If you don’t speak up, you don’t get heard.
But speaking up takes courage — especially in rooms where the stakes are high.
In this episode of Engineering Better Conversations, Nancy Michieli sits down with Alicia Moore to unpack what courage really means in corporate leadership.
From Silicon Valley boardrooms to executive decision-making, Alicia shares:
• Why leaders must choose growth over comfort
• How to develop a decision-making framework
• The hidden risk of doing nothing
• How to encourage bold ideas without ego
• Why companies shrink creativity instead of expanding it
• How to build a culture that supports risk-taking
They explore examples from Netflix, Microsoft, Blockbuster, and Silicon Valley disruptors — and why waiting until the “dragon is at the door” is often too late.
For engineers and technical leaders, this episode is a reminder:
Courage isn’t about being fearless.
It’s about being in motion.
About the Guest
Alicia Moore is a coach, speaker, bestselling author, and CEO of Strategic Impact Solutions. With degrees and certifications from Stanford, UCLA School of Law, Berkeley Haas School of Business, and NACD, Alicia combines elite academic credentials with decades of real-world executive experience.
Known as a “corporate Swiss Army knife,” she has led across legal, operational, and strategic roles — helping CEOs and leadership teams clarify vision, make bold decisions, and accelerate growth.
Named Top Executive Success Coach of 2025 by Insider Weekly, Alicia blends creativity with practical execution to help leaders navigate risk, disruption, and transformation.
🔗 Connect with Alicia:
◼️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciajmoore/
◼️ Website: https://aliciajmoore.com/
🎧 About the Show
Engineering Better Conversations is where technical and project leaders learn to speak so people listen.
Hosted by Nancy Michieli, engineer turned executive communication coach, the show explores how clarity, influence, and human communication drive real leadership results — in projects, teams, and careers.
🔗 Connect with Nancy:
◼️ LinkedIn: / nancymichieli
◼️ Website: https://www.nancymichielicoaching.com/
◼️ Newsletter: https://www.engineeringbetterconversations.com