Speaking to Influence Dr. Laura Sicola

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Jeff Orlando, the Chief Learning Officer for Bristol Myers Squibb, about leadership communication. They discuss the importance of simplifying complex concepts and using the rule of three to convey messages effectively.

Jeff shares a story about missing an opportunity because he held back and waited for more support, instead of moving forward with a smaller group of influential leaders. They also discuss the value of engaging in conversations with senior leaders and asking them what they want to hear.

In this episode you will learn:


The importance of influence in leadership and how to effectively communicate decisions to key stakeholders
The value of seeking advice from influential individuals and using them as sounding boards.
The power of storytelling and using data to support your message.
Taking risks and successfully managing change by setting expectations and mitigating potential issues.

About Jeff:

Jeff is Chief Learning Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), overseeing the company’s learning and leadership strategy and execution. Jeff believes we have a special responsibility in the healthcare sector to stay on the cutting-edge – our skills, capabilities and performance directly translate to the medicines and therapies we deliver for our patients.

Prior to BMS, Jeff led learning, organization development and talent teams at Medtronic and Deloitte. At Medtronic, Jeff led learning and development evolution and supported the company’s multi-year culture change journey. At Deloitte, Jeff oversaw various functions including executive development, leadership development and performance management and related talent practices. Earlier in his career, Jeff advised Fortune 100 companies in the pharmaceutical and entertainment sector on human capital matters.

Jeff has a M.A. in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Psychology and French from Susquehanna University, where he served as a Presidential Fellow and was a member of the Honors program.

Jeff regularly speaks on topics related to talent, learning and innovation – having shared the stage with leading academics, NFL coaches and prominent educators. Jeff’s work has also been featured in publications such as People & Strategy and Harvard Business Review. Jeff’s professional affiliations include the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

Jeff is engaged in community service, having recently served on the board of Heights Philadelphia, a leading non-profit focused on college success, economic mobility and workforce success.

Jeff lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and two school-aged daughters.

 

You can connect with Jeff in the following ways:


BMS Website: https://www.bms.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyworlando/

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha Sharkey, founder and CEO of Today Is a Good Day, shares her experience in nonprofit leadership and the mission of her organization to provide support for families who have experienced the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She discusses the inspiration behind the organization's name and the importance of celebrating the good moments in the NICU journey.

Martha also talks about the leadership communication lessons she has learned, including empowering her team members to take the lead and solve problems, and the challenge of asking for financial support. She reflects on missed opportunities and the importance of hiring additional staff to support the organization's growth.

Martha shares her experiences with taking risks and making big decisions in her organization. She discusses the importance of acknowledging others who are going through difficult times and shares a personal challenge for listeners to reach out to someone in their network who may be struggling.

Martha also talks about the skill of thinking on the spot and distilling information into soundbites for media interviews. Finally, Martha discusses the importance of acknowledging others and the power of a simple message of support.

 

In this episode you will learn:


How Martha empowered team members to take the lead and solve problems.
Why asking for financial support is essential for the sustainability of nonprofit organizations.
How hiring additional staff can support the growth and expansion of an organization.
Acknowledging others who are going through difficult times is important and can make a significant impact.
Short, concise communication can be powerful and effective in various contexts.
A simple message of support and acknowledgement can mean a lot to someone who is struggling.

Mentioned in the Episode:


“Turnover is Vanity, Profit is Sanity: 9 ½ Steps for Improving Your Profits and Cashflow” – Book by Dan Bradbury
“Breeding Gazelles: Fast Growth Strategies for Your Business” – Book by Dan Bradbury

About Martha:

Martha Sharkey is the Founder & CEO of Today is a Good Day, a non-profit providing personal and financial support for families who experience the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Martha and her husband, Paul, founded Today is a Good Day in honor of their daughter, Claire, and in memory of their daughter, Mary. They welcomed their identical twin girls at just 23 weeks and 5 days on November 14, 2010. Mary was with them only two weeks before passing away. Claire beat incredible odds and came home after 103 days in the NICU at Jefferson Abington Hospital.

Following their extended stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Sharkeys recognized a gap in care for parents and families navigating the NICU journey. They founded Today is a Good Day to fill that gap to support families.

Martha has led the effort to advance the mission of Today is a Good Day expanding its reach to 29 hospitals and organizational partners in seven states over the past ten years. Programming for hospital partners includes care packages for families, Navigate the NICU Sessions with current families navigating the NICU journey, Vital Needs Support grant programs for families in need, a podcast, Advocacy resources, and an online community of support. In addition to programs within the hospitals, Today is a Good Day sends care packages upon request across the country and internationally.

Prior to focusing fully on advancing the mission of Today is a Good Day, Martha served in several non-profit leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Business District and Assistant Director of Corporate Sponsorship for The Franklin Institute. She has received several awards for her non-profit work, including Parent of the Year by Main Line Parent Magazine and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Glenside Inter-Service Clubs.

You can connect with Martha in the following ways:


Web: https://www.todayisagood

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola discusses the importance of measuring and improving executive presence and leadership communication. She introduces a simple tool that assesses 10 core communication contexts and competencies that are essential for a leader's brand. The tool measures confidence and effectiveness in areas such as public speaking, storytelling, charisma, reading the room, nonverbal communication, diplomacy, inspiring others, networking, handling impromptu speaking situations, and reflecting the company's brand. Take the assessment and find out how to join a live group call to debrief your scores and receive guidance on developing your communication and influence skills.

In thie episode, you will learn:


Why measuring executive presence and leadership communication is important for improvement.
How to access a simple tool that assesses 10 core communication contexts and competencies.

Mentioned in the Episode:


Take the Quiz

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jane Boulware, author of Worthy: From Cornfields to Corner Office of Microsoft, shares her journey from rural Iowa to becoming a top executive at Microsoft. She emphasizes the importance of overcoming self-doubt and claiming one's worth.

Boulware discusses the need to adapt communication styles to connect with different audiences while staying authentic. She also highlights the difference between managing and leading, emphasizing the importance of inspiring and motivating others.

Boulware shares her experiences of being dismissed and how she used the word 'yet' to fuel her determination. She encourages others to never give up and to keep pushing forward.

In this conversation, Jane Boulware discusses various challenges and strategies related to leadership and personal growth. She addresses the issue of dealing with toxic individuals in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and removing toxic behavior.

Boulware also explores the difference between feeling afraid and being good enough, highlighting the need to embrace fear as a catalyst for growth.

Additionally, she shares insights from her experience at Microsoft, where she learned the value of leadership and collaboration.

Boulware concludes by discussing the relevance of the Gottman Institute's four horsemen of the apocalypse in both personal and professional relationships.

In this episode you will learn:


Overcoming self-doubt and claiming one's worth is essential for success.
Adapting communication styles to connect with different audiences while staying authentic is crucial.
Leadership involves inspiring and motivating others, while management focuses on tasks and deadlines.
Using the word 'yet' can fuel determination and help overcome obstacles.
Never giving up and pushing forward is key to achieving goals.
Recognize and remove toxic behavior in the workplace.
Embrace fear as a catalyst for growth.
Focus on collaboration and leveraging the strengths of team members.
Celebrate successes and recognize personal worth.
Apply relationship-building strategies to both personal and professional contexts.

About Jane:

Jane is an inspiring and dynamic catalyst for change whose stories, humor and honesty empowers all to rethink what’s possible. From the cornfields of rural Iowa, Jane Boulware defied expectations to build billion-dollar businesses, lead the US’s largest merger and rise to top Microsoft executive.

Jane’s unconventional career and approach blazed a trail for many. “My failures and success show worth isn’t defined by what you have or have not, but by what you make, claim, and give of what you got.” All proceeds from her book Worthy go to Boys & Girls Clubs scholarships.

 

You can connect with Jane Boulware in the following ways:


Website: www.Janeboulware.com
Book: Worthy: From Cornfields to Corner Office of Microsoft, Stories of Overcoming
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554463565081
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeboulware4/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/janeboulware/

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Jeff Wetzler, co-founder and co-CEO of Transcend, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming education. They discuss the need for education reform and the challenges of communication in leadership. Wetzler emphasizes the importance of listening and creating a safe space for open communication. He also highlights the power of curiosity and asking questions to learn from others. The conversation concludes with a listener challenge to practice no BS listening. Overall, the episode explores the role of effective communication in driving educational innovation and leadership success.

In this episode you will learn:


Schools need to be reinvented to meet the changing needs of students in the 21st century.
Effective communication requires active listening and creating a safe space for open dialogue.
Curiosity and asking questions are essential for learning from others and fostering innovation.
Avoid jumping to conclusions and be willing to laugh at yourself.

About Jeff:

JEFF WETZLER is co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization and author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You. Wetzler combines unique leadership experiences spanning more than 25 years in business and education, as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, and as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America. He earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in psychology from Brown University. Based in New York, he is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. See his new Harvard Business Review article here.

You can connect with Jeff Wetzler in the following ways:


Company Websites:

https://transcendeducation.org/
https://www.teachforamerica.org/


Book: https://www.askapproach.com/
Assessment: https://assessment.askapproach.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wetzler-9ba3824/

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this compelling episode, Amy Bernstein, esteemed editor at Harvard Business Review, delves into the nuances of leadership communication and the transformative power of relinquishing control. Drawing from her wealth of experience, Amy underscores the importance of motivating over micromanaging, advocating for a leadership style that empowers others and fosters trust in their capabilities.

Through candid reflections, Amy navigates the challenges of self-doubt and missed opportunities, urging listeners to embrace risk-taking and cultivate unwavering self-belief. She shares a poignant personal anecdote of confronting workplace bullying, emphasizing the indispensable role of integrity in leadership.

As the episode unfolds, Amy issues a powerful call to action, challenging leaders to reevaluate their approach by stepping back from micromanagement and embracing a culture of empowerment. Listeners are bound to glean invaluable insights into fostering effective leadership communication, navigating adversity with resilience, and championing integrity in the workplace.

Join us for a transformative journey as we explore the keys to empowering leadership and communicating with enduring impact.

In this episode you will learn:


Leadership communication involves motivating rather than micromanaging
Empowering others and trusting their abilities is essential for effective leadership
Self-doubt can hinder personal and professional growth, but taking risks and believing in oneself is crucial
Standing up against workplace bullying demonstrates integrity and sets a positive example
Stepping back from micromanaging and empowering teams can lead to better outcomes

About Amy:

Amy Bernstein is the Editor of Harvard Business Review, where she oversees the magazine and its team of editors. She’s also the Vice President and Executive Editorial Director for Harvard Business Publishing, responsible for the editorial strategy and content development of the learning and educator assets for HBP’s Corporate Learning and Higher Education businesses.

You can connect with Amy Bernstein in the following ways:


LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amybernstein
Twitter: https://twitter.com/asbernstein2185

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.