The Communicative Leader

Dr. Leah OH
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Think leadership requires years of training or a corner office? Think again. The Communicative Leader is your weekly guide to mastering the one skill that actually dictates your career trajectory: how you communicate. I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH, a leadership communication expert, bestselling author, professor, and consultant. With nearly 15 years of hard-won experience in industry before transitioning into academia, I bridge the gap between complex organizational research and the real-world obstacles you face every day. With over 100 episodes in the archive—featuring insights from international CEOs and innovative startup founders—we’ve broken down the barriers to effective leadership. Why focus on your communication? Because it’s the primary yardstick others use to decide if you are a leader. If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry—I’ve got you. We cut through the jargon to give you small, meaningful, and actionable shifts you can apply immediately. Stop waiting for your workplace culture to change on its own. You have the power to shape your own professional narrative, one conversation at a time. Ready to make your work life what you want it to be? Let’s have some fun and get to work. Got a question or a topic you’d like us to tackle? I’d love to hear from you. Send your questions or a voice note to TheCommunicativeLeader@gmail.com.

  1. 2d ago

    The Frictionless Leader: Naming, Facing, and Solving the Issues That Stall Growth with Sue Hawkes

    Welcome to another episode of The Communicative Leader! I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH. We often talk about leadership as a journey toward growth, but for many organizations, that journey feels less like a sprint and more like a slog through thick mud. We see the symptoms—missed deadlines, team silos, and circular arguments—but we often tiptoe around the root causes because the truth feels too disruptive.   Today’s guest is a truth-teller and doubt-slayer who argues that the only way to move faster is to stop avoiding the hard stuff. Joining us is Sue Hawkes, an Expert EOS Implementer™, CEO of YESS!, and the co-author of the brand-new book in the EOS Mastery Series, Issues: Remove Friction, Fast-Track Your Growth, and Ignite Your Greatness.   Sue has been solving problems and helping people since she was a fifth-grader running her first door-to-door business. Today, she works with high-stakes leaders to clear the organizational clutter and build winning cultures where accountability isn't a threat—it's the fuel. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the Five-Star Success System, why naming your friction is the first step to eliminating it, and how to lead with enough courage and humor to make a high-accountability culture actually stick.

  2. Aug 10

    Beyond the Spreadsheet: Leading with Empathy, Humanity, and Narrative

    Welcome to another episode of The Communicative Leader! I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH. In a world of digital noise and data-driven decisions, it is easy for leaders to forget that at the end of every email, every strategy deck, and every Slack message is a human being. We often prioritize efficiency over connection, forgetting that people don't follow spreadsheets—they follow people they trust. Today’s guest has spent over 30 years proving that the most effective way to lead is through the ancient art of storytelling and the simple, often overlooked power of kindness. Neal Foard is the founder of Storyfire and a former worldwide director of creative learning for Saatchi & Saatchi. He has shaped global campaigns for brands like Toyota, Sony, and Lexus, but today, he is perhaps best known for his stories about everyday humanity that have reached over half a million followers. He teaches leaders that marketing—and leadership—is ultimately about relationship-building and promise-keeping. In today’s episode, we’re exploring why kindness isn't soft—it's a measurable advantage—and how you can use the tools of a world-class creative director to communicate with more sincerity and impact.

  3. Aug 3

    The High-Stakes of Presence: Scaling a $42M Company Without Losing Connection at Home

    Welcome to another episode of The Communicative Leader! I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH. We often talk about leadership as a high-stakes balancing act—juggling revenue targets, team growth, and strategic pivots. But as we move further into 2026, the most successful leaders are realizing that ambition doesn't have to come at the cost of personal well-being or meaningful relationships. The question is: how do we build systems that scale without burning ourselves, or our families, out in the process?   Today’s guest is a masterclass in navigating that very intersection. Joining us is Kevin Rice, a seasoned entrepreneur and growth specialist who co-founded Hathway and scaled it from a scrappy startup to a $42M digital agency before its acquisition. Kevin has led growth for global consultancies of 5,000 professionals, but he is equally known for his work helping leaders show up for the people who matter most. As the host of the CEOs & ABCs podcast, Kevin teaches high performers how to take the executive skill set—building trust, managing stress, and clear communication—and apply it to their most important leadership role at home.   In today’s episode, we’re diving into the mechanics of leading under pressure, why emotional presence is a survival tool in the boardroom and the living room, and how to use operational thinking to protect your connection with the people you lead and the people you love.

  4. Jul 30

    Best of the Rest, Season 10: The Architecture of Modern Leadership

    The season review of 'The Communicative Leader' explores the underlying architecture of modern leadership, focusing on themes of radical clarity and execution, negotiation, influence, self-awareness, and the shift from compliance to curiosity. Each theme delves into the essential elements of effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of precision, influence, self-awareness, and curiosity in driving organizational success. Takeaways Precision requires psychological safety, clear requirements, and proactive communication.Influence is about aligning credibility with the real-world constraints of the people you lead. Chapters 00:00 Foundational Pillar: Radical Clarity and Execution04:41 Relational Engine: Negotiation, Influence, and Earn Certainty07:27 Internal Mirror: Self-Awareness and the Ego Audit10:15 Ultimate Shift: From Compliance to Curiosity

  5. Jul 22

    Project Recovery: Eliminating the Bottlenecks of Misalignment and Restoring Predictable Delivery

    Welcome to another episode of The Communicative Leader! I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH. We often talk about leadership as a vision-casting exercise, but the reality of leadership is often found in the muck of execution. When a high-stakes project begins to drift—missing deadlines, creeping in scope, or draining budgets—we tend to look for technical failures. But more often than not, a project in trouble is actually a project with a communication breakdown.   Today’s guest is a Project Physician of sorts, specializing in diagnosing and recovering troubled initiatives for everyone from the Fortune 500 to agile start-ups. Joining us is Richard Broo, the founder of True North PMP Consulting. With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, advanced materials, and technology, Richard is a master of project audit and recovery. He is a certified PMP, Agile, and Scrum expert who helps companies eliminate the bottlenecks of dysfunction to restore predictability and profitability.   In today’s episode, we’re diving into the root causes of project failure, how to communicate expectations that actually stick, and how leaders can use a no-nonsense approach to stop scope creep and reclaim their team's performance.

  6. Jul 15

    The Curiosity Crisis: Why We Stopped Nurturing Thinkers and How to Reclaim Deep Engagement

    Welcome to another episode of The Communicative Leader! I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH. We often talk about leadership as a series of directives—managing tasks, hitting metrics, and providing answers. But in our quest for efficiency and oversight, have we accidentally designed curiosity out of our organizations? When did leadership stop nurturing thinkers and start simply managing behavior?   Today’s guest argues that the most effective model for modern leadership isn’t found in a corporate handbook, but in the heart of a great classroom. Joining us is Dr. Katie Trowbridge, the author of Lead Boldly, Think Deeply and the CEO of Curiosity 2 Create. A former marketing executive who pivoted into education, Katie has spent over 25 years helping students—and now executives—move beyond "survival mode" and surface-level wins. Through her CREATE Method™, she bridges the gap between technical leadership and the art of teaching to help teams reclaim their ability to think critically, lead purposefully, and solve problems with courage.   In today’s episode, we’re diving into why curiosity disappears under constant oversight, how to transform managers into mentors, and what leaders can learn from exceptional educators about building high-trust, high-engagement cultures.

  7. Jul 8

    The Legacy of Clarity: Turning Your Mission into a Movement with Michelle Vandepas

    Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest barrier to your impact isn't a lack of data, but the lack of a resonant message? In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Vandepas—founder of Grace Point Publishing, TEDx speaker, and creator of the Divine and Dangerous Leadership Framework—to explore how visionary leaders build authority that lasts beyond their tenure. Michelle challenges the traditional "command-and-control" mindset, arguing that true leadership authority isn't about what you say in a meeting; it’s about the body of work you build and the legacy you leave behind. We dive into the mechanics of her "Divine and Dangerous" framework, why subtraction is the secret to a powerful message, and how to stay grounded when the scrutiny of leadership starts to feel like noise. In this conversation, we explore: The "Golden Thread": How to identify the core message that connects every stage of your career.The Danger of Truth: Why the most dangerous—and essential—act a leader can take is telling the truth to themselves.Subtraction as Strategy: How to strip away the "noise" of bells and whistles to focus on the one outcome your audience actually needs.Embodiment vs. Performance: How to step into a bigger version of yourself as a leader without feeling like you’re wearing a "mask."Legacy Management: How to distinguish between the legacy you leave for your family and the one you leave for your professional industry.Support the show I've poured all my best work into my newest book, Amplifying Your Leadership Voice: From Silent to Speaking Up. If today's episode resonated with you, I know the book will be a powerful tool. You can order it now!  Thanks for listening and for being a part of The Communicative Leader community. To get even more exclusive tips—like the ones we talked about today—join us at TheCommunicativeLeader.com.

  8. Jul 1

    The Ego Audit: Leading with Self-Awareness from the Front Lines to the C-Suite with Dr. Ron Camacho

    Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to lose trust isn’t a bad strategy—it’s a bruised ego that stops you from listening. In this episode, we sit down with North Charleston Chief of Police and FBI National Academy graduate Dr. Ron Camacho. We’re pulling back the curtain on the hidden “ego tax” that leaders pay every day through small, subtle communication choices that erode credibility and kill psychological safety. Chief Camacho gets remarkably honest about why therapy—not tactical training—was his real ego check. He shares how confronting his own anger and blind spots transformed him from a "command-and-control" SWAT commander into a leader who understands that "many minds are better than one" is the ultimate tactical advantage. In this conversation, we explore: The Ego Audit: The exact questions you should ask yourself before walking into any high-stakes meeting.The "Newest Voice" Advantage: How to create an environment where the best idea wins, regardless of rank or tenure.Empathy as a Tool: Why moving away from command-and-control isn’t "soft"—it’s how you actually win the community and the room.The Power of the Sincere Apology: Why owning your missteps—backed by real accountability—is the fastest way to raise your professional stature.If you are ready to stop needing to be right and start leading with presence, this conversation will give you the language and habits you need. Subscribe to The Communicative Leader and join the conversation. What is one ego-driven habit you are going to challenge this week? Let us know in the reviews. Support the show I've poured all my best work into my newest book, Amplifying Your Leadership Voice: From Silent to Speaking Up. If today's episode resonated with you, I know the book will be a powerful tool. You can order it now!  Thanks for listening and for being a part of The Communicative Leader community. To get even more exclusive tips—like the ones we talked about today—join us at TheCommunicativeLeader.com.

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Think leadership requires years of training or a corner office? Think again. The Communicative Leader is your weekly guide to mastering the one skill that actually dictates your career trajectory: how you communicate. I’m your host, Dr. Leah OH, a leadership communication expert, bestselling author, professor, and consultant. With nearly 15 years of hard-won experience in industry before transitioning into academia, I bridge the gap between complex organizational research and the real-world obstacles you face every day. With over 100 episodes in the archive—featuring insights from international CEOs and innovative startup founders—we’ve broken down the barriers to effective leadership. Why focus on your communication? Because it’s the primary yardstick others use to decide if you are a leader. If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry—I’ve got you. We cut through the jargon to give you small, meaningful, and actionable shifts you can apply immediately. Stop waiting for your workplace culture to change on its own. You have the power to shape your own professional narrative, one conversation at a time. Ready to make your work life what you want it to be? Let’s have some fun and get to work. Got a question or a topic you’d like us to tackle? I’d love to hear from you. Send your questions or a voice note to TheCommunicativeLeader@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Leah OH
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Leah OH
  • Show Website
    The Communicative Leader