Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills

Ever led a meeting where no one seemed engaged? Don’t blame your agenda or your slides. Fix your opener! In this Talk About Talk episode, Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares three specific techniques you can use to open any meeting in a way that gets people engaged immediately and keeps their attention the whole time. No extra storytelling required. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION Certainly not all meetings go as planned, do they? But you’ve probably led a few of these successful meetings, the kind where people are locked in, ideas are flying around. The kind of meeting where you walk out, impressed, feeling proud, and like you actually got something done. And then you try to run the exact same meeting two weeks later, and it’s crickets. Here’s what I figured out. After years of leading live workshops and coaching executives on communication, the difference almost always traces back to the first one to two minutes of the meeting. It’s not the agenda, it’s not the slides, it’s the opening. So today. I’m gonna share with you three specific things that you can do to start off any meeting in a way that gets people engaged immediately and then keeps them that way. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m your executive communication coach. I coach ambitious professionals like you to communicate with confidence and credibility so that you can achieve your career goals. Please check out our website, TalkAboutTalk.com. You’ll find more information there about the topics that we cover and the different ways that you can learn from workshops, keynotes to masterclasses, to online courses, and more. There are plenty of free resources for you there, too, so check them all out. It’s at TalkAboutTalk.com. The First Two Minutes Set the Tone Here’s what most of the leaders that I coach tell me: they say, Andrea, I don’t know why some of my meetings just work, and others totally fall flat, and I can’t figure out how to make the good ones. Happen on purpose. Does this sound familiar? What’s interesting is that it’s almost never a content problem. The agenda is probably more than fine. The people in the room are capable, but something about the energy at the start of the meeting sets the whole tone. If you’ve lost people in the first couple of minutes, you are fighting an uphill battle until the end. Now, if you do an online search or ask AI, how should I start my meeting? You’ll see the same advice recycled everywhere. Tell a story. Get people emotionally invested. And here’s the thing, I’m not gonna tell you that stories don’t work because they certainly do. If you’ve ever tried to shoehorn a story into the top of a project status meeting and then watched people check their phones, then you know that a forced story can somehow be worse than no story at all. So instead, I wanna give you three things that actually work every time, regardless of the type of meeting, the size of the room, or whether you consider yourself a natural storyteller or not. Tell Them Where the Bus Is Going Technique number one. Tell everyone where the bus is going. Here’s my question for you. Would you get on a bus if you had no idea where it was headed? Obviously not, right, but that’s exactly what many meeting leaders do. They ask people to get on the bus without telling them where it’s headed. They send a calendar invite with a vague title. They kick off with, okay, let’s get started, and then they wonder why people seem checked out. Your team is sitting there doing a mental calculation in the first 30 seconds. Is this worth my time? I mean, I have to sit here, but is it in my best interest to pay attention and to participate? Or maybe I should pretend to listen while I check my email? Is it worth my time and attention? And here’s the thing, if you don’t answer that question for them, their brain answers it for them, usually with probably not. The fix here is simple. Before you get into any content, spend 60 seconds telling them exactly why this meeting is worth their attention. Not just the topic, not even just the meeting objective. I’m talking about the stakes. What is at stake here? Why it matters to the people around the table. And by the way, if it doesn’t matter to them, why did you invite the

“Do not mistake my KINDNESS for WEAKNESS.” What does it take to go from working front cash at McDonald’s to becoming its CEO? Michèle Boudria, Board Director and Former CEO of McDonald’s Canada, spent four decades figuring it out, and in this episode, she’s sharing everything. Michèle shares her insights, all in the name of creating “a virtuous cycle of high performance”: a relentless focus on feedback, next-level networking, curiosity, and an authentic, people-first leadership style. This one is full of honest, practical gold on building confidence, leading with impact, and getting the right people in your corner, and leading with impact. DOWNLOAD THE LEADERSHIP PRESENCE FRAMEWORK NOW at: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/leadershippresence Whether you’re early in your career or already in the C-suite, this one will make you think differently about the kind of leader you want to be. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube CONNECT WITH MICHÈLE 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-boudria/ 🌐 Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/newsroom/executive-team/Michele-Boudria.html MICHÈLE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION 📖 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth → https://amzn.to/3ZAyjCg TRANSCRIPTION Michèle Boudria: Say, do not mistake my kindness for weakness, and that is really what I believe was that kind of unlock when I was 25 years old, was I realized that I could be kind and strong and confident and successful. Andrea Wojnicki: Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. I am so excited about this episode. A couple of months ago, I was speaking at a conference, and I met one of the other conference speakers who you are about to meet. From Front Counter to CEO: Lessons in Leadership and Communication Her name is Michèle Boudria, and she’s the recently retired CEO of McDonald’s Canada. She started four decades ago working front cash at McDonald’s and worked her way up to CEO. She has an incredible story to share with you, and I have to say, other than hearing her speak at this conference, I really didn’t know anything about Michèle, and the way our conversation unfolded will provide you with some gold in improving your communication skills in terms of career advice, and I would say even life advice. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m your executive communication coach. Here at Talk About Talk, I focus on coaching ambitious professionals like you to improve your communication skills. So you can achieve all of your career goals. You can find more about what I do. If you go to talk about talk.com. On the website, you’ll find the archive of this podcast. You’ll find a free newsletter. You’ll find free resources. You’ll also find information about the private coaching, the masterclasses, and the corporate workshops and keynotes that I run. About the Guest: Michèle Boudria, Former CEO of McDonald’s Canada Okay. Let me introduce Michèle. Michèle Boudriaa’s journey with McDonald’s started when she was just 16 years old, working the counter of a restaurant in Elmer, Quebec. Four decades later, in 2025, she retired as president and CEO of McDonald’s Canada. Having led one of the country’s most iconic brands through remarkable growth and transformation, her journey included leadership roles across continents from frontline operations to the C-suite, where, as CEO, she oversaw more than 1400 restaurants, generating billions in annual sales. She made making franchisees successful, relentless pursuit of a consistently great customer experience, and known for her operational expertise and ability to deliver results in mature markets. Michèle championed innovative pricing approaches, expanding digital channels that reached millions of more Canadians and data-driven insights to build success in the franchise network. Today, Michèle brings her decades of experience in growth strategy, operational excellence, franchise partnerships, and organizational transformation to her corporate board and community work. Here’s Michèle. MB: At McDonald’s, it’s actually not that unique to have grown your entire career and started in our restaurants at the front cash or in the kitchen or drive through, or whatever it may be. We have quite a few colleagues around the world who have taken a similar path. You maybe don’t always make it to CEO, but you certainly take on some very impo

“You need to demonstrate executive presence.” What exactly does that actually mean? And why does it feel like code for “be someone you’re not”? In this Talk About Talk episode, Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares why the term “executive presence” isn’t ideal, and how “leadership presence” should replace it. She also shares a “Leadership Presence Hierarchy” framework that highlights what specific skills you need to work on. DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK NOW at: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/leadershippresence Check out the four-tier” Leadership Presence Hierarchy” that takes you from foundational communication skills all the way to having real impact. This isn’t about conforming to some 1980s CEO stereotype. It’s about showing up authentically while commanding respect, building credibility, and getting heard. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION The folks that are getting promoted to the C-Suite have executive presence, but the ones who stall out do not. Since I coach senior executives and aspiring senior executives, I get asked about this topic of executive presence all the time. In fact, I’d say that over the last year I’ve noticed a real uptick in clients seeking guidance on how to establish the all elusive executive presence. Sometimes they’re being proactive, but sometimes this high potential leader is sent to me by their HR manager, and they’ll tell me something like, this person has all the check marks for the C-suite, but they really need to demonstrate executive presence. And by the way, I always tell the person, this is very good news. Your employer thinks you have what it takes. They’re investing in you. Anyway, as I said, I’ve definitely noticed an uptick in requests for coaching on executive presence, but I have to tell you something else. I’ve also noticed increased pushback associated with this term. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk In this episode, I’m gonna share with you some important background on executive presence, why it’s so important, why I suggest we relabel it to something else, and a list of specific skills that you need to acquire. You can think of this as a checklist, your executive presence, or leadership presence playbook. Are you ready? Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, and I’m your executive communication coach. Please just call me Andrea. I’m here to help you improve your communication skills so that you can achieve your career goals. In addition to this biweekly talk about talk podcast, you can learn more from me through the workshops, keynotes, and master classes that I run plus, private coaching and a growing library of on-demand online courses. You can learn more about everything we offer at Talk About Talk by checking out the website at TalkAboutTalk.com. You can even set up a consult with me there. Check it out. TalkAboutTalk.com. Executive Presence: Why It Matters—and Why It’s Controversial Okay, let’s talk Executive presence. Executive presence is one of those things that might be tough to define, but you know it when you see it. Am I right? The professionals that I coach tell me that it’s all about confidence, feeling, and, more importantly, being perceived as confident, but of course not. Arrogant and executive presence is necessary to achieving leadership status. This is what I hear from the HR managers, right? The folks that are getting promoted to the C-Suite have executive presence, but the ones who stall out do not. That is why people are seeking coaching in this area. Well, here’s the good news. Executive presence can be learned. I’ve worked with senior folks with exactly this quandary. They have all the technical skills and people like them. They’re likable. People are rooting for them, but they’re missing this magical executive presence. I remember coaching a senior partner at a consulting firm. Who had this exact experience, and after I worked with him for about two months, he started to feel more confident, but also, at least as importantly, he started getting comments from others about his improved confidence and his presence. So what exactly is this executive presence? One of the most common definitions that you’ll hear is from an author named Sylvia Ann Hewlett. She says executive presence is a set of qualities that enable leaders to inspire confidence in others. In her research, Syl

You know the person: they derail meetings, push back on everything, and somehow make simple projects complicated. So how do you actually handle it without losing your mind? In this Talk About Talk episode, Dr. Andrea Wojnicki walks you through exactly what to do when you’re dealing with difficult people at work, whether that’s a customer, a direct report, a peer, or even your boss. If you’re wondering when and how to escalate the situation, Andrea’s five-step escalation sequence provides you with a step-by-step playbook. You’ll also learn the two-word principle that keeps you from getting pulled into drama with difficult people. This is Part 2 of a two-part series. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there to get the foundational framework. Then come back here for the specific tactics. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION How to Respond When Difficult Behavior Continues Focus on the issue, not on the person. Refuse to get pulled into the, you always do this, you’ve done this, you shouldn’t do that. You can’t do this. It’s not about you and me. It’s actually about the issue or the challenge. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. This is part two of a two part mini series on how to deal with difficult people. So here’s the question. Have you noticed someone at work who’s being chronically difficult, confrontational, or nasty? Either to you or maybe to everyone. Have you tried to diagnose what’s going on based on the Dr. David rock scarf framework and still nothing has changed? Well, I hope what you’re about to learn in this episode will have a positive impact. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. We’re going to. Strategies for how you can respond to these difficult people depending on who they are. And I’m also gonna share a sequence of steps that you can follow, steps that you should follow if things aren’t changing or perhaps if they’re getting worse. Let me start with strategies for how to respond to different people. How you respond, what you do can and should vary depending on who it is that’s being difficult. How to Respond Based on Who’s Being Difficult So I’m gonna run through this list of five different types of people or categories of people and what you should and shouldn’t do depending on who they are. That’s being difficult. You’ll see what I mean in a minute. So the first one. Is no one. So it’s not that the person is being difficult, it’s actually that you are in a difficult or a challenging situation. In this case, I say, great, the opportunity here is for you to pull the team together and go for a win. Corral the group and focus on what you can do to overcome this difficult situation. Okay, that was a little bit of a cheater. Now let’s get into the actual people. So imagine you have this scenario where it’s either a one-off situation or a customer or a client who is chronically difficult. The first thing I suggest you do is pause. Don’t get caught up. Getting emotional and responding in a reactionary way to how this difficult client or customer is acting. The second thing that I do, and this one is magic, focus on the issue, not on the person. Refuse to get. Pulled into the, you always do this. You’ve done this. You shouldn’t do that. You can’t do this. It’s not about you and me. It’s actually about the issue or the challenge, and it’s the issue or the challenge that they are probably experiencing. So you could say, Hmm, I understand how this would be very frustrating, or, let’s work on this together. I think we can solve this. You’re focusing on. The issue or the challenge, not the person, it’s the situation, not the person. And then the third thing, I alluded to this a little bit here in the example that I gave. Use the pronoun, we make the default that you are working with this client or this customer in solving the challenge. Okay? So again, if it’s a client or a customer, pause. Don’t react before thinking and remind yourself, focus on the issue or the situation, not on the person, and use the term we be inclusive and encourage you to work together to solve the problem. So that’s the first one. The next one is if it’s a peer. In the previous episode, I shared a scenario where a newly promoted partner named Leanne was being challenged on a daily basis by her

If you’re dealing with a difficult person at work, this episode will help you handle it. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares a simple mindset shift that will help you feel empowered, plus a 5 word mantra that changes everything. Andrea shares a real client story about a newly promoted partner who was being undermined by a colleague, and how this simple mindset shift completely transformed her experience. You’ll also learn the S.C.A.R.F. Framework, a powerful diagnostic tool created by Dr. David Rock. This framework helps you understand exactly why someone is being difficult (Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness) so you can respond strategically instead of reacting emotionally. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, you’ll learn specific do’s and don’ts for dealing with difficult customers, direct reports, peers, and even your boss, plus a step-by-step sequence for when things escalate. If you’re ready to stop dreading these interactions and start handling them with confidence, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION Why Dealing with Difficult People Is Part of Leadership Part of your job is dealing with these difficult people. It might not literally be in your job description, but ask yourself this: as a senior leader, who else is gonna deal with these difficult people? Unfortunately, dealing with difficult people at work is a common challenge. In fact, I have to tell you this, I’ve noticed that requests for coaching and workshops on this topic are becoming more frequent. Let me tell you why I encourage you to listen to this episode. Personally, I am a pretty positive person. I’m definitely an optimist, and I’d prefer to only cover positive topics if I could here at Talk About Talk. But the demand for strategies for dealing with difficult people is real. Here’s the good news. You are going to learn some. Actionable frameworks and strategies for dealing with these difficult people that really work. You will feel empowered. Are you ready? Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. About the Host: Dr. Andrea Wojnicki Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach here at Talk About Talk, where I coach driven professionals like you so that you can communicate with confidence and ultimately achieve your career goals. You can learn more about everything we do here at Talk about Talk, including private one-on-one coaching and online courses. Corporate workshops and more. If you go to talk about talk.com, we just relaunched the website, and there are plenty of free resources there for you as well, including my free communication coaching newsletter. Okay, let’s get into this. In this episode, you are going to learn a deceptively simple strategy that I promise will help you deal with difficult people, and also you’re gonna learn a framework to help you diagnose what exactly is going on with these difficult people. This, of course, will inform you about how to respond if you have a diagnosis. It tells you what the treatment is, right? First, though. The deceptively simple strategy. Leanne and Mike: When a Peer Becomes the Problem Let me tell you a quick story about a client. Let’s call her Leanne. Leanne was an incredibly driven consultant who hired me to help her boost her communication skills. She actually called me her secret weapon. She was gunning for a big promotion to partner at her firm, and it turns out she got that promotion when we were just a few months into our six-month coaching program. But that is when things got really difficult for Leanne, as in. She started to have to deal with difficult people. Actually, one main person, let’s call him Mike, actually, I think his name might have been Mike. So Leanne and Mike started at the firm at about the same time, and he got promoted just a few months before her. They were both new partners and their offices were near each other. To Leanne’s surprise, things got pretty ugly pretty quickly. She told me that Mike seemed to be going out of his way to undermine her. He would argue with her. He would argue with the recommendations that she made in meetings. He would raise his eyebrows and shake his head when she spoke up, and he even organized meetings and forgot to invite her. So publicly and privately, in person and online, Mike was being a very difficult person. Leanne tol

New year, new you. What does that actually mean? Dr. Andrea Wojnicki makes it clear: it’s not about reinventing yourself or becoming someone you’re not. It’s about rediscovering your strengths, elevating your best self, and defining a professional identity that helps you achieve your career goals in 2026 and beyond. In this episode, Andrea shares a powerful personal brand training session that walks you through three critical questions designed to reveal what your authentic professional brand should be. You’ll explore what you’re most proud of from 2025, your biggest career accomplishment from the last decade, and what you truly want to accomplish moving forward. Andrea also shares three definitions of personal branding that will inspire and guide you, plus her proven Present-Past-Future self-introduction framework that helps you present yourself with confidence and impact in any professional setting. The episode also includes a live Q&A where Andrea tackles tough questions about ageism in the workplace, how to introduce yourself in sales calls, navigating social media versus in-person communication, and more. If you’re ready to present your true best self and not the version your boss thinks you should be, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Archetypes Quiz – http://talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz Ageism Episode – https://www.talkabouttalk.com/ageism-160/ TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: Happy New Year, and welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach here at Talk About Talk, where I coach ambitious professionals to communicate with confidence and credibility so they can achieve their career goals in 2026 and beyond. New Year, New You: Clarifying Your Professional Identity Earlier this year, I hosted a live training event called New Year, New You personal brand training. In this session, we covered all sorts of definitions and activities and exercises, and three questions that I ask myself and that I encourage you to ask yourself to help you develop your ideal, positive personal brand in 2026 and beyond. Are you ready? Here we go. I wanna start by saying truly how much I was thinking about this as I was getting ready, how much I think about respect that you’ve taken time out of. I know no matter what you do, you have a busy schedule, you have lots to do, and this time of year. It’s like it gets all bottled up and then boom, first week of January, you’re back at it and you’re taking an hour of your time to spend with me. I feel honored. I feel privileged about that, but I also, I already have a lot of respect for you, whether I know you or not, for taking this time to invest in yourself. So I promise you, in the next hour, I’m gonna share with you some things where my intent is to provide you with some real impact in how to help you develop your. Ideal personal brand, or what we’re calling in this context here are professional identity. Okay? What This Session Will (and Won’t) Do for You So it’s a new year and a new you and I was, I was also thinking about this a lot. New Year, new you. I do not mean reinventing you and turning you into something that you are not already. I’m talking maybe about rediscovering something about you that you haven’t been thinking about in the way that you maybe should. I am talking about. Really elevating your best self, okay? So that you are as happy. And as successful as you can possibly be. So we’re not talking about your needs, the things that your boss is telling you that you need to work on. We’re actually thinking about the opposite. We’re thinking about your strengths and your skills and your expertise and how to share those things with the world, and actually for how you can think about those things more yourself. I am not gonna waste your time. We’ve got a lot to get through here. I am very ambitious, I’m gonna say that in terms of what we’re gonna generally and in this hour in terms of what we’re gonna get through. So I’m not gonna waste my time. I’ve been to some of these events where people spend 15 minutes introducing themselves. I am not gonna do that. I’m gonna say, many of you already know me on LinkedIn. If you don’t, you can check me out on Li

Your work doesn’t speak for itself. If you’re a woman leader who works hard but feels invisible when promotions are discussed, this episode is for you. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki delivers a powerful training on personal branding specifically designed for women. You will learn the three ways that branding is different for women, why “my work speaks for itself” is holding you back, and exactly what to do about it. This isn’t about becoming a social media influencer. This is about taking strategic control of your professional identity so the right people know your value, your expertise, and what you bring to the table. Andrea shares the PUR framework (Positive, Unique, Relevant), real stories from women who transformed their careers by focusing on what makes them unique, and practical communication strategies you can use immediately. If you’re ready to stop being overlooked and start being recognized for the leader you are, this episode will show you how. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Glass Walls: Six Barriers Holding Women Back at Work by Dr. Amy Diehl: https://amzn.to/4jeuQlI Competent Jerks and Lovable Fools research paper: https://hbr.org/2005/06/competent-jerks-lovable-fools-and-the-formation-of-social-networks Seth Godin Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/making-a-ruckus-with-seth-godin-ep-171/id1447267503?i=1000669800604 TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: Being yourself on purpose. I have this in capital letters because that’s what we’re doing here right now. We are unapologetically in a disciplined and strategic way, thinking about what we’re communicating about ourselves, and then communicating it in this strategic way. Well, hello there. I am really excited about this episode. Personal Branding for Women Leaders: Being Yourself on Purpose You’re about to hear or watch a recording if you’re on YouTube of a one-hour live training that I did recently called Personal Branding for Women Leaders. If you’re a long-time listener to the Talk About Talk podcast, you’ll notice that this one is just a little bit different. If this is your first time listening to the Talk About Talk podcast, then I have to say this is an outstanding place to start, and I should probably start by introducing myself. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach here at Talk About Talk where I coach ambitious professionals and executives like you to communicate with confidence and clarity so you can achieve your career goals. If you check out the TalkAboutTalk.com website, you’ll find information there about all the services we provide, including private coaching, masterclasses, corporate workshops, and on-demand courses. There are also lots of free resources that you can download there, and my free communication skills-focused email newsletter, you can check it all out at TalkAboutTalk.com. Let’s get into the episode. As I said, this one is a little bit different from what we usually do. First of all, this episode is a recording of a live training session that I led a while ago. If you can watch this episode on YouTube, then you’ll be able to not only hear me, but you’ll also see my slides, and I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of this, regardless, even if you’re just listening. The second way that this episode is different is that the topic is targeted to females. To women leaders. You’re about to learn three ways to define your personal brand, three ways. It is different for women, and three ways that you can start to build your own personal brand immediately. You’ll also hear the Q&A at the end, and this is my favorite part of these live sessions. You’re gonna hear some very insightful questions from a few audience members, including a question from an entrepreneur who I had no idea was in the audience and whose products I’ve used for decades, which was actually really cool. Alright. Here we go. If you are here, I’m gonna guess that you are either curious or maybe you’re beyond curious and you’re ready to start establishing your strong personal brand, or your professional identity, as I call it. And you probably also know, as I certainly do, that it is a little bit different for women. I’m gonna say that it is a little bit different for women. I’m gonna say it&

When it comes to networking, your strongest professional relationships are the ones you build long before you expect to need them. Learn from 3 accomplished leaders who know how the ripple effect works in real life. You will hear insights from BARON MANETT, Founder and Chief Experience Officer at PSBX, SHELAGH PAUL, Head of Global Communications at OMERS, and THE HONOURABLE DAVID TSUBOUCHI, former Ontario Cabinet Minister. They all contributed to the book “The Ripple Effect: Networking for Success,” and in this episode, they share personal stories about connection, reciprocity, and the habits that help the right people stay in your orbit. This conversation will help you rethink your approach to networking. You will learn how to make a clear and respectful ask, how to stay relevant without being transactional, how to recognize valuable peers early in your career, and how consistent behaviour builds a reputation that others trust. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube CONNECT WITH THE GUESTS Baron Manett 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baronmanett/ 🌐 PSBX: https://www.psbx.co/ Shelagh Paul 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelaghpaul29/ The Honourable David Tsubouchi 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtsubouchi/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Books: The Ripple Effect: Networking for Success by David Tsubouchi and Marc Kealey – https://amzn.to/3WZyqpK The Currency of Gratitude by Michele Bailey – https://amzn.to/434Vqpe The 4 C’s Formula by Dan Sullivan – https://amzn.to/49t6RMZ Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson – https://amzn.to/4nYujVE 🎧 Podcasts: The Tim Ferriss Show – https://tim.blog/podcast/ The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett – https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO TRANSCRIPTION Shelagh Paul: You don’t know the diamonds that are all around you in your own peer set right now. David Tsubouchi: When you’re helping others, they remember that, and they remember you. Baron Manett: To make it work in true networking, somebody has to pick up the phone. Andrea Wojnicki: Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast, where you’ll learn the communication skills so that you can communicate with confidence, credibility, and achieve your career goals. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, and I’m your executive communication coach. Just call me Andrea. Please check out the TalkAboutTalk.com website to learn more about all the services that we offer at Talk About Talk, including private coaching, corporate workshops and online courses. And don’t forget to hit subscribe, so you’ll never miss a new podcast episode. Today we’re talking about networking specifically what you need to do to create the network that you need later by taking action today. I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous about this episode because it’s the first time that I’ve interviewed three guests at once. Yes, the power of three me plus three. But it went really well, and I hope you agree. About the Guests: Baron, Shelagh & David All three of these guests contributed to a book on networking called The Ripple Effect: Networking for Success. You’re gonna hear from my friend Baron Manett. He’s my favorite classmate from our MBA program. He wrote a chapter called Curious, Grateful, and People First, Networking for Future Leaders. Baron is a leading Canadian brand strategist, a marketing professor, and the founder of Per Se brand experience. Then there’s Shelagh Paul, author of the chapter entitled The People on the Bus. Yes. Shelagh is a master of the metaphor, and she is also the global lead at Omers of Communications. Yes, communications. I think I have a new friend. And finally, David Tsubouchi. David’s the co-editor of this book that we’re referencing, The Ripple Effect Networking for Success, which was published in 2025. David’s chapter is entitled, be a Giver, not a Taker. I love this. He’s an accomplished leader, a former Canadian cabinet minister, and an author whose insights on generosity and connection are nothing less than inspiring. Overview: Why Networking Feels “Icky” — and How to Fix It Okay, let’s get into this. As a communication coach, I know that often people feel icky about networking, but when you’re purposeful about networking, and you make an effort. That effort can go a long way, and this conversation will provide you with many suggestions for ho

Your out-of-office email response is an easy and effective way to communicate who you are as a leader. In this short episode, communication coach Dr. Andrea Wojnicki explains how to craft your OOO email response to reinforce your professional identity. You’ll also learn the four do’s and don’ts: be specific about dates and coverage, be consistent while you’re away, show personality without sarcasm, and don’t overshare. Listen for practical examples you can copy in minutes and start using today. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: An out-of-office message might seem trivial, but it can be a powerful way to reinforce your personal brand if you take advantage of the opportunity. How Your Out-of-Office Message Reflects Your Leadership Brand Well. It’s the holiday season. First, there’s American Thanksgiving, and then the December craziness starts. We’ve got Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, and of course, New Year’s Eve. I hope you’re able to take some time away from work to refresh and rejuvenate, and be with family and friends. I also hope you’re able to manage your out-of-office status. Have you ever considered that your out-of-office email responder is an opportunity for you to communicate and reinforce your professional identity and your leadership status? Listen. I know you’re really busy, especially this time of year, so here’s my promise to you. In this short episode, you’re gonna learn some ideas that will help you easily elevate your personal brand, all while you’re physically away from the office. Let’s do this. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. If you’re a longtime listener, welcome back, and thank you for listening. If you’re a new listener, let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach here at Talk About Talk, where I coach ambitious professionals like you so you can communicate with confidence and ultimately achieve your career goals. You can learn more about everything we do at Talk About Talk, including private coaching, masterclasses, and corporate workshops, if you go to TalkAboutTalk.com, and there are plenty of free resources for you there as well. Alright, let’s get into this. Like I said, I know you’re busy always, but especially this time of year, and if you’re like most people, you don’t give a second thought to your out of office status, out of sight, out of mind. Well, not quite. Here’s the big insight. Spending a little bit of time managing your out-of-office status can go a long way in reinforcing your professional identity. Turn Your OOO Message into a Branding Opportunity Let’s talk first about making some tweaks to your out-of-office email responder, and then I’m gonna take you through four dos and don’ts about how to manage your time away. Okay. First, your email responder. This is also relevant for Slack or Teams or whatever messaging platform you use. If there’s an opportunity for you to customize your message, that’s what we’re talking about here. Your out-of-office response can communicate so much about your leadership style. I would call this an under-leveraged communication opportunity where it’s really so easy for you to reinforce your brand. This insight originally came up for me in a recent private coaching session that I had with a brilliant client. We were talking about the touch points that shape our professional identity, and she mentioned how she saw a very thoughtful out-of-office reply, and it made her pause and think. This really says something about who they are as a leader. And you know what? She’s right. An out-of-office message might seem trivial, but it can be a powerful way to reinforce your personal brand if you take advantage of the opportunity. Partly, I think, because people aren’t expecting it, we kind of expect the generic email, I’m away, and my response will be delayed. I’ll get back to you after I return. Hmm. This is a missed opportunity. So here’s what I do instead. First. Identify what part of your personal brand or your professional identity that you wanna emphasize. Do you wanna emphasize your thought leadership? Your people leadership, your strategic thinking. Maybe you wanna role model boundary setting for your internal te

What makes the most successful leaders stand out? The way they communicate. In this special 200th episode, communication coach Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares the three ways that leaders communicate differently based on years of executive coaching, workshops, and research. You’ll learn how to: ✔️ Shift from “speaking up” to communicating with intent and precision ✔️ Practice next-level listening to understand, not just respond ✔️ Project confidence and credibility while staying humble and growth-oriented Andrea also reveals the Top 3 most downloaded Talk About Talk episodes of all time, each one packed with tools to boost your communication confidence and impact. If you’re serious about leadership, this episode will show you exactly how to elevate your presence and influence through communication. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Ep.169: Communicate with Confidence: Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/communicate-with-confidence-part-1-mental-preparation/id1447267503?i=1000668212684 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JjfIbOvKM5uHkTluJ8OO4?si=c4c1b53654454bb3 Ep.154: 5 Quick Fixes to Improve Your Communication: Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-quick-fixes-to-boost-your-communication-effectiveness/id1447267503?i=1000651033350 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jLaxQXf9dsfWhhJFohqeh?si=b31772612b604a20 Ep.170: Introductions – How to Introduce Yourself: Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introductions-how-to-introduce-yourself-ep-170/id1447267503?i=1000669087059 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ga0FecP4SHLh4qVfPXYdT?si=ab84ea12e7e644e0 TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: Successful leaders are focused on intent and precision in their communication. By intent, I mean that successful leaders don’t just speak to fill the air. Every word, question, and story has a purpose, whether it’s to inspire, clarify, or align. How Successful Leaders Communicate Differently — and What You Can Learn from Them Well, hello there. I have an announcement. Talk About Talk is 200. This is our 200th episode. Several people have asked me how we’ll commemorate this 200th episode. Yes, this is a big deal. Andrea, will you list your top 10 episodes to date, maybe your top 10 learnings, or Andrea, we know you’re a big fan of the Power of three. Will you list your top three episodes? Sure, I can do that, but I can also do even better. In this short episode, you’re gonna learn how the most successful leaders communicate differently than everyone else. Over the last several years, I’ve coached hundreds and hundreds of executives, thousands. If you count the folks in the communication skills workshops that I’ve led. And based on my years of coaching ambitious executives, plus the podcast interviews and my research, I have some unique insight into what distinguishes the most successful leaders from everyone else. These are the insights that you wanna hear. If you are hungry to become one of these successful leaders. So I’m gonna share with you three ways that your communication must evolve if you plan to ascend to a position of leadership. And yes, of course, I’ll also share the top three Talk About Talk episodes of all time. Are you ready? Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. If you’re a regular talk about talk listener, welcome back, and thank you for listening. If you’re a new listener, welcome. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, please. Just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, and if you’re ambitious and keen to improve your communication skills to help you achieve your career goals, well, you are in the right place. And whether you’re a longtime listener or a first-time listener, I encourage you to check out the TalkAboutTalk.com website, where you can learn more about what we do here at Talk About Talk, including corporate workshops, private coaching, and online courses. And a free weekly communication skills newsletter. You can learn more on the website. Okay. As I said, people have been asking me for a while now, for several months, how we will commemorate this 200th episode. Yes, it is an important milestone, and to be honest, I have to say I am very proud. And I have this idea that’s been brewing in the back of my mind for a while. It’s this idea of focusing on how successful leaders communicate differently than everyone else. This is a topic that I don&#82

Ever been stuck in a conversation at a networking event that feels a little too long? You’re not alone. In this short, practical episode, communication coach Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares five graceful ways to exit a conversation politely without burning bridges. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ How to transition smoothly by connecting people with someone else ✔️ Why the “food and drink” excuse still works (when used well) ✔️ How to tell someone you want to meet other people and still sound professional ✔️ The selfie trick that creates a natural exit and helps you remember names ✔️ How to be transparent and end any chat with confidence and warmth If you ever dread awkward endings, these strategies will help you handle them with tact and ease so you can keep your conversations (and your reputation) positive. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: The next time I go to one of those awkward networking events, I am going to graciously thank the person for the connection and move on. Have you ever found yourself at one of those infamous networking events, and you’re going around and you’re meeting new people, and then suddenly you find yourself in a conversation that’s lasting a little too long? You probably have, you’re back to the wall, and someone’s firing questions at you and telling you their life story, and you’re thinking, I need to get out of this conversation. This context is awkward even for an extrovert like me. So in this episode of the Talk About Talk podcast, you are going to learn five creative, clever, and polite ways to graciously exit a networking conversation without burning bridges. The Awkward Networking Dilemma Are you ready? Okay. Let me start with a true story. This actually happened to me. I remember once I was at a networking event, there was a room full of powerful women, and I wanted to meet all of them. And I found myself, after about half an hour or so, engaged in a very intense conversation with one woman, and there was no one else around. And she was firing questions at me, and she was telling me her life story. And I remember thinking, I don’t want this conversation to go any further. I need to find a graceful exit. And you know what I did? I looked over her shoulder, and then you know what she said, Andrea, is there someone else you’d rather be speaking with? Is there somewhere else you’d rather be? And I actually thought to myself, Oh my gosh, this is like the networking event nightmare. I’m stuck talking to one person. I’m trying to figure out a graceful exit. And she actually calls me on it more on what I should have done in a moment. But first, let me introduce myself. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. In case we haven’t met. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, where I coach ambitious executives like you to improve your communication, your clarity. And your credibility so that you can achieve your career goals. If you’d like to learn more about me, I encourage you to go to talk about talk.com, where you can read all about me and all of the services that I offer. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. I spend lots of time there and I would love to hear from you. Okay, let’s do this. Five ways to graciously Exit Networking Conversations. Connect Them with Someone Else Here’s the first one. Connect them with someone. This is actually what I should have said to that woman who asked whether I’d rather be talking to someone else. I should have quickly said. Actually, I just noticed a friend over here that I’d love to introduce you to, and that I should have grabbed her and pulled her over to a friend and introduced them, and then you have your way out, right? You’ve created a threesome and you’re the third wheel, so it’s time to leave. I’m not saying take the person you don’t want to talk to and introduce them to another unsuspecting victim. I am encouraging you to think about real positive connections that you can make. After all, this is a networking event. Use the Food or Drink Excuse You can do yourself and everybody else a favor by establishing connections. Okay, so that’s the first one. Connect them with someone else. The second one is the old food and drink excuse. Here’s what you do. You announce something like, Listen, I am famished. I haven&

How do you speak up with confidence without sounding aggressive? Leadership coach and TEDx speaker Ivna Curi shares how to find the balance between boldness and respect so your message lands with influence. In this episode, you will learn: ✔️ The important difference between aggression and assertiveness (hint: you want to be assertive!) ✔️ How the DESO framework helps you handle hard conversations ✔️ When apologetic language undermines credibility and when it builds trust ✔️ Ivna’s personal story of moving from people-pleaser to confident communicator Whether you lead teams, pitch clients, or want to be taken seriously in meetings, these strategies will help you speak boldly and be heard. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube CONNECT WITH IVNA CURI 🌐 Website: https://AssertiveWay.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.Linkedin.com/in/IvnaCuri/ 🎙️ Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast: https://AssertiveWay.com/Podcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 📖 Building A StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://amzn.to/3IMAduF 📖 Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.to/48GtWuW 📖 Principles by Ray Dalio: https://amzn.to/4nrBnL3 📖 Acting With Power by Deborah Gruenfeld: https://amzn.to/3WhuoIF 🎧MORE HERE: Ivna interviews Andrea for her Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-identify-and-communicate-your-personal-brand/id1623647915?i=1000719522727   TRANSCRIPTION Ivna Curi: Speak to people in a way that makes them wanna hear your power in your delivery and that conviction, and then listen to people in a way that makes them want to speak to you. Andrea Wojnicki: Are you an assertive communicator on a continuum from anxious to passive, to assertive, to aggressive? Where do you stand? Do you know what the important difference is between assertiveness and aggressiveness? Yes. We want to be assertive. No, we do not wanna be aggressive. But what exactly is the difference? In this episode of Talk About Talk, you are about to find out. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. I’m your executive communication coach, Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. You can learn more about me on the TalkAboutTalk.com website. And please, if you’re not already, please subscribe or follow the Talk About Talk podcast on whatever platform you’re on. Spotify, Apple, YouTube, wherever you’re listening, hit subscribe, or follow. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. If you’re tuning into this episode, then I’m gonna guess that you could use some help with what we call self-promotion, a little help with feeling more bold and sounding more assertive and confident. If you happen to be one of the lucky few for whom this does not resonate, maybe you’re already bold and assertive; well then, I encourage you to listen anyway. But from a different perspective. As a leader, chances are a significant proportion of the folks who you work with and who report to you have serious issues speaking up and being assertive as a leader; part of your job is to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. We call this encouraging courage. I love that we encourage courage. Whether you’re an individual seeking more courage yourself, or maybe you are a leader, making sure everyone gets heard, you’re gonna wanna hear some of the insight from our guest expert today, Ivna Curi. About Ivna Curi I met Ivna on LinkedIn. She had me at bold, unapologetic, and assertive. I knew the Talk About Talk listeners would wanna hear her message. Ivna leads practical workshops that empower leaders to navigate hard conversations with confidence, ultimately improving performance across teams. She’s also the host of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast, a TEDx speaker, a Forbes contributor, and the author of Unapologetic Voice. Here we go. Thank you for being here today, Ivna, to talk with us about using assertive language. IC: Thank you for having me, Andrea. The Power of Bold & Unapologetic Communication AW: Okay, so out of the gates, I’d love to start with some definitions. I noticed with your podcast and your TED Talk, and other things that you do on social media that you use the terms bold and unapologetic a lot, so I thought we would start there. What exactly do you mean when you say bold and unapologetic? IC: And that’s a great question because a lot of people use those terms, and everybody seems to have a different definition of what bold and unapologetic means. And I actually use unapologetic a lot because

How do top leaders captivate audiences and drive action? Carmine Gallo distills the communication habits behind Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos into practical moves you can use right away. From minimalist slides to memo-driven meetings, and from relatable stories to memorable metaphors, this episode shows how to simplify, persuade, and be heard. In this episode, you will learn: ✔️ Why simplicity signals confidence and increases retention ✔️ How to wrap data in a narrative so people care and remember ✔️ The Amazon rule that replaced slides with written memos ✔️ How to manage nerves with deliberate rehearsal under pressure ✔️ A simple structure to avoid the curse of knowledge. Start at the top Whether you lead teams, pitch clients, or present to executives, these strategies will help you communicate with clarity and credibility. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 🌐 Website: https://talkabouttalk.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ ✉️ Andrea’s Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣 Talk About Talk on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Talk About Talk on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 📺 Talk About Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube CONNECT WITH CARMINE GALLO 🌐 Website: carminegallo.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminegallo/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 📖 Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo: https://amzn.to/3N9Fgn2 📖 The Bezos Blueprint by Carmine Gallo: https://amzn.to/4gpDaOi 📰 Carmine’s Columns on Inc.: https://www.inc.com/author/carmine-gallo 🎙️ Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: https://armchairexpertpod.com/ TRANSCRIPTION Carmine Gallo: We’re all storytellers. We’re wired for story. It’s how we process the world through narratives and stories. It’s the way we communicate information, mostly through stories, not bullet points on a slide. Andrea Wojnicki: If you wanna communicate like the world’s top leaders, then you’ll love this episode with Carmine Gallo, bestselling author, storytelling guru, and expert communication coach. We’ll reveal storytelling secrets from Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, and break down how you can craft stories that connect, persuade, and stick. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please call me Andrea. This is Talk Sbout Talk, the podcast where I help you communicate with confidence. I also write a newsletter. We’ll put a link to that in the description. About Carmine Gallo After years of following Carmine Gallo, I finally connected with him on the Inc. Magazine Slack channel of all places. Yes, we’re both columnists for Inc.Magazine. I’ll leave links by the way to his and my articles in the show notes too. Thank you so much for being here today, Carmine, to talk with me and the Talk About Talk listeners about communication skills. CG: Well, thank you for inviting me. I think one of the reasons why I like your approach is because, unless I’m mistaken, it comes from an academic research background, doesn’t it? Didn’t you get a, uh, you got a PhD from the Harvard Business School? AW: I did. I got a doctorate of business administration, uh, with a major in marketing. CG: Yeah. So I shared the perspective of putting things into contacts and sharing ideas that we can back by research and data. These aren’t just opinions, but everything we talk about is really backed by the latest science, which is always cool. I think we come from different perspectives. Obviously, I’m not from an academic background, but we probably reach similar conclusions. AW: Yes. And I know from reading most, if not all of your books, Carmine, that you do a ton of research for your books, whether it’s interviews or counting things in various Ted Talks, which we’re gonna get into. CG: Excellent. I see some of my books on your bookshelf. Yes. You, you a smart, you’re a smart podcast host. Secrets of the World’s Best Communicators AW: Yeah, that’s the image I’m trying to portray here. Carmine. Okay. So. I have so many questions that I wanna ask you, but I really wanna start with this one, which is, I know based on your books and your writing and your articles that you’ve studied, many of the world’s greatest communicators, including Ted speakers, including Jeff Bezos, including Steve Jobs, and on and on and on. So I wanna start there. What do these incredible speakers have in common? Maybe what surprised you about them? Who stands out for you as the number one speaker in your mind? CG: In my opinion, still the world’s greatest brand storyteller was Steve Jobs. He brought a completely new dimension to presentations. His presentations were like theatrical performances. They were fun and engaging and interesting and entertaining. So I wrote the

What questions do ambitious professionals ask to help them improve their communication? In this special Q&A episode, Andrea answers listener questions on imposter syndrome, brain fog, elevator pitches, and executive presence. In this episode, you will learn: ✔️ Why imposter syndrome is common and how to reframe it as a strength ✔️ How frameworks like “Present, Past, Future” and the “Power of Three” can help when you are not at your best ✔️ Why rehearsed elevator pitches fail and what to say instead ✔️ How to recover when you lose your train of thought in a meeting or on stage ✔️ The one word that immediately reinforces leadership presence This special Q&A shines a light on common speaking challenges and provides frameworks you can use immediately in meetings and presentations. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 💻 Website: TalkAboutTalk.com 💼 LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ 💼 LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TalkAboutTalk/ 📣 Newsletter: https://www.TalkAboutTalk.com/Newsletter/ 🟣 Podcast – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Podcast – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 TRANSCRIPTION Andrea Wojnicki: It is critical to feel confident and to be perceived as confident. If you wanna establish credibility, then you’ve got to be confident, and the good news is that confidence can be learned. Hey there. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. You are in for a fantastic episode. I am really, really excited about this one. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been asking you for questions in my email newsletter on LinkedIn and Instagram, and even here on the podcast, what communication skills questions do you have for me today? I’m answering those questions. This Q&A episode is your chance to hear my answers to your questions. This is like a free coaching session. Let’s do this. Let’s talk bout talk. In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, where I coach ambitious executives like you to communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility. Why? So that you can make an impact and achieve your career goals. You can learn more about what I do if you go to TalkAboutTalk.com, or you can connect with me on social media. I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn, and I would love to see you there. Okay, let’s get into this. I scoured my inbox and my social media feeds to collect your questions, and we’re gonna dive in right now. Let’s talk about talk. I’ve got question number one printed right in front of me. Let me read it to you. This is from a listener named Steven who emailed me. Here’s his question. How Do I Handle Imposter Syndrome and Overthinking My Audience? One thing that’s tripping me up with communication skills is what others are thinking about me and about what I’m saying. Are they thinking, Ugh, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about? Or is it something like, what in the world is this guy talking about? I’m so lost. I also begin to overanalyze my audience, and I think that they’re all zoned out, and the look that they’re giving me is a look of, we don’t really want to be here. Andrea, I need your help. All right, Steven, a couple things for you. First of all, what you’re describing here is a perfect example of imposter syndrome, and you need to know imposter syndrome is very, very common it is. Only a few exceptions that I can think of, of clients of mine who do not experience imposter syndrome. And the good news is you can overcome it with practice and with different mindsets and tactics. So that’s one thing you’re describing, imposter syndrome, and you can overcome it. The second thing I wanna say, based on the way that you worded your question for me, Steven, is I’m gonna diagnose you as someone who has very high self-awareness. Let me back up for a minute here and talk about the research on self-awareness, which is very important if you wanna be an exceptional communicator. So. The research on self-awareness shows that there are really two different types of self-awareness: internal self-awareness and external self-awareness. Internal self-awareness is probably what most of us think about when we think about the term self-awareness. It’s being conscious of our thoughts. Our feelings, our emotions, and even our physicality. Like, I’m hot, I’m cold, I’m shaking, I’m nervous, whatever. Okay, so that’s internal self-awareness. There’s another kind of self-awareness that maybe we don’t think about as often. External self-awareness. So external self-awareness is being aware of your environment and context around you, and specific

What does it take to build a strong network? The Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin shares the networking strategies that built her career across decades of leadership in broadcasting, law, public service, and politics. She also reveals her “7 Rules of Networking,” principles rooted in service and respect that apply to both career and life. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️Why true networking is about others, not yourself ✔️Why handwritten notes and business cards still carry weight today ✔️ How to follow up in ways that deepen relationships ✔️ The 7 timeless rules for building meaningful connections From negotiating with unions at CBC to serving in Canada’s Senate, Marie’s career has been defined by connection and grace. Her stories illustrate how networking can shape careers, build trust, and even save lives. This episode is essential for anyone who wants to network with authenticity and create relationships that endure. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 💻 Website: TalkAboutTalk.com 💼 LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ 💼 LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TalkAboutTalk/ 📣 Newsletter: https://www.TalkAboutTalk.com/Newsletter/ 🟣 Podcast – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢 Podcast – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 CONNECT WITH MARIE-P. CHARETTE-POULIN: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-poulin-450392126/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 📖 Biography: She Dared to Succeed: She Dared to Succeed: A Biography of the Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin by Fred Langan:https://amzn.to/3HIjGr5 📖 The Power of Kindness by Dr. Brian Goldman: https://amzn.to/45oSFC9 TRANSCRIPTION The Honourable MPCP: Networking is not projecting. Networking is actually showing interest in the other person. You’re not showing interest in yourself. You’re asking questions about the other person, and once you start networking, you can actually say that every individual multiplies. Andrea Wojnicki: I met Marie recently at a conference where we were both delivering keynote speeches. My keynote was about delivering executive presence, and her keynote was focused on effective networking. We immediately hit it off, and I asked her to join me on the Talk About Talk podcast, and here we are. In this episode, you will learn Marie’s secret sauce to successful networking. It’s a recipe with seven ingredients. You’ll also hear some unbelievable stories from her incredible career in broadcasting, public service law, and higher education. In case we haven’t met yet, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, and I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. You can learn more about me and what I do at TalkAboutTalk.com or by clicking on the links in the show description. About the Guest: The Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin Now, let me briefly introduce the Honorable Marie Poulin, and then we’ll get right into the interview. Her impressive bio includes so many accomplishments that I’m afraid we’re gonna run outta time. So let me hit the highlights. Here it goes. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk About Talk. AW: The Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin is currently parliamentarian in residence at St. Paul University in Ottawa. Earlier in her career, Marie worked her way up at CBC Radio Canada as a producer, then a station manager, and as a senior executive. She then shifted to the Canadian government, where she served as Deputy Minister at the Privy Council and as parliamentarian in the Senate. She was also a partner at the International Law Firm Gowling, WLG, and an international development officer with the Institute on Governance, working in Iraq. Her involvement with not-for-profits, as well as foundations and advisory councils, demonstrate her commitment to public service, higher education, and community involvement. Marie’s biography entitled, She Dared to Succeed by Fred Langan was published in 2023. People say that Hoorable Poulin’s trademarks are her smile and her laughter. I would add a third trademark, her incredible grace. Thank you so much, Marie, for being here today to talk with me and the Talk About Talk listeners about networking and the impact that it can have on our careers. The Honourable MPCP: Thank you, Andrea. It’s an honor and it’s a joy. I had the pleasure of hearing one of your talks, and it was simply inspiring, so thank you. The Power of Strategic Networking AW: Back at you. I mean, that’s why we’re here, right? We really connected at that event. I wanna start by asking you, I guess, the general question, which is based on the fact that you’ve built an extraordinary career across broadcasting, across public service, and across politics. What role would you say strategic networking played for you in terms of opening doors and advanci

What does it take to earn a board seat and influence what happens once you’re in the room? Award-winning corporate director Deborah Rosati shares what she’s learned from over two decades in the boardroom. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ How to show up with presence without dominating the room ✔️ How the W.A.I.T. acronym can elevate your boardroom presence ✔️ A strategic approach to finding (and exiting) the right board roles ✔️ How women can build credibility even as the only one in the room Deborah Rosati is the founder and CEO of Women Get On Board and co-founder of Women Funding Women. Her mission is clear: to help women show up with confidence and credibility at the highest levels of leadership. From asking better questions to knowing when not to speak, this is essential listening for anyone pursuing board roles or seeking to show up with confidence in high-stakes meetings. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 💻Website: TalkAboutTalk.com 💼LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ 💼LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ 📣Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣Podcast – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢Podcast – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 CONNECT WITH DEBORAH 💻Website: https://deborahrosati.ca/ 💼LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/deborahrosati 📱Instagram: @deborah_rosati CONNECT WITH WOMEN GET ON BOARD 💻Website: http://womengetonboard.ca/ 💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wgobcanada/ 📱Instagram: @wgobcanada MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 📖 Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: https://amzn.to/41mgXuf 📖 Bragging Rights by Lisa Bragg: https://amzn.to/3Jiz1Pz TRANSCRIPTION Deborah Rosati: I think, as women, we sometimes hold ourselves back. We’re not good enough. We’re not smart enough. We’re not pretty enough. And you know what? We are enough. Andrea Wojnicki – Talk About Talk: If you ever wondered what it takes to land a corporate board seat, you’re about to hear from someone who’s made it her mission to show you how. About Deborah Rosati Deborah Rosati is an award-winning corporate director who served on boards for over 20 years. She’s also the founder and CEO of Women Get On Board and the co-founder of Women Funding Women Incorporated. She’s on a mission to increase the number of women on boards, close the funding gap, and cultivate the next generation of female corporate directors and founders. In this conversation that you’re about to hear, Deborah shares what boards actually look for in their candidates, what holds many women back, and the exact playbook that you can use to go from quiet expert to board-ready, visible, and in demand. You’ll also learn an acronym that you can use to guide your communication in board meetings and beyond. And I love this acronym. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about talk. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, and this is Talk About Talk, where we coach ambitious executives to stand out with confidence and credibility. To learn more, click the links in the show description. Now, let’s jump right into my conversation with Rosati. Thank you, Deborah, for being here today to talk with me and the Talk About Talk listeners about getting women on boards. DR: Well, thank you, Andrea. Delighted my favorite topic each and every day. Communication Skills That Matter in the Boardroom AW: So we’re gonna put a little bit of a communication skills spin on this as we were talking about, and my first question for you is, can you help us identify some communication skills that are particularly important for board members? DR: That is a great question. I think I’ve thought long and hard on that. I would say for board members in particular, you have to remember your role. Your role is there to have an oversight, insight, foresight in hindsight. So you’re not there to manage the business day to day. So how you’re showing up is really important. That ties back to your role from an oversight perspective. So active listening. You have to be going into the boardroom, not telling the executive team what to do, but listening and be really active. And I know I have to work on that each and every day. But that listening, because if you’re there to provide and make informed decisions, you have to understand the issues, and you need clarity around the issues. And so a way that I like to communicate on the active listening is, so Andrea, let’s say you are the board member and you’re presenting a sensitive matter, I might come back to you, Andrea, and say, so Andrea, what I’m hearing you say is x, y, z. Am I missing anything, or can you help me understand? Right? And that’s really that active listening, where you’re listening to that person. But maybe you ne

What if using AI could make you a better communicator without making you sound like a robot? In this episode, executive communication coach Dr. Andrea Wojnicki sits down with AI strategist Jonathan Mast to reveal a 4-step framework that helps leaders use AI effectively without losing their voice or their edge. From writing difficult emails to brainstorming, summarizing data, or prepping keynotes, Jonathan’s framework empowers you to collaborate with AI like a pro. You’ll learn how to prompt like a strategist, refine your outputs, and lead by example in this new era of communication technology. Copy & Paste Jonathan’s AI Perfect Prompting framework: Focus on [insert area of expertise] and [insert second area of expertise]. I’m a [insert your role or job] working on [insert project or goal]. My question for you is: [insert your question]? First, ask me any clarifying questions you need to optimize your output. CONNECT WITH ANDREA 💻Website: TalkAboutTalk.com 💼LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ 💼LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ 📣Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ 🟣Podcast – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 🟢Podcast – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 CONNECT WITH JONATHAN 💻Website: https://whitebeardstrategies.com 💼LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanjmast 📺YouTube: youtube.com/@jonathanmast_withai 📱Instagram: instagram.com/jonathanmast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://amzn.to/45atGkM 16Personalities (Myers-Briggs assessment): https://www.16personalities.com/ TRANSCRIPTION Jonathan Mast: Now is not a time to punt this to somebody else. It’s time for you to embrace what you wanted to do upfront and change people’s lives by leveraging AI to amplify your skill and experience. Andrea Wojnicki – Talk About Talk: What do you do when everyone around you is suddenly talking about AI? Like it’s magic? Here’s what you do. You slow down, you ask better questions, and ideally, you call on someone like Jonathan Mast. Here’s What You’ll Learn Jonathan’s been leading conversations around digital strategy and AI long before the headlines caught up. He doesn’t deal in hype. He helps leaders understand how to actually use AI without losing trust, authority, or human connection. In this episode, you’ll learn why tone, clarity, and credibility matter even more in this age of AI. How to avoid sounding like a robot. Yes. Even when you’re using one, and you’re gonna learn the exact playbook that smart communicators. Yes, like me, are running right now to stay ahead without selling out. Let’s do this. Let’s Talk about Talk in case we haven’t met yet. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, where we coach ambitious executives to stand out with confidence and credibility. I also write a newsletter where I share my coaching tips. You can subscribe to this newsletter by clicking on the link in the episode description. About Jonathan Mast Alright, let me introduce Jonathan Mast. Jonathan stands at the forefront of AI prompting mastery. Empowering us to leverage artificial intelligence for measurable growth. Jonathan has emerged as a leading authority on practical AI implementation with an engaged audience of nearly half a million AI enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. His perfect prompting framework, which you’re about to learn, teaches businesses how to effectively communicate with AI prompts through ChatGPT Claude and Gemini to achieve exceptional results. As the founder of White Beard Strategies, Jonathan focuses on helping executives and businesses leverage AI to save time, increase profits, improve their communication, and deliver more value to their business. His philosophy emphasizes AI as a tool that amplifies our skill and our experience, rather than replacing human creativity and judgment. His international speaking engagements across North America, Asia, and Australia are packed with practical takeaways. And now. We have him here. Let’s do this. Thank you so much, Jonathan, for being here today to talk to me and the Talk about Talk listeners about how to use AI to improve our communication. JM: I’m excited to be here. I think it’s a tremendous tool and I’m sure we’ll get into some interesting discussions. How Executives Are Using AI Right Now AW: Me too. Me too. So let’s start really broad. We all know that AI is big in the news, and it’s big at work. It’s big with everything we’re doing these days. Can you share with us some ways that executives, in particular, are using AI to improve their communication? I realize this is a very broad questi

Think networking means being transactional or self-promotional? Think again. Shelly Lombard, former Wall Street analyst and founder of Schmooze, shares her playbook for building a strategic network without feeling fake. You’ll learn how to reconnect with weak ties, build visibility on LinkedIn, and follow up in a way that feels natural, not awkward. Ready to speak up, stand out, and lead with gravitas? Join my 6-week Women’s Personal Branding Masterclass, starting Oct 15. Register by Aug. 15 and save $250 with code EARLYBIRDFALL at TalkAboutTalk.com. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ Podcast – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503 Podcast – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3afgjXuYZPmNAfIrbn8zXn?si=9ebfc87768524369 CONNECT WITH SHELLY Website: https://schmooze.biz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellylombard/ Newsletter: Schmooze https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/schmooze-7018971677694840833/ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Lost Art of Connecting by Susan McPherson: https://amzn.to/46d84X1 F*ck Being Humble by Stefanie Sword-Williams: https://amzn.to/46O8kfa TRANSCRIPTION Shelly Lombard: Reach out to those weak ties. Say every week, three people, somebody I worked with 10 years ago, I’m just gonna ping them. Hey, thought of you. That kind of thing. It’s only transactional when you’re not keeping in touch with people. Andrea Wojnicki – Talk About Talk: If you think networking is just schmoozing at cocktail parties or collecting LinkedIn connections, you’re gonna wanna hear what my guest has to say. Shelly Lombard spent 30 years on Wall Street making high-stakes investment calls and building a career that, frankly, most people would envy. However, by her own admission, she did some things wrong. Here’s What You’ll Learn In this conversation that you’re about to hear, Shelly opens up about the missed relationships that could have completely changed the trajectory of her career and how she finally learned to stop believing that just doing the good work would earn her a seat at the table. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out or worried about bothering someone, then this episode will change the way you think. You’re gonna get practical tips to grow your network without feeling pushy or fake or self-promotional, and you’ll walk away knowing exactly what you need to do to build real relationships that open real doors. If this is your first time here, I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. This is Talk about Talk, where I coach ambitious executives like you to communicate with confidence and credibility. I also write an email newsletter that you can subscribe to at the link below if you’re on YouTube. Or in the show notes if you’re listening on any other podcast platform. So now, without further ado, let me introduce Shelly Lombard, and then we’ll jump right into our conversation. And at the end, as always, I’m gonna summarize with three key learnings that I wanna reinforce with you. Introducing Shelly Lombard I met Shelly Lombard on LinkedIn, believe it or not—and let me tell you, Shelly is a force for good. She worked on Wall Street for over three decades, and early in her career, she was one of only a handful of women specializing in investing in distressed companies. In the early 2000s, she became one of the most quoted automotive analysts on Wall Street, frequently appearing in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and CNBC. After her Wall Street career, she began serving on corporate boards, including the board of Bed Bath & Beyond, among others. Shelly recently launched Schmooze, an initiative that supports and encourages professional women to build strong business networks and close the gap between where they are in their careers—and where they want to be, whether that’s a board seat, the C-suite, or a career pivot. Schmooze offers mini masterclasses in networking—and yes, I’ve personally led one of them. Let me tell you, Shelly has created something really special. She also hosts Schmooze events that serve as an alternative to the golf outings and sporting events that men have traditionally used to build business relationships. Thank you so much, Shelly, for being here today to talk with me and the Talk about Talk listeners about networking. SL: I am thrilled to be here. Thank you so much for having me. AW: I’m so excited about having the opportunity to talk to you in person. It’s virtual, but we’re one-on-one here. I really admire what you’re doing on LinkedIn. Before I pressed record, I was sharing with Shelly how much I enjoy reading her posts on LinkedIn. She shows personality, and you can tell that w

What is your body saying when you’re not speaking, and how could it be holding you back? In this episode, world-renowned body language expert Mark Bowden explains how nonverbal signals impact trust, credibility, and executive presence. Discover how our brains instinctively scan for safety cues, and why understanding body language is critical for anyone who leads, presents, or communicates under pressure. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ CONNECT WITH MARK BOWDEN Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkBowden1 Virtual Presentation Training: https://truthplane.mykajabi.com/store https://truthplane.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarkBowden1 TRANSCRIPTION “What instantly comes to your mind when you see me cross my arms?” Andrea Wojnicki – Talk About Talk: I’ve been told that’s a sign of defensiveness, but I’m not sure that’s true. Mark Bowden: Yeah? Well, good. You know, I’d start by checking who told you that. AW: I think it’s just common knowledge, right? MB: Common knowledge. Yeah, stupid. You know, I actually stopped trying to count all the reasons why people cross their arms after I hit 30. It just got boring. There are many, many reasons. Meet Mark Bowden AW: Mark Bowden is a world-renowned body language expert, and he’s been on my radar for a while. When we finally connected for this interview, we discovered that we live and work near each other. What a coincidence! We both share a passion for helping others communicate more effectively. But I have to say: Mark blew my mind. This conversation took twists and turns I didn’t see coming. So buckle up. You’re about to learn a ton about body language, perception, credibility, and so much more. Welcome to the Talk About Talk Podcast! In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with body language expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Mark Bowden. You’ll learn the one key thing you need to focus on to instantly improve your body language, and your communication overall. You’ll also gain insight into how our motivations, including our primal survival instincts, shape our perceptions of others, especially when it comes to interpreting body language. And finally, we’ll bust a few body language myths that you’ve probably accepted as truth…until now. If you’re a returning listener, welcome back. I’m so glad you’re here. And if you’re new to Talk About Talk, welcome! Please subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice (Apple, Spotify, or YouTube), where you can actually see me and Mark in action. Subscribing ensures you never miss an episode and that you receive ongoing communication coaching from me every two weeks. We cover topics like: Overcoming imposter syndrome Giving powerful presentations Establishing executive presence Building your personal brand And yes, body language. You can also find free learning resources, coaching services, and more on the Talk About Talk website: talkabouttalk.com. A Quick Roadmap First, I’ll introduce Mark, then we’ll dive into our interview. Afterward, I’ll summarize with three key learnings that I hope you’ll take away. You don’t need to take notes. Just keep doing whatever you’re doing: walking, driving, lounging on the couch. I’ve got you covered. And of course, you can always reference the show notes in your podcast app for more details. About Mark Bowden Mark Bowden is a globally recognized authority on body language. He’s been named the No. 1 Body Language Professional in the world multiple times by Global Gurus. His unique GesturePlane™ system of nonverbal communication empowers audiences to use body language to stand out, build trust, and gain credibility. Mark is the founder of TRUTHPLANE®, a communication training company that serves major organizations including Zoom, Shopify, Real Madrid, Toyota, the U.S. Army, and NATO. He’s also worked with G7 prime ministers and business leaders worldwide. He’s a bestselling author, a popular instructor in Canada’s top-ranked EMBA program at the Kellogg-Schulich School of Business, and the current President of the National Communication Coach Association of Canada. You might’ve seen Mark on the Dr. Phil Show, CNN, CBS, or Global News, or watched his TEDx talk, “The Importance of Being In-Authentic,” which has reached tens of millions of viewers. He’s also a co-host of the YouTube hit The Behavior Panel, which has garnered more than 75 million views. Thank you so much for being here today, Mark, to talk with me, and the Talk About Talk listeners, about body language. MB: It’s great to be here. So, what are your thoughts? What are your questions or observations? AW: Let’s start with the big picture. I coach senior executives on all things commun

Feeling like a fraud? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and Kim Meninger explore the roots of imposter syndrome and share actionable strategies to move through it with courage, clarity, and impact. Learn how to lead more inclusive meetings, build authentic confidence, and reframe self-promotion as a meaningful contribution. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ CONNECT WITH KIM Website: www.KimMeninger.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/KimMeninger Instagram: Instagram.com/kim.meninger Podcast: The Impostor Syndrome Files TEDx: How to Bring Your Diverse Voice to the Workplace TRANSCRIPTION Self-promotion, when approached strategically, is a service…to others and to ourselves. Nobody is hired just to fill headcount; they’re brought on because of their unique combination of skills, strengths, and capabilities. If you don’t share what you know and what you can do, it becomes harder for others to leverage your strengths. That creates inefficiencies and redundancies. Thinking of self-promotion as an act of service allows us to reframe what might otherwise feel selfish or boastful. Instead of asking, “How can I tell everyone how great I am?” consider asking, “How can I help?” Meet my new friend, Kim Meninger. Kim is an expert on imposter syndrome. In this episode, you’re going to hear our conversation (yes, conversation, not interview) about this powerful and often misunderstood topic. We take turns asking questions, building on each other’s ideas, and sharing practical strategies. You’ll learn new mindsets and actionable tactics to help you combat imposter syndrome and communicate with confidence. These are tools you can start using right away. Ready? Welcome to Ep.190 of the Talk About Talk Podcast Yes, we’re getting close to 200 episodes, and you know there’s going to be a party! If you’re not already subscribed, please hit that follow button on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. You can also watch full episodes on YouTube. In case we haven’t met, I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, but please, call me Andrea. I’m the founder of Talk About Talk, where I serve as your executive communication coach. Through private coaching, workshops, and keynotes, I help ambitious executives master formal presentations, establish executive presence, build personal brands, and yes, overcome imposter syndrome. If you want to stay up to date with my latest tools and coaching insights, go to TalkAboutTalk.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Introducing Kim Meninger Andrea Wojnicki (AW): Today, we’re tackling imposter syndrome with Kim Meninger, a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and host of the Impostor Syndrome Files podcast. Kim’s mission is to make it easier to be human at work. She brings a wealth of experience, including leadership roles at EMC and Monster, and she holds an MBA and a Professional Certified Coach credential. Kim is passionate about helping professionals boost their confidence, collaborate effectively, and show up authentically at work. Let’s Talk Imposter Syndrome AW: Kim, thank you for being here to talk with me and the Talk About Talk listeners about imposter syndrome. Kim Meninger (KM): Thank you for having me! I’m really excited for this conversation. AW: Me too. Let’s dive in. First, tell me about your perspective on imposter syndrome. KM: Imposter syndrome, for me, is rooted in anxiety. It’s that constant fear that someone will discover you’re not good enough. While it’s not a clinical diagnosis, it’s very real. It keeps us playing small, avoiding risks, and staying quiet. Recognizing that fear is the first step in managing it. AW: Absolutely. And research shows this affects almost everyone, not just women, not just junior professionals, and not just those who appear to lack confidence. In fact, feeling imposter syndrome can be reframed as something positive. If it’s holding you back (say, from raising your hand in a meeting) it will only get worse unless you address it. Tactics to Overcome Imposter Syndrome AW: Here are three of my go-to tactics for managing imposter syndrome: Reframe the adrenaline When I feel that spark of nervous energy, I reframe it as excitement. Energy I can use to shine. Breathe, especially the exhale I focus on slowing my exhale. It signals to my brain that I’m safe, which calms anxiety. Use distanced self-talk Based on research by Dr. Ethan Kross in his book Chatter, I speak to myself in the second person: “Andrea, you’ve got this.” It’s incredibly effective. KM: Those are powerful. I especially love the focus on breathing. It’s a simple way to ground yourself. I also encourage clients to: Speak slowly: It keeps thoughts and speech in sync and projects confidence. Do scary things regularl

You’ve heard of the glass ceiling, but what about the glass walls? Dr. Andrea Wojnicki speaks with Dr. Amy Diehl, co-author of Glass Walls, about six subtle yet powerful gender bias barriers still limiting women at work. Learn how these biases show up in communication in the workplace and what individuals and leaders can do to recognize and dismantle them. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ CONNECT WITH DR. AMY DIEHL Dr. Diehl’s website & speaking engagement enquiries: https://amy-diehl.com GLASS WALLS book: https://amy-diehl.com/glass-walls-shattering-the-six-gender-bias-barriers-still-holding-women-back-at-work/ Gender Bias Scale for Women Leaders: https://amy-diehl.com/gender-bias-scale/ TRANSCRIPTION “Female hostility. I always get the question. Sometimes people say that the women in the workplace are worse than the men. I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but I will say that when women don’t support other women, it hurts us more. We expect solidarity from our female colleagues.” That was Dr. Amy Diehl, co-author of the book Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work. In the next 45 minutes, we’re going beyond the glass ceiling and glass cliffs. You’re going to learn what those six glass walls are, how they manifest at work, and what we can do about them. Especially in the context of communication, we’ll explore the power of labeling these barriers and talking about them. We all witness these glass walls at work. Whether you’re a woman directly affected, an ally observing them, or a leader with the power to influence change, this episode is for you. Let’s be clear: this isn’t about complaining. This is about using real research to identify, label, and discuss gender bias. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. If you’re a returning listener, welcome back. If you’re new, let me introduce myself. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. You can learn more about me at talkabouttalk.com. While you’re there, I encourage you to sign up for my email newsletter. Between this podcast and the newsletter, you’ll get valuable communication coaching. I help leaders improve their communication: presentation skills, executive presence, precision, and personal branding. All of these skills are hard enough without the additional challenge of gender bias. Recently I read Glass Walls by Dr. Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski. From a communication perspective, I saw insights that I knew would resonate with you. So I reached out to Amy, and here we are. Here’s how these 45 minutes will go: I’ll first introduce Dr. Diehl (Amy) and then we’ll jump into the interview. At the end, I’ll share three key takeaways. Yes, always three; the power of three. OK, let me introduce Amy. Amy Diehl, PhD, is an award-winning IT leader and Chief Information Officer at Wilson College in Pennsylvania. She’s also a gender equity researcher and co-author of Glass Walls. Her work has appeared in scholarly journals, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Ms. Magazine. She’s a sought-after speaker, consultant, and expert witness. Her passion is gender equality in society and the workplace. You can find her at amy-diehl.com. Here we go! Thank you so much, Amy, for being here to talk about glass walls with me and the Talk About Talk listeners.   Amy Diehl: Thanks so much for having me, Andrea. I’m excited for this conversation.   Andrea Wojnicki: We’ve all heard about the glass ceiling and the glass cliff, but can you define what glass walls are and walk us through the six described in your book?   AD: When my co-author Dr. Leanne Dzubinski and I wrote the book, we didn’t initially have the title. It came together after we finished the manuscript and realized what we were really talking about—barriers in every direction. Not just a ceiling above, but walls all around. Invisible, like glass, you often don’t notice them until you run into them. So the metaphor of glass walls made sense.   These barriers are baked into workplace cultures. Our goal was to name them, make them visible, and start discussions about how to dismantle them.   AW: It’s a perfect metaphor. Can you walk us through the six walls? AD: Absolutely. The first is male privilege: A dominant workplace culture that includes male gatekeeping, the boys’ club, and even the glass cliff, where women are set up in risky roles and then blamed when things go wrong.   AW: And that first wall, male privilege, forms the foundation for the others, right?   AD: Exactly. The other five ba

Are you ready to go beyond the basics with AI? If you’re only using it for simple tasks, it’s time to level up. Andrea shares three powerful strategies that move past the fundamentals to elevate your communication, deepen your audience connection, and help you integrate AI seamlessly into your workflow. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ How to Use AI to Improve Your Communication Most of the executives I coach are already using AI in their day-to-day work. They’ve mastered the basics, but they know there’s more potential. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the Talk About Talk podcast. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki (but please, call me Andrea). I’m an executive communication coach who helps leaders communicate with confidence and credibility. Through private coaching, workshops, keynotes, and this podcast, I empower professionals like you to level up your executive presence and personal brand. In this episode, I’m sharing three next-level strategies for using AI to supercharge your communication effectiveness. But first: let’s talk about how most of us are already using AI. 5 Basic Ways to Use AI to Improve Communication AI has become a behind-the-scenes partner in our daily workflows. If you’re using it this way, you’re not alone: Spellchecking and grammar correction Using AI as a thesaurus to find better or more precise words Brainstorming content, from blog posts to presentation titles Adjusting tone, such as making your writing sound more formal, supportive, clever, or empathetic Summarizing or shortening content to make it more concise These tools are powerful, but they’re just the beginning. 3 Next-Level AI Strategies to Boost Your Communication If you’re ready to go beyond spellcheck and tone tweaks, here are three powerful ways to use AI to improve your communication strategy: 1. Crafting Compelling Metaphors Metaphors are one of the most underused tools in business communication. They help clarify complex ideas and make your message memorable. 💡 Example: A friend of mine, Richard (a partner at a consulting firm) explains staffing requirements to clients using a metaphor: “Our team is like a tennis ball machine. If your team doesn’t have enough people to hit the balls back, the balls pile up on your side, and the engagement stalls.” How to Use AI for Metaphors: Ask AI: “Give me 10 metaphors to describe [concept].” Narrow it down to a few promising ideas, then refine with follow-up prompts. Test different tones (professional, humorous, or inspirational) to fit your audience. When used well, a metaphor can become the centerpiece of your pitch, deck, or keynote. 2. Creating Visuals with AI AI isn’t just for text. It can also generate or inspire visuals that elevate your communication. Here are some ways to use AI to create effective visuals: Upload a document and ask: “What visuals would best support this?” Ask AI to generate charts or graphs to illustrate data Request slide outlines or graphic design ideas for a presentation Use AI to generate illustrations or images or brief a designer with AI-generated direction 💡 Pro Tip: I used AI to create the cover art for this episode. Check it out at talkabouttalk.com on the podcast tab (link in the show notes!). 3. Getting Critical Feedback from AI Would you rather get constructive criticism from your audience, or from AI before you hit send? Use AI to anticipate issues with your communication by simulating tough critics: Prompts to Try: “What questions might my audience have after reading this?” “Why might my boss reject this?” “What parts of this proposal might frustrate a skeptical customer?” “If you were a disillusioned editor, how would you critique this article?” Asking AI to play devil’s advocate helps you spot blind spots and strengthen your message before it goes live. 3 Caveats to Keep in Mind When Using AI for Communication Before you go all-in, keep these best practices top of mind: Enhance, don’t outsource. AI is your assistant, not your voice. Start with your own ideas. Keep personal messages personal. Use your real voice in personal communication. Relationships deserve authenticity. Double-check everything. AI still hallucinates. Your credibility depends on accuracy. Recap: How to Use AI to Communicate More Effectively The Basics: Spellchecking Thesaurus use Brainstorming Tone adjustment Summarizing Next-Level Tactics: Crafting compelling metaphors Creating engaging visuals Getting constructive, critical feedback What About You? How are you using AI to enhance your communication? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram, or comment on YouTube. If you found this episode helpful, pl

Bad habits in your communication, like apologetic language, upspeak, and jargon overload, can undermine your credibility. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares fixes for 10 bad habits so you can start communicating with confidence and credibility. Get the free “Bad Habits” download: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/badhabits CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: http://talkabouttalk.com/ LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ TRANSCRIPT Do You Have Bad Communication Habits? Let’s be honest—we all do. Yes, even communication coaches like me. I’m not talking about quirks my teenage kids tease me about. I mean legitimate habits that undermine how we show up—especially as leaders. Recently, I caught myself overusing the word “right?” at the end of sentences. It was like I needed agreement from you, the listener. Once or twice per episode? Fine. But it got repetitive—and annoying. So I stopped. I also caught myself saying “you guys” instead of something more inclusive like “everyone.” Not great. The Perks of Hosting a Podcast One benefit of podcasting (and YouTube)? You get to review your own communication patterns. And let me tell you—it’s eye-opening. So, what are your bad communication habits? Bad communication habits can be distracting, annoying, and worst of all—they erode your credibility. That’s a big deal, especially if you’re an ambitious professional or executive (which I bet you are, since you’re here!). Episode 187: 10 Bad Communication Habits That Undermine Your Credibility (and What to Do Instead) Welcome to Talk About Talk. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki—please, call me Andrea. I coach executives to communicate with confidence and credibility. At TalkAboutTalk.com, you’ll find info on 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops, a free communication skills newsletter, and more. Ready to level up your communication? Let’s dive in. Download the Free Checklist Follow along with this episode using the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/badhabits. It lists all ten habits and what to do instead. Great for self-evaluation or as a conversation starter with colleagues or your boss. Bad Habit No. 1: Weak, Apologetic Language Phrases like “This might be a dumb idea…” or “Sorry, can I just…” diminish your authority before you’ve even started. Fix: Cut qualifiers like “maybe” or “I think.” Replace “sorry” (unless warranted) with confident framing like, “Here’s an idea to consider.” Use silence instead of hedging. Try reviewing transcripts of your meetings and searching for “sorry,” “just,” and “maybe.” Bad Habit No. 2: Upspeak That rising tone at the end of a sentence? It turns statements into questions and signals a lack of confidence. Fix: Practice “landing” your sentences. Use tools like a post-it with a question mark and an X through it. Deliver statements with conviction—no upward lilt. Bad Habit No. 3: Rambling (a.k.a. “Epic Storytelling”) Rambling dilutes your message and frustrates your audience. Senior leaders especially need to speak with precision. Fix: Start with a clear headline: “Here’s what I recommend.” Use structure: “Let me give you three reasons why…” Pause intentionally and stay focused. Bad Habit No. 4: Filler Words Overusing “um,” “like,” or “right?” distracts your audience. They stop listening to your message and focus on your delivery flaws. Fix: Watch yourself on video. Ask a trusted colleague to flag filler words. Practice intentional silence instead. Bad Habit No. 5: Lack of Eye Contact Avoiding eye contact can make you seem disengaged—or worse, untrustworthy. Fix: In person: hold eye contact for a few seconds at a time. On Zoom: look directly into the camera, especially when making key points. Bad Habit No. 6: Monotone Delivery A flat tone, even with smart content, loses the room. Fix: Vary tone, cadence, and volume. Emphasize key words. Think: how would you read a children’s book? Use dramatic pauses to draw attention. Bad Habit No. 7: Getting Interrupted Allowing interruptions can signal low authority—especially from peers or subordinates. Fix: Politely assert yourself: “I’d love to hear your thoughts—right after I finish mine.” Say it calmly and confidently. Bad Habit No. 8: Using Corporate Jargon Buzzwords like “value-added” or “scalable solutions” can confuse and alienate. Fix: Speak plainly. Test your language with someone outside your field. If they pause or ask for clarity, simplify. Bad Habit No. 9: Dodging Tough Questions When you deflect hard questions, you risk losing trust. Fix: Acknowledge the question: “That’s a great question.” Share what you know. Be honest about follow-ups if needed. Bad Habit No. 10: Confidence Without Warmth Confidence is key—but without warmth or a growth mindset, it can come off as arrogance. Fix: Use names, smile, and ask genuine questions. Ad

Ready to improve your Elevator Pitch? Your elevator pitch is an asset that can optimize high-stakes conversations. Learn a dynamic 3-point framework that will help you confidently engage with critical stakeholders, ensuring you make a positive, memorable impact. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: http://talkabouttalk.com/ LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ TRANSCRIPT How to Elevate Your Elevator Pitch: A 3-Step Framework for Authentic Communication “Can You Help Me With My Elevator Pitch?” Recently, one of my long-time executive communication coaching clients sent me an urgent message: “Can you help me with my elevator pitch?” He had a high-stakes meeting coming up and wanted that perfect, polished paragraph—something he could memorize and deliver on cue. My response? No. (Yes, you heard that right.) Of course, I helped him prepare for his meeting, and yes, he knocked it out of the park. But I didn’t give him a scripted elevator pitch. Instead, I coached him using a proven 3-step framework that works in any high-stakes conversation. And now, I’m sharing that framework with you. Welcome to the Talk About Talk Podcast, Episode 186: Elevate Your Elevator Pitch. (See what I did there?) In this episode, we’ll explore how to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations, whether you’re networking, pitching to an investor, or seizing a spontaneous opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Forget memorized scripts. I’ll show you how to elevate your elevator pitch using a customized, authentic approach that resonates every time. Why Traditional Elevator Pitches Fail If you’re reading this, chances are you’re: Unsure how to craft an elevator pitch Or, you have one—but it feels stale, robotic, or ineffective We’ve all been told that having an elevator pitch is essential. Whether you’re growing your business, pitching clients, or aiming for a promotion, that 30-second spiel is supposed to be your golden ticket. But a scripted elevator pitch often backfires. Here’s why: It Sounds Rehearsed People can tell when you’re on autopilot. A memorized pitch feels impersonal and insincere—especially to high-status individuals who hear these scripts all the time. It’s Not Customized A one-size-fits-all pitch ignores the context and the person you’re speaking to. Effective communication should always be tailored. So, instead of a stiff, rehearsed speech, I recommend a disciplined, authentic, and flexible framework. The 3-Step Framework to Elevate Your Elevator Pitch Whether you’re in a spontaneous hallway chat or a planned meeting, this framework will help you communicate with confidence and impact. 1. Make It Personal: Focus on Them Before you say anything about yourself, shift the spotlight to the other person. ✅ Ask about their recent projects ✅ Congratulate them on a success ✅ Show genuine curiosity For example: “I saw your team just launched an innovative campaign—congrats! What inspired it?” This approach builds connection and shows empathy. Pro Tip: It’s NOT all about you. 2. Be Enthusiastic: Let Your Energy Shine Positive energy is contagious. Research shows that enthusiasm leads to better outcomes across negotiations, sales, teaching—and yes, job interviews and networking. Smile. Use an upbeat tone. Let your body language reflect your excitement. Remember: Authentic enthusiasm can set you apart more than any polished script ever could. 3. Establish Your Professional Identity: Reinforce Your Value Here’s where you highlight your strengths and expertise—your personal brand. But don’t just list achievements. Frame your experience in a way that resonates with what the other person cares about. For example: “I recently led a project that improved customer retention by 25%. I know that’s a big focus for your team as well.” This shows credibility and relevance. Stop Memorizing. Start Connecting. To elevate your elevator pitch, ditch the robotic, self-serving monologue. Instead, remember: Make it personal: Start with them Be enthusiastic: Positive energy wins Establish your professional identity: Highlight your value in their context This is how you turn high-stakes conversations into genuine opportunities—whether you’re in a boardroom, at a networking event, or yes, even in an actual elevator. No scripts required. 🎧 Listen to the Full Episode For a deeper dive into each step, listen to Talk About Talk Episode 186. Being prepared for impromptu conversations with clients, investors, or senior leaders is critical for career growth. Next time you face one of these moments: Don’t default to a memorized pitch Focus on connection, enthusiasm, and relevance That’s how you communicate with confidence—and leave a lasting impression. ✨ If you found t

Looking for guidance on how to ace your job interview? Andrea shares an interview preparation checklist, focused on your preparation before the interview, your communication during the interview, what to do after the interview, and how to answer specific Qs. You can download the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/interview RESOURCES The “Ace Your Interview Checklist” free download: https://talkabouttalk.com/interview Talk About Talk podcast episodes focused on boosting your confidence: Ep.158 – 7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence & Your Credibility Ep.83 – Let’s Talk Imposter Syndrome Ep.169 – Communicate with Confidence – Mental Preparation CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ TRANSCRIPT Do you have any memorable interview stories? Any epic fails—either as the interviewer or the interviewee? I do. And while it wasn’t exactly a disaster, it still haunts me. This story takes place when I was finishing my doctorate and actively looking for a faculty position. I was in my early 30s, super keen, and well-prepared. Most of my first-round interviews were held back-to-back at a conference hotel—efficient, intense, and generally successful. I turned most of those interviews into second-round invitations. But not all of them. There was one interview that didn’t go well. In fact, it was a complete miss. And to this day, I still think about it. When the “H-bomb” backfires This interview was with a state school in the U.S. I walked into the room and was met by two middle-aged white men. As soon as they looked at me, they exchanged a glance… and then rolled their eyes. One of them said, “You probably wouldn’t accept a job here anyway. But why don’t you tell us about yourself and why you want to work here?” Yep—the H-bomb. That’s what we call it when the Harvard credential backfires. In hindsight, I should’ve stood up, thanked them for their time, and walked out. But I didn’t. I stayed. For the full 45 minutes. And let them grill me. It. Was. Torture. Have you ever wanted to walk out of an interview? Walking out of an interview is a bold move. And honestly, staying was probably the right call. What if those two professors later talked to faculty at another school and said I walked out mid-interview? Still, that moment sticks with me as my worst interview ever. And here’s the kicker—I hadn’t even opened my mouth, and they had already decided they didn’t like me. Even great interviews can be stressful Even when the interviewer wants to hire you, job interviews can be incredibly anxiety-inducing. That’s why, in this episode, we’re covering four key things to help you ace your next interview: How to prepare before the interview How to communicate during the interview What to do after the interview How to answer specific questions effectively Let’s dive in. Hi there! I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, but please just call me Andrea. I coach ambitious executives—just like you—to communicate with confidence and credibility. If you’re new here, check out TalkAboutTalk.com to learn more about: 1-on-1 executive coaching Corporate communication workshops Our podcast archive And our popular bi-weekly newsletter Want to nail your job interview? Lately, I’ve had a lot of clients in career transition ask me for help with interview skills. Good news: Interviewing is all about communication. And that’s exactly my sweet spot. To succeed in your next job interview, you need to confidently and clearly communicate your true and best self to the interviewer. So I created something just for you: Download the “Ace Your Interview” Checklist Yes, it’s completely free. And yes, it covers everything we’re about to discuss. Press pause and print it now, or listen and come back to it later. Either way, go to: talkabouttalk.com/interview One more thing before we dive in: Confidence Before you focus on interview prep, there’s one other thing you need to manage: Your confidence. I won’t cover confidence in this episode, but don’t worry—I’ve got you. Check the show notes for links to other Talk About Talk episodes that focus on building confidence and managing nerves. How to prepare for a job interview: The four focus areas 1. Before the interview: Preparation is everything Start by researching the company, the role, and your interviewers if possible. Prepare examples that showcase your experience and align with the job description. Practice your self-introduction and key talking points. Bonus: Use the checklist I created to guide your prep. It’s all there. Download it now. 2. During the interview: Communicate strategically Your job in the interview is to communicate your value clearly and confidently. Be concise, positive, and focused. Use framewor

#BeYourSelfOnPurpose: Five words packed full of meaning. Andrea shares the power of developing your strong unique personal brand by doing two things: 1) being yourself, 2) on purpose. You’ll also learn three specific contexts when you can put this mantra into action. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/   TRANSCRIPT Recently, I hosted a live virtual webinar on personal branding—and I have to say, it went really well. Now, my corporate workshops and webinars usually go great, but this one felt different. I was vibing, and I could tell by the audience’s reactions and questions that they were really getting something valuable out of it. After the webinar, I received a ton of positive feedback. One message stood out: a woman messaged me on LinkedIn almost immediately. She told me she takes her dry erase whiteboard very seriously—it’s where she puts her goals, meeting notes, follow-ups. After the session, she erased everything on it and wrote just five words: Be Your Self On Purpose. Then she sent me a photo. I was floored. A couple hours later, I posted the webinar video on LinkedIn, and a senior executive I deeply respect commented with a hashtag: #BeYourSelfOnPurpose. That’s when I knew—this concept really resonates. It’s clear that being your self on purpose is an idea that sticks. So, in this episode, we’re going to double down on those five powerful words: Be Your Self On Purpose. You’re going to learn what it means, why it matters, and how you can apply it to build a strong, unique personal brand. Welcome to Talk About Talk – Episode #184: Be Your Self On Purpose Hi there! I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, where I help ambitious executives communicate with confidence and clarity so they can succeed and reach their career goals. You can learn more about me and all the coaching and resources I offer—one-on-one coaching, small-group bootcamps, corporate workshops, this bi-weekly podcast, and my newsletter—at TalkAboutTalk.com. And if we’re not connected yet on LinkedIn, I’d love to change that. Let’s Talk Personal Branding Before we dive into what it means to Be Your Self On Purpose, I want to briefly revisit the roots of personal branding and share a few definitions. In 1997, when I was a brand manager at Kraft Foods, I received a physical copy of Fast Company magazine. The cover looked like a box of Tide laundry detergent—but instead of “Tide,” it said “You.” The headline: “The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters. This article blew my mind. Peters didn’t invent personal branding, but he brought it into the corporate mainstream. He suggested that everything we apply to marketing products and services—differentiation, target markets, brand values—can and should be applied to ourselves. Personal branding was born. Fast forward to my time teaching MBA students at Rotman. At the end of every branding course, I would dedicate a class to personal branding. Why? Because everything we learned about branding applies directly to you. Another powerful definition comes from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon: “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” That’s a great thought experiment. Ask yourself: what are your stakeholders—your clients, your boss, your team—saying about you when you’re not there? If their perception doesn’t align with how you want to be seen, that just means you’ve got some work to do. That’s what personal branding is for. Then, during a podcast interview with marketing legend Seth Godin, I asked him how he defines personal branding. His response? “Your brand is what people think you’re going to do next.” Another brain explosion moment. This forward-looking definition adds a sense of momentum. It’s not just about your past—it’s about what people expect from you next. Taking Control: You Have Agency What’s missing in both Bezos’ and Godin’s definitions is agency. Yes, your brand is what others perceive—but you have the power to shape that perception. So here’s my definition: Personal branding is about being your self on purpose. Instead of passively going with the flow in your career, it’s about stepping into your power and making intentional choices. It’s about owning your reputation, your professional identity—your brand. Be Your Self. On Purpose. Let’s break it down: Be Your Self This is about being your authentic, whole, and best self. Not a different version of yourself depending on the context, but a strategic filter of what parts of you you choose to share. You are always you—but you emphasize different aspects depending on the situation. On Purpose This is where strategy and discipline come in

What’s your archetype? Knowing your archetype can help you control your narrative, provide you with focus, and boost your confidence. Take the Archetypes Quiz at www.talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz. Archetypes are shared, universal patterns that help us understand characters, stories, and even ourselves.   12 PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY ARCHETYPES   CAREGIVER – maternal, comforting, trusted, generous CREATOR – artist, designer, maker, vibrant CITIZEN – girl/guy next door, hardworking, friendly, down-to-earth, loyal EXPLORER – adventurous, innovative, pioneer, investigator, trailblazer HERO – disciplined, inspiring, strong/brave, warrior, champion OPTIMIST – kind, simple, innocent, pure JESTER – humorous, comedic, entertainer, playful, light-hearted IMPASSIONED – focused on senses, relationships, inclusive, passionate, devoted MAGICIAN – transformer, dreamer, visionary, spiritual guide. REVOLUTIONARY– radically distinct, bold, rebel, unapologetic RULER– authoritative, influential, political, sophisticated, ambitious SAGE – learner, teacher, academic, analytical, wise.   TRANSCRIPT   This might be one of the shortest and most impactful podcast episodes you’ve heard in a long time. I hope so!   Of all the topics I coach people on and that I speak about, I’d say Personal Branding, and helping people articulate or narrate their unique brand makes the biggest impact. Typically I run my coaching clients through several exercises to help them identify their unique brand, including but not limited to: seeking input from others, taking personality tests, creating your personal Venn diagram, running through mental exercises, reviewing formal work feedback and evaluations, completing worksheets that I assign, and lots more.   And of all these personal branding exercises, identifying their archetype is the one that they often tell me is the most helpful.   So I thought I’d spend an episode coaching YOU on how to identify your unique professional identity archetype, and what to do with it to help you be your happiest and most successful self. Sound good?   Welcome to talk about talk podcast episode 183: what’s my archetype. In case we haven’t met my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at talk about talk where I coach ambitious executives like you to communicate with confidence and establish credibility so they can achieve their career goals. The topics I cover are all focussed on communication, including things like overcoming imposter syndrome, becoming a great storyteller, listening like a leader, nailing your formal presentation, establishing executive presence, and establishing your unique personal brand.   You can learn from me through private one on one coaching, corporate workshops and keynote speeches, the boot camps that I lead, the archive of this podcast, and through my email newsletter. If you go to talk about talk.com you can sign up for the newsletter there. It’s like getting free coaching from me every two weeks.   While you’re there on the talkabouttalk.com website, I encourage you to take the archetypes quiz. That’s the topic of this weeks episode. I’m going to help you identify which of the 12 professional identity archetypes resonates most with you and what you can do with this insight. Just go to talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz.   OK – By the end of this episode: You’ll understand the power of identifying your professional identity archetype and how you can use your archetype to accelerate your career trajectory.   Here’s how this episode will go:   First I’m going to define archetypes for you. Give you the archetypes 101 lecture. Don’t worry – it’s brief. Then, I’ll share a list of 12 professional identity archetypes. Your challenge is to identify which 1-2 of these archetypes resonate for you. I encourage you to do this both qualitatively – by listening to my descriptions and thinking about which 1-2 resonate with you. Then also by taking the archetypes quiz at talkabouttak.com/archetypesquiz. This quiz is kind of like a personality test. It will help you validate which archetype resonates for you.   So Let’s start with this.   What are archetypes? Simply put: ARCHETYPES are UNIVERSAL PATTERNS. Got that? Universal patterns. Universal as in broadly understood – by many or most – as well as universal as in over time.   Many archetype researchers highlight that archetypes, these universal patterns, have been around since stories were told. Think Athenian philosopher Plato, way back in 400 B.C. Think mythology.   If you consider the etymology of the term archetype, there’s ἀρχή archḗ, which means “beginning or origin”,[4] as in the word archaic. And then there’s type or τύπος týpos, as in pattern or model.   More recently, just 100 or so years ago, Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung talked about how archetypes relate to our collective unconscious. (A

Learn three ways to control your narrative and steer your professional identity. Andrea will teach you how to introduce yourself with purpose, reframe perceived weaknesses as strengths, and narrate your career transitions and your career journey. There are a million ways to tell the same story. Why not tell yours in a way that serves you?   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ Archetypes Quiz: https://talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz   TRANSCRIPT At a recent live workshop I led on personal branding, I kicked things off by sharing three definitions of a personal brand—each one packed with meaning and offering a unique perspective. I started with Jeff Bezos’ infamous definition: “A brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Think about that for a moment. It’s powerful, isn’t it? Imagine the conversations happening about you—when you’re not there to guide them. Are they speaking about your leadership? Your creativity? Your dependability? That’s your brand.   Then I highlighted the definition that Seth Godin shared with me when I interviewed him for Talk About Talk episode XX. This really struck a chord. Seth says your brand is what people think you’re going to do next. Wow. Let that sink in. Your brand isn’t just what you’ve done or who you are right now—it’s about expectations, trust, and your potential. Here’s a challenge: take out a sheet of paper. In one column, write down what YOU want to do next—your goals and aspirations. In the second column, write down what you think OTHER PEOPLE expect you to do next. Are those two lists aligned? If not, that’s where the real work begins. The gap between those two lists is where your brand needs some serious attention. Back to the definitions of personal branding that I shared in the workshop. Finally, I shared my own definition of personal branding, which isn’t just about a thought exercise—it’s about action. Here’s how I define it: personal branding is about being yourself on purpose. Being yourself—your true, authentic, unique, and best self. And on purpose—as in unapologetically, deliberately, and strategically managing your brand. It’s about being disciplined and stepping into your story with intention and owning it. One of the most powerful ways to do this is by controlling your narrative.   And that’s exactly what we’re covering today in this episode. I’m going to walk you through three impactful ways to control your narrative and steer your professional identity. Trust me, these strategies can transform the way people perceive you. Ready to get started?   Welcome to Talk About Talk podcast episode #182: “3 Ways to Control Your Narrative and Steer Your Professional Identity.”   Hi there! In case we haven’t met, I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. But please, just call me Andrea. My mission is to coach executives and professionals like you to communicate with confidence, establish credibility, and achieve your career goals. I’m here to help you take charge of your narrative and own your story—and I couldn’t be more excited to share this episode with you.   You can learn more about me and what I do on the talkabouttalk.com website, where you’ll find details about my 1:1 private coaching, small group bootcamps, keynote speeches, and corporate workshops. I’ve also put together some amazing free resources for you, like the Archetypes Quiz and the Personal Brand Self-Assessment. They’re all on the website, and I’ll leave links in the show notes so you can dive in.   Alright, let’s do this! Let’s talk about how to control your narrative and steer your professional identity exactly where you want it to go.   After working with hundreds—maybe thousands—of executives, I’ve identified three specific ways you can take control of your narrative in a disciplined and strategic way. Here they are: Introducing yourself with purpose. Reframing perceived weaknesses as assets. Narrating your career transitions and your career journey.   Let’s break these down, starting with the first one.   Introducing Yourself with Purpose The first and most direct way to control your narrative is by introducing yourself with purpose. Let me be clear: your self-introduction is the cornerstone of your personal brand. It’s the most direct way that you can reinforce your identity. It’s your words, about you, from you. It’s YOUR chance to own your story and reinforce exactly how you want to be perceived. If there’s one thing you focus on to take control of your narrative, make it your self-introduction. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you probably know that the number one most dow

Are you keen to kickstart your Personal Brand? Not sure where to start? Andrea shares 5 ways to kickstart your personal brand, including helpful advice on how to introduce yourself, articulating your unique value proposition, establishing thought leadership, optimizing your digital footprint, and building a quality network.   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/ Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ Archetypes Quiz: https://talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/   TRANSCRIPT   Well hello there! I’ve got something for you today that I’m so excited to share. This is a very different episode. You’re going to hear a recording of a LinkedIn Live presentation I did recently. The topic was “5 Ways to Kickstart Your Personal Brand.”   After receiving lots of positive feedback, I decided to turn this into a podcast episode. If you’re listening in podcast form, you can also watch this presentation on YouTube, where you can see me and my slides and even some people who were in the audience. There’s a link to my YouTube channel in the shownotes. Or just go to youtube.com and type “Talk About Talk.”   Whether you’re listening, or you’re watching – Welcome!   Let’s do this!   Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #181 – “5 Ways to Kickstart Your Brand.” The idea here is to learn about 5 specific, legitimate ways you can kickstart your personal brand development. This whole personal branding thing can be a bit overwhelming. So my suggestion is to listen to these top 5 Ways to kickstart your brand, then choose 1-2 that you can focus on over the next month. Then maybe tackle a few more. And suddenly, you’ve developed a personal brand that you’re really proud of.   Before I share the LinkedIn Live, I just want to quickly introduce myself. In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. Please just call me Andrea. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your career goals.   You can learn more about me and what I do on the talkabouttalk.com website, where you can read about my 1:1 private coaching, small group bootcamps, keynote speeches, and corporate workshops.   On the website you’ll also see several ways to contact me and connect with me. Please connect with me on LinkedIn! After this episode, send me a DM and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you.   Alright, let’s do this. Let’s TALK ABOUT our personal brands.   LinkedIn LIVE   Okay, here is one thing that is crystal clear to me ironically. since I started coaching folks on their personal brand and reading and thinking about it and writing about it and podcasting about it is that personal branding means different things to different people.   Okay. And so I’m not here to tell you what the wrong definition is, or what the right definition is. But I am here to tell you that we need to be really careful about defining it, and if you use the word personal branding, I find that even with some people it can be triggering like, oh, I don’t want to do that. It’s slimy. I don’t want to be selling myself, whatever. So think of your personal brand as being conscious of your professional identity. So we’re here focusing on our professional identity. Okay.   I’m going to share with you a couple definitions, one that you you’ve probably heard of, and maybe one that you haven’t the one that you may have heard, because almost every single article and book, and whatever that I everything online that I read about personal branding usually starts with this in the first, st like paragraph or 2, Jeff Bezos famously said, your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. And I think this for for a long time. This was a definition that I really I really focused on. It’s an interesting exercise. I want you to maybe jot this down. Ask yourself. what do people think and say about you when you’re not there? And this is something that I ask my clients, especially if they’re if they’re gunning for a promotion.   What is your boss and your boss’s boss saying about you when they’re talking about? Who to promote, and your name comes up in conversation. That is your professional identity, and don’t freak out if it’s not what you know you want it to be. We can obviously build and develop that. That’s why we’re here. But that is what your personal brand is. It’s what

Optimizing your voice means sounding like your best self – not someone else! Andrea talks with vocal coach and voice actor Claire Fry to understand why you should focus on your unique voiceprint—rather than imitating others—and how to support your voice through techniques like deep breathing and smiling. They also cover practical tips for enhancing your voice and presence in online meetings.   CLAIRE FRY LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/loudandclaire/ Website – https://www.vocalconfidencetraining.com/ Website – https://www.loudandclaire.com/ Podcast recommendation: Think Fast Talk Smart with Matt Abrahams   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/ Archetypes Quiz: https://talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz   TRANSCRIPT   Are you ready?   Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #180 – Optimizing your Voice with Claire Fry.   Claire is a voice actor and a vocal coach. In addition to having a beautiful voice and expertise on the subject, Claire is also witty and fun. Her linkedin posts often make me chuckle. Like the time she had to get her car towed and she took a selfie of her and the tow truck driver. She posted the photo of the two of them in the front seat of the tow truck, and of course, she shared some life lessons. Anyway, I encourage you to follow Claire. You can find her coordinates in the shownotes.   You can find my coordinates there too! In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m an executive communication coach at Tak About Talk. Please just call me Andrea. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your career goals. That’s our objective. To learn more about me and what I do, head over to talkabouttalk.com where you can read about my 1:1 private coaching, small group bootcamps, keynote speeches, and corporate workshops. Plus there are a bunch of free resources, including my free communication skills coaching newsletter, and the archetypes quiz.   In case you haven’t taken the archetypes quiz yet, I hope you will. This can help you establish your professional identity. Im a Sage and a Magician. If I had to guess, I’d say Claire is a Citizen or maybe a Caregiver, AND a Jester.   OK – in my conversation with Claire Fry, which you’re about to hear, you’re going to learn how to use your best voice. If youre like many people, you might not think about your voice. But here’s the thing: whether its online, in person or on the phone, your voice says a lot about you.   There are some relatively easy things you can do to optimize the sound of your voice. Yes, of course, there’s the importance of breathing. Breathing is key. But there’s a lot more to your voice than just breathing, as youre about to hear.   At the end, after the interview, I’ll summarize with three important learnings that I want to reinforce for you. And you will probably be surprised about these learnings. Some mindsets and tactics that will definitely help you use your best voice.   Now, let me introduce Claire and then we’ll get right into this.   Claire Fry is a veteran voice actor with over 20 years experience, and a vocal coach with a talent is for connecting, persuading, and demanding attention with her voice. She teaches people and teams to do the same –connect, persuade, and demand attention with their voices.   Through her firm, Vocal Confidence, Claire conducts webinars, workshops, keynotes and 1:1 coaching. She trains teams and leaders across the globe at organizations including Google, HubSpot, Amazon, Apple, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Stanford University…and many more. Her objective is to provide people with the tools to sound amazing and the confidence to sound like themselves. I love it. – the tools to sound amazing and the confidence to sound like themselves! Here’s Claire.   INTERVIEW   Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: thank you so much, Claire, for being here today to talk with me and the talk about talk listeners, about our voices.   Claire Fry: Thank you so much for having me, Andrea. I’m so excited to get into it.   Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: Let’s start. Really, General, I’m wondering if you can share with us what you think. Some of the most important things are that we can do to improve the sound of our voices.   Claire Fry: Support, we can support our voices. So this is something that I think is so key, and people come to me because they say I want to sound more confident, or I want to sound more powerful, or I want my voice to sound deeper, and w

“The Portfolio Life” – Have you ever considered your personal interests and activities to be a portfolio? A portfolio worth assessing and diversifying? In this interview with author Christina Wallace, you’ll learn about the four pillars of creating a portfolio life, how they might inform your personal brand, and three exercises to help you be more purposeful in your life – beyond what’s on your business card.   CHRISTINA WALLACE Book “The Portfolio Life” – https://amzn.to/3DxUd0U LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinawallace/ Website – https://christinawallace.com/ Christina’s recommendations: The Anxious Achiever by Morra Aarons Mele – https://amzn.to/3VJ58ew The Perfect Story by Karen Eber – https://amzn.to/4iJcs3A   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: https://www.TalkAboutTalk.com Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/   TRANSCRIPT   Have you ever considered this? If you are 100% focused on your job and you lose your job, then of course you lose everything. YIKES.   That voice, by the way, belongs to Christina Wallace, the author of a book I highly recommend, called “The Portfolio Life.” I met Chistina a few months ago at a conference, where she gave a talk about her book. The exercises that Christina outlines in her book can change your life. This is definitely not an understatement. Are you ready to learn more?   Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #179, “The Portfolio Life and Your Personal Brand with Christina Wallace”   You’re about to hear my conversation with Christina, where you will learn about a framework and several exercises that will help you identify your personal priorities. You’ll also hear the full spectrum of emotion – from crying about my lost friend, to laughing out loud.   Here’s an excerpt from her the book jacket fr “The Portfolio Life” that I think you’ll find compelling. Here’s what it says: Whether you’re sick of being told you’re worth is inextricably tied to your work, or that setting boundaries and protecting your personal life means you aren’t all in, this book will walk you step-by-step through the process of designing a strategy for the long-haul. Because you deserve rest, relationships, and a rewarding career – not someday, but today. After all, you only live once.   Yes, that’s pretty compelling   Of course, I always see these things through the lens of our respective personal brands. These exercise provide powerful insight into our true brands. As you’ll hear me I admit to Christina, I assigned one of her exercises in a personal branding bootcamp that I ran recently. And it went exactly as she forecasted: the first part was easy. Simple. But then it got very difficult, And of course, that where the magic happens.   Let’s dive in. I’m going to interview Christina and then we’ll get right to the interview. After the interview as always, I will summarize with three main learnings that I want to reinforce for you. This time it will be three exercises that I hope you’ll try. Are you ready? A self-described “human Venn diagram”, Christina Wallace has crafted a career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. She is currently a Senior Lecturer of entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School, an active angel investor, and a co-producer of Broadway musicals. Her latest book called “The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card” was published in 2023. This is the book we reference in our conversation that you’re about to hear. You can find the link to this book in the shownotes for this episode. A serial entrepreneur, Christina has built businesses in ecommerce, edtech, and media. In 2019, she also co-authored, “New To Big: How Companies Can Create Like Entrepreneurs, Invest Like VCs, and Install a Permanent Operating System for Growth,” and was the co-host of “The Limit Does Not Exist”, an iHeart podcast with millions of downloads over 3 seasons and 125 episodes. In her free time, Christina sings with various chamber choirs, embarks on adventure travel, and is a mediocre endurance athlete. Yes, those are her words. Christina lives in Cambridge Massachusetts with her husband and their two children.   INTERVIEW   Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: Thank you so much, Christina, for being here today to talk to us about the portfolio life.   Christina Wallace: Thank you for having me. I’m thrilled to be here.   Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: So when I looked at the table of contents, Christina, I loved how you structured the book. You’ve got the 3 parts, the why we’re doing this, the what we’re doing and the how w

Is your resume or CV updated to comply with ATS (Applicant Tracking Software) standards? Whether you’re actively job-searching or vaguely considering a job change, these insights from resume expert Martin Buckland will set you up for success. Bonus download: “How to Optimize the Top of Your Resume for the ATS.”   BONUS DOWNLOAD “How to Optimize the Top of Your Resume for the ATS” – https://www.talkabouttalk.com/ATS   MARTIN BUCKLAND LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbuckland/ Website – https://aneliteresume.com/ Podcast recommendations: The World of Work, Dr. Nima Pasha, Henley Business School The Application, Associate Dean of the Saeed Business School (Oxford) Trium Connects, London School of Economics, HEC Paris, and NYU Stern   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn – Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/#subscribe YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/   TRANSCRIPT   Are you vaguely considering a job change? Or perhaps youre actively job searching? No matter your job status, you need an updated and optimized resume. And as you’re about to learn, optimizing your resume has changed a LOT in the last few years! Get ready to learn all about how AI and specifically the ATS or Applicant tracking system, has significantly changed the rules of effective résumé writing.   If you choose to ignore the new resume guidelines based on the ATS, there’s a high probability that no one will ever read your résume. On the other hand, if you incorporate the ATS guidelines, if you optimize your resume based on the advice you’re about to hear, you just might have a competitive advantage relative to other job seekers you’re competitive against.   Are you ready?   Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode “Update your Resume and LinkedIn with Martin Buckland”   I get a lot of requests from my clients to help them with their CV. Let me say upfront there are things I can help with when it comes to your resume, and things I cannot. I can definitely help you craft your narrative in terms of clearly communicating your unique personal brand. I can help you choose the words and phrases that will reinforce your unique value.   What I cannot do it help you with formatting. I am not expert on that. And as I said at the beginning, the ATS or Applicant Tracking System has completely changed how resumes should be formatted. So, what should we do? Let’s call in the expert- Mr. Martin Buckland.   You’re about to hear my conversation with Martin, where we literally go line by line and he describes what can and cannot be included starting with your name at the top all the way down to your interests at the very bottom.   To make this process easier for you, Martin and I created a one page template of what should be included in the top section of your résumé in particular. You can find a link to this one pager in the show notes which you can either print now before you listen to the interview or you can print and read it later as a review. We thought it would be helpful if you could see an example of exactly what Martin describes.   All right then without further ado I’m going to interview Martin and then we’ll get right to the interview. After the interview as always, I will summarize with three main learnings that I want to reinforce for you. Are you ready?   Martin Buckland is a a globally acclaimed Executive Career Coach and Executive Resume Writer. He’s helped thousands of individuals across the world manage their careers, climb the corporate ladder, and land the job they deserve.   After a distinguished Law Enforcement career with the renowned London Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard, Martin retired and started “Elite Resumes.” He provides career management services customized to the client’s job level, sector and career goal.   Working with EMBA programs inspired Martin to launch EMBA Career Coach, designing a platform of tools catering to graduates and candidates around in the world. He also works for numerous Business Schools around the world.   Martin is a sought-after presenter, podcast guest, coach and resume/cv writer. He frequently presents to large and small audiences and facilitates intense workshops as an authority in all pillars of career management. He enjoys delivering what he light heartedly calls ‘the career management gospel according to Martin’.   Martin has earned >20 certifications including Master Resume Writer, Certified Social Media Career Strategist, Personal Branding Strategist, Job & Career Transition Coach, Employment Interview Professional, and Job Search Trainer.   INTERVIEW   Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: Thank you so much, Martin, for being here today to talk to the talk a

Do you have an ELEVATOR PITCH? Not a rehearsed script, but a sentence that articulates your unique brand? In this bonus episode, Andrea shares a popular episode of the Under the Influence podcast hosted by epic storyteller Terry O’Reilly, focused on “Elevator Pitches.” TERRY O’REILLY Podcast ”Under the Influence” – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-influence-with-terry-oreilly/id493536367 Website – https://terryoreilly.ca/   CONNECT WITH ANDREA LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn Talk About Talk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Website: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/ Email Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/     TRANSCRIPT Welcome to this bonus episode of the talk about talk podcast. Are you curious what this is all about? This episode was inspired by my conversation about storytelling with Terry O’Reilly a few months ago. Terry is the host of the under the influence podcast, and he’s an epic storyteller. If you haven’t listened to our conversation yet, I encourage you to go back and listen to Talk About Talk episode 173.   During that interview, Terry and I started talking about Elevator Pitches. That’s when this happened. Take a listen:   Andrea Wojnicki: My favorite elevator pitch of all time is, you know, the Sigourney Weaver aliens movie. Do you know what the elevator pitch was for? Terry O’Reilly: Jaws in space. Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: Yes, I probably learned that from you, Terry. Terry O’Reilly: Yeah, you may have.   In case it wasn’t clear – I shared with Terry my favorite elevator pitch of all time – It’s the pitch for the movie Aliens. I can just imagine the writer pitching this Aliens movie to the Hollywood producer. Saying, “what’s this movie all about? Well, think Jaws in Space.” Three words. “Jaws in Space.” Beautiful.   As I was sharing that with Terry, it occurred to me – WAIT! I think I originally learned that story, that elevator pitch, from Terry! I think I learned that from one of his Under the Influence episodes. That was pretty funny. Kind of embarrassing, But Terry was very gracious.   I subsequently re-listened to Terry’s Under the Influence episode on Elevator Pitches – and it’s fantastic. So – here we are with our bonus episode. Now YOU’re going to hear that episode! You’ll hear Terry describe that elevator pitch for the Aliens movie, and a whole lot more.   Here’s your task: I encourage you to listen to this episode through the lens of improving your personal brand narrative. Based on your unique expertise and passions, based on your superpowers, and based on Terry’s guidance in developing a compelling elevator pitch, is there a phrase you can use when youre introducing yourself?   For those of you who’ve been in my workshops or private coaching, you know that I am not a fan of the rehearsed elevator script. You know, that overly-rehearsed, too long, too generic ramble that you hear people recite when theyre trying to impress you? That’s not what Im talking about. Im talking about a few words, a phrase, maybe one sentence, that you can own. Your “Jaws in Space,” if you will.   OK – here we go. Here’s Terry.   The post BONUS: “Elevator Pitches” with Terry O’Reilly of Under the Influence appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Gift-giving is a form of communication. Yes, gift-giving can be stressful! Andrea shares the art and science of gift-giving, plus a gift for you – a free one-page summary of gift-giving do’s and don’ts. YOUR GIFT FROM ANDREA Get your one-page summary of gift-giving do’s and don’ts: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/gift-giving CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube   TRANSCRIPT Well, hello there! Wow – the year is almost over. Can you believe it? It’s such a cliché, but the years really do go by fast. Many of us mark the end of the year with a gift. It could be a personal gift – for a family or friend. Or it might be a professional gift for a client or a colleague. It might be a THANK YOU gift. Or you might be celebrating the Winter Solstice or Saint Nicholas Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, … or maybe you’re just celebrating the new calendar year? Chances are you’ve got some gifting to do. Chances are you’re also a bit stressed out Don’t worry – I got you! In the episode, you’re going to learn what the research says about gift-giving. I’m going to share a framework and specific do’s and don’t. I ALSO have a gift for you! Are you ready? Welcome to TAT podcast episode 177 – Gift-Giving Do’s & Don’ts This is a re-release of a previous episode – way back at episode 38. I just re-listened to that episode, I have to tell you, it’s ALL there. You’ll learn a lot – I promise. Certainly, a few things have changed since then. Like the obvious one – there’s AI. Have you tried using AI to help you with your gift giving? I must admit, I have. “Hey Chat GPT, what’s a great gift for a client who’s constantly referring new business to me? Or what’s a great gift for my 17 year old son who’s obsessed with hockey? Of course, the more specific you get about the person you’re gifting, the better the AI recommendations. As with all things AI, the personal human touch is what makes a big difference. Now, before we get into this, I want to give YOU a gift. I know this time of year can be very stressful. It feels like everything’s piling up, right? And on top of everything happening at work and personally, there’s also this added task of gift-giving. As you’ll hear in this episode, there IS reason to be anxious about gift giving. So, to help you with this anxiety, I have a gift for you! It’s this – a one-page summary of the do’s and don’ts of effective gift giving. Stop guessing, and base your gift giving decisions on what the research says. Here’s how you can get the one-pager: go to TAT.com/gift-giving ((((HYPHEN))). Then you can download this Free “Gift-Giving Guide,” a summary of the Dos & Dont’s of gift giving, including what the research says about what to worry LESS about. Yes, you heard me – what you should worry LESS about. You’re welcome. Just go to TAT.com gift-giving (hyphen) right now to get your one pager. Alright let’s do this! Yes, gift-giving is a form of communication. A significant one, it turns out. Gift-giving is prevalent, it is a common phenomenon. It is also highly symbolic. The gifts we give and receive communicate a lot of things – about the giver, about the receiver, and about their relationship. My goal for this episode is to help you mostly when you’re gifting someone, but also some things to think about when you’re receiving a gift. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a list of things to consider, and yes, a few things to stop worrying about when it comes to gift giving. If you guessed by the enthusiasm in my voice that I love this topic of gift-giving, well, you’re right. I first researched gift-giving over 15yrs ago when I was a doctoral student. Those of you who have been listening to previous Talk About Talk podcasts may recall that my main topic of academic research when I was a student was WOM. It occurred to me that WOM (or consumer recommendations about what to buy and warnings about what to avoid) was like a gift from one consumer to another. So, at the time, I decided to study gift-giving to help me with my WOM research. Well, I can tell you that that research on gift-giving has stayed with me. I can’t be in a room when a gift is being opened (whether the gift is from me or to me or whether I’m just an observer), I always go back to thinking about this research. It’s like having a whole different lens through which to observe the gift-giving phenomenon. Are you curious? I can’t wait to share it with you.   CONTEXT You know that feeling when you give a gift to someone and they absolutely LOVE it? It feels fantastic, doesn’t it? The opposite is true too though. Gifting FAILS. Have you ever put a lotta time and effort into finding an amazing

Extreme opinion seems to be the norm. How many times have you consciously avoided a conversation about social or political views? “Remaking the Space Between Us” author Dr. Diana McLain Smith shares her insights with Andrea about how to start the conversation in an environment when toxic polarization is standard.   DIANA SMITH Book: “Remaking the Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together to Build a Better Future For Us All“ – https://amzn.to/4hIM1uw Article: Diana Smith & Amy Edmondson “Too Hot to Handle: How to Manage Relationship Conflict”. California Management Review – https://www.iths.org/wp-content/uploads/Too-Hot-to-Handle.pdf University of Toronto Rotman magazine – https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/rotman-management-magazine/back-issues/2008/fall-2008—the-future-of-capital-/ Diana’s 3 Recos: Podcast: “The Bullwark”, Sarah Longwell – https://podcast.thebulwark.com/hosts/sarah-longwell Book: “And There was Light” John Meacham – https://amzn.to/3YIImnR Documentary. “I Am Not Your Negro” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5804038/ DIANA SMITH’S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: “Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life” Jeff -Wetzler – https://amzn.to/3CnOGtu Sharon Says So (Instagram) – https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/?hl=en Solutions Journalism Network – https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/ Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/ More in Common – https://www.moreincommon.com/ Listen First Project – https://www.listenfirstproject.org/ One Small Step – https://onesmallstep.com/ Starts With Us – https://startswith.us/ CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube   TRANSCRIPT Meet Dr. Diana McLain Smith. I’ve interviewed a lot of high IQ folks here at the talk about talk podcast. But I have to say, Diana is off the charts. I met Diana when Amy Edmondson recommended that I read Diana’s book, entitled “Re-Making the Space Between Us.” This book is chalk full of relevant history, more current stories, and incredible insight. In the next 45 minutes, you’re going to hear my conversation with Diana Smith, and my summary of what we can do to help us re-make the space between us. Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #176 “Talking Extremes – Remaking the space between us with Diana Smith.” My interview with Diana Smith was recorded just before the US presidential election. We decided to wait until after the election to share these insights with you. As November 5 came and went, Diana Smith’s insights, and our conversation were top of mine for me. The next day on November 6, I flew from my home in Toronto to attend a women’s leadership conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Yes, many of my friends said that I was crazy to go to the US. Anyway, when I was at the airport waiting for my flight to board, I started a conversation with a complete stranger. Interesting how this often happens when we’re traveling, doesn’t it? Of course, the election came up, and we explicitly decided not to mention which side of this political divide we support. But over the course of our conversation, it became very evident … she mentioned her son’s request that she not mention the triggering Trump word in the presence of his liberal minded girlfriend. Ah! She’s a trump supporter. Oh dear. We waded into immigration, and things got testy. I remember pausing and thinking to myself, “Andrea! You’re a communication coach! You have Diana’s advice t guide you! You can do this!” And here’s the thing. This woman was a complete stranger. We could’ve both walked away with absolutely no implications. But we kept talking. I asked her questions and she asked me questions. The conversation shifted to bodily autonomy and abortion. I remember saying “that’s interesting” when I disagreed. I also remember the tension notably diminishing as the conversation went on. Our political opinions were mostly diametrical. But we discovered we had a lot more in common, like our love of our almost adult children, and our focus on gender parity. At the end of the conversation, I put my hand on her arm and said “I really enjoyed this conversation. I hope you have a great trip. “ At once I felt relief that the conversating went the way it did, also a sense of hope. Have you had any conversations like this lately? This episode will help you navigate these conversations. OK – I better introduce myself. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m an executive communication coach. Please just call me Andrea. At Talk about Talk, I coach ambitious executives to elevate their communication skills so they can communicate with confidenc

Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson talks with Andrea about the significance of accountability in a psychologically safe workplace. Learn about the important difference between disappointment vs regret and between mistakes vs failures. Amy shares insights from her new book, “The Right Kind of Wrong,” including the three types of failure, and the one we should be striving for!       BOOKS & ARTICLES MENTIONED Amy Edmondson – “The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth” – https://amzn.to/4dYjz4R Amy Edmondson – “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well” – https://amzn.to/4eGjOTc Daniel Kahneman – “Thinking Fast & Slow” – https://amzn.to/3UmQMjv Adam Grant (NYTimes) – “Women Know Exactly What They’re Doing When They Use “Weak Language” – https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/opinion/women-language-work.html Samuel Culbert – “Get Rid of the Performance Review!: How Companies Can Stop Intimidating, Start Managing–and Focus on What Really Matters“ – https://amzn.to/40glY7x   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube   TRANSCRIPT Yes, we all have work to do. In the next 45 minutes, you’re going to learn directly from Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, a pioneer in psychological safety and failing well. Wait – isn’t that an oxymoron? “Failing Well”? Not necessarily. I cant wait for you to hear my conversation with Amy Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #175 “Psychological Safety and failing well with professor Amy Edmondson.” My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m an executive communication coach. Please just call me Andrea. Through my work at Talk about Talk, I coach ambitious executives to elevate their communication skills so they can communicate with confidence and credibility. To learn more about what I do, head over to talkabouttalk.com where you can read about the coaching and the workshops that I run. Plus there are lots of free resources for you, including the brand new archetypes quiz, where you can learn which archetype resonates with you and your professional identity. You can also free coaching from me by signing up for my free email newsletter. Head over to talkabouttalk.com to sign up now. OK,Let’s get into this. Years ago, I had the privilege of taking Professor Amy Edmondson’s doctoral course called “Field Research Methods” at Harvard Business School. Fast forward to today. Many years later, I regularly coach executives – and medical and health care professionals, as youll hear, whether through 1:1 coaching sessions or corporate workshops, on some of the phenomena that Amy taught me, and some of the concepts that she pioneered, including psychological safety. Recently, Amy published a new book called “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing well”. After reading the book, I emailed Amy and asked her if I could interview her for this podcast. I was thrilled that she immediately agreed. To say Amy’s work is impactful and prolific would be an understatement. So my goal with this interview is to ask Amy the Qs that I know YOU would ask – Qs focused on communication skills, and possibly Qs that differ from the Qs she typically gets in many of the other interviews she’s done. Here, we focus on our communication and our mindset as leaders and as communicators. We have a LOT to talk about here! Let me introduce Amy, then we’ll get right into the interview. At the end, as always, I’m going to summarize with three learnings that I want to reinforce for you. Sound good? Ok. Amy C. Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to support the study of human interactions that lead to the creation of successful enterprises that contribute to the betterment of society. Amy is so perfect for this chair, I have to say. Amy studies teaming, psychological safety, and organizational learning, and she’s authored 7 books and over 75 cases and articles. She’s been recognized by the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers since 2011, and most recently was ranked #1 in 2021 and 2023; She also received that organization’s Breakthrough Idea Award in 2019, and Talent Award in 2017. In 2019, Amy’s published her seminal book, “The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation and Growth.” Her more recent book “Right Kind of Wrong – The Science of Failing Well,” is due to be translated into 24 additional languages, and was selected for the Financial Times and Schroders Best Business Book of the Year award. Yes, I’ll leave links to these books in the s

How to boost your self-awareness with Dr. Tasha Eurich. Tasha and Andrea talk about how self-awareness can improve your communication, relationships, confidence, promotability, influence, empathy, leadership, and more. Dr. TASHA EURICH Books: Insight – https://amzn.to/42LqCIi Shatterproof (2025) – https://amzn.to/3ZLzXlM Insight Quiz: https://www.insight-book.com/quiz Tasha’s book recommendation: “Wonder Hell” by Laura Gassner Otting – https://amzn.to/3Nc4BNt   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube   TRANSCRIPT Are YOU a self-awareness unicorn? That RARE person with exceptionally high internal and external self awareness? Probably not. But according to self-awareness expert Dr.Tasha Eurich, just by learning some of the tools and approaches you’ll hear in the next 45 minutes, you’re way ahead of the pack. One step closer to unicorn status. Let’s do this! Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #174 “Boost your Self-awareness with Dr.Tasha Eurich.” I’m so excited for you to meet Tasha. I read her book called INSIGHT a few years ago after it was recommended by Adam Grant. The full title is Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think. It immediately became one of my favorites, a book with research that I reference all the time, and a book that I often recommend to my coaching clients. So I was very excited to book this interview. When the time finally came and we logged into the interview, we both stopped and stared at the screen. I’m sure my jaw dropped. Tasha was sitting in front of her beautiful horizontal bookcase, all sorted by color. Like a beautiful rainbow of books, including the turquoise book jacket cover of her book INSIGHT. Some of you might know that I am also obsessed with color, particularly turquoise. So there I was, in front of my vertical bookshelf, each shelf coded by colour – black then red then turquoise, then yellow, and so on. WOW. Even if you’re not obsessed with colour, our screens were a sight to be seen. You could say we had an instant connection. Speaking of connection – In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m your executive communication coach. Please just call me Andrea. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your career goals. To learn more about what I do, head over to talkabouttalk.com and you can read about the coaching and workshops I run. Plus there are lots of free resources for you at the bottom of the talkabouttalk.com homepage. You can also sign up for my email newsletter, where you’ll get free coaching from me in your inbox. Head over to talkabouttalk.com to sign up now. Alright, let’s shift gears. In this episode, you’re going to learn a helpful definition of self-awareness, why it’s important, and Tasha’s strategies that you can start immediately to help you become more self-aware. Let me introduce Tasha, then we’ll get right into the interview. At the end, as always, I’m going to summarize with three learnings that I want to reinforce for you. Sound good? Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author who helps people thrive in a changing world. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology, she’s the principal of The Eurich Group, working with clients like Google, Walmart, and the NBA. She’s been recognized as the world’s top self-awareness coach and featured by Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, and more. Her 2017 TEDx talk has been viewed more than 8 million times! Tasha’s first book, Bankable Leadership, debuted as a New York Times bestseller. Her latest, Insight, explores the link between self-awareness and success. That’s where we’re focusing here today. She also has another book coming out in 2025 focused on resilience called SHATTERPROOF. I’ll leave links to all these books in the show notes. Here we go!   INTERVIEW Thank you so much, Tasha, for being here today on Talk About Talk to talk about our self -awareness. Thank you. It’s great to be here, Andrea. So I guess we better start with definitions. When you are writing and researching and talking about self -awareness, what exactly do you mean? So it’s a great place to start, I think, and you’re very smart to do that. It took our research team actually almost a year to scientifically and empirically. So it’s the will and the skill to understand who we are and how you’re seen. So I am familiar enough with your work that I know exactly what you mean by each of those very precise words.

How to become an epic storyteller with “Under the Influence” podcast host Terry O’Reilly. Terry and Andrea talk storytelling, elevator pitches, and peeling the onion to identify what business you’re really in. TERRY O’REILLY Podcast ”Under the Influence” – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/under-the-influence-with-terry-oreilly/id493536367 Book – My Best Mistake (2023) – https://amzn.to/3zroPQe Book – This I Know: Marketing Lessons from Under the Influence (2018) – https://amzn.to/3TzNbOm Book – The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture (2011) – https://amzn.to/4ewW9Et Website – https://terryoreilly.ca/ Terry’s recommendations: “The Plot Thickens” podcast The Score: Bank Robber Diaries podcast CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube TRANSCRIPT That fabulous voice belongs to Terry O’Reilly host of the popular “Under The Influence” podcast. I’ve been listening to “Under The Influence” for years, and I’ve always enjoyed Terry‘s sense of humor, and his skill as an exceptional storyteller. I knew we were both Canadian and we’re both podcasters. I had no idea he’s also a huge fan of the power of three. Did you hear what he said? Bingo, Bango Bongo. Let’s do this! Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #173 “Under the Influence with storyteller Terry O’Reilly”. In this episode, you’re gonna learn the ingredients necessary to create compelling stories, how and why to “peel back the onion” and think hard about what business you’re really in, and so much more. In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m your executive communication coach. Please just call me Andrea. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence and clarity, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your career goals. Sound good? To learn more about me and what I do, head over to talkabouttalk.com and you can read about the coaching and workshops that I run. Plus there are a bunch of free resources for you at the bottom of the takaboutalk.com homepage. You can also sign up for the Talk About Talk email newsletter, where you’ll get free coaching from me in your inbox. Head over to talkabouttalk,com to sign up now. Alright, Let’s shift gears. I can’t wait for you to hear my conversation with Terry O’Reilly. If you’ve ever heard his Under the Influence podcast, you know he is like an encyclopedia of stories and insights. As you’re about to hear, he’s the same in real-time, without a script. He’s also very gracious. Let me introduce Terry, then we’ll get right into the interview. At the end, as always, I’m going to summarize with three learnings that I want to reinforce for you. Sound good? Ok. Long before he had a radio show, Terry was an award-winning writer at Canada’s top advertising agencies. Creating campaigns for top brands such as Labatt, Bell, Nissan, and the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1990, Terry co-founded Pirate Radio & Television with eight recording studios in Toronto and New York. In 2005, he became the host of the CBC Radio One and WBEZ Chicago radio show, Under The Influence, with over one million listeners a week. His podcast has been downloaded over 75 million times. Terry was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising & Design Club of Canada, and has been granted Honorary Degrees from three Canadian universities. Ah – the power of three again. Terry has also written three books, the latest being “My Best Mistake” about people who made catastrophic career decisions – but it ended up being the best thing that ever happened to them. He has a wonderful wife and yes, three lovely daughters, Terry he says like some of this work. Here we go! INTERVIEW Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: Thank you so much, Terry, for being here today to talk to me and the talk about talk listeners. O’Reilly: Well, it’s great to be here. Thanks for inviting me. Andrea Wojnicki – TalkAboutTalk: There are so many directions that we could go in this conversation advertising, branding, personal branding. But I thought something that really stands out about you that I appreciate very, very much is your fantastic ability to tell stories. So I thought we would start there. And I’m curious as a master’s storyteller. What do you think makes for a great story? Is there an ingredient list that’s necessary. O’Reilly: That’s a very good question. when I think about that, I I think 2 things, I think structure. I think that’s always been one of my strengths. For whatever reason, who knows? Is story structure that may have come from almost 40 years in the advertising business, w

Building your personal brand is about identifying and communicating your points of difference. Harvard Business School Professor Jill Avery joins Andrea to talk about why personal branding is so important and why many people hesitate or reject this whole premise of personal branding. TAKE THE PERSONAL BRAND SELF-ASSESSMENT https://www.talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   RESOURCES “A New Approach to Building Your Personal Brand” by Jill Avery and Rachel Greenwald HBR article: https://hbr.org/2023/05/a-new-approach-to-building-your-personal-brand “The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters FastCompany article – https://www.fastcompany.com/28905/brand-called-you Jill’s recommendation: “Breaking Glass: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street by Patricia Walsh Chadwick – https://amzn.to/3yWBxWL CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube   TRANSCRIPT Particularly in today’s world. Avoiding personal branding is just really not an option. And I’m not sure it ever has been. You know, people point to the rise of social media as building up the hype of personal branding. But we’ve always had a need for personal branding. We’ve always had a need to communicate the value that we bring to the world. So our medium is different in the way that we communicate it. We use, you know, online and and social media and other digital technologies to help us. But we’ve always done this work. And there’s always been a need for this work. That was Jill Avery, marketing professor at Harvard Business School and personal branding expert. Last year Jill co-authored a paper in Harvard Business Review called “A New Approach to Building Your Personal Brand.” Jill is not only a personal branding expert, she’s also a friend and a wonderful human. I can’t wait for you to her what she has to say share with us about personal branding. Let’s do this! Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #171 “Building Your Personal Brand with Harvard Business School Professor Jill Avery”. In this episode, you’re going to learn why personal branding is so important – mandatory really, and also a few reasons why many people hesitate or even reject this whole premise of personal branding. In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki please just call me Andrea. I’m your executive communication coach. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence and achieve your career goals. To learn more about me and what I do, check out my website, talkabouttalk.com where you can read about the coaching and workshops that I run. Plus there are a bunch of free resources for you there. Ok, let’s get into this. I’m sure you want to hear from Jill. Here’s how this episode is going to go. After I introduce Jill, we’ll get right into the interview. Then at the end I’m going to summarize with the three learnings that I want to reinforce based on our conversation. I met Jill over 20 yrs ago, when I was in my first year of the doctorate program at HBS. She was considering joining to program. We met and instantly hit it off. We quickly learned that we had similar backgrounds – we both worked in Consumer Packaged Goods (or CPG) marketing, she at Gilette and me at Kraft. We also both earned our MBAs, but we loved school and we both ultimately earned our doctorate. Today, Jill Avery serves as a Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and C. Roland Christensen Distinguished Management Educator in the marketing unit at Harvard Business School. She’s a prolific and award-winning author of 100+ publications on branding, CRM (that’s cust relationship mktg), and digital marketing. In addition to her role as a faculty member at HBS, Jill remains close to practice by serving as a board member, consultant, educator, and advisor to companies and their executives. She is a passionate and enthusiastic award-winning teacher and a creative and innovative course designer, currently teaching two courses, Marketing and Creating Brand Value. She also leads a new Harvard Business School Executive Education program on Creating Brand Value designed for senior executives and two Harvard Business School Online courses: one on Creating Brand Value and the other on Personal Branding. Yep, she’s qualified! Here we go!   INTERVIEW Thank you so much, Jill, for being here today to talk with us about personal branding. Jill: I’m thrilled to be here, Andrea. Thank you so much for having me, and it’s delightful to be working with you again. Okay, let’s get right into this. My 1st question for you is with regards to the benefits of developing your personal brand you mentioned to me when we met th

Seth Godin, famed author, blogger, and podcaster shares his wisdom on what communication skill we should work on, the issue with authenticity for professionals, and a new definition of personal branding. Let’s make a ruckus! BOOKS BY SETH GODIN This is Strategy – https://amzn.to/4dwi1PS Linchpin – https://amzn.to/4fIr7ux Tribes – https://amzn.to/3yHo4lI The Dip – https://amzn.to/3X4E7n6 Purple Cow – https://amzn.to/3M3SuBR This Is Marketing – https://amzn.to/46PIaXK The Song of Significance – https://amzn.to/4ctABHl Seth’s all-volunteer community project: The Carbon Almanac – https://amzn.to/3YLSIFk   RESOURCES “The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters Personal Brand FastCompany article – https://www.fastcompany.com/28905/brand-called-you Smart Brevity book – https://amzn.to/3pj2Jdj Roger Martin “A Plan is not a Strategy” video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuYlGRnC7J8 Seth’s recommendations: Mystery Show podcast (ep.3) – https://gimletmedia.com/shows/mystery-show A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs – https://500songs.com/ The Moment with Brian Koppelman podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-moment-with-brian-koppelman/id814550071 Hardcare History podcast with Dan Carlin – https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/ Just Kids: An Autobiography by Patty Smith – https://amzn.to/3ApVA0k CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/   TRANSCRIPT That, as you can probably guess, from the title of this episode, is Seth Godin. And he’s on a mission, encouraging us all to make a ruckus. To make a generous contribution to the world. To change the world for the better. Whether it’s in one of his books, in his blog, or in this conversation you’re about to hear, Seth Godin always makes me think about things in new ways. Take, for example, Seth’s answer to the first rapid fire question that I ask every guest: “Are you an introvert or an extrovert?” Seth had the most unique answer to this Q that I’ve ever heard : I never thought of it that way before, did you? You know, most of the smart guests I interview tell me they’re an introvert. So maybe he’s right. We’re evolving to all be introverts. I guess I really am an anomaly. And now I know why cocktail parties without alcohol don’t work very well. Are you keen to learn more from Seth? Let’s do this! Welcome to Talk about Talk podcast episode #171 “Making a ruckus with Seth Godin”. In this episode, you’re gonna learn what communication skill Seth thinks we should work on, a new definition of personal branding, and why we all need to choose our genre – amongst other things. In case we haven’t met, my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki please just call me Andrea. I’m your executive communication coach. I coach executives like you to improve your communication skills so you can communicate with confidence and clarity, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your career goals. Sound good? To learn more about me and what I do, head over to talkabouttalk.com and you can read about the coaching and workshops that I run. Plus there are a bunch of free resources for you at the bottom of the takaboutalk.com homepage. Ok, let’s get into this. I’m sure you want to hear from Seth. Here’s how this episode is going to go. After I introduce Seth, we’ll get right into the interview. Then at the end I’m going to summarize with the three learnings that I want to reinforce based on our conversation. Three things that I hope you’ll take away and that I hope will help you in your quest to make a ruckus. Seth has been on my radar since I was a brand manager early in my career, and I read his book called “Purple Cow.” That book is just one of the 21 books that have been bestsellers around the world and that have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip, and of course Purple Cow. His book, “This Is Marketing,” was an instant bestseller around the world. Recently, he organized the all-volunteer community project called The Carbon Almanac. In 2023, he wrote, The Song of Significance, which is already a bestseller, and I strongly recommend it if you are a leader of any kind, or if you seek to become one. I’ll leave links to all of these books in the shownotes. Yes, Seth is prolific. Seth also creates impact. His blog (which you can find by typing “seth” into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. His podcast is in the top

Introducing yourself shouldn’t be something you dread. Learn a 3-point self-introduction framework (not a script!) plus 4 general tips for introducing yourself effectively. Introducing yourself is a rare opportunity to highlight your personal brand! (Re-release of ep. 86)   TAKE THE FREE PERSONAL BRAND ASSESSMENT https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/     The post INTRODUCTIONS – How to Introduce Yourself (ep. 170) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Communicate with confidence: There’s the mental preparation, then there’s confidence in the moment. In this first of a two-part series, we focus on the 4P’s of mentally preparing to communicate with confidence: Practice, as in rehearsing; Proverb, as in adopting a mantra; Pep talk; and Pirate, as in copying that confident feeling. (Re-release of ep.58)     CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/ The post COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE: Part 1 – Mental Preparation (ep 169) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Do you communicate with IMPACT? Deloitte Vice-Chair Jennifer Lee defines impact as the ability to get someone to take action. Learn 3 specific communication tactics to elevate your impact, plus insights about how respect, being curious, and establishing the value of each person in the room can increase your impact. (Re-release of ep.112) CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/   RESOURCES Jennifer T. Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifertlee/ Relevant episodes: Ep.79 STORYTELLING – https://www.talkabouttalk.com/79-how-to-use-storytelling-to-elevate-your-communication/ Ep.93 THE POWER of 3 -– https://www.talkabouttalk.com/93-the-power-of-three/ The post Communicating with IMPACT – with Jennifer Lee, Vice-Chairwoman at Deloitte (ep. 168) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

How self-aware are you? Andrea shares the definition of self-awareness, different types of self-awareness, and how we can improve our communication effectiveness by being more self-aware. (Re-release of ep 121)   TAKE THE FREE PERSONAL BRAND ASSESSMENT https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/ RESOURCES The 3 Point Body Language Scan Podcast Episode: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/96-3pt-body-language-scan/   The post SELF-AWARENESS & Communication (ep. 167) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Communicating with precision improves comprehension, recall, persuasion, and likeability! Whether it’s verbal or written, clear and concise communication is appreciated by others. Learn three strategies you can employ to communicate with precision. (Re-release of ep 103)   TAKE THE FREE PERSONAL BRAND ASSESSMENT https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/ ***When referencing resources and products, TalkAboutTalk sometimes uses affiliate links. These links don’t impose any extra cost on you, and they help support the free content provided by Talk About Talk. @import url(https://www.talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/plugins/siteorigin-panels/css/front-flex.min.css); #pgc-6338-0-0 { width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 30px ) ) } #pl-6338 .so-panel { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-6338 .so-panel:last-of-type { margin-bottom:0px } @media (max-width:870px){ #pg-6338-0.panel-no-style, #pg-6338-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style, #pg-6338-0 { -webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column } #pg-6338-0 > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-6338-0 > .panel-row-style > .panel-grid-cell { width:100%;margin-right:0 } #pl-6338 .panel-grid-cell { padding:0 } #pl-6338 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-empty { display:none } #pl-6338 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last { margin-bottom:0px } } The post Communicating with PRECISION (ep. 166) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Gratitude is a communication skill that can build loyalty, serve as a catalyst to connect, and release endorphins! Andrea interviews The Currency of Gratitude author Michele Bailey, who shares insights on how to express gratitude in a professional context, how gratitude relates to brand ambassadors, how gratitude relates to reciprocity, whether expressing gratitude makes you sound weak, and some provocative thoughts about work-life balance. (Re-release of ep. 155)   TAKE THE FREE PERSONAL BRAND ASSESSMENT https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://talkabouttalk.com/newsletter LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/ RESOURCES BOOK: The Currency Of Gratitude: Turning Small Gestures Into Powerful Business Results by Michele Bailey – https://amzn.to/434Vqpe Michele Bailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-bailey-a111b6a/ Michele’s agency is BLAZING: https://blazing.agency/ Recommended podcasts: Tim Ferriss – https://tim.blog/podcast/ Smartless – https://www.smartless.com/ Happier – https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/ On Purpose – https://www.jayshetty.me/podcast Huberman Lab – https://www.hubermanlab.com/podcast Voices of leadership – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/voices-of-leadership-insights-and-inspirations/id1710435149   The post The Currency of GRATITUDE with Michele Bailey (ep.165) appeared first on Talk About Talk.

Personal Branding is important, yet it never seems urgent. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares 3 specific reasons why we should all take the time and effort to develop our personal brand, plus she shares a variety of resources to help you develop your personal brand: a new online course, podcast episodes, newsletter blogs, and more. (Re-release of ep.98)   TAKE THE FREE PERSONAL BRAND ASSESSMENT https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand   CONNECT WITH ANDREA & TALK ABOUT TALK Website: TalkAboutTalk.com Communication Coaching Newsletter: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/ LinkedIn Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/ LinkedIn TalkAboutTalk: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/ Youtube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube Talk About Talk Podcast Archive: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/communication-skills-podcast/   RESOURCES Personal Branding BOOTCAMP – https://www.talkabouttalk.com/bootcamps/ Personal Brand Self-Assessment – https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand “5 Steps to Nail YOur Personal Brand” Online Course – https://talkabouttalk.teachable.com/p/5-steps-to-nail-your-personal-bran #84 Strategic Principles of Personal Branding Before you start promoting your Personal Brand, you need to articulate what it is! Learn the 3 strategic principles of Personal Branding, plus the most common mistake that people make when crafting their Personal Brand. #71 Personal BrandING, AUTHENTICITY & TMI How can we be authentic without sharing TMI? How can we be transparent, without appearing unprofessional? Copywriter and messaging strategist Tom Megginson encourages us to be authentic and focus on our audience. Code-switching and filtering are 2 ways to maintain authenticity without compromising professionalism. #77 Personal BrandING: Reinforcing your Personal Brand with Implicit CommunicationPersonal branding is more than just the words we say about ourselves. Learn to reinforce your personal brand through consistent implicit communication, ranging from your personal style, possessions, affiliations, how you show up for meetings, and more. #68 Communicating Your Personal Brand ONLINE Actionable advice on how to communicate your personal brand online, including 3 KEY PRINCIPLES of personal branding, plus instructions for how to UPDATE, PARTICIPATE and MONITOR your personal brand online. #90 DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP: Leadership & Your Personal BrandHave you been told it’s time to start “demonstrating leadership”? Learn 5 ways to communicate your leadership potential and make leadership an integral part of your personal brand. You can create thought leadership, demonstrate people leadership, you can talk leadership, and more. PERSONAL BRAND NEWSLETTERS Strategic Principles of Personal Branding Developing Your Personal Brand 5 Insights to Strengthen Your Personal Brand Personal Branding – Who Am I? Personal Branding – Navigating the Authenticity-TMI Tension Update your personal brand online – 10 steps Your Online Personal Brand Reinforcing your Personal Brand with Implicit Communication Personality Tests     The post The Power of PERSONAL BRANDING (ep.164) appeared first on Talk About Talk.