Want to be the leader people lean in to hear—without getting louder, longer, or “less you”? This conversation shows you how to turn your ideas into influence and how to say them.

Today I’m joined by Dr. Laura Sicola—executive presence mentor, TEDx advisor, and author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. We dig into the moment that matters most: those first seven seconds and the next seven when you open your mouth. Laura unpacks the “authenticity myth,” shares her simple “digital mixing board” for tuning your delivery (without changing who you are), and explains why even the quietest voice can command a room. We also talk about pitch coaching for founders, crafting a TED-worthy talk, and how to make networking feel natural. If you’re climbing to the C-suite, raising a round, or leading a mission-driven team, this is a masterclass in aligning what you say with how you say it so your credibility, clarity, and confidence are undeniable.

Here are highlights:

-7 + 7 Seconds Rule: First impressions land fast—and the next seven seconds (your first words) either confirm or rewrite them. Make those opening lines count.

-The Authenticity Myth: Being “authentic” isn’t being unfiltered. Leadership requires tact, intention, and alignment—not a louder version of you.

-Your Digital Mixing Board: Don’t flip an on/off switch—tweak levers like pace, volume, jargon, and intensity to fit the audience while staying you.

-Quiet Can Command: Authority comes from congruence and presence, not decibels. Calm, focused delivery can move 200 people without raising your voice.

-From Pitch to TED: Win investors (bet the jockey!) and craft a killer TED talk by challenging assumptions, telling real stories, and driving to one clear takeaway.

About the guest:

Dr. Laura Sicola is a leadership communication and influence expert based in Philadelphia, PA. She is the founder of Vocal Impact Productions and the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. With over 20 years of experience, she helps executives, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders develop executive presence, master the art of influence, and align how they speak with what they want to achieve. A TEDx speaker and advisor, Laura has worked with leaders from Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits worldwide, guiding them to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Connect with Laura:

Website: https://laurasicola.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc/ 

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP4D611Z?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6GKSA3X8WMAPHBGSDH0B 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices