On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Karen Friar shares how her team managed the transition to a virtual workplace and how she has fostered motivation and engagement while navigating the uncertainties of the pandemic. Listen in as Laura and Karen discuss how to humanize your virtual meetings, understanding what’s important to your audience, and how gratitude improves communication. Karen Friar is the Chief Financial Officer of Benco dental, a third-generation family-owned nationwide d...
Jan 17, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 41
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Tom DeBiase reveals how he focuses on communicating risk and potential problems by translating his message into non-technical terms. Listen in as Laura and Tom discuss the difference between stories and explanations, the importance of shifting your perspective to your customer’s view, and how your ability to translate information impacts your leadership capabilities. Tom DeBiase is a Senior Director in Capital One’s Cyber department, leading ...
Jan 11, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 40
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Janet Salazar reveals how her organization is navigating intercultural communication in a virtual landscape while remaining focused on making personal, intentional connections. Listen in as Laura and Janet discuss finding commonalities in human communication, being creative in your leadership approach, and the importance of correctly pronouncing someone’s name. Janet C. Salazar is a social innovator, human potential activist, serial entrepreneur, s...
Jan 04, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 39
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Laura shares the best 24-Hour Influence Challenges of 2020 and how you can use them to create actionable results in 2021. Listen in as past guests challenge you to evaluate your communication skills, create a system for accountability, and become an expert at providing feedback that creates an impact. To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download ...
Dec 28, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 38
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, David Cohen shares the importance of distilling complicated subject matter into simple and powerful messages for greater impact. Listen in as Laura and David discuss the importance of mastering virtual communication skills in today’s workplace, how law school helped David develop his communication skills, as well as his best advice for cultivating leadership within your company. David L. Cohen is the senior executive vice-president and chief lobbyi...
Dec 22, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 37
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Jamil Rivers shares how STEM education and workforce development align to create opportunities for disenfranchised people of color. Listen in as Laura and Jamil discuss why she is focuses on communicating with the people on the ground-level of the organization, keeping people engaged while working remotely, and the importance of translating value to all levels of the organization. Jamil Rivers is an innovative financial management professional with over ...
Dec 15, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 36
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Jonathan Rivers shares how he communicates with a wide variety of people by focusing on clear a clear message and not getting lost in the details. Listen in as Laura and Jonathan discuss mastering your public speaking through continuous learning, stepping into hard conversations, and the two types of negotiation you need to know in order to achieve better results. Jonathan Rivers is the Chief Technology Officer of Fortune Media, including Fortune Magazin...
Dec 08, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 35
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Sharmain Matlock-Turner shares how she identified a need to communicate with a wide variety of people in the nonprofit sector and how she continues to coordinate and communicate with those individuals as an organization. Listen in as Laura and Sharmain discuss how to set priorities and focus on the right message for your audience, and how telling your story is the key making sure that message is heard and remembered. Sharmain also challenges you to ident...
Dec 01, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 34
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, David Marquet shares how words impact team performance and why leadership should not be viewed as a product to sell. Listen in as Laura and David discuss David’s experience as a Captain of a submarine and how it taught him that every organization needs a central focus of action. They also dive into how fatigue impacts communication and what it means to build a succession strategy. Captain David Marquet, Author of “Leadership is Language&rdquo...
Nov 24, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 33
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Bill Sasso shares how his company focuses on cultivating a culture that fosters growth. Listen in as Laura and Bill discuss leaders who model vs. those who instruct, finding a strength within your weakness, and having the right perspective of a situation in order to lead. Bill also reveals why speakers should understanding timing when speaking to audiences in order to make sure their message is understood. Bill Sasso has served as chairman of Stradley Ro...
Nov 17, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 32
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Bryan Buckley discusses how a young company can create a centralized message in order to help communications flow throughout the organization. During this episode Laura and Bryan discuss the importance of believing in your message, why body language can sometimes distract your audience, and simple ways to bring your team together, operating under a cohesive message. Bryan Buckley is Co-Founder/CEO of Helmand Valley Growers Company. An organization that i...
Nov 10, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 31
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Donna Marie De Carolis shares why focuses on mindset vs. skills when communicating with her audience and how you can lower the risk of speaking with your own audiences. During this conversation Laura and Donna discuss how to communicate your credibility without self-promoting, getting the audience involved in the story, and understanding the introvert-extrovert continuum. Donna Marie De Carolis, Ph.D., is the founding Dean of the Charles D. Close School ...
Nov 03, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 30
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Dana Donofree discusses how she improves her communication and relationships with her team through personal development and what she looks for in a potential leader. Listen in as Laura and Dana discuss how the pandemic has changed customer expectations for communication, why applying pressure to your team doesn’t deliver high quality results, and a special Breast Cancer Awareness challenge just for you. Dana Donofree is the CEO of AnaOno, a company...
Oct 27, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 29
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Ije-Enu Udeze Nwosu shares the communication strategies she uses to navigate the needs of businesses, consumers, and the environment in order to create a meaningful impact. Listen in as Laura and Ije discuss translating the needs of multiple groups at once, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and getting over the hero complex in order to serve at a higher level. Ije also shares how to find your own voice within an organization and the importance of ...
Oct 20, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 28
On this episode of Speaking to Influence, Donavan West reveals the two types of people he’s connecting with in order to build bridges and support businesses owners during the pandemic. During this conversation Laura and Donavan discuss the need to cut through industry noise, and why “yelling louder” only creates confusion for your audience. Donavan also shares how Covid has exposed weak points within businesses and how we can connect with individuals to provide education and se...
Oct 13, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode of Speaking to Influence, Lu Ann Cahn shares how to use storytelling to connect with your audience while being interviewed. During this conversation, Laura and Lu Ann discuss why stories matter, giving your message credibility, and the difference between explaining point and inspiring understanding. You’ll also learn Lu Ann’s best advice for speaking to large audience and how she pulls stories from others in conversation. Lu Ann Cahn is an 8-time Emmy award-winni...
Oct 06, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode of Speaking to Influence, Laura reveals how you can increase your effectiveness and communicate your message in a virtual setting. Learn how “Zoom fatigue” could be impacting your delivery, the best equipment for video communication, and how to keep your audience engaged and your energy level high in order to leave a memorable impression. To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluen...
Sep 29, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode, Debbie Phillips reveals the impact of working from home on communication and workplace culture. In this conversation Laura and Debbie discuss how workplace culture has been influenced by transitioning to working from home and how managers can break through barriers created by a virtual environment. Debbie shares how to create trust within your organization, fostering opportunities for conversations regarding culture and expectations, and how the feeling of guilt can hinder both ...
Sep 22, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode, Wil Reynolds shares the importance of being able to articulate your ideas and expertise in a way that solves problems and fosters action. Communication requires skill, as well as an understanding of your audience’s knowledge and language surrounding the issue. Listen in as Wil and Laura dive into the difference between problem solving and communication, as well as the importance of abandoning your expertise for the sake of solving the problem. Wil is the Founder and acting...
Sep 15, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode, Erica Bennett reveals how custom programming and tools are able to close the leadership gap. Learn the power of demonstrating how your idea adds value to your organization while embracing failure and educating your team. Listen in as Laura and Erica teach you how to get in touch with your own emotional intelligence and how communication can help navigate times of prolonged uncertainty. Erica Dotson Bennett has 25+ years of experience in Human Resources and Leadership Development...
Sep 08, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode, Carolina DiGiorgio shares the importance of connecting to your audience on multiple levels in order to empower them to take action. Listen in as Laura and Carolina discuss finding new ways to communicate, speaking the lingo of the people you’re trying to reach, and using body language to command executive presence. Carolina DiGiorgio started her career as a corporate attorney and is now the President and CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a not-for-profit serving...
Sep 01, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode, Steve Kirton explains how his company has utilized virtual communication as an opportunity to create deeper connections with clients and streamline company systems and teamwork. Listen in as Laura and Steve discuss overcoming communication barriers, recognizing a “verbal grenade,” and understanding your visual presence when presenting to a group. Steve Kirton earned his marketing and business insights through many years in the both the human and animal healthcare ind...
Aug 25, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode, Josh Ellis shares the societal value of success and how his magazine is helping readers approach personal development in a holistic way. Listen in as Laura and Josh discuss how to ensure your message is being heard, the importance of professional email correspondence in today’s virtual world, and how to deal with imposter syndrome when facing growth opportunities. Josh Ellis is the editor-in-chief of SUCCESS, the American newsstand magazine that since 1897 has been devoted...
Aug 18, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode, President and CFO of First Resource Bank Lauren Ranalli shares how her company has been successful throughout the pandemic by focusing on communicating with intention and embracing daily changes. Listen in as Laura and Lauren discuss how to manage goals that change daily, helping your employees balance life inside and outside of the office, and making the most of your audience’s time. Lauren Ranalli is the President and CFO of First Resource Bank. She has 15 years of exper...
Aug 11, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode, Founder and Director of Justice Defenders Alexander McLean shares how he helps prisoners and prison officers in Africa become paralegals in order to defend the defenseless. Listen in as Laura and Alexander discuss how to connect with powerful people on a human level, responding to opportunities while maintaining influence, and creating bridges through storytelling and listening in order to co-create solutions. Alexander McLean is Founder and Director of Justice Defenders. After ...
Aug 04, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode, author and speaker Mitzi Perdue shares the most valuable leadership lessons she has learned as being part of two family-own global brands. Listen in as Laura and Mitzi discuss inspiring action through connection, the problem with incentivizing your employee’s behavior, and how Photoshop can help you achieve your goal. Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the late Frank Perdue, and author of Tough Man, Tender Chicken: Business & Life Lessons from Frank. The book reached #5 in t...
Jul 28, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In today’s episode, Stan Silverman shares the most profound leadership lessons he has learned on his journey from entry-level leadership to founding a company. Listen in as Stan and Laura discuss the importance of being credible, fostering dialogue within your team to make decisions, relying on expert advice, and how greatness kills growth. Stan Silverman is the founder of Silverman leadership. He was the former President and CEO of PQ corporation, a global chemical and engineered gl...
Jul 21, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In today’s episode, Lisa Peskin reveals how to communicate with your team in a way that fosters improvement and growth. Listen in as Lisa and Laura discuss providing feedback in a proper way, following a strategy for feedback depending on who you’re speaking with, and the best time to vulnerable when leading your team. Lisa Peskin is the founder and CEO of Business Development University (BDU), a results-driven sales and sales management training, coaching and consulting firm f...
Jul 14, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In today’s episode, Brian Scudamore discusses how his business focuses on mutual goals and passions in order to elevate all of the brands and franchises under his company umbrella. Listen in as Bruce and Laura discuss accidental moments of clarity, utilizing words as a vision board to allow the audience to picture the goal, and making sure your leaders are the kind of people others want to follow. Serial entrepreneur Brian Scudamore pioneered the industry of professional junk removal...
Jul 07, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, digital experience expert Russ Starke shares why he focuses on providing his internal “thinkers” with detail and context in order to provide a better customer experience. Laura and Russ also explore the differences between manipulation and influence, the importance of providing leeway for failure, and Russ’ story of how a late night company email taught him the value of communicative timing as well as the power of being open to feedback. Russ Starke, a 23 year ...
Jun 30, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 12
