Speaking of Meaning

In this Best Of Episode of Speaking of Meaning, I revisit some of the most meaningful moments from my conversation with Leslie Traub—transformational coach, facilitator, and founder of Rewiring Together.

For more than 40 years, Leslie has helped leaders and organizations create healthier workplace cultures while supporting women through identity, belonging, and major life transitions.

In this conversation, we explore:

- Why inner authority becomes more important than external validation

- Workplace age bias and the unique challenges facing women over 50

- Psychological safety, belonging, and imposter syndrome

- How unconscious bias shapes hiring and promotion decisions

- Why “priming” helps us interrupt gut-feeling bias

- The power of vulnerability, women’s circles, and healing through connection

Whether you lead people, work in HR, or are navigating your own career, this episode offers thoughtful insights into leadership, workplace culture, and becoming more fully yourself.

Leslie Traub: https://rewiringtogether.org

🎙️ Follow Speaking of Meaning for more conversations on communication, leadership, trust, belonging, and workplace culture.

🌐 Website: https://www.speakingofmeaning.com

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We all like to think we make fair and rational decisions at work.

But how much do we actually know about what influences those decisions?

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, I’m joined again by Howard J. Ross to talk about something that affects all of us: everyday bias.

We talk about how bias shows up in hiring, promotions, performance reviews, first impressions, and those moments when we say, “I just had a gut feeling about them.”

Howard explains why bias isn't something that makes us bad people. It's a normal part of how our brains work. The challenge is recognizing when it leads us to make decisions that aren't fair or effective.

We also talk about:

• Why your “gut feeling” can be misleading• How first impressions spread through organizations• Bias in hiring and promotion decisions• Why slowing down can lead to better decisions• How psychological safety makes it easier to challenge our assumptions• Why feedback is more effective than blame and shame• How organizations can build structures that reduce bias• Why diversity numbers alone aren't enough• The connection between bias, belonging, and workplace culture• How AI and technology can amplify existing bias

One of the things I really appreciated about this conversation is Howard's approach to bias. Instead of blaming or demonizing people, he focuses on understanding how bias works and creating better ways of making decisions.

Because the goal isn't to become completely “unbiased.”

It's to make it harder for our biases to make important decisions for us.

🎙️ Follow Speaking of Meaning

Speaking of Meaning is about communication, leadership, trust, workplace culture, belonging, and the psychology behind how we work with other people.

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning🌐 Website: https://www.speakingofmeaning.com

I also work with organizations as a keynote speaker and trainer on communication, leadership, trust, workplace culture, psychological safety, unconscious bias, and belonging.

If you'd like to have me speak or train your organization, you can find more information on my website.

If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who works with people.

— Ibrahim

In this Best Of episode of Speaking of Meaning, I revisit some of my favorite moments from my conversation with Kasim Hussain about communication, leadership, psychological safety, and workplace culture.

We talk about why communication is one of the most important leadership skills, why people need to feel safe enough to speak up and challenge ideas, and how active listening can change the way we lead.

Kasim also shares practical ideas on giving and receiving feedback, working across cultures, creating inclusion, adapting to different situations, and communicating more clearly.

Some of the themes we explore:

• Why psychological safety matters at work• How great leaders listen• Building a healthier feedback culture• Diversity, inclusion, and cultural differences• Why authenticity matters in leadership• How to communicate clearly using the SCQA framework• Preparing for uncertainty and having a Plan B• Why leaders need to observe, adapt, and reflect

If you work with people, lead a team, or simply want to become a better communicator, there are plenty of practical ideas in this conversation.

🎙️ Speaking of Meaning explores better communication, greater impact, leadership, workplace culture, trust, belonging, and the conversations that matter.

If you enjoy the podcast, follow Speaking of Meaning on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss future episodes.

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

🌐 Website: https://www.speakingofmeaning.com

I also work with organizations as a keynote speaker and trainer on communication, leadership, trust, workplace culture, psychological safety, and unconscious bias.

If you'd like to bring me in to speak or train your team, you can get in touch through my website.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work—but will it make work more meaningful or less meaningful?

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, I sit down with Alejandra Rojas, a PhD researcher in business development and technology, to explore how AI, robotics, and digital transformation are reshaping leadership, workplace culture, and the employee experience.

We discuss why meaningful work is deeply personal, why trust and psychological safety matter more than ever, and how leaders can introduce AI in ways that empower employees instead of creating fear.

Alejandra explains why meaning isn't found only in promotions or achievements—it often comes from everyday moments, supportive relationships, and feeling that your work matters. We also explore the importance of autonomy, agency, integrity, and AI literacy as organizations prepare for the future of work.

In this episode:

How AI is transforming the workplace

Why meaningful work looks different for everyone

The relationship between trust, belonging, and performance

Psychological safety and innovation

Why autonomy and agency increase engagement

AI literacy and preparing employees for change

Human-centered leadership in an AI-driven world

Why meaningful work is created through everyday interactions

How leaders can build cultures where people embrace change instead of fearing it

About Alejandra Rojas

Alejandra Rojas is a PhD researcher in business development and technology. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, digital transformation, meaningful work, and how organizations can successfully adopt new technologies while keeping people at the center.

Learn more about Alejandra Rojas:

Webiste: Alejandra Rojas — Making the future of work more human.

Connect with Speaking of Meaning

🌐 Website:www.speakingofmeaning.com

📺 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

🎧 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a?si=56a1f90482384b50

🍎 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298

📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/speakingofmeaning/

If your organization is looking for a keynote speaker, trainer, or workshop facilitator on communication, leadership, workplace culture, trust, psychological safety, or the future of work, I'd be happy to work with your team.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with a colleague, leader, or friend interested in AI, leadership, and building healthier workplaces.

Women, Work, and Belonging: Navigating Identity, Leadership, and Life After 50 | Leslie Traub

What happens when the career you've built no longer feels like the whole story?

For many women, turning 50 brings new questions about identity, purpose, leadership, and belonging. Career transitions, caregiving, changing relationships, and age bias can reshape how we see ourselves—both at work and in life.

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, I sit down with leadership coach and organizational development consultant Leslie Traut to explore the challenges women face after 50 and how leaders can create workplaces where experience, wisdom, and authenticity are valued.

We discuss age bias, psychological safety, imposter syndrome, unconscious bias, belonging at work, and why many women find themselves redefining success beyond job titles and external achievement.

In this episode:

- Why many women experience an identity shift after 50

- Age bias in today's workplace

- Psychological safety and belonging

- Imposter syndrome and self-doubt

- Unconscious bias and inclusive leadership

- Why experience is one of your greatest strengths

- Building healthier workplace cultures

- Finding purpose beyond your career

About Leslie Traub

Leslie is a leadership coach, facilitator, and organizational development consultant with more than 40 years of experience in leadership development, workplace culture, and organizational change. She is the founder of Rewiring Together, where she helps women over 50 navigate life transitions, rediscover purpose, and reconnect with their authentic selves.

Learn more about Leslie and her work:https://rewiringtogether.org

Connect with Speaking of Meaning

🌐 Website:www.speakingofmeaning.com

📺 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

🎧 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a

🍎 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298

📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/speakingofmeaning/

If your organization is looking for a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, or trainer on communication, leadership, workplace culture, psychological safety, or trust, I'd be happy to work with your team.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

This episode is a collection of some of the most valuable insights from my conversation with communication expert Chris Lipp.

Chris has spent years studying persuasion, leadership communication, and what he calls personal power — the internal belief that we can create impact in the world around us.

One of the most important ideas from this conversation is that communication is about much more than words. Two people can say exactly the same thing, yet one inspires confidence while the other struggles to be heard. Why? Because people respond not only to what we say, but also to how we show up.

We explore why so many professionals seek validation from colleagues, managers, and clients, and how that pursuit of approval can actually undermine credibility and influence.

In this Best Moments episode, we discuss:

• Why confidence often matters more than communication techniques• The concept of personal power and how it affects leadership• The difference between seeking approval and earning respect• Why high-performing professionals sometimes struggle to influence others• How confidence shapes workplace communication and team dynamics• The hidden connection between self-esteem, trust, and leadership presence• Why people are naturally drawn to those who communicate with conviction

Whether you're a leader, manager, entrepreneur, salesperson, or professional looking to communicate more effectively, this episode offers practical insights into the psychology behind influence and trust.

Listen now and discover why the most persuasive communicators often focus less on being liked and more on creating value.

Chris Lipp is a communication expert, author, professor, and coach who specializes in persuasion, leadership communication, and personal power. His work has helped professionals, executives, and organizations communicate with greater confidence and impact.

Website: https://www.chrislipp.com

Speaking of Meaning

Website: www.speakingofmeaning.com

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298

Most toxic workplaces don’t look toxic at first.

People smile in meetings, the office feels professional, and everyone says the “right” things. But underneath the surface, something unhealthy is often happening. Communication becomes political. People stop speaking honestly. Employees begin walking on eggshells.

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, I talk about workplace bullying, toxic organizational cultures, and the psychology behind unhealthy communication at work.

I break down 8 common workplace bullying personalities that many people experience but struggle to describe clearly:

- The Gatekeeper

- The Constant Critic

- The Screamer

- The Two-Headed Snake

- The Snoop

- The Ringmaster

- The Manipulator

- The Queen Syndrome

I also share personal experiences, reflections on leadership, and practical thoughts on psychological safety, trust, micromanagement, manipulation, and why toxic cultures often continue for years without changing.

This episode is really about something deeper than workplace conflict. It’s about what happens when people stop feeling safe enough to communicate honestly.

If you’ve ever worked in an environment where you constantly questioned yourself, overthought emails, avoided speaking up, or felt emotionally drained after meetings, you’ll probably recognize some of these patterns.

And perhaps the hardest question is this:

What happens to people — and organizations — when fear slowly replaces trust?

Listen to the full episode here:

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a?si=56a1f90482384b50

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298

Website:www.speakingofmeaning.com

Youtube channel:

Speaking of Meaning - YouTube

#WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #Communication #ToxicWorkplace #WorkplaceBullying #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #Management #HumanBehavior #SpeakingOfMeaning

In this special “best moments” episode of Speaking of Meaning, I revisit some of the most impactful parts of my earlier conversation with communication expert John Zimmer on persuasion, public speaking, storytelling, and influence.

We talk about why great ideas alone are not enough, the difference between persuasion and manipulation, why storytelling matters in business communication, and how powerful speakers use silence, emotion, credibility, and timing to move people.

John also breaks down Aristotle’s timeless principles of persuasion — logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos — and explains how communication shapes leadership, trust, and impact.

This episode is packed with practical insights for leaders, speakers, entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone who wants to communicate more clearly and effectively.

Topics include:• Public speaking and communication skills• Persuasion vs manipulation• Storytelling in business• The power of silence and pauses• Emotional connection and credibility• Leadership communication• How to speak so people listen

About John Zimmer:John Zimmer is an international keynote speaker, communication trainer, and founder of Manner of Speaking, where he helps professionals become more clear, persuasive, and impactful communicators.

John’s Website:https://mannerofspeaking.org/

Follow John Zimmer:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnzimmer/

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

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Website:www.speakingofmeaning.com

What actually creates personal power—and why do so many people unknowingly give it away?

In this episode, Ibrahim sits down with Tulane professor and persuasion expert Chris Lipp, author of The Science of Personal Power, to explore the deeper beliefs that shape confidence, influence, and impact. Moving beyond surface-level communication tactics, Chris argues that true power comes from an internal belief in your ability to create change—not from seeking approval.

They unpack how the need for validation quietly undermines authority in both professional and personal relationships, and why shifting focus toward goals, accountability, and respect-based interactions changes everything.

Chris introduces the “four horsemen” that erode personal power—blame, reaction, inaction, and proving—and explains how these patterns show up in everyday behavior, from workplace dynamics to dating. The conversation also explores leadership, authenticity, handling uncertainty, and how to build trust without losing yourself.

This episode is a practical and thought-provoking look at what it really means to step into your power—and how to stop leaking it.

Key Topics Covered:

- What personal power really is (and what it isn’t)

- Why seeking validation weakens your influence

- The four behaviors that destroy personal power

- Building respect-based relationships

- Power dynamics at work and in dating

- Leadership, communication, and abstract thinking

- Owning triggers and setting boundaries

- Taking action vs. staying stuck

- Imposter syndrome, anxiety, and uncertainty

- Authenticity vs. transparency

- Living with integrity and clear values

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Chris Lipp: speakvalue.com

Chris Lipp's books on Amazon: Amazon.com: Chris Lipp: books, biography, latest update

Follow Speaking of Meaning

Website:https://www.speakingofmeaning.com

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/speakingofmeaning/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a?si=9820d4bc580a4531

Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Chris Lipp

00:36 Why Study Power

02:15 Defining Personal Power

02:58 Stop Seeking Validation

04:39 Dating And Approval

07:56 Motives Matter Most

10:14 Four Power Killers

12:02 Proving At Work

13:09 Big Picture Leadership

14:12 Abstract Versus Concrete

17:21 Owning Your Triggers

20:52 Voice Your Needs

23:05 Serve And Assert

26:26 Build Or Stop Leaking

29:19 Action Beats Procrastination

32:01 Stuck and Self Respect

32:32 Taking Action Despite Change

34:05 Imposter Syndrome and Uncertainty

37:43 Anxiety as Fuel

40:22 Handling Tension and Silence

42:06 Low Power Brain Mode

43:19 Risk Aversion vs Leadership

47:27 Authenticity vs Transparency

53:07 Integrity and Value Hierarchy

54:30 Empowerment Without Games

57:05 External Power and Populism

01:00:29 Final Takeaways and Farewell

In this solo episode of Speaking of Meaning, Ibrahim breaks down one of the most difficult — and important — communication skills: giving feedback.

Feedback can strengthen relationships or damage them. It can build trust or create resistance. And yet, most people avoid it or handle it poorly.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach feedback in a way that is clear, respectful, and effective — without triggering defensiveness.

Drawing from real-life experiences and practical frameworks, Ibrahim shares how to turn feedback into a tool for growth, not conflict.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

Why giving feedback feels uncomfortable (and why that’s normal)

The hidden cost of avoiding feedback

The most common mistakes people make when giving feedback

Why people become defensive — and how to avoid it

How to focus on behavior instead of attacking the person

The importance of timing, tone, and emotional awareness

Why feedback should be a dialogue, not a monologue

How empathy changes the outcome of difficult conversations

A simple framework to structure your feedback clearly

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