Advertise on podcast: Speak As Well As You Think

This month we're talking about a simple but powerful communication principle: when emotions are high, speed should be low. We might rush to respond when we feel frustrated, defensive, embarrassed, or criticized, not because the situation is truly urgent, but because we want relief from the emotion. We'll discuss how creating space between hearing something and responding can lead to better thinking, clearer communication, and better outcomes. Slowing down doesn’t mean avoiding conflict, it means choosing a response guided by intention rather than reaction. Next time you feel the urge to respond immediately, ask yourself: “Is this actually urgent, or is it emotionally urgent?” Sometimes, the most effective communication starts with a pause.

AI is helping us write emails, summarize meetings, build presentations, and even prepare for difficult conversations. But as these tools become part of our day to day, are they slowly weakening one of our most valuable skills? In this episode, we explore where AI enhances communication, and where it can unintentionally create problems like generic messaging, tone mismatches, overconfidence, and less critical thinking. We also discuss why human judgment, relationships, and context remain impossible to automate. Most importantly, you'll learn practical ways to use AI as a communication assistant rather than letting it become your communicator. If you rely on tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Grammarly, or Claude, this episode will help you communicate with more clarity, authenticity, and impact.

In this episode we're discussing the speaker is the presentation, not their PowerPoint slides. While your slides should aid you and your talk, your audience's sole focus shouldn't be on the visuals, otherwise you've lost them. We'll discuss: Why dense slides can hurt your talkHow to simplify dense slides (which can mean different things to different organizations)The real purpose around slides and how great communicators interact with themThe slides are there to help guide your audience, give them something else to engage with, and be your speaker notes, but they shouldn't be the main show.

Hybrid work. It's not going away. So the best thing we can do is learn how to make it most effective, whether you use it daily or just a couple of times a month. You need to consider a few things: How to prepare before the meeting even beginsThe best practices that can help you be clear, confident, and prepared Whether cameras need to be on or offUnderstand how to end effectivelyA lot of people start virtual meetings on a whim. This can work at times, but if you want your meetings to be purposeful, engaging, and you want people to come back in the future, there's a lot more that goes into making this happen. Don't skip the prep work simply because all you need to do is hit "start meeting".

This month, we're discussing Storytelling as an influential tool. People tend to remember a story long after they forget the data. A great message may inform, but a great story can help people feel the message. We discuss a few specific areas: Why stories influence better than information aloneWhere we see stories show up, and why they work Some common mistakes people make with their storiesStorytelling can be an effective tool in so many areas; you just need to know how to tell the right story.

This month, we're talking about eye contact. We've all heard we should look at people as we speak, but what exactly does that mean? How long do we look at them? How do we move when there are multiple people to look at? If it feels awkward to the speaker, does it come across awkward to the listener? All great questions. Here's what we unpack: Why eye contact mattersWhat does your eye contact communicateHow to vary it based on the setting/situationWhen and how to practice it

We're talking communication anxiety this month. Nervousness is an age-old topic that we really can't discuss enough. This month, we'll cover: Common causes of communication anxietyWhat it can look and feel like to the speaker and audienceWays to manage the feeling in the momentSome long-term approaches to alleviating nerves

In today's episode, we're discussing persuasion at work. It's an element of many people's jobs, so understanding its importance and how to create a safe and comfortable space for persuasion to live is important. Here are a few things we'll discuss: Persuading is not convincing; it's alignmentKnow what your audience wants or needs (one we always talk about) Create credibility by asking questions and listening just as much as you talkKnowing when to take a step back and maintain your image/trust If people leave agreeing but not acting, persuasion didn't happen.

It's January, so of course, everyone is focused on goal-setting for the year to come. As you plan your goals out, consider a few things: Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)Be realistic - lofty goals are fine, but know how you're going to get thereCommunicate your goal(s) clearly to yourself and othersCheck in often and reflect on how the goal is going - make changes if necessaryGoing in with a plan helps breed success. Understanding that failure is sometimes part of a goal creates consistency in showing up. Being clear and reflective with yourself allows room for adjustments or getting back on track.

Some people can captivate an audience when they speak. Others, the audience walks away while they're still speaking. Many factors can influence this, but one key determinant of audience engagement is the speaker's ability to stay on message. Being clear and concise is a skill. It's important to understand: Why it can be so difficult to accomplishUnderstanding what your audience wants or needsKnowing what point you're trying to makeThe ability to practice purposefully In this episode, you'll hear how you can approach the coming holidays with clear, concise, and on-message conversations.

This month, we're exploring the 'empty boat' mindset parable and how it relates to effective communication and relationship building. The parable basically states that if an empty boat runs into yours, you navigate around it. But if someone is in that boat, you tend to react negatively, even though the same situation occurred. We discuss the importance of: Separating intent from impactResponding not reactingAssuming positive (or neutral) intentFocusing on understanding vs. placing blameCreating safety so relationships can thriveApproaching interactions as if they are "empty boats" allows you to have more control over your reactions and emotions.

Sometimes the hardest people to coach aren’t those who struggle with communication; it's the ones who think they’ve already mastered it. Not because they lack skill, but because their blind spots are often more ingrained. In this episode, we'll take years of experience and explore: The Blind Spots of “Good Communicators” — from dominating conversations to resisting change.Coaching Without Clashing with Ego — using rapport, curiosity, and concrete evidence to open minds.Common Pitfalls — like over-talking, under-listening, or failing to adapt to different audiences.Shifting the Mindset — reframing communication as a lifelong practice, not something you 'complete'. Whether you lead, manage, or mentor, you’ll learn practical ways to help even your best communicators keep getting better.

Some organizations have excellent communication cultures, while others struggle in this area. The organizations that have it down tend to do 3 things: They have access to communicate with anyone within the organization, no matter their title or role. They focus on development opportunities. They lead with a growth mindset, and their leaders "walk the talk". Listen along for more details on each of these topics and what you can do, either as a leader or an individual, to identify opportunities within each space. The sooner an organization or team can create a culture of good, open communication, the more successful they'll be.

Keeping an audience engaged can feel like an uphill battle some days, but it's of the utmost importance when it comes to being an effective communicator. In this episode, we'll discuss our top 5 tips for keeping your audience engaged. We recommend: Make the talk about your audienceAsk questionsGive them something to doChange up your delivery at timesShorten sectionsFocusing on these five things will help keep your audience focused, interested, and most importantly, engaged with you and the content.

Have you ever wondered what evidence to bring to the table in your meeting? Evidence, or forms of influence (FOI), are necessary to engage and persuade your audience. We spend a lot of time talking about the physical and vocal skillset, which are extremely important in how you show up. But FOIs are equally important. As soon as you're done making those first impressions, the evidence and knowledge we provide is what keep people coming back for more. This month we'll talk about: What we label as evidence or FOIsHow to consider the audience when choosing which FOIs are most effectiveWays to think about blending stories and data to be impactful and memorableSkillset and knowledge are necessary to be a successful speaker!