Speaking to Influence

In this episode of Speaking To Influence, Dr. Laura Sicola engages in a captivating conversation with Eric Watkins, President at Abstract Marketing Group. They delve into various aspects of effective communication, personal growth, and professional development.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Audience-Centric Communication: Effective communication isn't just about conveying information; it's about understanding how your message resonates with the audience.
2. Enneagram Type and Communication Style: Eric discusses the influence of Enneagram type on communication styles, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in tailoring communication approaches.
3. The Value of Articulating Intentions: Eric highlights the significance of articulating what you're not trying to do in addition to stating your intentions clearly, using contrasting statements to prevent misinterpretation.
4. Risk-Taking and Growth: Eric shares insights from his journey of taking risks and stepping outside his comfort zone, emphasizing how such experiences contribute to personal and professional growth.
5. Difficult Conversations: Listeners are challenged to engage in a difficult conversation within 24 hours, with an emphasis on starting such discussions by addressing strengths and positive aspects before tackling challenges or weaknesses.

In this episode you will learn:

• Effective communication focuses on how your message lands with the audience, not just your understanding of the content.
• When delivering difficult messages, prioritize addressing the audience's concerns and emphasizing the 'what's in it for me' aspect.
• Contrasting statements can clarify intentions and prevent misinterpretation.
• Taking risks and venturing outside your comfort zone fosters growth.
• Initiate conversations by highlighting strengths and positives before addressing challenges.

About Eric Watkins:

Eric Watkins has ascended from an intern to the Executive team in just 11 years, currently serving as the President of Abstrakt Marketing Group. Noteworthy among his achievements is his pivotal role in restructuring the Partner Sales division, contributing significantly to the company's revenue growth while ensuring cultural progression.

You can connect with Eric Watkins in the following ways:

• Website: Abstract Marketing Group https://www.abstraktmg.com/
• Abstrakt Marketing Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abstrakt-marketing-group/
• Eric Watkins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-watkins-amg/
• Podcast: Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5gBUiVIagy8lvT1juRq0qx

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ian Wendt, the Chief Commercial Officer at Jaguar Health. They discuss various topics related to leadership, communication, and personal development. Ian shares insights about his experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and the unique aspects of Jaguar Health. He also talks about the importance of understanding the needs of executive leaders and adapting communication styles accordingly. Additionally, Ian highlights the value of executive coaching and the impact it can have on leadership development.

In this conversation, Ian shares his experience with executive coaching and the value it brings. He emphasizes the importance of being coachable and open to receiving constructive feedback. Ian also challenges listeners to expand their network by reaching out to individuals outside their usual circles. Finally, he discusses the challenge of explaining complex topics, such as drug pricing, to the general public.

In this episode you will learn:

• Understanding the needs of executive leaders and adapting communication styles accordingly is crucial for effective communication.
• Investing in executive coaching can greatly enhance leadership development.
• Self-awareness of communication style is important for building productive relationships and interactions.
• Building strong relationships and active listening are essential for effective communication. Being open to constructive feedback and actively seeking ways to improve is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Expanding your network by reaching out to individuals outside your usual circles can lead to new opportunities and perspectives.
• Initiating conversations with others, even if it feels uncomfortable, can help build relationships and expand your network.
• Explaining complex topics requires finding ways to simplify and communicate effectively, especially when discussing sensitive subjects like drug pricing.

About Ian:

Ian Wendt has over three decades of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Ian is currently serving as the Chief Commercial Officer at an emerging biotechnology company. Prior to his current role, Ian has held leadership positions at a variety of large pharmaceutical companies leading national teams and driving market development outcomes in HIV treatment and prevention, and hepatitis C. His expertise spans business strategy, revenue and profit growth, and cross-functional leadership, making him a sought-after voice in the industry.

You can connect with Ian Wendt in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: Ian Wendt: https://linkedin.com/in/ianwendt - Connect with Ian on LinkedIn to explore his extensive executive leadership experience across sales, marketing, and commercial operations functions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Gain insights into his proven ability to drive outcomes, manage P&L responsibilities across multiple revenue streams, and build new teams for successful drug launches.
• Website: RealPharma: https://www.realpharma.co - Visit RealPharma's website to engage with Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh in insightful discussions about the pharma world. Listen to their podcast, where they talk with industry leaders to delve into biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. With over three decades of experience, Ian Wendt, as the Chief Commercial Officer at an emerging biotechnology company, offers valuable perspectives on business strategy, revenue growth, and market development outcomes in HIV treatment, prevention, and hepatitis C.
• X: https://twitter.com/Ian_Wendt - Follow Ian on Twitter to stay updated on his latest insights, industry trends, and engagements in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

In this 200th episode of "Speaking to Influence", Dr. Laura Sicola reflects on the lessons she has learned from podcasting about leadership, communication, and influence. She also shares insights from a panel of experienced podcasters.

The key takeaways include the importance of listening as a leader, building trust through clear and concise communication, and focusing on impact rather than just influence.

Dr. Sicola emphasizes the value of authenticity and creating assets to share one's story and vision. She concludes by inviting listeners to download her free resource on building a personal brand.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Listening is an essential skill for leaders, as it allows them to gather feedback and make informed decisions.
• Clear and concise communication is crucial for building trust and engaging an audience.
• Impact is more important than influence, as it focuses on making a meaningful difference in the world.
• Authenticity and creating assets, such as podcasts, TEDx talks, and books, can help establish credibility and open doors for opportunities.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Ashley Sardjoe shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of being present, embracing mistakes, and clear communication during change. He highlights the power of accountability partners and self-discipline for achieving goals.

In this episode you will learn: 

• The power of being present and actively listening to build strong connections.
• How to transform mistakes into growth opportunities through effective communication during change.
• Strategies for taking calculated risks and making clear decisions with strong communication to stakeholders.
• Why accountability partners are essential for achieving your personal and professional goals.

About Ashley:

Meet Ashley Sardjoe, a global People & Organization leader with a passion for driving transformative change that enhances organizational performance and drives sustainable business growth. With over 15 years of experience in the field of HR, Ashley is renowned for his ability to develop and execute human capital strategies that enable organizations to achieve their strategic objectives.

Starting his career in management consultancy for both Accenture and EY, Ashley managed and led multiple local & global HR, business, and process improvement initiatives, including all relevant change management activities and system implementations. Since 2011, Ashley has been working with and for Novartis within their headquarters in Basel, Switzerland in different global HR roles. In 2019 Ashley moved to his home country, the Netherlands to assume the role of Country People & Organization Head. Since 2021, Ashley is the VP, Country People & Organization Head for Novartis in Canada.

As a natural change agent, Ashley thrives on leading organizations through periods of growth and transformation, working collaboratively with stakeholders to craft compelling visions for the future, and delivering bold and innovative strategies to achieve their goals. He is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is committed to creating work environments that foster innovation, accountability, and engagement.

You can connect with Ashley Sardjoe in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: Ashley Sardjoe: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sardjoe-1143259 - Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn to learn more about his experience in HR leadership and his passion for change management.

Learn more about Novartis:

• Novartis: www.novartis.com - Visit the Novartis website to learn more about the company and its commitment to innovation and patient care.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ngozi Okeh, the global head of DEI at NextRoll, a marketing tech company. They delve into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and how it can significantly impact business success.

In this episode you will learn:

• The practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a daily practice shaping workplace dynamics and opportunities.
• Strategies for effectively engaging executive leaders in DEI by aligning initiatives with organizational goals and priorities.
• Overcoming common misconceptions about DEI and fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
• How vulnerability in leadership can lead to more meaningful contributions and collaboration among team members.
• Practical tips for managing nervousness in speaking engagements and enhancing communication effectiveness.
• The pitfalls of relying on the 'It Factor' in hiring decisions and the importance of grounding assessments in objective standards.
• Recognizing the influence of bias in decision-making and strategies for avoiding subjective biases.
• The value of seeking external perspectives and diverse viewpoints to challenge biases and make informed decisions.

 About Ngozi:

Ngozi Okeh is an accomplished DEI leader with a proven track record of driving initiatives to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into strategic business processes. She specializes in conceptualizing, defining, and operationalizing DEI principles to align with organizational goals, developing and overseeing policies and programs aimed at fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Holding a Master's degree in HR Management from Georgetown University, she brings extensive experience across multiple industries, including mortgage banking, government, and the tech sector. In her role as Global Head of DEI, Ngozi has led teams, collaborates with company executives, and provides strategic guidance to drive organizational change. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is actively involved in community service as a board member for Hunger Free America, demonstrating her commitment to creating a positive social impact.

You can connect with Ngozi in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngoziokeh/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Laura welcomes Dan Bradbury to the show where he shares his three commandments for success and enhancing confidence, presence, and influence in Mergers and Acquisitions.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why connecting personally is so important in M&A, as it builds trust and rapport- show how much you care, then how much you know.
• How understanding the other person’s motives is essential for effective communication and negotiation
• Why articulating your numbers is necessary to convey the financial aspects of the deal and actually gain buy in. Get to know your own business inside and out to communicate about it more effectively.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Turnover is Vanity, Profit is Sanity: 9 ½ Steps for Improving Your Profits and Cashflow” – Book by Dan Bradbury
• “Breeding Gazelles: Fast Growth Strategies for Your Business” – Book by Dan Bradbury

About Dan:

Dan Bradbury is the owner of a private equity group and his primary focus is as an investor who specialises in taking companies already producing seven figures in revenue and accelerates their growth to over 10 million.

His love of numbers and finances is what sets him apart and allows him to find the hidden assets and weaknesses within the businesses that he invests in and the business owners that he consults.

He started out with nothing and built himself up from the ground up.

Dan has over 15 years of business experience in a huge range of industries. He has founded, built and sold two companies for seven figures and has invested in over a dozen other companies on top of the five businesses that he has purchased outright.

Dan’s specialty is maximizing the value of a business, whether it be simply to keep the business and reap the rewards or to exit the business for a big payout he has done on seven different occasions.

You can connect with Dan in the following ways:

• Web: https://danbradbury.com/  – go to Dan’s website to find a free business profit maximizer score card. Answer questions to get a custom 20 page report in 10 different areas to maximize the profitability for your business.

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Katie Bussing, Chief Human Resources officer of Springfield Clinic, is Laura’s guest this week on Speaking to Influence. Katie shares some tips on how she pulse checks a room when speaking to different groups, especially key stakeholder groups.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Katie is working to change the perception of HR by demonstrating the value of having HR function in a strategic role within the organization.
• How Katie reads the room to get an understanding of the audience’s needs in order to adjust communication style, and then how she pivots her messaging.
• How job shadowing can provide valuable insights into different roles and departments within an organization, fostering a better understanding and appreciation for the work being done.
• How Katie approaches receiving feedback from her team.

24 Hour Challenge:

Reach out to someone you don’t know in your organization, have coffee with them, and job shadow them for an hour or two. What do you learn?

About Katie:

Katie Bussing, SPHR, oversees all areas of Human Resources, including Benefits, Compensation, Employee Relations, Training & Organizational Development and Talent Acquisition.

Katie considers one of her top priorities to be championing her team to be as successful as possible in their roles. This is what Human Resources is all about, she believes: supporting the rest of the organization to carry out Springfield Clinic’s mission every day, because a positive environment for employees helps them create a community of caring for patients. This vision is simple, but the work is not always, and that’s what makes each day exciting.

Katie has 17 years of human resources leadership that includes all areas of HR, including leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies in the Chicago area. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and a Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and sits on the Board and Executive Committee for Sparc.

Katie also maintains certification as a senior professional of human resources (SPHR) and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Born and raised in Springfield, Katie has three children, Ryan, Jake and Emily, and her favorite hobby/other full-time job is being a mom and jumping from one kid activity to the next.

You can connect with Katie in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-rutledge-1034112/
• Web: https://www.springfieldclinic.com/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Laura welcomes Skip Howard, Founder of Spacee, to this episode of Speaking to Influence. Skip talks about a time when he had a vision that no one, his investors, board of directors, or sales teams believed in, and what happened when he decided to execute it anyway. Tune in to find out what happened!

In this episode you will learn:

• Why Skip uses a holistic approach to selling products, with transparency about the risks rather than focusing solely on the benefits of a product with clients.
• How Skip overcame imposter syndrome by shifting his focus to serving his audience valuable information rather than being judged.
• How COVID led Skip to implement a ‘burn the ships’ mentality of taking risks and failing fast, which inspired his company to be more comfortable taking calculated risks.
• Why Skip takes his developers to stores to see their tech in action, and how it inspires more buy-in and enthusiasm for the company.

24 Hour Challenge:

Sign up for a free Chat GPT account and ask it to write a LinkedIn profile for you.

About Skip:

Skip founded Spacee, Inc. in 2016 with the idea of building natural user interfaces and reactive intelligence into the physical world. Since then, Skip has been instrumental in developing Spacee computer vision technology, making it one of the leading technology companies in the spatial augmented reality and robotics Sectors.

Skip has worked in the technology industry for 20+ years, gaining experience as a Founder and CTO for Cancer Gene Connect, a hereditary cancer risk assessments leader, and Co-Founder of Pave Systems, a judicial software company. From 2007 to 2015, Skip served as an integral member of Ross Perot's technology team at Hillwood Development Company which included building the media department for Hillwood and designing /implementing a family office financial system.

Outside of Spacee, Skip is passionate about advancing technology knowledge and runs one of the largest Computer Vision Developers groups in North America. Several publications have recognized Skip as a top CEO and innovator, including DCEO (2020 Winner of Innovation in Retail) and Ernst & Young (Finalist for 2019 Entrepreneur of The Year®). He was named one of the Top 500 most influential business leaders in Dallas by D Magazine in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. He is a member of YPO.

You can connect with Skip in the following ways:

• Web: www.spacee.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skiphoward/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Glenn Hofmann, Chief Analytics Officer of New York Life Insurance, is our guest on the newest episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares with Laura why we should not be afraid of A.I. and gives tips on how to leverage it for job security.

In this episode you will learn:

• How he has addressed misconceptions about A.I. with his communications team when people believed they would lose their jobs to A.I., and why he believes ‘intelligence’ in its title is actually a misnomer.
• How he learned the importance of ‘info-tainment’-- providing enough entertainment to keep his audience’s attention, while still being informative.
• Why it’s important to practice the first few minutes of a presentation before giving it in front of an audience.
• Why it’s important to flex your networking muscles to keep yourself on people’s radar.

24 Hour Challenge:

Consider being on a podcast! Identify a podcast, pick a topic you would be interested in speaking about, and send a message to the hosts to propose it. (Tune in to the full episode for Laura’s quick tip for some specific resources to help you with this!)

About Glenn:

Glenn Hofmann is an influential C-level leader in Data and AI, who is known for building and managing successful data organizations within the complex business, cultural, regulatory and technology realities of large corporations. From 2016 to 2023 he was Chief Analytics Officer at New York Life, and leader of the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI). Glenn built the 100-person team which supported many areas of the company, such as Underwriting, Finance, Marketing, Sales Distribution, Customer Service, Product, HR and Compliance, with data and AI solutions, including generative AI projects.

Prior to joining New York Life, he built and led analytics teams in Property and Casualty insurance (at Verisk, TransUnion and Allstate) and held leadership positions at Claritas, ID Analytics, and HSBC. Prior to his business career, Glenn served as Professor of Statistics at the University of Concepcion in Chile.

He received his Ph.D. in Statistics from The Ohio State University in 1997 and his MBA from the Wharton Business School in 2009. Glenn was recognized by DataIQ 100 as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Data” in 2022 and 2023.

You can connect with Glenn in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhofmann/

Mentioned in the Episode:

• “Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice” - Dr. Laura Sicola 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

On this week’s episode of ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Luke Billeri, president and CEO of Member’s Choice Credit Union tells Laura how he used ‘pre-suasion’ to gain key stakeholder buy-in before a critical decision.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Luke learned the importance of adapting communication style based on the audience's competencies by modifying communication to be relevant to the audience
• How in acknowledging personal strengths and weaknesses, Luke’s team was able to create a solid group dynamic where they supported each other.
• How Luke asserted himself with his boss about a risk to the organization, and after a drip campaign of providing data and hints, his boss eventually agreed and Luke's concerns were validated.
• Luke and Laura discussed the importance of persuasion and inspiration in leadership. Luke shared his experience of using ‘pre-suasion’ persuasion to gain support before important meetings, while also inspiring others by explaining the benefits and end goals of organizational change.
• Why sincerity is key in expressing passion, regardless of one's personality type, and how it can make a candidate stand out

24 Hour Challenge:

The art of pre-suasion: we all need support on something. Go in advance of a presentation / meeting and talk to an individual who you might need their support. Your passions might be able to come out easier and any questions they have may come out easier and help build your rapport in advance of the bigger meeting.

About Luke:

Luke Billeri is the CEO of Members Choice Credit Union (MCCU), a full-service financial institution based in Houston, Texas. With over 20 years of experience in the credit union industry, he specializes in retail, lending, and strategic financial management.

Committed to strengthening community initiatives, Luke spearheaded the creation of the Members Choice Credit Union “Helping Heroes” Savings Program for individuals working in heroic professions such as education, law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare.

Having served the Credit Union Industry already for nearly two decades, he joined MCCU as chief lending officer in January 2020, was promoted to executive vice president in September 2022, and assumed the role of chief executive officer in January 2023. As a results-oriented and decisive leader, Luke ensures a member-centric focus and strategic sustainability for MCCU. Passionate about the supporting the various needs of members, he believes wholeheartedly in the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Luke enjoys outdoor activities with family and friends in his spare time, such as fishing, boating, and anything on the water.

You can connect with Luke in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-billeri-313a589/
• Web: http://www.mccu.com

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
• LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
• Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
• Twitter: @LauraSicola
• Instagram: @drlaurasicola
• Website: https://laurasicola.com
• Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today