The Leaders of Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

Anton Guinea
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Welcome to ”Leaders of Influence Podcast,” the podcast dedicated to helping you uncover and harness the power of your unique voice. Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone looking to make a difference, this podcast will guide you through strategies and insights to amplify your influence. Join us as we explore stories, tips, and actionable advice from industry experts and thought leaders to help you step into your full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world around you. Tune in and start leading with influence today!

  1. 15h ago

    How Can Leaders Inspire and Empower Others Through Authentic Leadership? Tim Hewson

    Tim Hewson joins Anton Guinea to explore how influence can shift from persuading people to inspiring, empowering, and supporting them. He shares how authentic leadership and vulnerability changed the way he connects with colleagues and understands what motivates them. Tim also tells the story of Mongrels Men, which grew from informal golf weekends into a community supporting men’s mental health, with around 60 volunteers. The conversation looks at self-care, psychosocial safety at work, and the shared roles of organizations, leaders, and individuals in supporting wellbeing. Tim’s message is that lasting influence grows through care, connection, practical support, and recognizing what matters to others. Takeaways: Influence is about empowering people. Tim describes moving from a corporate view of influence persuading people to inspiring, supporting, and helping them achieve what matters to them. Connection and vulnerability strengthen leadership. Being authentic, listening to people, and understanding their motivations can build trust and help teams work better together. Wellbeing is a shared responsibility. Organizations shape the conditions and culture, leaders support open conversations, and individuals speak up and care for their wellbeing.   Quotes: “Knowing what is best for you allows you to turn up to be the best version of yourself.” “If you continue to run at that high energy pace when you're switched on, you will turn yourself in knots, and that's not always a good place to be.” “If you can understand what makes people tick, what they value, you know you can lead through influence, through care and support, by helping them achieve what they want to achieve, not necessarily what you want to achieve.”   Timestamp:  00:00 Introduction to Tim Hewson 02:19 Redefining Influence 03:32 Authentic Leadership and Vulnerability 08:29 Leaders Who Make an Impact 11:19 Leading for Impact 14:20 How Mongrels Men Began 16:32 Self-Care and Wellbeing 20:22 Learning to Switch Off 22:09 Workplace Mental Health and Legislation 29:09 Shared Responsibility for Wellbeing 33:20 The Meaning Behind Mongrels Men 34:33 Coaching Others to Influence 38:33 Recognition and Motivation 40:13 Influence Through Care and Support 44:20 Tim’s Closing Reflections   Conclusion: Tim Hewson’s story shows how influence can grow from persuading people to inspiring, empowering, and supporting them. His experience highlights the value of authenticity, vulnerability, and care in building stronger relationships and healthier workplaces. Through Mongrels Men, he has helped create a community where men can connect and support one another. He reminds us that wellbeing is a shared responsibility, shaped by organizations, leaders, and individuals. Ultimately, lasting influence comes from understanding what matters to people and helping them make a meaningful difference. Ready to support men’s mental health and create stronger, more connected communities? Tim Hewson, founder of Mongrels Men, works with communities and workplaces to encourage open conversations, reduce isolation, and strengthen wellbeing. Connect with Tim to learn more about his work in men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and psychological safety. 📧 Email: mongrelsmen@gmail.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhewson1/ 🌐 Visit: https://bettermentco.com.au/

  2. 3d ago

    The Truth About Upskilling: Mitch Cook Interview

    Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook joins Anton to share how he rose from volunteer sports trainer to leading a major development club in rugby league. He reflects on the high standards and values he absorbed at the Melbourne Storm and Collingwood, and how those environments shaped his own leadership philosophy. Mitch explains why trust-based leadership, consistent behavior, and listening without judgment are central to positively influencing how people feel, think, and grow. He also opens up about his personal wellbeing toolkit family, running, and music and how looking after himself helps him show up as his best self at work and at home. The conversation finishes with a look at the Brisbane Tigers’ long-term vision, their NRL expansion ambitions, and the responsibility clubs have to support players and staff through career transitions.   Takeaways: Positive influence starts with trust and consistency. Mitch shows how leading with trust, role modeling the right behaviors, and showing up consistently can shape how people feel, think, and grow. High-performance cultures are built on clear values and standards. Lessons from clubs like Melbourne Storm and Collingwood highlight that alignment to a common goal, high standards, and strong communication underpin sustained success. Great leaders prioritize wellbeing and development for themselves and others. Mitch uses his own wellbeing toolkit (family, running, music) to be his best self, while focusing on developing future leaders and supporting players and staff through career transitions. Quotes: Be a positive influence on how people feel, think, behave, and grow. Lead with trust and give people the confidence to step up. Be the best version of yourself so you can help others be the best version of themselves.   Timestamp: 00:00 Welcome and Mitch Cook’s Background 03:20 From Personal Training to Strength and Conditioning 04:58 Lessons from Melbourne Storm and High-Performance Culture 08:03 Defining Positive Influence and Trust-Based Leadership 10:59 Parenting, Presence, and Creating Future Leaders 13:14 People Who Shaped Mitch’s Leadership Journey 18:22 Influence Mitch Is Most Proud Of 21:08 Wellbeing Toolkit: Family, Running, and Music 26:40 Leading Diverse Stakeholders Across a Club 28:48 What It Means to Be a Development Club 30:50 Player Transitions and Life After Professional Sport 33:49 The Brisbane Tigers Story and NRL Expansion Vision 37:12 Anton’s Summary of Key Leadership Insights 40:23 Mitch’s Final Philosophy on Meaningful Leadership   Conclusion: This conversation with Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook offers a powerful look at how trust, consistency, and clear values underpin meaningful leadership in both sport and life. Drawing on formative experiences at Melbourne Storm and Collingwood, Mitch shows that high performance is less about slogans and more about daily standards, alignment, and communication. He reframes influence as the ability to positively shape how people feel, think, behave, and grow, focusing on creating future leaders rather than followers. Mitch’s commitment to his own wellbeing through family, running, and music reinforces the idea that leaders must look after themselves to reliably show up for others. Ultimately, his philosophy challenges listeners to be the example, leave people better than they found them, and measure success by the lives they’ve helped lift along the way.   Ready to become a more consistent, values-driven leader and develop future leaders around you? Learn from Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook on how to lead with trust, build high-performance environments, and put wellbeing at the center of sustainable success. 📧 Email: mitch@thetigers.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjc246/ 🌐 Visit: https://thetigers.com.au/about-us/staff-listing/

  3. 5d ago

    Can Kindness Survive Politics? Heidi Victoria’s Journey

    Former politician and stroke survivor Heidi Victoria joins Anton to share how her fight for her son’s bilingual education unexpectedly led to a 12-year parliamentary career. She explains how real influence starts with a clear end goal and is powered by persistence, empathy, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. Heidi reveals how a life-threatening stroke became a turning point, fueling her advocacy with the Stroke Foundation and deepening her appreciation for mortality, health, and second chances. She and Anton dig into practical leadership lessons around quiet influence, emotional regulation, and adapting your communication style so the listener truly hears you. Heidi also talks about returning to her roots as a photographer, helping women show up authentically in their personal brands while championing equality, kindness, and respect for every person, regardless of title or role.   Takeaways: Influence starts with a clear purpose – Heidi shows that true influence is a means to an end, driven by a clear goal, like fighting to save her son’s bilingual education program and ultimately entering politics to make change. Quiet leadership is powerful – From whispering in a chaotic parliament to staying calm with angry people, Heidi demonstrates that low, slow, and empathetic communication can be more effective than loud, forceful tactics. Crisis can become a calling – Her stroke and recovery deepened her “mortality motivation,” leading her to advocate for stroke awareness, prevention, and respectful, human-centered leadership while returning to authentic, purpose-driven work in photography. Quotes: Treat everybody with kindness. That's not a sign of weakness. That's a sign of strength. We've got to make the most of what we can do. You can only have influence if they get it. Timestamp:  00:00 Meet Heidi Victoria: From Photography to Politics  03:45 Correcting the Record: Updating Heidi’s Political Bio  06:30 Defining Influence and Fighting for a Bilingual School  12:40 Lessons from Mum: Standing Up and Making a Difference  18:10 Whispering for Power: Quiet Influence in Politics  24:30 Stroke Story: The Day Everything Changed  30:20 FAST and Stroke Awareness: Saving Lives with Knowledge  35:10 Advocacy and the Stroke Foundation: Turning Pain Into Purpose  40:00 Leadership, Kindness, and Equality on International Women’s Day Conclusion: Heidi Victoria’s story is a powerful reminder that influence begins with a clear purpose and the courage to stand up for what matters. Her journey from photographer to politician, and later stroke survivor and advocate, shows how personal challenges can evolve into a mission to help others. By modeling quiet, compassionate leadership, she demonstrates that calm, respectful communication can be more impactful than aggression or volume. Her advocacy for stroke awareness and equality underscores the importance of valuing every person, regardless of title, status, or role. Ultimately, Heidi invites us to live with mortality motivation, use our voice wisely, and lead with kindness, authenticity, and intent. Ready to show up as your most confident, authentic self in life, leadership, and your personal brand? Connect with Heidi Victoria to explore how you can communicate with quiet influence, advocate with purpose, and present your best self on camera and in the world. 📧 Email: strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-heidi-victoria-b-a-36aa8969/  🌐Visit: https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/stroke-stories/living-with-pain-reclaiming-my-strength

  4. Sep 27

    How Can Leaders Use Influence and Action to Build Loyalty in High-Risk Industries? with Matt Campiutti

    CEO Matt Campiutti from Walz Group joins Anton Guinea to explore how real influence is built through motivation, inspiration, and consistent action. He shares formative lessons from his parents’ long careers in nursing and teaching, and how those values of loyalty and hard work shaped his leadership. The conversation digs into leading teams in high-risk industrial environments, balancing safety, process, and commercial pressures. Matt explains how authenticity, approachability, and visibility help him empower frontline leaders and maintain a genuine family culture across the business. Listeners also hear how titles, ego, and respect intersect, and why actions always speak louder than words for any leader.   Takeaways:  • Actions define leadership more than words – consistent behavior, fairness, and respect do more to build influence than any speech or slogan.  • Authenticity and approachability build trust – staying the same person after gaining a title, keeping doors open, and being visible on site help leaders earn genuine respect.  • Safety and family values drive decisions – prioritizing safety, process, and a family-like culture over pure price competition shapes which clients the Walls Group works with and how they operate.   Quotes:  • I guess influence, in a leadership sense, is really just having the ability to motivate and inspire your colleagues.  • For me, I try to let my actions do the speaking, and I think that way, yeah, the talk is always a short-term thing.  • Actions speak louder than words.   Timestamp:  0:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Matt Campiutti  0:03 – What Influence Means in Leadership  0:04 – Family Roots, Hard Work, and Loyalty  0:06 – Creating Loyalty and a “Family” Culture at Walls Group  0:07 – Mentors, Founders, and Long-Term Influence  0:09 – Who Leaders Influence Most: Teams and Children  0:11 – Leadership Character: Actions Over Words  0:14 – Double Standards, Culture, and Leading by Example  0:15 – Sleepless Nights and Caring About Safety  0:17 – Safety, Quality, and Choosing the Right Clients  0:18 – Critical Role of Frontline Supervisors  0:19 – Coaching New Frontline Leaders and Staying Authentic  0:22 – Titles, Ego, and Not Changing Who You Are  0:23 – Approachability, Open Doors, and Being Visible on Site  0:25 – Respect, Simple Conversations, and Human Connection  0:25 – Walz Group Elevator Pitch and 50-Year Milestone  0:26 – Host Summary of Key Leadership Lessons  0:31 – Final Leadership Message: Actions Speak Louder Than Words Conclusion: Matt Campiutti highlights that meaningful influence is built on consistent actions, not titles or rhetoric. Drawing from his parents’ example of loyalty and service and his own journey at Walz Group, Matt shows how authenticity, respect, and empowerment create lasting trust in high-risk environments. His commitment to safety, family values, and choosing the right clients shows that commercial success does not have to come at people's expense. By remaining approachable and visible, he bridges the gap between the boardroom and the frontline, strengthening culture and accountability. Listeners are left with a clear reminder that leaders earn influence when their daily behavior matches the standards they set for others.   Ready to partner with a safety‑driven industrial construction team that treats your people like family and brings 50 years of experience to every project?    Connect with Matt Campiutti and the Walz Group to explore how their focus on safety, quality, and loyal long-term relationships can support your resources, energy, and infrastructure work across Central Queensland and beyond. From fabrication and on-site construction to maintenance and blasting/painting, their teams operate with a “family” culture, strong frontline leadership, and uncompromising standards. 📧 Email: mcampiutti@walzgroup.biz  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-campiutti-264b05b/  🌐 Visit: https://www.walzgroup.biz/about/people/

  5. Sep 24

    Why a Simple Phone Call Changes Everything With Adele McAuley

    Adele McAuley shares how she grew from a quiet, unsure student into the managing director of a high-performing international freight forwarding business. She unpacks what freight forwarding looks like day-to-day, from urgent mine-site deliveries to moving massive capital-works cargo across the globe. Adele reveals why she calls herself an “accidental CEO” and how leadership found her long before she had any formal qualifications. The conversation dives into how she builds a strong team culture, develops young talent like Carly and Jared, and keeps morale high in a demanding service-based industry. Listeners also hear Adele’s core belief that hard work, attitude, and consistent follow-through will always attract the right people willing to invest in your success.   Quotes: Yeah, making miracles happen daily. I feel like sometimes I'm a magnet for those kinds of customers, for the high-needs ones or the ones that get burnt or something, and just need to get some Facebook support in. Show up, put in the effort, and the right people will find you; they will help you, guide you, and take you where you need to go.   Key Takeaways Leadership can be “accidental” – Adele didn’t plan to be a freight forwarder or a managing director, but saying yes to opportunities and responsibility gradually led her into senior leadership. Attitude beats formal education – she emphasizes that hard work, effort, and the right mindset matter more for success than completing degrees or having perfect qualifications. Strong culture starts with the leader’s behavior – Adele intentionally sets a positive tone each day, truly knows her people, and invests in their growth, which creates a team that pulls together so no one sinks.   Episode Timeline: 0:00 – Introducing Adele McAuley and Powerhouse International Queensland 3:14 – What Freight Forwarding Really Looks Like Day to Day 6:53 – Making Miracles Happen and the Power of Picking Up the Phone 10:36 – Adele’s Unexpected Career Path into Freight and Leadership 15:22 – Early Influences, Opportunities, and Learning from Global Partners 19:17 – Defining Influence and the Hidden Impact of Small Actions 21:28 – The Grade Five Responsibility Story and Discovering Confidence 25:16 – Pride in the Team: Jared, Carly, and a Culture of “No One Sinks” 32:20 – How Adele Builds and Protects a Strong, Positive Culture 36:43 – Learning Leadership from Experience, Not Textbooks 39:03 – Advice to Aspiring Leaders: Attitude Over Education 46:40 – Final Message: Show Up, Put in the Effort, and the Right People Will Invest in You   Conclusion: Adele McAuley’s journey shows how saying yes to responsibility, even when it feels accidental, can lead to remarkable leadership and business success. Her story highlights that freight forwarding is far more than moving boxes; it’s about solving complex problems under pressure while keeping human relationships at the center. By investing deeply in her team, setting a consistent positive tone, and refusing to let anyone “sink,” she has built a culture that delivers for clients and supports personal growth. Adele’s path also proves that attitude, effort, and a willingness to learn can outweigh formal qualifications when the right people notice and invest in you. Listeners walk away reminded that real influence often starts with small acts of responsibility, courage, and genuine care for others.   Ready to move mountains with your freight and build a stronger, people-focused business? Connect with Adele McAuley at Powerhouse International Queensland to discover how a proactive, relationship-driven logistics partner can help you solve complex supply chain challenges, support critical projects, and keep your operations moving no matter the urgency.   📧 Email: info@powerhouseqld.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/adele-mcauley-4640b4190 🌐 Visit: https: https://powerhouseqld.com.au/

  6. Sep 22

    How Can Servant Leadership and Kindness Transform Your Ability to Influence Others? with Poya PJ Sobhanian

    Anton sits down with Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian, a dentist and multi-site executive, to unpack what influence and leadership really look like when you’re responsible for hundreds of people. PJ shares how his parents and Christian faith shaped his ideas of citizenship, service, and servant leadership, and why he believes leadership is fundamentally “influence to change.” The conversation dives into practical examples from his dental practice and public roles, including how he developed teenagers into standout professionals through training and trust. Anton and PJ explore the power of micro-decisions: how you dress, how you show up, what you walk past, and how they silently shape culture more than any speech. They wrap by emphasizing kindness and grace toward yourself and others as the foundation for sustainable change and a workplace people actually want to be part of.   Quotes: Influence isn’t about being in charge; it’s about being the reason people choose to change. The strongest leaders build teams that can thrive without them, not systems that collapse when they step away. Servant leadership isn’t soft; it’s the hardest path because it puts responsibility for everyone’s growth on your shoulders. Key Takeaways Leadership = influence to change Leadership is fundamentally about influencing people to change their behavior sustainably, which makes it very different from simply managing processes. Servant leadership starts with intent and citizenship True servant leadership is grounded in service, values, and citizenship, showing up as a reliable, respectful member of your community and team, and setting the tone through your daily actions and standards. Trust, kindness, and consistency create lasting impact Long-term influence comes from being consistent, doing what you say you’ll do, visiting and listening to people on the front lines, and practicing kindness toward yourself and others so that grace and high-performance culture can follow. Episode Timeline: 0:00 – Introduction to Dr. Poya (PJ) Sobhanian and His Leadership Journey 3:40 – Defining Influence and the Difference Between Leadership and Management 4:44 – Early Influences: Parents, Faith, and the Roots of Service 8:13 – What Servant Leadership Really Looks Like in Practice 13:46 – Developing Young Talent and Shaping First Work Experiences 17:26 – Coaching Senior Leaders to Increase Their Influence 22:16 – Leadership, Decorum, Discipline, and Professional Presence 23:27 – Leadership as Influence to Change and the Role of Values 27:23 – What’s Next for PJ: Machu Picchu, Career Transition, and New Opportunities 31:24 – Reflections on Dentistry, Responsibility, and Service 35:49 – Kindness, Grace, and Creating Positive Work Environments   Conclusion: This conversation with Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian highlights that real leadership is less about titles and more about influencing meaningful, sustainable change in people. Grounded in his experiences as a dentist, executive, and public servant, PJ shows how servant leadership, citizenship, and strong values can shape entire teams and communities. He reminds us that the smallest choices how we dress, how we speak, what we walk past quietly define our culture far more than big speeches ever do. Trust, consistency, and kindness form the backbone of his approach, allowing difficult change to feel possible and shared rather than imposed. Listeners are left with a simple yet powerful charge: lead with service, grace, and kindness, and your influence will naturally extend far beyond your immediate role.   Ready to lead with more influence, kindness, and long-term impact? Learn from Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian’s approach to servant leadership, where trust, consistency, and citizenship shape teams that thrive and change that actually lasts. PJ’s journey as a clinician, executive, and public servant shows how values-based leadership can transform workplaces, communities, and the people who work in them every day. To connect with or learn more about PJ:   You can contact him directly or send a message via his verified Dr PJ Sobhanian Facebook Page 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/poya-john-pj-sobhanian-24936749 🌐 Visit: //www.dental.sa.gov.au/

  7. Sep 20

    How Did a Maths Teacher Become a Data Analytics Leader and World Champion Athlete? with Oliver Signorini

    World champion surf lifesaver and data analyst Oliver Signorini shares how a childhood spent in surf lifesaving and years of “average” results eventually led to Australian and world titles. He reflects on the power of influence, from sporting heroes and resilient parents to his partner's quiet, steady support. Oliver opens up about his time as a high school maths teacher, the challenge of engaging restless teenage minds, and the strategies he used to help students learn to love a subject they once disliked. The conversation then explores his transition into finance transformation and data analytics, where he now uses automation, Power BI, and AI upskilling to modernize financial operations. Throughout, Oliver emphasizes resilience, failing forward, and the importance of trying new things at any age.   Quotes: Failure is important for growth because it forces you to learn from it. Influence is about helping people guide their decisions toward the goals and aspirations that matter to them. If AI can do 80–90% of the grunt work, you’re freed up to do the more human, higher‑leverage tasks.   Key Takeaways Resilience beats talent over time – Oliver’s 15+ year journey from “average” competitor to surf lifesaving world champion shows how consistent effort, setbacks, and persistence compound into elite performance. Influence is lived, not just spoken – From his dad and coaches to his partner and students, Oliver shows that real influence comes through actions, accountability, and enabling others to reach their own goals. Data, AI, and teaching all rely on translation – Whether in the classroom or as a finance transformation analyst, Oliver’s strength is turning complex maths and data into clear, practical insights that make people’s work and decisions easier.   Episode Timeline: 00:00 – Introducing Oliver Signorini and his journey 02:30 – From Africa to Australia and falling in love with surf lifesaving 04:30 – The long road from average athlete to world champion 06:40 – Distances, events, and the “crazy” world of endurance swimming 08:15 – Beating champions and defining personal influence 10:30 – What influence really means in Oliver’s life 12:20 – How Oliver’s partner shapes his goals and daily performance 13:10 – Teaching high school maths and influencing teenage minds 14:30 – Engaging different learners and managing diverse classrooms 17:45 – Coaching experiences and thoughts on future coaching 19:15 – Proud teaching moments and changing students’ view of maths 21:00 – From maths teacher to data and finance transformation 22:30 – Using AI and automation to improve decision-making at work 24:40 – Natural strengths in maths, analytics, and endurance 25:20 – Leadership aspirations in sport and business 26:20 – Final reflections on resilience, failure, and trying new things   Conclusion: Oliver’s story ties together elite sport, classroom teaching, and data-driven transformation to show how influence and resilience shape a meaningful life. From years of grinding in the surf to finally becoming a world champion, he demonstrates that progress often comes after long periods of feeling “average.” His time as a maths teacher highlights how real impact comes from meeting people where they are and helping them see what they’re capable of. In his current role as a finance transformation data analyst, he channels the same mindset into using AI, automation, and analytics to make work more human and effective. Above all, Oliver’s journey reminds us that failure is a teacher, influence is a responsibility, and it’s never too late to try something new.   Ready to explore how resilience, data, and influence can transform both performance and career? Connect with Oliver Signorini to learn how he went from “average” surf lifesaver to world champion, transitioned into finance transformation and data analytics, and now helps teams use AI and automation to work smarter, not harder.   📧 Email: hello@oliversignorini.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/oliver-signorini 🌐 Visit: https: //www.oliversignorini.com/

  8. Sep 17

    How Do You Speak With Confidence When You're Terrified? with Chris McAuley

    Elite speaking performance coach Chris McAuley joins Anton Guinea to unpack why influence runs deeper than networking; it starts with empathy, resonance, and a genuine two-way connection. Drawing on 35 years of corporate and non-profit leadership and 40 to 50 theatrical productions, Chris explains how acting taught him to read a room, hold a moment, and tell a story that lands. He makes the case that no leader can motivate a team without becoming a capable speaker, and that vulnerability being real, warts and all, owning your mistakes out loud is what earns an audience's permission to listen. For anyone who freezes up before presenting, he lays out a practical three-part fix: honor the pause, breathe deeply to drain the nervous energy, and own your material by running it dozens of times until it lives in your heart instead of your head. Chris also shares the spiritual moment watching saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis that set him on this path, plus the mindset shift every leader needs to stop telling people what they know and start telling them what they need to know.   Quotes "Don't tell them what you know. Tell them what they need to know." "That machismo, 'I got everything under control, nothing bad happens to me,' that's not vulnerable. That's a performance. That's an act." "When you own your material, it's no longer in your head; it's in your heart."   Key Takeaways Influence is emotional resonance, not exposure. Chris draws the line between a standard connection and real influence: meeting people where they're starting from, being empathetic, and genuinely resonating with what they're feeling. It's a two-way street, which is why treating a team like numbers caps how far a leader can take them. Vulnerability is the credential, not the risk. Being real and "warts and all," saying I failed at that, and that's on me, is what makes an audience willing to be open in return. The leadership machismo of having everything under control is the performance; admitting the mistake is the connection. Confidence is built with BPO: breathe, pause, own your material. Pause and honor the silence; take a three-second breath to drain nervous energy and reset; and run your content a couple dozen times in the car, walking the dog, or in the shower until it's embodied. That's the shift from thinking as you speak to feeling as you speak, and it changes your tone, pace, and presence.   Episode Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Introducing Chris McAuley 02:46 From LinkedIn Buddies to Face to Face 04:58 Defining Influence 07:02 Why Leaders Have to Be Great Speakers 08:52 What Vulnerability Actually Means 10:32 35 Years in Business, 20 Years on Stage 14:16 Jazz, His Father, and a Spiritual Moment 16:12 Dr. Bryce Taylor and the Professors Who Shaped Him 19:39 Diamonds in the Rough 21:48 Tip One: Honor the Pause 23:26 Tip Two: Breathe 24:30 Tip Three: Own Your Material 26:55 From Thinking as You Speak to Feeling as You Speak 28:51 The Responsibility of the Speaker 30:14 Recap and Key Lessons 33:29 Unleash the Power of Your Voice   Conclusion Chris McAuley's throughline is that speaking well was never about polish it's about connection, and connection is what turns a manager into a leader people actually remember. His own path makes the argument for him: three and a half decades in business running alongside 40 to 50 stage productions, each one teaching him how to read a room, hold a silence, and let the emotion carry the message. The practical part is almost disarmingly simple: pause, breathe, and run your material until it stops living in your head and settles into your heart but it works because it moves you from thinking as you speak to feeling as you speak, and audiences can tell the difference instantly. Underneath the technique sits a quieter challenge: every time you stand up, people are handing you their time and their permission, which means the job is to say what they need to hear, not to prove what you know. Do that with your mistakes on the table and your guard down, and you stop performing leadership and start earning it.   Connect with Chris McAuley: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismcauley2/ Website - https://chrismcauley.co/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/silverandsuave/ Email - chris@chrismcauley.co

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Welcome to ”Leaders of Influence Podcast,” the podcast dedicated to helping you uncover and harness the power of your unique voice. Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone looking to make a difference, this podcast will guide you through strategies and insights to amplify your influence. Join us as we explore stories, tips, and actionable advice from industry experts and thought leaders to help you step into your full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world around you. Tune in and start leading with influence today!

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