or met where they are? Lift: vision, possibility, forward movement Meet: acknowledgment, validation, presence Misalignment leads to disconnection or stagnation Practical Application Adapt your energy based on the situation: Strategy sessions → vision and momentum Difficult conversations → groundedness and empathy Crisis moments → calm and stability Cultural Impact Your consistent energy becomes your culture: Urgency → reactive teams Positivity without acknowledgment → hidden struggles Calm without movement → complacency The Leadership Shift Stop expressing energy unconsciously Start directing energy strategically Reflection Question What energy are you bringing into your conversations—and is it what's needed? Call to Action Explore the full framework in Think First: Build a Team That Thinks Like Leaders Think First

Today, I'm joined by Curtis McCollum—certified clinical hypnotherapist, master practitioner in neurolinguistic programming, and high-performance coach focused on helping individuals rewire their internal dialogue to unlock their full potential. In this episode, Curtis and I explore how communication goes far beyond words. We talk about the power of presence, why great communicators are highly aware of nonverbal cues, and how your internal state directly impacts how your message is received. Curtis shares insights on building rapport quickly, adapting your communication style in real time, and why active listening is one of the most critical—and overlooked—skills for leaders today. This conversation blends practical communication strategies with deeper insights into mindset, awareness, and human behavior, offering a unique perspective on what it truly takes to connect and influence others. Let's dive in. ► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond ► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/ ► Connect with Curtis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-mccullom/ ► Learn more about Bespoke Human Potential Coaching:  https://www.bespokehumanpotentialcoaching.com/ ► Subscribe to Communicast:  https://communicast.simplecast.com/ ► Learn more about Communispond:  https://www.communispond.com

Whatever your message, the manner in which you deliver it is just as important.You found the right words. You picked the right time to say them. You even tailored them to your audience. Why did your message fall flat? “It's your tone,” says Jefferson Fisher.Fisher is a trial attorney, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and one of the most-followed experts in communication today. From handling high-stakes communication in the courtroom to navigating everyday conversations, he says successful messaging isn't just about what you say, but how you say it. “It's not your words, it's your tone,” he says, “The words might be right, but the way you [say them] — that's what ends up controlling the day. Tone controls everything.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fisher and host Matt Abrahams explore how to set the right tone in all kinds of communication. Whether you're navigating conflict, giving and receiving feedback, or just trying to connect, Fisher offers practical techniques for ensuring the manner of your communication matches what you mean.Episode Reference Links:Jefferson FisherJefferson's Book: The Next Conversation WorkbookJefferson's Podcast: The Jefferson Fisher PodcastEp.228 Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:28) - Stop Winning Arguments (04:02) - Ask, Don't Persuade (04:33) - Defuse Tension Fast (05:40) - Read the Room (07:36) - Observing vs. Absorbing (09:08) - Framing Conversations (11:21) - Fix Digital Communication (13:01) - Improve Your Tone (15:53) - Break People-Pleasing (17:18) - Setting Clear Boundaries (20:54) - The Final Three Questions (23:55) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Leadership SurveyWhat if one simple leadership habit could help you get results faster—without burning out your team or yourself?You're juggling competing priorities, endless conversations, and a workload that never seems to shrink. Maybe you've said things like “ASAP” or “soon,” only to be frustrated when nothing actually gets done on time. This episode tackles that exact problem—showing you how to turn vague intentions into clear, actionable outcomes so you and your team can finally follow through consistently.By listening, you'll gain:A practical communication technique that ensures work gets completed on time—every timeA way to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout by aligning priorities upfrontA repeatable system to eliminate miscommunication and those frustrating “we talked about this already” conversationsPress play now to learn the simple shift that will help you get results faster while creating a more focused, less stressful work environment.Check out:00:01:04 – Introduction to the core concept of “schedule the finish” and why it's critical if you want to consistently get results00:04:19 – Clear breakdown of what “scheduling the finish” actually means (and how it's different from just assigning a due date)00:08:31 – Real-world examples of how to apply this method in delegation, performance conversations, and everyday leadership situationsLeadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success.

In this episode, Steve sits down with Samara Bay to unpack what it really means to be “ready” when the stakes are high. Together, they explore the connection between body, mind, and communication—and why so many high-performers flatten their presence by trying to hide fear instead of working with it.Samara explains how public speaking is really about power, permission, and presence. She shares why “readiness” is more of a body-based practice than a mental state, how love-based thinking can shift us out of fight-or-flight, and why the warm-up before any important conversation may be the real work.Key Takeaways:Why readiness is more physical than mentalThe role of body awareness in communicationPublic speaking as a reflection of power and self-trustHow fear creates a flattened version of usWhy naming what's happening in the room builds trustThe shift from fear-based thinking to love-based communicationSocial evaluative threat and the modern version of fight-or-flightWhy context matters in every communication momentThe importance of imagination, curiosity, and play in leadershipWhy warm-ups and rituals matter before big momentsMissed opportunity as the hidden cost of poor communicationLinks and Resources MentionedPermission Inc. — permissioninc.coPermissionaries newsletter — available via Samara's websitePermission to Speak by Samara BayUpcoming TEDx talk — Samara said it will be shared on her website once releasedSend us Fan MailSupport the showConnect with Steve MellorStay connected and keep growing with Steve:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReadyJoin the community and keep your growth journey going:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/----This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

In this episode, Jill Griffin breaks down why high-performing leaders get overlooked covering: the subtle way leaders argue their point, and why it doesn't land the way they expecthow leaders unintentionally weaken their position in high-stakes conversations why leadership credibility is a finite resource how strategic leaders think about when to use it Support the showJill Griffin, is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of The Career Refresh. She works with senior leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen teams, and lead with greater clarity and intention.With 20+ years of experience at companies like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Hilton, and Martha Stewart, Jill brings a practical, real-world lens to leadership, decision-making, and career strategy. Visit GriffinMethod.com to learn more about working together:The Next Era Leader An 8-week cohort for women leaders ready to expand their capacity and lead through complexity with clarity and intentionExecutive Coaching & Leadership Advisory 1:1 strategic partnership for leaders navigating growth, transition, and what's nextConnect with Jill for Leadership Development for Organizations and Speaking & WorkshopsInstagram: @JillGriffinOffical

Memorable communication isn't about saying more—it's making the right idea stick. No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won't last in your audience's memory. The key isn't trying to make people remember everything — it's ensuring they remember what matters most.Carmen Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and expert on how the brain pays attention and forms memories. Her research explores how communication can move beyond passive listening and become an experience the brain actually holds onto. “The way we come to know the world is through the interaction of brain, body, and environment,” she explains. “The more you invite your audiences to interact with anything, especially physically, the more you impact cognition.”In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams explore practical, research-backed ways to make communication more memorable. They discuss why handwriting notes can deepen understanding, how curiosity and tension capture attention, and why communicators should avoid overwhelming audiences with too much information. Instead, Simon encourages speakers to structure ideas so audiences can recognize patterns and return to a clear core message.Episode Reference Links:Carmen SimonCarmen's Book: Impossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:31) - Embodied Cognition Explained (04:44) - The Impact of Environment on Attention (06:08) - Sparking Curiosity in Your Audience (10:24) - Avoiding Cognitive Overload (14:48) - Using Visuals to Improve Recall (18:43) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

People are forgetful. Here's how to make your messages more memorable.After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That's okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they remember the right 10%.Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: “We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,” she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it — by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. “So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,” she says. “Ask the question: what is my 10% message?”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon's practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away.Episode Reference Links:Carmen SimonCarmen's Book: Impossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:39) - Attention vs. Memory (05:15) - Novelty & Surprise (06:36) - Why Attention Isn't Enough (08:04) - The Power of Priming (09:37) - Priming in Business Communication (10:21) - Why Audiences Forget (13:32) - Smart Repetition (15:08) - The Final Three Questions (22:00) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

One of the fastest ways to destroy momentum on your team?Trying to do everything yourself. Many leaders believe they're being decisive, efficient, or helpful when they solve problems alone. But in reality, lone wolf leadership quietly kills buy-in, ownership, and alignment across the team. In Part 4 of the Buy-In Series, Dave Garrison breaks down why leaders unintentionally create silos, and how a simple shift from telling to co-creating solutions unlocks the collective genius of your team. Dave Garrison, author of The Buy-In Advantage, explores the third major blocker that prevents teams from fully committing to company goals: Lone Wolf Leadership. Dave explains why decisions made in isolation often lead to poor execution, wasted effort, and frustrated teams. Even well-intentioned leaders can unknowingly create silos that prevent employees from feeling invested in outcomes. The solution isn't better control, it's co-creation. By clearly defining purpose, outcomes, and success criteria, and then inviting teams to contribute their own thinking, leaders can unlock deeper ownership, better decisions, and true organizational buy-in. What You'll Learn In This Episode: What lone wolf leadership looks like inside organizations Why siloed decision-making destroys alignment and ownership How collective genius produces better outcomes than individual expertise The three elements leaders must provide before delegating Why most delegation fails, and how to fix it A simple framework to co-create solutions with your team   Key Takeaways: ✔️Buy-in requires participation. People support what they help create. ✔️Decisions made in isolation lead to weak execution and low ownership. ✔️True leadership invites collaboration rather than dictating solutions. ✔️Leaders should define purpose, desired outcomes, and success criteria—not the exact method. ✔️When team members propose solutions, great leaders ask questions instead of judging. ✔️Collective thinking produces stronger solutions than any single leader could create alone. ✔️Delegation works best when it becomes a co-creation process, not a command.   Timestamps & Highlights: [00:00] – What buy-in really means and why engagement isn't enough [01:45] – Recap of previous buy-in blockers: purpose drift and blind tasks [02:30] – Introducing the third buy-in blocker: lone wolf leadership [03:45] – How siloed decisions destroy alignment across teams [05:15] – The hidden cost of departments solving problems independently [06:50] – Why leaders often feel frustrated when teams don't execute well [08:00] – The family vacation example: why decisions without input fail [09:10] – The power of co-creating solutions with your team [10:20] – How different perspectives create collective genius [11:30] – The leadership framework: purpose, outcomes, and criteria [12:30] – The two questions great leaders ask instead of judging solutions [14:40] – How delegation changes when leaders stop being lone wolves [15:10] – Free team assessment resource and closing thoughts  Connect with Dave Garrison: Book: The Buy-In Advantage Website:GarrisonGrowth.com LinkedIn: Dave Garrison Email: engage@garrisongrowth.com Join the Leadership Sprint: DM “Leadership Sprint” to Dave on LinkedIn for exclusive access Your Challenge This Week: If this episode challenged how you lead your team, share it. Screenshot this episode and tag @itsgeorgebryant with your biggest leadership takeaway. Comment “BUY-IN” on our latest post and tell us where you might be leading like a lone wolf. Join The Alliance The Relationship Beats Algorithms™ community where entrepreneurs learn how to build businesses through trust, connection, and long-term relationships. Apply for 1:1 Coaching Ready to build your business with more clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth? Apply for George's private coaching. Live Events Get in the room where real relationships and business breakthroughs happen. Visit: mindofgeorge.com/retreat/