Speaking to Influence

Fear can create a barrier between living your passion or communicating with your team. This week Dr. Mary O’Connor discusses the role of telehealth in today’s patient care and how she is working with surgeons and insurance companies to dispel myths about the effectiveness of certain surgeries and quality of life. Listen in as Laura and Dr. O’Connor discuss how she navigates delicate topics with different stakeholders and how she maximizes her team’s communication styles for better management.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• What to do when parties get defensive during a discussion
• Dealing with different communication styles
• The importance of “small talk” in establishing trust
• Critical lessons for leading a team
• Understanding your team’s behavior and knowing how to respond

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Dr. O’Connor encourages you to acknowledge a fear that’s holding you back from your passion by writing it down or addressing it out loud.

Dr. Mary O’Connor:

Mary I. O’Connor, MD is co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Vori Health, a physician-led virtual musculoskeletal company on a mission to empower all humanity to lead a healthier life. Vori Health focuses on getting patients the right care for their spine, bone, and joint conditions, and promotes expert non-surgical care to decrease the high rates of inappropriate surgery.

Dr. O’Connor is a nationally recognized leader in health equity, chairing the Movement is Life Caucus, a nonprofit multi-stakeholder coalition committed to addressing musculoskeletal health disparities, since its inception in 2010. She has long championed diversity and inclusion in orthopedics and broken many barriers to women in the overwhelmingly male profession.

Dr. O’Connor is Professor Emerita of Orthopedics at Mayo Clinic and practiced at Mayo Clinic in Florida until 2015 during which time she served in many leadership roles including Chair, Orthopedic Surgery Department (Florida) and Medical Director, Office of Integrity and Compliance (Mayo enterprise). In 2015, she became Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine and the inaugural Director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Care at Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Health.

Recognizing the challenges to true transformation of patient-centered care in the traditional medical system, Dr. O’Connor left her surgical practice and academic medicine to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit and join Vori Health full-time in February of 2021.

Dr. O’Connor is an Olympian (US Women’s Rowing) and is passionate in her promotion of the power of movement to improve health. She and her husband have three amazing children.

You can learn more about Vori Health by visiting: vorihealth.com

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

How do you educate and inspire a community when the solution doesn’t produce immediate results?  This week Keisha Jordan shares how she keeps her team, her community, and her stakeholders passionate about children’s education while providing funds and opportunities for future success. Listen in as Laura and Keisha discuss the complexities of raising long-term funds for children’s education and what it takes to establish trust and build a team of passionate people over time.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to build credibility with a new group of people
• The challenges of raising long-term funding
• Understanding the impact your mission has on the community
• Overcoming false barriers through communication and relationship building
• What it means to manage sideways and how to support your team’s passion

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Keisha encourages you to research an issue you are passionate about and volunteer with a local organization to make a difference in your area.

About Keisha Jordan:

Keisha is a dedicated nonprofit leader with 20 years of experience in education advocacy, school administration, human resources, staff and volunteer training, and fund development. She joined CSFP in 2020 from Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) where she served as Chief People Officer. Prior to her role at GSEP, Jordan worked as Director of Admissions at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, a consultant for Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School and other non-profits, and the founding President/CEO of Philadelphia Black Alliance for Educational Options. She received her JD from Temple University School of Law and her BA from the University of Virginia.

You can learn more about Keisha’s efforts here: https://www.csfphiladelphia.org/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

When is the best time to build confidence and strategies for a healthy mindset?  This week Tracy Ashdale shares how Girls on the Run created a program to foster mental, emotional, and physical fitness habits among our youth. Listen in as Laura and Tracy discuss the importance of building confidence in young women, emphasizing collaboration among community members, and seeking out opportunities to support women and make a long-lasting impact.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How Girls on the Run is focusing on building programs in schools
• How to create a collaborative effort to achieve big goals in your community
• The importance of embracing the differences of others
• Why community action creates a long-lasting impact
• What it means to be vulnerable and open with your team

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Tracy invites you to set an intention for your day and focus on gratitude, observing the impact it can have on your mindset and actions.

About Tracy Ashdale:

Tracy Ashdale, LSW; Executive Director, Chief Energy Officer, Girls on the Run of Southeastern Suburban, Pa.

As a lifelong champion of celebrating girls and women’s strengths, Tracy has always encouraged others to trust the themselves and lead with their heart as well as their head. Tracy has been on a journey to encourage women and girls to take action and be brave in their lives so they can experience real joy and connection with others.

Tracy appreciates that leadership is a moment to-moment choice and not about the title, tenure or position. She believes Leadership is for everyone. It is how we all could live our lives. Tracy feels honored and privileged to have Girls on the Run be the platform for her life’s work.

Tracy spent the first part of her professional life training and working with couples, families and children at The Horsham Clinic, Penn Council for Relationships and as an Integrative Life Coach with the Ford Institute. It was in 2002 that she read an article in Runners World honoring Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run International that got the drums beating in her heart.

Soon after making a call to headquarters, Tracy founded the local Montgomery and Delaware Counties Council. She coached her first team of 12 girls at Fort Washington Elementary in 2007, expanding to serve Chester County in 2020 she has presided over an incredible time of organizational growth. The council has served over 10,000 girls locally. They have over 100 schools offering the program, with a couple thousand girls participating each spring; 400 coaches will delivering the 10-week curriculum in 2022.

Tracy brings significant expertise to Girls on the Run-in leading change, strategic goal setting and creating a value driven culture. Tracy believes in order for the organization to truly have an impact it is critical that she and her team live into the values of the organization.

In her free time, she enjoys being with her three daughters, family and dogs. She never misses an opportunity to go for a run, do yoga, play tennis, read, give back and travel. She is committed to doing things that feel uncomfortable or scary as often as she can tolerate.

Learn more about Girls on the Run here: www.girlsontherun.org

Email Tracy here: [email protected]

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Have you ever stared at a math problem and didn’t know where to begin? This week Nick Ryan shares how he takes the complicated subject matter of information security and distills it into relevant stories, data, and metrics that help his organization make sound business decisions. Listen in as Laura and Nick discuss the challenges of speaking to over 7500 employees in an approachable way, the importance of qualitative ROI and how it influences business decisions, and why crafting a presentation is the key to successful communication.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to focus on customer trust and brand reputation in a measurable way
• Why giving too much detail can leave the audience “lost in the weeds”
• What it means to give a presentation good “marketecture”
• How holding a grudge can hold you back from success
• How dissatisfaction in a job role led Nick to a career breakthrough

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Nick encourages you to embrace the power of putting things on paper, challenging you to write down five things that you are dissatisfied with in your career. This will allow you to focus and create an improvement plan worth implementing.

About Nick Ryan:

Nick Ryan is the head of information security for the 9th largest accounting firm in the world, Baker Tilly. Protecting the firm’s revenue by mitigating risk and meeting compliance, regulatory and business requirements is at the crux of his role. A core focus of Nick’s is to translate complex, technical matters to non-technical C-suite executives to garner support for security initiatives that empower the firm to thrive.

Nick is a proud “forever student” having earned over forty (40) industry-specific, leadership and cross-functional certifications. A frequent guest on cybersecurity podcasts, industry roundtables and peer groups with security executives, Nick enjoys strategic thought leadership and giving back to the community. In addition, Nick mentors several individuals who are seeking to break into the coveted cybersecurity space or to be promoted to leadership roles.

You can connect with Nick via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickryan23/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

How do you separate personal belief and scientific fact when crafting your message? This week Stephen Forzato shares how his experience as an undercover officer impacted his ability to navigate the delicate terrain of personal belief, addiction, and community support. Listen in as Laura and Stephen discuss the difference between educating someone experiencing addiction and the families providing support, as well as how Stephen used communication techniques to save his life while working undercover.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to educate your audience while considering beliefs and attitudes
• How controlled substances impact the ability to communicate with and influence individuals
• When to separate audience members for a greater impact
• The importance of engaging and asking questions to motivate action
• How to facilitate conversations about frustrations in a productive way

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Stephen asks you to verbally reward an employee or family member, giving them recognition for what’s going right.

About Stephen Forzato:

With more than three decades of experience, Forzato is an expert in the opioid epidemic and has served as a consultant to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s investigation of pharmaceutical manufacturers and oversaw investigations involving unlawful proscribing. He has briefed and trained numerous groups of community members, including educators, corporate executives, and medical professionals, on current substance use disorder trends and identifying addiction in the workplace. He received his master’s in criminal justice, intelligence, and analysis from Saint Joseph’s and a bachelor’s in administration of justice from Pennsylvania State University.

You can connect with Stephen in the following ways:

Website: https://www.sju.edu/centers/center-addiction-and-recovery-education

Email: [email protected]

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Navigating large gaps in the needs of stakeholders is critical for any marketing strategy. This week Kathy Govier shares how she assesses and identifies the key desires of different audiences in order to create messaging that addresses needs and accomplishes goals. Listen in as Laura and Kathy discuss understanding your own thought process as a leader, the difference between new and hardcore collectors, and the importance of recognizing expertise within niche categories.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How Kathy differs her messaging between hardcore and new collectors
• Why she considers herself a general manager with marketing expertise
• How to approach business from a broad perspective
• The importance of acknowledging input from every team member
• How to understand and communicate your own thought process with your team

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Kathy encourages you to optimize your LinkedIn profile by focusing on asking for and showcasing recommendations on your profile.

About Kathy Govier:

Kathy is an accomplished, senior marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience across large, publicly-traded organizations as well as mid-sized, privately held, family-owned companies.

You can connect with Kathy in the following ways:

Website: https://www.geppifamilyenterprises.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathygovier/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Important conversations are rooted in trust. This week Joey Fay shares how his company has implemented the core value of “likability” to create productive business relationships in both the private and public sectors. Listen in as Laura and Joey discuss the importance of language, writing skills, and staying steadfast in your core values.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How to build rapport in government relationships
• The challenge of likability in today’s market
• How being a veteran-owned business impacts success
• Joey’s leadership philosophy
• How to shift your message to communicate with different audiences

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Joey asks you to create a list of your top 5-10 priorities and rank them to gain a better understanding of your core personal values.

About Joey:

Joey Fay is the President of Quatrefoil Consulting, a Veteran Owned Project Leadership consulting company, and an active Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marine Corps Reserves.

You can connect with Joey in the following ways:

Website: https://www.quatrefoilleads.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quatrefoilconsultingllc/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

The financial space doesn’t seem like a natural place for vulnerability, but today’s guest shares that honesty and openness while communicating with her team is the key to successful relationships and strong workplace culture. On this episode, Laura and Cindy explore the nuances of data-driven storytelling and how Cindy navigates the varying levels of financial understanding of the team members and stakeholders she engages with throughout her career.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• What it means to be a long-invested communicator
• The negative impact of uptalk
• How to set up productive goal-setting conversations with peers
• The difference between an executive vs. a leader
• How to ensure people take you seriously

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Laura invites you to find an accountability partner and create a goal with an end date after discussing Cindy has been positively impacted by peer support.

About Cindy:

Cindy Lewis is CFO at Coho Partners, Ltd., a $10B investment management firm whose goal is to generate a pattern of returns that offers protection in down markets and competitive returns in up markets.

You can connect with Cindy in the following ways:

Website: www.cohopartners.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindytlewis/

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Today healthcare technology expert Trevor Garner shares the process of creating clarity and trust by communicating with both sides of a service-based tool. On this episode, Laura and Trevor discuss how his company works with politicians, government employees, and community members to make healthcare websites easy to understand and efficient to use. Trevor shares how his ability to stay vulnerable and open during conversation builds trust on multiple levels and opens the door to deeper, more productive communication.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• How non-verbal mannerisms impact conversation
• Two ways to be an effective communicator
• Simple ways to show you’re listening
• Conversational tips for maintaining good working relationships
• Why the tech industry is working to improve empathy skills

During the 24-Hour Challenge, Trevor encourages you to focus on vulnerability. He asks you to be mindful of difficult moments and have the courage to express what you’re feeling, opening the door to more vulnerable conversations that build trust.

About Trevor:

Trevor Garner is the Chief Financial Officer at IdeaCrew, focusing on healthcare, health benefits, and human services, to improve the experience for all involved. He is an expert in growing revenue and increasing profitability and is a sought-after business leader, community member, partner, and mentor.

You can connect with Trevor via email at [email protected] or the website www.ideacrew.com

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

If you’ve ever attended a zoom meeting and counted the minutes until it was over, wondering why you needed to be there in the first place, this episode is for you. This week Laura breaks down the three main causes of Zoom Fatigue and simple strategies you can use to keep your audience focused and engaged, getting your message across in an efficient way.

Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:

• The definition of zoom fatigue
• Why in-person conversations feel more energetic than virtual meetings
• The importance of movement during virtual calls
• Techniques for engaging your virtual audience
• How sounds quality can help your team focus on the message

To learn more about Dr. Laura Sicola and how mastering influence can impact your success go to https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com/quickstart and download the quick start guide for mastering the three C’s of influence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

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

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @Laura Sicola 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vocalimpactproductions

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions