Elite speaking performance coach Chris McAuley joins Anton Guinea to unpack why influence runs deeper than networking; it starts with empathy, resonance, and a genuine two-way connection. Drawing on 35 years of corporate and non-profit leadership and 40 to 50 theatrical productions, Chris explains how acting taught him to read a room, hold a moment, and tell a story that lands. He makes the case that no leader can motivate a team without becoming a capable speaker, and that vulnerability being real, warts and all, owning your mistakes out loud is what earns an audience's permission to listen. For anyone who freezes up before presenting, he lays out a practical three-part fix: honor the pause, breathe deeply to drain the nervous energy, and own your material by running it dozens of times until it lives in your heart instead of your head. Chris also shares the spiritual moment watching saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis that set him on this path, plus the mindset shift every leader needs to stop telling people what they know and start telling them what they need to know.

Quotes

Key Takeaways

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome and Introducing Chris McAuley

Conclusion

Chris McAuley's throughline is that speaking well was never about polish it's about connection, and connection is what turns a manager into a leader people actually remember. His own path makes the argument for him: three and a half decades in business running alongside 40 to 50 stage productions, each one teaching him how to read a room, hold a silence, and let the emotion carry the message. The practical part is almost disarmingly simple: pause, breathe, and run your material until it stops living in your head and settles into your heart but it works because it moves you from thinking as you speak to feeling as you speak, and audiences can tell the difference instantly. Underneath the technique sits a quieter challenge: every time you stand up, people are handing you their time and their permission, which means the job is to say what they need to hear, not to prove what you know. Do that with your mistakes on the table and your guard down, and you stop performing leadership and start earning it.

Connect with Chris McAuley:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismcauley2/

Website - https://chrismcauley.co/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/silverandsuave/

Email - [email protected] 

Emma Thompson trained as a solicitor in the UK, figured out fairly quickly that law was never going to set her world on fire, and ended up volunteering overnight shifts at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch a path that took her from receptionist to CEO after an earthquake left the charity rebuilding its building and its leadership at the same time. Now CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Southeast Queensland, she talks with Anton Guinea about influence as a two-way street: the impact you knowingly exert on the world, and the impact the world quietly exerts on you when you're not paying attention. She's candid about the hardest part of running a mission steeped in other people's pain: the trauma isn't yours to carry, beautifully empathetic front-line staff are exactly the people most at risk of being depleted by it, and psychological safety deserves more than the legislative bare minimum. There's a sharp thread here on being effective rather than popular, drawn from her work merging and modernizing a 60-year-old membership body into a viable health program, plus her view of leadership as custodianship, leaving the organization stronger for whoever comes next. She closes with a reminder that stuck with us: if you have the ability to create positive change, you have a duty to go and do it.

00:00 - Pre-show chat, notebooks and dyslexia

What lingers from Emma Thompson's conversation with Anton Guinea is how ordinary the turning point was: a chairperson who saw something in a receptionist during the worst week of a city's life and simply gave her a go. Everything she's built since runs on that same logic: influence isn't a title or a platform; it's the quiet, self-aware decision to shape things on purpose rather than drift. She's honest that the work costs something, that the trauma belongs to the families and not to her, and that protecting the empathetic people on the front line matters as much as protecting the people they serve. And when mission and popularity pull in opposite directions, she picks a mission, because a custodian's job is to hand the organization over stronger than they found it. Her parting thought is the one worth carrying out the door: if you can create positive change, you have a duty to go and use it.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-thompson-a966b93b/

Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq/

Website - https://ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq.org.au/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq 

Leadership expert Ben Hughes describes how intentional local content strategies can transform regional economies by aligning major projects with local businesses and workforces. He views local content as the natural result of strong internal collaboration across engineering, procurement, employment, and stakeholder teams, all working to give communities a genuine “fair go.” Hughes shares that real impact comes from early engagement with regions, building capability long before construction starts so local suppliers can win work sustainably rather than suffer boom‑and‑bust cycles. His influence framework—acumen → credibility → negotiate → influence—highlights that you must first understand the system deeply and prove your value before you can shape outcomes. Throughout, he emphasizes quiet, data-driven leadership that redirects more money, jobs, and long-term opportunity into regional areas while helping small businesses avoid contracts and growth paths that could harm them.

Takeaways:

Local content = real collaboration + fair go

Influence is earned, not declared

Big projects can help or hurt small business

Quotes:

"If you can influence the situation to make it better on other people, then you know that's a fantastic outcome, and not one that you ever seek praise for, but one that you just have that intrinsic value."

"If you want to influence, you've got to be allowed to negotiate, and you're not allowed to negotiate until you're credible, and you're not credible until you've got acumen."

"If you've got a massive goal and you’re seeing it on the horizon, and there's all these steps towards influencing people to get there, take the next step. Just do the next step. Build the acumen. Have the conversation. Network and learn."

Timestamps:

00:00 Influencing through small steps

Conclusion:

Local content, used well, becomes far more than a policy requirement; it’s a way to direct real opportunity, money, and meaningful work into regional communities. Ben Hughes shows that lasting influence doesn’t come from titles or noise, but from quietly building acumen, earning credibility, and using that position to negotiate fair, sustainable outcomes. Major projects then shift from “flying people in and out” to genuinely partnering with local suppliers and workers, helping them grow without being broken by risk or boom-and-bust cycles. Ultimately, influence for good means taking the next small step—learning, listening, and leading with energy and integrity—so that regions share fully in the benefits of large-scale investment.

Connect with Ben Hughes:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hughes-43a1113/

Hughes et al - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hughes-et-al/home/

[email protected] 

Scott Harvey explains that true influence comes from building deep rapport by listening, understanding people’s values, and aligning solutions with what a “win” looks like for them. He contrasts this with many corporate leaders who talk too much, don't listen, and create environments where employees don’t feel safe voicing dissenting ideas. Using his “emotion vs. logic” teeter-totter metaphor, he shows how high emotion shuts down rational thinking, and how calm, validating responses plus allowing people to vent help bring logic back online. Drawing on brain science, he explains that helping people name their emotions deactivates the amygdala and that tone and nonverbal cues matter far more than the exact words used. He concludes that miscommunication is extremely costly for organizations, so leaders must invest time like a “crockpot, not a microwave” in listening, emotional awareness, and relationship-building to create safer, more effective workplaces.

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Timestamp:

0:00 Influence Is Built on Rapport, Not Authority

5:00 Listening People Into Action (Not Talking Them Into It)

10:00 Reading the Room: Nonverbal Cues and Psychological Safety

15:00 Emotion vs. Logic: The Teeter-Totter in Every Brain

20:00 Naming Emotions to Turn Off Fight-or-Flight

25:00 The Hidden Cost of Miscommunication at Work

30:00 Tone and Body Language Beat the Actual Words

35:00 Law Enforcement Lessons: Prevention Over Cleanup

40:00 Six-Hour Standoff: How Rapport Prevented a Shootout

45:00 Crockpot, Not Microwave: Building Long-Term Trust and Influence 

Conclusion:

Influence that actually works isn’t about clever arguments or positional power; it’s about rapport, listening, and emotional awareness. Scott shows how leaders who slow down, let people vent, and really hear what matters to them can guide decisions far more effectively than those who dominate the room with talk. When emotions run high, logic goes offline, naming and validating feelings brings reason back to the table. Tone, body language, and presence do most of the heavy lifting, and miscommunication quietly drains time, money, and trust. Long-term leaders treat relationships like a crockpot, patiently investing attention, curiosity, and respect until their people are willing to run through walls for them.

Connect with Scott Harvey:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscottharvey/ 

Email - [email protected]

Website - https://speakingofharvey.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/speakingofharvey/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/speakerscottharvey/ 

What does it take to succeed at the highest level of cricket—and life? In this inspiring episode, former Australian Test cricketer Greg Blewett shares powerful lessons on influence, resilience, leadership, and authenticity both on and off the field. From representing Australia alongside legends to transitioning into broadcasting and mentoring, Greg opens up about pressure, anxiety, discipline, and building a lasting legacy beyond the scoreboard.

He reflects on how family shaped his early success, the influence of icons like Don Bradman and Shane Warne, and how mental toughness and positive self-talk became critical in elite sport. Whether you're an athlete, leader, parent, or professional navigating high pressure, this conversation delivers practical wisdom on mindset, performance, and influence that lasts long after the game ends.

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If this conversation inspired you:

#GregBlewett #CricketLeadership #InfluenceInAction #MentalResilience #SportsMindset #LeadershipLessons #CricketLegacy

Aboriginal social worker, AMHSW, and MAICD board director Yaleela Torrens joins Anton Guinea to explore how influence, culture, parenting, and leadership intersect in Gladstone, Queensland. She shares her journey from growing up extremely poor and watching her grandmother attend university as a mature-age student to building a social work practice grounded in Aboriginal identity, responsibility, and respect. Yaleela explains why helping professions face burnout and staffing challenges, how giving birth in the country and naming her daughter Ginaby (black swan) express cultural continuity, and why she believes leadership starts in the home. She unpacks her decision to step down from two boards to prioritize parenting, the role of deep work in making better decisions, the impact of joining the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) on her governance and network, and her leadership mantra: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

Takeaways:

Culture, responsibility, and respect drive impact – Anchoring identity in country, language, and values creates more grounded decisions and longer-lasting community influence.

High standards plus strong networks amplify influence – Striving for excellence, refusing to walk past poor standards, and intentionally building social capital all expand your capacity to lead and serve.

“For me, influence is about having an impact, having an effect, making impressions on those that you want to be able to support.”

Conclusion:

Connect with Yaleela Torrens:

In this episode of Influence In Action, host Anton Guinea and co-host Melissa Dunbar sit down with the legendary "Voice of Cycling," Phil Liggett.Before Phil became the defining voice of the Tour de France and international sports broadcasting, his journey started with a quiet, unglamourous moment.

Phil reflects on the moment David Saunders offered him a way into television coverage—not as a commentator, but simply as a driver.

Phil’s story is a masterclass in humility, passion, and recognizing opportunity when it knocks.

Real influence isn't about demanding the spotlight; it’s about having the courage to say "yes" to the humble beginnings that lead to extraordinary destinations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Connect with Us & Influence In Action:

#InfluenceInAction #PhilLiggett #TourDeFrance #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Broadcasting #SayYes #Opportunity #Cycling

CQ Capras CEO Peter White joins host Anton Guinea to share his journey from country rugby league to leading Central Queensland’s semi-professional club, balancing high-performance football with deep community impact. He explains how the Capras have grown into a six-team high-performance program with academies and regional development, supported by Capras Community Care, federal funding, and partnerships with groups like Queensland Police. Peter breaks down his influence and leadership philosophy, leading by example, not micromanaging, setting clear standards, and being willing to let even star players go when they don’t fit the culture. He also reflects on the role of family, his sister Tina, his wife Fiona, and grassroots volunteers in shaping his values, and why creating belonging, opportunity, and good humans in rugby league matters more than how far any individual player’s career goes.

Culture over talent: Even with limited resources, Peter and coach Lionel are willing to let high-profile, on-field assets go when their behavior “isn’t us,” proving that standards, integrity, and culture sit above short-term performance.

Community and belonging first: From Capras Community Care to regional academies and junior programs, Peter prioritizes giving every boy and girl in Central Queensland a chance to move, belong to a team, and grow as good humans, whether they stop at under 16s or go on to represent Australia.

Connect with Peter White:

Anton Guinea sits down with Australian renewable energy entrepreneur Huon Hoogesteger to explore what real influence looks like in practice: from making podcasts and presentations more valuable and concise for time-poor listeners, to speaking in the “language” your audience actually hears (DISC, data vs emotion, alignment, detail), to building a values-driven, radically transparent business in what Huon calls a “grubby” solar industry. Along the way, they unpack integrity under pressure, long-game client relationships (“we don’t sell systems; we sell energy over time”), the impact of family and faith, and how the “soil” you grow in, the people and culture around you, shapes both your leadership and your legacy.

"There are competitors out there who sell systems, but we sell energy over time... No one actually wants to buy solar and a battery. What they want to do is buy protection from the grid, protection from high prices, a saving, a return on investment."

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? We got a lot of things to do in this life. Let's make sure that they matter, and let's help build other people up, and have a good time doing it."

What does it truly mean to lead with influence rather than authority?

In this episode of Leaders of Influence, Anton Guinea sits down with Jennifer (Jen) McGuire—Central Queensland Regional Manager for AusIndustry, director, author, and seasoned speaker with over 30 years of management and leadership experience.

Jen shares her fascinating journey starting out in the male-dominated shipping industry in her 20s, where she quickly realized that authority on paper doesn't equal influence on the ground. She breaks down why the most powerful leaders are often the "informal leaders" within a team, how Gen X leaders can adapt to and learn from Gen Z, and why putting people first must always take priority over technology.

📌 Key Timestamps & Topics Covered:

🎙️ Subscribe & Connect:

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX8ym1Y1Pn5rspDFosONXn-JQLXvhw-ed

📖 Grab Anton Guinea's best-selling book Leaders of Influence or enquire about bringing these principles into your business via the links in our channel bio!

#LeadersOfInfluence #JenniferMcGuire #AntonGuinea #PeopleFirstLeadership #IntegrityAndRespect #GenZInTheWorkplace #AusIndustry #CentralQueensland #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast