IDEAS+LEADERS

Dr Elena Paweta
  • 5.0 (16)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Effective communication skills are essential in your career. Each Monday, join Dr Elena Paweta, executive communication coach and IDEAS+LEADERS founder, as she interviews business leaders and entrepreneurs on business communication, leadership and building relationships. If you want to progress in your career, become more charismatic and impactful leader, or just want to hear advice from top business leaders, this is the podcast for you.

  1. 6D AGO

    291. Communicating Like a Leader - Andrea Wojnicki

    In episode 291 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach, Harvard Business School PhD, and founder of Talk About Talk. Andrea works with ambitious professionals and executives at companies like Deloitte, JPMorgan, MasterCard, EY, and PwC, helping them communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Her Harvard Business Review article, A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself, became one of the top three most downloaded HBR articles in 2023. We explore why communication is one of the most underestimated leadership skills, how professionals can intentionally shape their personal brand, and what it really takes to build executive presence in high-stakes environments. Andrea shares practical, research-based frameworks that can be applied immediately, from introducing yourself to communicating with precision and impact. In this episode, we discuss: Why many professionals struggle to introduce themselves effectively Andrea’s simple Present–Past–Future framework for powerful introductions What it means to be yourself on purpose in personal branding How to build executive presence through communication The most common communication mistakes in high-stakes situations Tune in for a practical and insightful conversation on communication, confidence, and building a strong professional identity. You can connect with Andrea here: https://talkabouttalk.com/ Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    29 min

  2. MAR 23

    290. Neurodiversity as a Leadership Advantage - Sandra Crespo

    In episode 290 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Sandra Crespo, executive coach, speaker, and mental health professional specializing in neurodiversity and leadership. Sandra works with organizations to build environments where “neurospicy” talent can thrive, combining insights from mental health, systems thinking, and leadership development. She is the creator of the S.P.I.C.Y. Framework, a strengths-based approach that helps organizations turn neurodiversity into a real advantage rather than a checkbox. We explore why traditional workplace systems often fail neurodivergent professionals, how ADHD shows up in high-performing environments, and what leaders need to understand to build teams that are both effective and sustainable. Sandra shares a refreshing perspective on leadership that moves beyond performance and productivity toward clarity, access, and human-centered design. In this episode, we discuss: Why traditional leadership models overlook neurodiversity How ADHD can be a strength in creative and high-pressure environments What workplace systems unintentionally create friction for different brains How leaders can design teams and communication for clarity and effectiveness Tune in for a thoughtful and practical conversation on leadership, neurodiversity, and building workplaces that truly work for everyone. You can connect with Sandra here: https://www.theneurospicysw.com/ Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    28 min

  3. MAR 16

    289. The Mindset of Serial Winners - Larry Wiedel

    In episode 289 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Larry Weidel, entrepreneur, leadership mentor, investor, and bestselling author of Serial Winner: 5 Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success. Over four decades, Larry built one of North America’s most successful financial services organizations, scaling from 56 people to more than 25,000 and opening over 500 offices nationwide. We explore what it really takes to create consistent success over time, why some people build a pattern of winning while others struggle to maintain momentum, and how mentorship, discipline, and leadership duplication shape long-term growth. In this episode, we discuss: What separates one-time success from repeatable success The mindset and habits behind sustained high performance Why mentorship is one of the most powerful accelerators of growth The principles behind long-term wealth creation and financial independence Tune in for a practical conversation on leadership, discipline, and building a cycle of success that lasts. You can connect with Larry here: Larry Weidel | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    36 min

  4. MAR 9

    288. Art of Difficult Conversations - Mary J Nestor

    In episode 288 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Mary J. Nestor, leadership consultant, executive coach, and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Say It Now! Say It Right!: How to Handle Tough or Tender Conversations. With more than 25 years of experience in organizational development and communication, Mary has helped thousands of leaders and teams, including those at Coca-Cola, Coach, and Coldwell Banker, learn how to communicate with clarity, courage, and compassion. We talk about why so many people avoid difficult conversations, how silence quietly damages relationships at work and at home, and why honesty, when delivered with care, is often the most powerful form of leadership. In this episode, we discuss: Why avoiding difficult conversations often creates bigger problems How honesty can strengthen relationships rather than harm them How to balance truth, timing, and tact when speaking up The connection between self-talk and leadership communication How leaders can create cultures of openness and trust Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about communication, courage, and learning to say what truly matters. You can connect with Mary here: Home | Mary J. Nestor Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    32 min

  5. MAR 2

    287. Leading Across Generations - Nikhil Raval

    In episode 287 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Nikhil Raval, leadership and learning expert, bestselling author of Target Gen Z and Generational Fusion, TED speaker, and host of the globally listened podcast Working with Gen Z. After nearly a decade in financial services in the US, Nikhil transitioned into leadership consulting and went on to serve as Managing Director and Board Member of Duke Corporate Education India. Today, his work focuses on helping leaders bridge generational divides and build inclusive, future-ready organizations. We talk about why leading across generations has become one of the biggest leadership challenges of our time, how unconscious bias shapes the way we perceive age at work, and what it really takes to create collaboration between Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z. In this episode, we discuss: Why generational differences are often misunderstood at work The hidden biases leaders hold toward younger and older employees What inclusive leadership looks like in multi-generational teams How to communicate, give feedback, and build trust across age groups What leaders need to understand about Gen Z beyond stereotypes Tune in for a thoughtful and practical conversation on turning generational diversity into a leadership advantage. You can connect with Nikhil here Nikhil Raval | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    30 min

  6. FEB 23

    286. Fixing Business-Tech Communication - Thanos Diacakis

    In episode 286 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Thanos Diacakis, Software Delivery Coach, Fractional CTO, and business growth expert. With more than 25 years in software development, Thanos has worked with startups and global tech companies like Uber, where he led the integration of the JUMP Bikes acquisition, scaling the platform to 45,000 vehicles and over 2 million monthly trips. We explore why so many organizations struggle to scale despite strong teams, and how misalignment between business leaders and engineering creates hidden bottlenecks, technical debt, and burnout. Thanos shares how leaders can communicate more clearly with tech teams to increase speed, quality, and outcomes. In this episode, we discuss: How to align business goals with engineering reality Why “doing Agile” often fails to deliver results The hidden cost of technical debt and quick fixes How leaders can spot and fix real bottlenecks in delivery Tune in for a grounded, practical conversation on scaling technology teams without chaos. You can connect with Thanos here: Thanos Diacakis' infrequently updated page Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    26 min

  7. FEB 16

    285. Breaking the Director-to-VP Ceiling - Katy McFee

    In episode 285 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Katy McFee, executive coach and founder of Insights to Action. After 18 years in biotech and tech, driving nine-figure revenue while repeatedly being passed over, Katy cracked the code, landed a VP role, and was soon recruited as an EVP. Today, she helps high-performing women do the same without burning out or waiting for permission that never comes. We talk about why so many brilliant women stay stuck at Director level, why the issue is rarely skills and almost always perception, and how small, strategic shifts can completely change how leadership sees you. In this episode, we discuss: Why high performers get overlooked despite strong results How perception shapes promotion decisions more than competence What it means to move from invisible to influentia  How to advance even when DEI support is missing When it’s time to leave the room and find one that fits Tune in for a bold, honest conversation about visibility, power, and stepping into leadership on your own terms. You can connect with Katy here Get Promoted To Executive Leadership - Insights to Action Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    28 min

  8. FEB 9

    284. Delegation that Scales Leaders - Stefan Feuerstein

    In episode 284 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Stefan Feuerstein, founder of ABC Delegation, author of A-B-C Delegation: The Manager’s Guide to Effective Delegation, and one of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 leaders. With experience leading humanitarian operations and managing teams of thousands, Stefan brings a rare, real-world perspective on leadership under pressure. We explore why leaders burn out not because they work too hard, but because they become bottlenecks, confusing delegation with task dumping. Stefan shares how his A-B-C Delegation framework helps leaders know when to stay involved, when to be informed, and when to step aside so teams can truly step up. In this episode, we discuss: Why delegation is not optional, but central to leadership How poor delegation creates burnout and stalls organizations How to systematize decision-making without micromanaging What it really means to empower teams and scale impact Tune in for a practical, eye-opening conversation on delegation as a force multiplier in modern leadership. You can connect with Stefan here A-B-C Delegation: Effective Delegation Tools and Strategies for Successful Management Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

    25 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Effective communication skills are essential in your career. Each Monday, join Dr Elena Paweta, executive communication coach and IDEAS+LEADERS founder, as she interviews business leaders and entrepreneurs on business communication, leadership and building relationships. If you want to progress in your career, become more charismatic and impactful leader, or just want to hear advice from top business leaders, this is the podcast for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Elena Paweta
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    291
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Elena Paweta