Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

Most leaders were taught to leave their emotions at the door. Today’s guest says that advice isn’t just outdated — it’s costly. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth sits down with Dina Denham Smith, executive coach and bestselling author of Emotionally Charged, to unpack why emotional skill is now a core leadership capability, not a “soft” add-on. Drawing on behavioral science and her work as an executive coach and strategic advisor, Dina explains why emotions are data, how leaders unknowingly perform massive emotional labor, and what it really takes to manage triggers, prevent burnout, and unlock performance. As Dina puts it: “Emotions are money.” By the end of this conversation, you’ll see why ignoring emotions is bad for you and bad for business – and what to do instead.

SHOW NOTES

Dina’s story — and why this work matters

• One surprising thing about Dina you won’t find on the internet
• How Emotionally Charged would have helped Dina earlier in her own career
• What sparked Dina’s interest in the science of emotions
• How the pandemic and technology shifts dramatically increased the emotional demands placed on leaders

Core ideas from Emotionally Charged

• The key takeaway: Emotions are information
• “Emotions are money”: how feelings directly translate into performance, retention, and results
• The biggest myth Dina wants to retire: that emotions get in the way of good business decisions
• What “emotional labor” really means — and why research shows leaders perform as much of it as customer service professionals (and in more complex ways)
• The three layers of every emotion: physiology, cognition, and behavior
• Why suppressing emotions is like trying to hold beach balls underwater

 

Practical tools you can use immediately

• Beach balls, masks, and “letting it all hang out”: finding the right balance at work
• Why expanding your emotional vocabulary dramatically improves self-regulation
• Dina’s BRAVE framework for managing triggers in real time: Breathe, Refocus, Accept, Verbalize, Engage
• Restoration (not “self-care”): four evidence-based ways leaders recover from emotional strain: Detachment, Relaxation, Mastery, Control

 

Power, leadership, and team culture

• Why leaders consistently underestimate their emotional impact
• How power amplifies everything you feel and show
• Why everyone cues off their leader’s emotional signals (often unconsciously)
• How leaders can normalize emotional expression on their teams — without turning meetings into complaint sessions
• Simple ways managers can reset emotional culture inside their own sphere of influence
• Dina’s reminder: emotional skills are learnable — and improvable at any stage of your career.

 

BIO AND LINKS

Dina Denham Smith is an executive coach and strategic advisor who helps senior leaders build their capacity, scale their impact, and thrive in complexity. For more than a decade, she has partnered with executives at some of the world’s most successful companies, helping them navigate the demands of operating at the highest levels. Dina holds an MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and she is credentialed by both the ICF and EMCC as an executive and team coach. A prolific thought leader, Dina has published more than 60 articles on leadership for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, and other premium outlets. She is the lead author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (Oxford University Press, 2025).

Connect with Dina

• Website: https://dinadsmith.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith/
• Her book: https://dinadsmith.com/book/

 

People and Books Referenced

• Dr. Alicia Grandey — Dina’s co-author https://psych.la.psu.edu/people/aag6/
• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker https://a.co/d/07CbSJAY

More from 97% Effective

• Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

“If you want the social benefits of being authentic, how you feel inside may have very little to do with it.” At work, we like to believe we’re evaluated on substance. In reality, we’re constantly being judged on how we perform— how authentic we seem, how prepared we appear, and how natural we look like in our role. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Alexa Samaniego, Presentation Coach and Doctoral Researcher at Stanford University, about how we judge performances and performers — and why those judgments matter far more than most people realize. Drawing from behavioral research, one-on-one presentation coaching, and her background in theater and the performing arts, Alexa challenges some of the most comforting things we believe (“just be yourself,” “don’t over-rehearse,” “there’s universal best practices for presenting”) and replaces them with a more honest view of how credibility, competence, and connection are actually earned. This is not an episode about becoming fake. But it will get you thinking differently about how you show up at work if you want to better influence outcomes. You’ll leave this episode with a much more realistic understanding of how you’re really judged — and how to work with that reality, rather than against it.

SHOW NOTES

• Alexa’s path from theater and the creative arts to doctoral research and presentation coaching
• How her background in performance shapes the research questions she studies
• What organizational behavior research looks like in practice: an overview of the PhD arc
• Why most people under-rehearse presentations — despite clear benefits of repetition
• Why fear of “sounding fake” leads people to underperform
• Alexa’s two distinct definitions of authenticity: authentic to self vs. authentic to role
• Why being perceived as authentic matters more than feeling authentic
• Spontaneity and consistency as two key drivers of being seen as authentic
• How researchers measure authenticity and test perceptions in lab and field settings
• The uncomfortable truth: social benefits depend on how you come across, not how you feel
• Why we are always playing roles at work — and why separating intentions from behaviors matters
• “It only feels inauthentic because it’s not habitual yet”
• Insights from actors on how to step into a role without losing yourself
• The “outside-in” effect: how dress, voice, and physical behavior shape perception
• Tradeoffs between authenticity, polish, and competence at work
• Alexa’s third research stream: the double-edged sword of being (and looking) prepared
• When preparation signals competence — and when it backfires as “trying too hard”
• Why “everything depends”: how Alexa’s coaching changed after doing her research
• How universal presentation advice can fail across gender, culture, and context
• Drawing from the outside world: how Alexa’s theater background differentiates her research lens
• Horror films, storytelling, and what they reveal about authenticity and self-expression
• Alexa’s hard truth: research is powerful, but techniques must be practiced before being used in high-stakes settings

 

BIO AND LINKS

Alexa Samaniego is a Presentation Coach and a doctoral researcher in Organizational Behavior (Micro) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her research is inspired by her background in theatre and the performing arts, and examines how speakers and audiences judge others. Her research informs her work as a presentation coach in the Stanford Oral Communication Program and with TEDxStanford. Prior to beginning her PhD, Alexa worked as a research associate at Achievers Workforce Institute and Columbia Business School. She received her BS in Business Psychology from UC San Diego and her MS in Applied Psychology from San Diego State University. Alexa also specializes in portrait photography and creating short horror films.

Connect with Alexa

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-samaniego/
• Email: alexasam [at] stanford.edu
• Website: https://www.alexasamaniego.com
• Stanford Profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/alexa-samaniego

People, Ideas and Films Referenced

• Erving Goffman:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erving_Goffman
• Yasmin Williams (double-necked guitar performance): https://www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com/media-horizon
• Covering, the concept (Wharton): https://tinyurl.com/353c7p8u
• 1408, horror film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450385/
• Erica Bailey: https://haas.berkeley.edu/faculty/erica-r-bailey/
• Brian Lowery: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/brian-lowery
• Benoît Monin: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/benoit-monin
• Alexa’s short films Too Late and 5 Weeks to Transform Your Life: https://www.alexasamaniego.com/art

More from 97% Effective

• Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

Who has your back at work? Do you feel like you’re constantly walking a tightrope – high up, with the spotlight on you, and no net? That’s how many people, including senior executives, describe their experience at work – and what led Devon McConnell, an executive coach and psychotherapist, to explore what drives that stress and burnout. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Devon about her research and coaching work examining how key relationships at work – especially with our boss – shape stress, burnout, and performance. They discuss what individuals and organizations can do to better navigate conflict and pressure at work, and why stress is so often driven by relationships rather than workload. Devon explains attachment theory in clear, practical terms, shares techniques to help you manage relational conflict and regain a sense of agency, and offers a thoughtful look at how AI could improve feedback and reduce unnecessary workplace anxiety. You’ll leave this episode with a clearer understanding of what’s really driving your stress, new ways to navigate tough relationships and conflict at work —and, at a minimum, knowing that Devon and Michael will always have your back.

SHOW NOTES:

• The trend Devon noticed in her executive coaching practice that led her to research stress and burnout
• Attachment science: what it really says, why it matters across different spheres of life, and how it’s often oversimplified
• Why having key figures as safe havens enables us to explore, take risks, and perform under pressure
• The dependency paradox: why being able to rely on others actually increases autonomy and independence
• How attachment science helps explain why trust—especially in leaders—is so critical
• Why your personality is not fixed: how we develop attachment strategies early in life, and how new experiences can reshape them
• The connection to Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety—and why different language (e.g., trust vs. pyschological safety) often lands better with senior executives
• A leadership metaphor that resonates: the importance of being a steady pilot in turbulent conditions
• How emotional labor—not workload—is a major driver of burnout
• “The higher you rise, the more how you manage yourself and your relationships defines your success—and how you feel about your success”
• Practical tools from Devon, including:
• o A powerful daily question: “What conversation are you not having—and with whom?”
• o How to diagnose whether your boss is a primary source of your stress—and why that awareness matters
• o How to use the Karpman Drama Triangle to understand conflict dynamics and make small shifts to regain agency
• Navigating dependency, influence, and workplace politics more effectively
• A bright spot: how AI — used thoughtfully — could improve feedback and reduce workplace stressors
• Why conflict-avoidant bosses can cause more harm than openly difficult and abusive ones
• Devon’s latest work developing and testing an AI-enabled 360 feedback tool
• How her training in psychology and therapy has shaped her work as an executive coach

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Devon Forster McConnell is an executive coach and psychotherapist who works with CEOs and senior leaders on presence, influence, conflict management, and sustaining performance under pressure. She also researches, writes, and hosts the My Robot Boss podcast on the future of leadership in an AI-driven world and interventions for burnout and anxiety. Prior to coaching, Devon spent 20 years in Fortune 50 leadership roles at BlackRock and Wells Fargo Advisors. Devon is based in San Francisco, where she works with leaders and organizations globally.

 

Connect with Devon:

• Devon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonmcconnell/
• Website: https://devonmcconnell.com
• Podcast: My Robot Boss: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-robot-boss/id1831832043

Research & Frameworks Referenced:

• Devon’s research presentation at the Columbia Coaching Conference (Judith E. Glaser Award finalist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOnDg1ZQ2_s
• Attachment theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory
• The dependency paradox (randomized controlled trial): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17279849/
• Psychological safety (Amy Edmondson): https://amycedmondson.com/psychological-safety/
• The Karpman drama triangle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpman_drama_triangle
• Dr. Becky Kennedy (Good Inside): https://www.goodinside.com/about/

 

More from 97% Effective:

• Michael’s book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back:
• https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on the 97% Effective YouTube channel:
• https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

What holds you back, but more importantly what springs you forward? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Khanh-Linh Le, entrepreneur and host of the Forest Builders podcast. Khanh-Linh shares how she left prestigious corporate jobs in France and Vietnam to dive into the world of chocolate entrepreneurship – then later made the equally tough decision to leave that venture behind. Khanh-Linh speaks to the importance of asking what you actually want, why showing up and “daring to do” is your critical first step – and how convincing yourself, and repetition, is a key unlock to projecting confidence as an entrepreneur. You’ll leave this episode with a much deeper appreciation for the power that lies within you.

SHOW NOTES:

• When Khanh-Linh’s passion awoke: “The power of the smell of chocolate to get you to feel and see things in a different way”
• Why do you want power?
• The dark side of chocolate
• “With time I’ll get closer”: The career shift from management consulting in France to chocolate in Asia
• Serendipity and Synchronicity: The 4 AM bus ride and chance encounter with Gricha
• Using coaching as an opportunity to step back and ask what you actually want
• How Khanh-Linh “dared” and took the next step
• “A lot of time you just need to show up”
• How Khanh-Linh sees power and influence as critical to entrepreneurship
• Communication insights for Entrepreneurs: Convincing yourself, repetition, projecting confidence
• Patience and calmness: Reflections on projecting confidence as a Vietnamese French female entrepreneur
• The power of a support group: Khanh-Linh and the female entrepreurs of Saigon
• “Would a man censor himself?” – Khanh-Linh on how women often need to get out of their own way
• Making the choice to let go
• Khanh-Linh reflects on the power of podcasting to open doors, help you find inspiration – and show the world what you are into
• Get started and dare to show up!

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Khanh-Linh Le is an entrepreneur and host of the Forest Builders Podcast. She is based in France where she supports food companies and their transition to regenerative supply chains. She previously co-founded the Cocoa Project in Vietnam and worked for McKinsey and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Khanh-Linh is from France and holds master's degrees in international management and business at HEC Paris and CEMS.

• Khanh-Linh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanhlinh-chocolate/
• The Forst Builders Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/49xSK5SlZ2xvTwLIAgSDNz?si=a4bec083e9a54305
• The Cocoa Project: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cocoa-project/
• The Female Entrepreneurs of Saigon: https://www.facebook.com/fesaigon/
• “Chocolateman: Harnessing Power to Create Sustainable Business Practices” (EP#22 with Gricha Safarian on 97% Effective): https://redcircle.com/shows/86fcd90d-083e-4af2-9bc8-6d52fb981ae1/ep/4caaa1d9-0fa2-42a4-89e1-3ef10739c889
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

What does neuroscience tells us about the brain-body connection? How we can utilize that knowledge to thrive amid times of uncertainty, change and fear? In this episode of 97% Effective, Michael speaks with Julia Bunyatov, executive leadership coach and founder or Sirmio. Julie discusses her work with Wall Street executives and how she applies neuroscience insights to her coaching practice. She shares how mindfulness, curiosity and optimism are the keys to leading amid uncertainty – and to approaching the important question of how we are changing as leaders with the emergence of AI. Discussed: her latest articles, how to best eliminate the brain’s prediction errors, optimism vs toxic positivity, and what it means to thrive and “create magic.”

SHOW NOTES:

• How Julia’s years on Wall Street informs her work as an executive leadership coach
• The personal family experiences that led Julia to neuroscience, the science of thriving – and into coaching
• The rock formation behind her company’s name, Sirmio Leadership
• How do we lead through complexity – and create outcomes that could not have been predicted before
• Addressing the soft “new age” perception of “Mindfulness, Optimism and Curiosity”
• Mindfulness defined: Our ability to manage our attention and focus in a desired way – and observe in a non-judgmental way
• Practical ways (beyond meditation) to become more mindful so you can deepen your self-awareness
• Is stress good – and if so, how much do you want?
• Curiosity: How it helps us engage our capacity to be creative and innovative
• How mindfulness helps us when we get triggered at work
• How empathy creates more energy in the brain body system that helps us
• We think our brain is reactive, but it is actually predicting
• The best way to eliminate prediction error and anxiety is through experience: the example of thriving in a snowstorm
• One of the most important things that Coaches do
• Optimism vs “toxic positivity”
• Applying the process of mindfulness, curiosity and optimism to the emergence of AI: how do we collaborate and create something that did not exist before?
• AI is absolutely about creating efficiencies in the workplace, but the more important question is how are we changing as leaders?
• Why we need friction – and not everything should be smooth sailing
• How Julia uses AI in her coaching practice and work
• Julia’s take on emotions: don’t suppress them, use them as a source of energy and conduit to our results

BIO AND LINKS:

 

Julia Bunyatov is the founder of Sirmio Leadership, which focuses on Executive Coaching & Advisory. She is a certified Executive Coach and former C-suite leader with 30 years of experience in executive leadership, board governance, and coaching. She held senior roles including COO of Global Equities Trading, COO of Global Equity Derivatives, and Americas Risk Officer at Bankers Trust, Lehman Brothers, and Barclays. Today she supports senior leaders in aligning insight with real-world leadership to drive meaningful change. In addition to other board commitments, Julia serves as Treasurer of the Columbia Coaching Conference and is a board member of the Columbia Coaching Learning Association.

 

• Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bunyatov-0b23001/
• Sirmio Leadership: https://www.sirmioleadership.com
• The meaning of “Sirmio”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirmio
• Julia’s article in Choice: “Thriving in Uncertainty ~ Neuroscience and applications for coaches and leader” https://choice-online.com/thriving/
• Julia’s article: “We Built the Machine. Now We Must Build the Mindset: How Emotion, Neuroscience, and AI Are Rewiring Leadership” https://tinyurl.com/4e7bpcm9
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

When it comes to taking the next big step in your career, some urge you to follow your passions – while others back a more bare-knuckled approach. But there’s a third way, says Mary Olson-Menzel, author of the bestseller “What Lights You Up.” In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth and Mary talk about the key factors that lead to a fulfilling and successful career, and Mary’s 10-step pivot process that has helped thousands of her clients at MVP Executive Development. They debate passion, authenticity, networking – and discuss how to create opportunity during turbulent times. If you’re struggling with taking the next big step in your career, this episode is for you.

SHOW NOTES:

• Michael was deeply skeptical about Mary and her message, so why he invited her on the show
• Mary’s 10-step pivot program and what led her to write her book
• “The light is not woo-woo… it is all about what’s driving you”
• Mary address the critique that “following your passion is terrible advice” (Newport, Galloway, Wenderoth)
• The ven diagram of Ikigai that puts passion in its proper place
• Core elemants that drove Mary’s career success
• The role of curiosity when it comes to pivoting with purpose
• How to make opportunities “fall into your lap”
• How to take advantage – and thrive – in chaotic times
• Identifying gaps: a practical and underused way to be helpful to others - and yourself
• How to overcome fear and stay in the driver’s seat of your career
• Can sharing your passion at work lead to you being exploited (offered lower pay)?
• How a “personal board of directors” can help you stay on track – and not get taken advantage of
• No one has a crystal ball, which is why you need to shake the bushes: Great questions to ask, before you join a company
• Dealing with setbacks: Having champions, mentors – and always a Plan B
• Mary’s take on authenticity: What it is, what it is not
• Mary’s take on why we still get so many terrible leaders
• Quiet confidence: How to make sure you and your accomplishments are heard and visible, without seeming like a bombastic, self-promoting jerk?
• Mary and Michael discuss “threading the line”: how to embrace things that are effective, but may initially feel uncomfortable
• Top tips on building connection in a remote, distributed world
• Mary’s “Networking Power Hour”
• For younger professionals: Tips for networking with people 2-3 levels above you
• Networking tips beyond the time consuming 1-1
• Success is personal and changes: How do you define it, and what lights you up?

 

BIO AND LINKS:

 

Mary Olsen-Menzel is the Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development, and the author of the USA Today National Bestseller “What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career.” She is a renowned expert in career and workplace success, with more than 30 years of leadership experience with global organizations across media, tech, healthcare, and sports. Mary earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University. Mary lives in West Chester, New York, with her husband and family. She is part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, and a regular Guest Lecturer on career development, internships, and workplace success at the NYU School of Professional Studies.

• Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-olson-menzel-mvpexec/
• “What Lights You Up?” Mary’s bestselling book, and free workbook: www.maryolsonmenzel.com
• MVP Executive Development: www.mvpexec.com
• Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You: https://calnewport.com/writing/
• Ikigai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai
• Research at Duke: How attribution of passion may legitimize the poor treatment of workers: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000190
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

Ever feel you are getting penalized at work – not getting promoted, not being listened to, not being seen as a leader – because of your accent? “Accent bias” is very real, says Peter Novak, but his prescriptions on how to overcome that bias – and elevate yourself – may surprise you. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth sits down with Peter Novak, PhD and founder of the Strictly Speaking Group. They discuss how we should think about accents – and the keys to succeeding in high stakes communications, particularly if you are a non-native English speaker. Peter challenges the usefulness of “accent reduction” training and the common advice to “not read from a script,” sharing research and cutting-edge strategies (including ones that involve AI) that have helped his clients become rising stars who embrace the power of their multilingual identities. You’ll leave this episode with the hard truths on accents and amazingly practical tips that will immediately help you ascend.

SHOW NOTES:

• Peter’s interest in communication, accents and theater that drove his career and life
• Insights from Peter’s two year project translating Shakespeare’s 12th night into American Sign Language (ASL)
• Blunt question #1: Is “accent bias” real? Peter shares the research.
• What the heck does confidence in English sound like?
• The core of Peter’s work: How do you speak in a way that meets the expectations of what native speakers are listening for?
• Blunt question #2: Should I get accent reduction training? Peter’s surprising response.
• Brain science on what native English speakers are listening for: English as a “stress-timed language” where stressing certain words generates meaning
• Beyond your words and accent: understanding “prosody” or the musicality of a language to convey meaning, intention – and make your communication land
• Practical Tip: One of the best things you can do is to get a good microphone!
• “It’s not an accent, it’s an identity”
• The Canadian study that showed that language training that focused on “macro-linguistic factors” (variation, tone, pace) mattered more than training that focused on accent
• Practical Tip for fast speakers: Don’t slow down – Instead pause within the sentence around “thought clusters”
• How to sound confident, curious, or spontaneous: When and how to use downward, upward and sustained intonation in your communication.
• How to read from a text – but still sound like you are speaking off the cuff
• Practical Tip: Practice your speech out loud – but record it with a voice to text app – and then ask AI to generate a voice print and recommendations.
• Practical Tip: Scoring and the “2 1/2 inch trick” when delivering a powerful speech through virtual meetings and online video communication.
• Repeating words, using sustained inflection – and not being confined by the text: Peter demonstrates how to sound spontaneous when reading from a script
• Practical tip, inspired by Ginger Rogers: How to send subtle reminders at work that you are powerful and do a lot of heavy lifting.
• Practical tip, inspired by Laura Huang: Turn a stereotypically perceived weakness into a strength
• Practical tip: Use idioms from your native language (where Peter reveals his Argentinian-accented Spanish!)
• Understanding how people want their communications: Ask them, ask others, use new AI tools
• Practical tip for non-native speakers: Provide sign posts and structure to ensure your message lands
• Lightning round with Peter: Who has most shaped his thinking, How communication will evolve with AI

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Peter Novak is the founder of Strictly Speaking Group, where he has built his reputation as a globally recognized communications coach. Since 2016, his team has coached thousands—from rising stars to Fortune 50 executives—helping global companies succeed in high-stakes communications. A top-rated LinkedIn Learning instructor, Peter’s course on clear speech for global professionals has attracted more than 250,000 learners and has been translated into six languages. He is recognized for his work with multilingual leaders and non-native English speakers, blending linguistics, cultural intelligence (CQ), and inclusive communication. Peter holds a doctorate in Dramaturgy from Yale, and is Professor Emeritus at the University of San Francisco, where he co-founded the Performing Arts & Social Justice program.

•  Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-novak-ssg/
• Strictly Speaking Group: https://www.strictlyspeakinggroup.com
• Peter’s LinkedIn Learning Course: https://tinyurl.com/4w98sfe6
• Signing Shakespeare: Peter’s translation of Twelfth Night into American Sign Language (ASL) https://tinyurl.com/5acxjmcu
• Research (Lit Review) on the advantages of multilingualism: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383948429_Literature_Review_The_Advantages_of_Multilingualism
• “Learners can become more intelligible or comprehensible through instruction with ‘no noticeable change in accent’ ” –controlled investigation on the effects of ESL teaching. “Evidence for a Broad Framework for Pronunciation Instruction” (Derwing, Munro & Wibe): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/0023-8333.00047
• Laura Huang’s book – EDGE: Turning Adversity into Advantage https://a.co/d/1C1GXk6
• 97% Effective EP115: The Power of Being in Outsider (Prof Sven Horak): https://tinyurl.com/2y48e9jt
• Ardjan Verdooren’s book on intercultural communication: Cultures Don’t Meet, People Do https://a.co/d/82S7j04
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

There’s a huge chance you’re being passed over for top jobs – and you’re not even aware of it. How has AI changed recruiting and job search, and what does that mean for you? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Nick Day, founder and CEO of JGA Recruitment Group, a leading global recruiter and payroll advisory based in the UK. Nick provides sharp, practical advice on how to be visible, stand out, and land your dream job in an increasingly competitive talent market, where recruiters and other job seekers are increasingly using AI. He talks about the two versions of your CV that you most need, suggests you answer problems that aren’t being advertised, and explains why visibility is the currency of credibility in today’s job market. You’ll leave this episode with a strong understanding of AI’s impact on job seekers – and a much deeper appreciation for the human touch that will get you the best results.

SHOW NOTES:

• What Nick’s social post about Costa Rica this summer reveals about him – and JGA
• “Done Lists” and how Nick sets his intentions each day
• How fear disguises itself as wisdom: Nick’s hard truth about AI and the current job market
• What’s the right depth and place to “jump in” learning about AI
• Why great job candidates are being left in the cold
• Tip#1: Optimize yourself for the algorithms – and produce two versions of your resume.
• What?! How excellent candidates with high level strategic resumes are getting rejected
• Tip#2: Make sure to add that personal element to your CV, because everyone’s submitting the “perfect” resume
• Tip#3: The 3 necessary approaches to getting your dream job
• How “easy apply” is overwhelming recruiters and ensures top candidates never get the look
• Tip#4: Go back to basics and cater your CV to a position – and tell a story that shows your value
• “Answer a problem that isn’t being advertised”
• Your CV/resume is the most important document you will ever write
• Why most CV/resume services are a big waste of money
• Tip#5: Have an achievement section at the top of your CV – don’t wait for the recruiter to find them on page 2
• Michael’s highlight: How Nick’s job search tips are also best practice that help you get promoted
• “The important bits” that Nick says we should save for the interview (and not put on the resume)
• The importance of generating connection
• Tip#6: Treat your job as a campaign, not as a checkbox
• Where Nick sees AI systems doing more harm than good
• Tip#7: Change your resume for the position, but also change your persona for the person that’s interviewing you
• How to be creative – but not lie – in your resume, to helps you work with the algorithm, even if don’t have the exact experience
• Getting over imposter syndrome to become your biggest advocate
• Tip#8: The most underrated skill in business is storytelling
• “Visibility is the currency of credibility”
• Reaching Nick: No AI, no PA’s. Nick responds personally!

BIO AND LINKS:

Nick Day is a globally recognised HR and payroll authority with over 20 years of experience leading the sector through innovation, insight and influence. As CEO and founder of JGA Recruitment Group, Nick has built one of the most respected payroll and HR talent consultancies in the UK and abroad. Nick’s voice reaches tens of thousands of professionals through his acclaimed platforms: The Payroll Podcast, the H&R L&D Podcast, and the Mindful Paths Podcast.

• Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/?originalSubdomain=uk
• JGA Recruitment Group: https://jgarecruitment.com
• Nick’s post on his daughter, in Costa Rica: https://tinyurl.com/2s3f3n7j
• Walk the Camino Santiago: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago
• “Life Moves Pretty Fast..” (The epic line, from Ferris Bueller): https://tinyurl.com/bdns8pa7
• Nick’s Mindful Paths Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-paths-podcast/id1682002299
• Done Lists: https://tinyurl.com/2s3hrdfd
• As an Algorithm Blocking Your Job Search? (WSJ Podcast): https://tinyurl.com/ujy6yttn
• Bohemiam Rhapsody Flashmob in France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUEstWJUkA
• Michael on Nick’s HR L&D Podcast, “Mastering Office Politics: Power, Promotion & Playing to Win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARVsf7dFOyY
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

When does your influence cross the ethical line at work? What sends people to the “dark side” that causes personal pain and derails careers – and how to make sure that never happens to you? Richard Bistrong can tell you from personal experience: He went to prison for bribery. And if you think that can’t happen to you (most people don’t), or you’ve felt the pressure to cut corners to advance at work (most people do) -- then you really need this episode. Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, wants to make sure you navigate tough ethical decisions that can arise in the ambitious pursuit of your career, getting things done, or influencing others. He and host Michael Wenderoth discuss what blinded Richard and practical steps that you – and your organization – should put in place to stay out of trouble, and smartly accelerate your career.

 

SHOW NOTES:

• Risk will sneak up on you when you think: “That would never happen to me”
• Why Richard was sent to prison – and what that was like
• How Richard accidentally started Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC, to address an underserved “middle”
• Cheating is always a choice
• The call Richard never made
• The case of the Dutch police official: How conspiracies and bribery usually occur
• Sunshine, chocolate and tolls vs. “commiting transnational crime”: How euphemisms and “non-terms” don’t sound so bad lead to moral fading
• When an internal compliance officer needs to walk around with body guards – in their OWN company
• Are people inherently good – or evil?
• If Richard could go back and make the call, how would he have done it?
• Not a “one and done”: Proactive outreach and what the company could have done
• “The voice of business”: How company’s can get over the first awkward call, by using open ended questions – and making sure those calls don’t just come from the Compliance officer
• Training vs Preparation, Wall posters vs Operationalizing through Structures and Governance: What most companies miss
• How to identify your blind spots
• Assembling “truth tellers” to manage conformity and your own confirmation bias
• “Ethical mistakes age like milk, not like wine”
• How to know when you are crossing the line
• Navigating the “deep grey” when it comes to influence
• Richard’s safety check: Are you becoming somebody else’s ambassador?
• Tips on how to assess a company’s ethics – “You can always walk out, but you don’t always have to walk in”
• “The lack of competing narratives” and other red flags that Richard looks for
• Changes in how the FCPA is being enforced
• The question Michael use to pose to his sales team
• How Richard finds foreign (non-US) countries approach business ethics differently from their US counterparts
• Focus on the frozen middle in organizations

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Richard Bistrong is the CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, a consultancy focusing on real-world anti-bribery, ethics, and compliance challenges. His expertise is in Ethics, Compliance and Ethical Decision Making Under Pressure. He hopes to share the benefits of ethical business practices by the identification of blind spots in decision making. His work has appeared in Fast Company and The Harvard Business Review. He has also been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram.

 

• Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbistrong/
• Richard’s website: www.richardbistrong.com
• Richard is on Instagram at @richardbistrong (and on YouTube, X under his name; and on Facebook under Front-Line Anti-Bribery.
• His TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDnGVxAc7ik
• Dorie Clark’s book Reinventing You: https://dorieclark.com/reinventingyou/
• Ron Carucci “How to Fix Our Trust Recesssion” (EP25 on 97% Effective): https://tinyurl.com/39cdawcp
• Speak Out, Listen Up (Book by Megan Reitz and John Higgings): https://a.co/d/56zuYWx
• The concept of “dangerous silence” in Amy Edmonson’s book, The Fearless Organization: https://a.co/d/08U3fDM
• “Why High-Performers are More Subject to Ethical Risks” (Forbes): https://tinyurl.com/5yp558vw
• “How to Approach Business Ethics When Global Consensus Breaks Down” (HBR article by Richard and Anna Romberg): https://hbr.org/2025/03/how-to-approach-business-ethics-as-global-consensus-breaks-down
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
• Watch this episode on video, 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective

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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

** Watch to see Susan read Michael’s face, HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective **

You’ll love or hate today’s guest, Susan Ibitz, who boldly says: “I’m the only person in the world who does what I do.” Dubbed “freaky” and “the top expert in her field” by the Chicago Tribune and Pyschology Today, Susan draws on physiognomy, micro-expressions, and body language – practices often accused of shaky pseudoscience -- to profile and read people. A former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, she’s helped top law firms select high-stakes juries, coached Shark Tank’s fastest deal-closer, and advised everyone from television producers to sales reps on how to “hack” human behaviour to get results. But here’s the question: Can she really profile anyone in just 90 seconds? Is her ability a legitimate superpower … or something else? You decide. In this episode of 97% Effective, watch as she turns her methods on host Michael Wenderoth, and then listen as they discuss her background and training, the art and science of her craft, and the myths that swirl around in her field.

 

SHOW NOTES:

• Susan profiles Michael – in 90 seconds
• The breakdown: What Michael’s flat forehead, neanderthal bump eyebrows, resting face, upper eyelids, the four quadrants of his mouth, bigger ears and earlobes, hair… all say about his personality
• Are facial features universal across gender, race, culture, age?
• A short history: how face reading got incorrectly associated with phrenology (reading the shape of the head), Mengele and the Nazis
• Studying under Paul Ekman and the problem with microexpressions
• How face reading catapulted Susan’s career
• Michael challenges Susan: What was her confidence level that she read him correctly?
• Top reasons why a face profiler can be wrong: Normalization, fighting the process, being too tired, and confirmation bias
• Why listening to someone’s voice and tone is critical – lessons from hostage negotiations
• How Susan’s Dyslexia and Aspergers enhances her skills to read context and people
• Diagnosing vs Profiling and reading people’s tendencies
• Thinking in terms of percentages and propensities
• “Assessments are not tests”
• Susan is not for everyone: Are you open to change?
• The bad apple effect
• The top things organizations don’t pay attention to: The importance of stepping away (because you can be the problem), and that people are not always in the positions they need to be (so reallocate them)
• A critique of “thin slicing”
• 41 Shots and the importance of never assuming you are right 100% of the time
• Susan busts 3 myths: 1) That using the number 3 means you are lying, 2) That 93% of your communication is body language, and 3) That “mirroring” will make people instantly love you
• The way you say things is 30% more persuasive than anything you can do with your body
• How to protect yourself from being persuaded – or conned
• Con artists play with your ego; narcissists and pyschopaths go after people who are highly intelligent
• When ego gets in the way and we become victims because we are too cocky
• When it smells, looks and tastes like poo poo, it’s _______.
• The guts are your first brain: you can smell fear
• “Always doubt”
• Susan on AI vs humans: her record vs Big Blue, and how AI can make you dumber
• How one of Susan’s students outperformed AI to solve a murder mystery
• Too many tik tok’ers, not enough plumbers
• Lightning round: Susan’s biggest influences; Favorite Sci-fi movie; Her drink of choice

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Susan Ibitz is a former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, with expertise, study and degrees in Human Behavior, Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience – with a deep nerd-like love for data. From physiognomy to micro-expression and body language, she incorporates numerous forms of studying human behavior to “hack” each person’s personality traits. She uses that skill and experience to “works on the humans that grow your business,” offering her expertise to television producers to sales trainers to the FBI, to now the general public. Past engagements have included work with the U.S. Navy, Harvard University, and the Secret Service.

• Watch Susan read Michael’s face -- on the 97% Effective video channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
• Susan Ibitz Behavior Consulting: SusanIbitz.com
• Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ibitz/
• ENOUGH PLEASE! Susan’s article: ‘93% of communication is driven by body language’ is NOT what Mehrabian said: https://tinyurl.com/356sjkww
• Paul Ekman and the study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ekman
• Reprint of profile of Susan in the Chicago Tribune: https://tinyurl.com/4aj65fbt
• “How to make questions to get the answers you need”: https://tinyurl.com/ywxwctfk
• Thin-slicing, featured in Blink (Malcolm Gladwell): https://tinyurl.com/2ws268aa
• 41 shots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Skin_(41_Shots)
• Book by Gavin De Becker - The Gift of Fear: https://a.co/d/b6jvWVm
• Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy