Speak In Flow

The Telephone Game Is Ruining Your Company

Have you ever given the same request to eight different people or teams just to see what comes back? We hope not, because that would be a waste of resources. But every time you send one message to a whole team, you’re running that experiment anyway, and the results can look very different from what you expect. Howard Miller, Chief Information Officer at UCLA Anderson, joins Melinda Lee to explain why accountability isn’t something a team simply has or lacks. It’s something leaders design. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Asked Is Not the Same as Understood “Just assuming it’s going to happen is not good enough anymore.” A single message can land eight different ways, and how to tell whether the gap is in how you said it, how it was interpreted, or what happened as it passed down the chain. The Weight Your Requests Carry Why a request from a leader can make people drop everything even when it isn’t urgent, and how every ask pulls capacity from somewhere else, creating chain reactions leaders have to account for. Accountability to Each Other, Not Just to You “We win together, but in order to win together, people have to play their part.” The real goal is a team that holds each other to the standard they hold themselves to, and why a consultant’s lessons won’t stick unless the team practices them after the consultant leaves. Trust but Verify Strong performers often over-commit because they don’t want to disappoint. However, that leads to over-promising and under-delivering, and leaders need a real pulse on their teams instead of assuming a request will be completed the way they pictured. It’s Not the Change That’s Hard, It’s the Willingness “It’s not the change that’s hard. It’s people’s willingness to change.” A leader can’t force a buy-in, how to learn who is on board and who isn’t, and how that opens the next conversation. Plus how a simple leadership chat can speed up decisions between meetings. ____________________________________ Have you ever thought about the weight of your requests? A “quick question” from a leader can pull a team off its real priorities before anyone notices. Read our last post to understand how one thoughtless ask creates a chain reaction, and how to prevent it. ____________________________________ About the Guest: Howard Miller is the Chief Information Officer at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Previously, he served as Acting CIO and CISO at Columbia University School of Business, overseeing information security and project management. An executive and senior IT leader, Howard has extensive experience designing, developing, and implementing technical strategy and policy. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, along with professional certifications including PMP, CISM, and CRISC. Connect with Howard Miller: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardjmiller/ Fun Facts: 🍷 Red wine collector 🏐 Plays beach volleyball 🚴 Loves road biking 🌲 Enjoys the outdoors ____________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How to Lead People Who Are Smarter Than You

Your team is full of brilliant people. So why does it sometimes feel like everyone is playing a different song? Paul Jan Zdunek spent years as an orchestra conductor before spending 20 years leading organizations through crisis, change, and growth, from a five-star hotel to a private school. In this conversation with Melinda Lee, Paul explains what conducting taught him about alignment: you can’t command people who are smarter than you in their own craft, but you can coach them, trust them, and bring them together as an ensemble. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Coach and Collaborate, Don’t Command and Control “You’re not teaching them the technical skills of their instrument.” Why a conductor leads 80 specialists without playing every instrument, and how that same playbook helped Paul turn around a hotel he had never run before. Responsibility Without Authority Kills Ownership “I have the responsibility, but I don’t have the authority.” Why this is one of the top complaints in organizations that are stuck, how unscheduled check-ins quietly signal distrust, and why micromanaged teams deliver work that is “safe and boring” instead of passionate and risk-taking. Read the Signals Before Anyone Speaks “It could be something like somebody 30 feet away raises an eyebrow.” What conducting teaches about picking up subtle cues, why leaders who talk more miss more, and how recording your own meetings can show you the reaction you’re actually getting. Structure Your Communication, and Know What Not to Send “Being disciplined about what not to communicate is just as important as when to communicate.” Why overloading people with messages makes them shut down, and how mapping your year of communications helps important messages land. Address Molehills Before They Become Mountains “Ice cubes before they become icebergs.” Why real-time feedback beats the once-a-year review, how to handle the brilliant “soloist” who doesn’t play with the team, and why your employees are always watching how you respond. __________________________________ Your top performer hits every target. They might also be the reason your best people are quietly leaving. We wrote about the real cost of a toxic star, and what leaders can do about it, only on the blog. __________________________________ About the Guest: Paul Jan Zdunek began his career conducting orchestras and has spent more than 20 years since in the executive C-suite, leading organizations where the people doing the work know more about it than the person in charge. He is usually called in when one has stalled. He has served as COO of Miller Kaplan, managing director of advisory services at BDO USA, and CEO of the Pasadena Symphony & POPS, and has stepped in as interim chief executive of a five-star hotel, an independent school, and a performing arts center. A TEDx speaker and keynote speaker, Paul is the author of Conduct the Room: How Brilliant People Become a High-Performing Organization and co-author of Cowboys & Conductors. He holds a Master of Music in conducting and an Executive MBA from the Drucker School of Management. Connect with Paul Jan Zdunek: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljanzdunek/ Website: https://pauljanzdunek.com/ Fun Facts: 🎼 Once forgot his tuxedo before a concert in Beijing and had to race back to his hotel through packed traffic 🎹 Worked with the late Marvin Hamlisch 📞 Was an award-winning phone salesman for Olan Mills at 16 🍸 Favorite pastime: floating in the pool with a gin and tonic __________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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The Ownership Mentality Every CEO Wishes Their Team Had

If you look at the work environment globally right now, you’ve surely heard people say things like, “Why would I go the extra mile if this company isn’t even mine?” And they have a point. If employees don’t feel that the company’s growth is their growth, they won’t put their max into it. That’s where ownership comes in. Christine Simmons, entrepreneur, strategist, and self-described recovering C-suite executive, joins Melinda Lee to explain how leaders build an ownership mentality in people who never signed a cap table. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Ownership Is a Mentality Before It’s a Cap Table “There’s a mentality of equity before you get to the cap table.” Why people can think and act like owners without owning a share, and how the shift from checking off KPIs to understanding their impact changes the way someone shows up. Connect the Small Piece to the Big Picture Why leaders who are too busy to explain the “why” lose the buy-in they need, and how tying a single task, even a two-second edit in a video, to its effect on the team, the company, and the wider ecosystem turns a job into a contribution. Delivered Isn’t the Same as Received “Just because I delivered that message does not mean it was received.” Why a town hall announcement doesn’t create ownership, and how getting to know your people as whole humans lets you adapt the same message so it lands, like one song played in many genres. Ownership Looks Different in Every Person “Throw a piece of trash down in the middle of the room, and wait to see who picks it up.” How to tell project leaders from people leaders, and why building on people’s strengths, instead of forcing them into roles that don’t fit, wins more than fixing weaknesses. Lead So It Thrives Without You “You need to want it to thrive without you.” Why replacing “because I said so” with real dialogue, creating a safe space for feedback, and taking the ego out of the equation is what frees leaders to focus on the creative work only they can do. _____________________________________ A great person can still be a bad fit. Waiting to find that out is the most expensive way to learn it. Read our guide on how to hire the right people for a startup. _____________________________________ About the Guest: Christine Simmons is an entrepreneur, strategist, and former C-suite executive with 20+ years of experience leading transformational change across sports, media, and entertainment. She has served as COO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars) and President and COO of the Los Angeles Sparks, and held leadership roles at Magic Johnson Enterprises, Disney, and NBCUniversal. Today, she advises organizations through her consulting firm, Alis Volat Propriis, co-founded 360 Impact Collective to help top athletes turn their platforms into lasting impact, and teaches a course on social impact in sports and entertainment at the University of Miami’s Law School. Connect with Christine Simmons: IG @unapologetically_christine linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/unapologeticallychristine/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/UnapologeticallyChristineNicole YouTube: @UnapologeticallyChristine Fun Facts: 🏍️ Grew up water skiing and dirt bike riding 🧬 Self-described genealogy nerd who has traced her family history back to 1840 👦 Proudest achievement: being mom to her son, Christian _____________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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The Leadership Rule That Works at Every Company Size

Companies change, and markets shift, but some leadership principles stay the same. In this conversation, Melinda Lee sits down with Kian Alavi, the co-founder and CEO of Mazlo. He talks about the principles that have stayed the same at every stage of his company's growth, explaining why these principles are the key to getting around the “founder's trap.” Basically, when every decision still goes back to the CEO, a team built on trust, ownership, and the right people can carry the mission without you in every room. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Your Inbox can be a Red Flag “If you've got great people on your team, you should be getting fewer emails or having an easier time managing them.” A constant stream of requests that need your response is a symptom of an organization built around one person. Why You Can’t Let Go The honest answers behind micromanagement are not trusting the person, not setting them up to succeed, and not being clear on what you’re asking and why. “It won’t get done right unless I do it” is almost always false. Delegation vs. Ownership “If you’re delegating appropriately, you’re actually shipping their work to them.” The difference between handing over a task and handing over responsibility shapes whether work gets done well, quickly, and without follow-up. Also, a task that needs chasing usually signals misalignment, not a motivation problem. The Right People and the Courage to Move Quickly “The CEO's job is to be fierce and defend and protect their team.” Why keeping an ill-fitting person in a role costs the whole team, how a great person can still be a bad fit, and why acting early is a form of respect for everyone involved. _________________________________ In a startup, one hire can represent 5-20% of your entire team. A bad hire can cost 15,000–30,000 and result in months of lost momentum. In our latest article, we explain how to hire based on your company's stage, develop a hiring process that surpasses gut feeling, and take action quickly when a candidate isn't the right fit. _________________________________ About the Guest: Kian Alavi is the co-founder and CEO of Mazlo, the financial infrastructure for nonprofits and fiscal sponsors. Mazlo brings banking, payments, and accounting into one platform built specifically for the back office of a sector representing 1.5 million U.S. nonprofits. Today, Mazlo serves nonprofits across 47 states and has surpassed a quarter billion dollars in funding volume in under two years. Its platform removes up to 90% of the manual reconciliation work that burdens finance teams, automatically enforces fund restrictions, and replaces month-end guesswork with real-time financial visibility. Connect with Kian Alavi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kianalavi/?isSelfProfile=false Website: https://www.mazlo.com/ Mazlo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mazlo-official/ Fun Facts: 👨‍👧‍👦 Dad of two 🥾 Enjoys hiking and biking ⚽ Coaches youth sports 🌱 Mentors young adults _________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How Union Negotiations Reveal the Real Cost of Misalignment

“Alignment” may sound like a buzzword until it results in a strike, diminished performance, or unachieved goals. In this episode, Yvonne Cheng, a member benefits consultant at the California Teachers Association, joins Melinda Lee to discuss what effective alignment looks like in practice. With her experience representing a union of over 310,000 members and two decades in corporate retail leadership, Yvonne offers valuable insights into achieving alignment when the stakes are high. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Alignment Starts With Listening, Not Assuming Why the first step to successful leadership, whether running a company or representing 310,000 educators, is listening to what people actually need rather than assuming you already know. What Happens When Alignment Breaks Down “If they're aligned together, everything could go so much more smoothly.” How misalignment between a school district and its local union escalated into strikes lasting up to twelve days, and what that disruption reveals about the real cost of unresolved disagreement. The CEO Who Knew Her Name “I really felt seen and heard.” A personal story from two decades in corporate retail on the difference between managers who communicated expectations clearly and those who didn't, and how that gap directly shaped success or failure on the job. Shared Understanding as the Real Goal Why alignment doesn't require everyone to agree on everything, but does require a genuine channel for disagreement, perspective, and feedback to be heard and acted on before it turns into disruption. _____________________________________________ Your training isn't wrong when it's built. It's outdated by the time it arrives. The half-life of a technical skill is now less than 2.5 years, and static courses can't keep up. Read our latest article to learn how to upgrade your training and increase your ROI. _____________________________________________ About the Guest: Yvonne Cheng is a benefits professional with more than 10 years of experience in benefits, customer experience, partnerships, and program development. She currently works at the California Teachers Association in the Member Benefits Department, where she helps CTA members access valuable resources, programs, and services that support their financial, personal, and professional well-being. Connect with Yvonne Cheng: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-cheng-67a3038/ Fun Facts: 🎤 Has been to over 12 Backstreet Boys concerts _____________________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How This CEO Uses AI to Eliminate 70% of His Meetings

AI is automating the paperwork, the reviews, the endless status meetings. So what's left for leaders to do? Sugata Sanyal, founder and CEO of ZINFI, with over three decades of experience, joins Melinda Lee to make the case that AI isn't replacing leadership, but giving teams a 360-degree view that was impossible a year ago. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wondering what leadership actually looks like once AI takes over the busywork. In This Episode, You Will Learn: From Reviews and Meetings to Human Conversations Why AI can eliminate 60-70% of the reviews and status meetings that used to dominate a leader's calendar, and what that time should be redirected toward instead. Alignment Starts With Knowing Who You Serve “A company is a contract through which we work for customers in the end.” Why the first step to organizational alignment isn't a strategy document, it's making sure every team member, technical or not, understands exactly who they're serving and why. From Paperwork to Peoplework “Companies are like families.” Why the real opportunity in this shift isn't efficiency for its own sake, it's giving leaders back the time to notice when a customer or an employee is struggling, something no AI agent can replace. Leading Yourself Through Change “I gotta create a new mirror, and I gotta create that.” Why leading a team through transformation starts with a leader's own willingness to admit what they built yesterday may no longer be relevant, and how identifying early adopters inside the organization accelerates everyone else's ability to change. ________________________________________ Employees forget 70% of what they learn within 24 hours. So why does most corporate training still run on one-and-done courses? Read our last article to learn the real cost of outdated training, and how to fix it. ________________________________________ About the Guest: Sugata Sanyal is the founder and CEO of ZINFI, an enterprise software platform that helps Fortune 100 and mid-market companies manage and grow their partner and reseller networks. With over three decades of experience at Honeywell, Philips, and Dell SonicWALL, Sugata has built a career around solving complex industry problems in ways that create hundreds of new jobs and opportunities. Connect with Sugata Sanyal: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sugatasanyal/ Website: http://www.zinfi.com/ Fun Facts: 💻 Believes everyone should spend at least an hour a day learning on YouTube 🤝 Co-founded East Bay Founders, a nonprofit community of 1,600+ founders, CXOs, and contributors 📚 Draws leadership philosophy from Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens _________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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Why Operationally Strong Companies Still Lose Major Accounts

You've built a successful company, hired the right people, earned your clients' trust. But standing at the top of the mountain doesn't mean you get to stay there. In this solo episode, Melinda Lee breaks down why so many strong, operationally sound companies start sliding backward the moment growth accelerates, and why AI is making that slide faster, not slower. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Success Isn't a Plateau, It's a Direction Why building a successful company doesn't guarantee you stay there, and how shifting markets, moving talent, and accelerating AI are forcing every organization to either keep climbing or start sliding. The Warning Signs of a Company Starting to Slide How operationally strong companies lose momentum when priorities multiply, departments start pulling in different directions, and growth quietly becomes dependent on just a few key people. The LMA Test: Can Your Leaders Tell the Same Story? “If they cannot share the same story, your client is going to feel that disconnect.” Misalignment at the leadership level shows up first in front of your biggest opportunities, and what it costs when it does. Three Phases to Move From Scattered to Aligned “Communicate what matters, communicate it often, so your people move forward together.” How leadership teams identify the priorities that matter most, take clear ownership of specific outcomes, and hold each other accountable, without depending on a few people to keep everyone on track. ____________________________________________ Every leadership team thinks they communicate well, until growth exposes the gaps. We show you why communication isn't a soft skill, it's the system that determines whether your company scales or stalls. Read our blog to get insights from people who have already lived through the process and succeeded. ____________________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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Why 60% of Your Employees Are Financially Stressed

Financial stress is a taboo topic at work. Nobody talks about it, even though financial compensation is usually the main reason people show up in the first place. But staying silent doesn't make the problem disappear, it just makes it bigger. In today's episode, Lara Brecher, Senior Manager for Success and Growth at Balance Financial Wellness, joins Melinda Lee to unpack why financial stress is one of the most overlooked drivers of disengagement, absenteeism, and lost productivity in the workplace. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Financial Stress Is a Leadership Issue, Not Just a Personal One Why financial wellness should be treated as an employee benefit alongside physical and mental health, and how stress that starts at home follows employees into the workplace, shaping their concentration, decision-making, and engagement. The Invisible Struggle Behind “Disengagement” “What barriers might this person be carrying that we can help remove?” Why financial stress is often invisible to leaders, and how reframing the question from “why isn't this employee more engaged” to what's really going on can transform how you support your team. Understanding Your Team's “Money Scripts” Why managing money isn't about intelligence or motivation, but about the deeply personal beliefs, habits, and “money scripts” people develop long before their first paycheck, and how these unconscious biases shape financial decisions at every level of an organization. Listen First, Then Act “No one organization can solve complex challenges alone.” Why the first step for any leader is asking employees what they're actually experiencing rather than assuming the answers, and how partnering with financial wellness organizations creates a stronger, more resilient workforce. ___________________________ Everyone obsesses over commission structure. Uncapped vs. capped. Tiered vs. residual. Accelerators vs. flat bonus. But the plan almost never dies on the formula. It dies on the explanation. If your reps can't tell you how their next deal maps to their next paycheck, you have a communication problem. And it's costing you revenue. Read our latest article, “How Commission Strategies Turn Employees Into Owners,” to fix the communication gap. ___________________________ About the Guest: Lara Brecher is the Senior Manager, Partner Growth and Success at Balance Financial Wellness, a nonprofit dedicated to making financial wellness accessible to everyone. With nearly 20 years of experience in community development and partner relations, Lara has built her career around a single mission: helping people navigate financial systems that weren't built for them. At Balance, she partners with employers, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and community groups to bring one-to-one financial coaching and education to the people who need it most. Her work is grounded in the belief that financial wellness isn't just about money, it's connected to mental health, workplace engagement, and long-term organizational success. Connect with Lara Brecher: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-brecher-4621a039/ Fun Facts: • 👩‍👧‍👧 Mother to two tiny humans and two fluffy cats • 🌉 Lives in Oakland, CA • 🧘 Loves yoga and hiking ___________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review.

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Why small decisions kill business value

How does a decision stick when priorities and how to accomplish them change every day, creating an environment of hostility and confusion? Michael Bush, founder of GrowthWays and creator of the Guardrailing Framework, has spent over 25 years helping CEOs and leadership teams answer exactly that question. In this episode of the Speak In Flow Podcast, Melinda Lee unpacks Michael's powerful framework for strategic decision-making. This episode is essential listening for any leader who understands that good decisions don't happen by accident. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Start with the Destination in Mind "If you don't know where you're going, it makes it really difficult to even set off in a direction." Instead of reacting to what's in front of them, high-performing organizations start by defining the end game, down to the date, the dollar amount, and the buyer. The Power of “Good Decisions” “Good decisions mean they hurt no one, they add value to lives and to the business, and you really can't go wrong if you keep it that simple.” Michael breaks down what makes a decision “good” vs. “bad” and why the golden rule still applies in the boardroom. Short-Term Goals, Frequent Rewards When everyone in the organization knows the goal, miracles happen. Michael shares real-world examples of how open-book management and company-wide bonuses turned struggling companies around faster than anyone anticipated. Breaking Down Silos “If you can't trust a coworker or your boss, it makes it really hard to be effective, because you're always watching your back rather than doing your job.” The organizations that struggle are the ones with silos, cults of personality, and leaders who say they have an “open-door policy” but punish anyone who challenges them. ___________________________________ Commission strategy is a leadership decision, not a finance afterthought. The formula matters, but the formula only works if people actually understand it. Read our latest article, "How Commission Strategies Turn Employees Into Owners” to boost your team's productivity. ___________________________________ About the Guest: Michael Bush is the founder of GrowthWays Partners and creator of the Guardrailing® Framework, a decision-making methodology that helps leaders build more valuable businesses aligned with what matters most. With over 25 years of experience, Michael has raised over $200 million in growth capital and been involved in transactions exceeding $325 million in enterprise value. He previously served as President and CEO of Ganeden, leading its global expansion and acquisition by Kerry Group. Today, he advises founders, CEOs, and investors on growth strategy, leadership, and exit readiness. Connect with Michael Bush: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbush/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/GrowthWays-Partners/61560996898333/# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthwayspartners/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowthWaysPartners Other Important: https://substack.com/@michaelbushsf GrowthWays Website: https://www.growthways.com/ Fun Facts: 🎸 Musician who donates show proceeds to charity 🧘 Certified meditation instructor 👨‍👧‍👧 Father of three daughters 🎭 Performs improv comedy with his wife ___________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review.

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How to Protect Employee Morale During Budget Cuts

Being motivated when there's a lack of external incentives is hard. So how do you manage to keep your employees motivated during hardships? In this episode of the Speak in Flow podcast, Melinda Lee sits down with Laurice Gonzalez, Principal Financial Analyst at San Francisco Public Works, to explore what truly drives employee engagement when budget cuts, hiring freezes, and uncertainty are the new normal. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Truth About Motivation in Hard Times "Let's just call it what it is." Why accepting and naming difficult realities, rather than sugarcoating them, is the first step toward building trust and protecting employee morale when budgets tighten and uncertainty looms. Communication as the Foundation of Trust “Clarity builds trust… when communication is hindered, people start filling in the gaps.” How inconsistent or withheld information leads employees to create their own (often worse) narratives, and why transparency, even about hard truths, actually strengthens organizational culture. The Cadence of Consistency Why consistent, predictable communication creates a sense of security, and how follow-ups and Q&A opportunities reinforce transparency over time. The Power of Purpose Over Paychecks “When you help people realize the meaning behind their roles, it ignites accountability.” Why connecting daily work to a “North Star” purpose is one of the most effective (and free) ways to reignite engagement when external rewards are limited. ____________________________________________ How can you improve your employees' working conditions if you don't know what's bothering them? The reality is that a good work environment and feeling heard have a greater impact on employee retention than we realise, particularly during tough times for the company. Read our latest article, "How to Make Every Employee a Brand Representative," to learn the best strategies and frameworks for getting honest feedback from your employees. ____________________________________________ About the Guest: Laurice Gonzalez is a Principal Budget Analyst at San Francisco Public Works, where she bridges financial strategy and people operations. Born and raised in the Philippines, she moved to the Bay Area in 2013 and has built a diverse career spanning advertising, the tech industry, the Superior Court of California, and now public service. At SF Public Works, she has led initiatives in employee engagement, strategic planning, process improvement, and operations budget, always with a focus on how people, operations, and strategy intersect to drive organizational success. Connect with Laurice Gonzales: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurice-gonzales/ Fun Facts: 🐕 Weekend dog mom to Paeng, who claims most of her free time 🌿 Has more houseplants than she's willing to admit 🎨 Loves painting florals and botanicals 📖 Happiest with a good book, acrylic paint, and a quiet weekend ____________________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How to Align Your Leadership Team in 30 Days

In any company, the main focus is always to “get the job done,” and training and development efforts are often limited to technology and instrumental labor. This can hinder efficiency, especially as the company grows. In this episode, Melinda Lee sits down with M.K. Palmore, founder of Apogee Global RMS, to discuss why communication is the most overlooked strategic tool in business today. Drawing on his 30+ years of experience in enterprise risk and cybersecurity, M.K. explains why breakdowns in execution almost always come back to people. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Holistic Approach to Risk Why cybersecurity, technology, and process failures are almost never the real problem, and how looking at the “seams” between people, process, and technology reveals the hidden cracks in your organization. Why Overcommunication Is Your Superpower “Sometimes it's okay to reiterate the same message every month. It's not rote; it's resetting expectations.” How the best leaders keep strategy alive by saying it over and over, and why repetition is the key to real alignment. The Mid-Management Breakdown Your executive team may understand the vision, but if your mid-level managers don't live and breathe it, your strategy dies at the execution layer. Learn where the breakage really happens and how to fix it. Investing in People That Might Leave “What happens if you invest in your leaders and they leave? What happens if you don't?” Why developing your people, even if it means preparing them for opportunities outside your company, is the single highest-return investment you can make, and how it creates a culture of loyalty that brings talent back stronger. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– We all know the drill: fill out the feedback form, say the “right” things, and move on. Your employees are lying to you, not out of malice, but out of fear. Most organizations are swimming in “safe” feedback while the real issues fester underneath. The solution isn't more surveys, it's a fundamental shift in how you communicate. Read our latest blog post. "How to Make Every Employee a Brand Representative" and learn the pillars of a feedback culture. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– About the Guest: M.K. Palmore is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Apogee Global RMS, an enterprise risk management firm built on his founding thesis that cyber, physical, and human capital risk are no longer separable but a single interconnected system, the Nexus of Risk. Over a 35-year career spanning the U.S. Marine Corps, the FBI, Palo Alto Networks, and Google Cloud, M.K. has led cybersecurity and risk initiatives at the highest levels of national security and global enterprise. Today, he advises organizations on integrated risk management, speaks internationally, and hosts The Risk Apogee podcast. Connect with M.K. Palmore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkpalmore/ Website: www.apogeeglobalrms.com Fun Facts: ⚓ Marine to FBI: Served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer before becoming an FBI Special Agent and earning his SWAT Operator certification. 💡 AI & Cloud Insider: Held senior roles at Palo Alto Networks and Google Cloud, giving him a front-row seat to enterprise AI and cloud-scale security. 📖 Student of Leadership: Believes leadership is a lifelong discipline, and the best leaders never stop learning. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review.

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Executive Presence Born from Crisis

Before everyone dives into fall planning, this month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations that every executive should have fresh in their mind! A terrifying moment of personal crisis can become the catalyst for reclaiming your sense of purpose. Many think that being courageous is an innate trait, when in reality, this is an ability born from resilience. Karla Yepez, HR Director for aerospace manufacturer Trio Manufacturing, embodies this truth. In this episode of the Speak in Flow podcast with Melinda Lee, Karla shares how she hit rock bottom and the mindset shift that not only brought her back but solidified her mission to lead with humanity. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Power of a Pivot “I had to take a really hard look in the mirror and remind myself who I am.” Karla’s journey reveals that our deepest challenges often prepare us for our greatest callings. When fear paralyzed her, she drew strength from a lifetime of overcoming adversity, realizing, "I was not made to break." The Effect of Curiosity “I didn't just file the file, I would read.” Long before her director title, Karla’s innate curiosity and willingness to ask questions transformed a simple filing job into a launching pad for her career. Her story is a testament to how a learning mindset can turn any role into an opportunity. What Your Darkest Moment Reveals “I was deteriorating, but inside I was still functioning.” The crisis that forced Karla to confront who she was under pressure, was a leader who, despite crumbling internally, never abandoned her duty to her team. The “Human” in Human Resources “Bring back human to human resources.” Build a culture you want to be in, you must embody the principles of empathy and justice, proving that the strongest organizations are built on a foundation of genuine human connection. About the Guest: Karla Yepez is the Director of Human Resources at Trio Manufacturing, Inc., a world-class leader in precision manufacturing for the aerospace and defense sector. Beginning her career in an entry-level filing job, Karla's innate drive to learn and help others propelled her into an unexpected HR role during a crisis. Karla is a passionate advocate for building cultures where people feel valued, protected, and connected to a purpose larger than themselves. Fun Facts: 🚀Mission-Driven Pride: She feels a deep, personal connection to her work, knowing that the components her company produces are essential to U.S. national defense. This isn't just a job; it's a contribution to the freedoms she cherishes. 🫘Chipotle to Boardroom: Before leading HR, Karla applied the customer service principles she learned at Chipotle to her early office jobs, proving that foundational skills translate everywhere. 🎓Driven by Mentorship: She attributes much of her success to the mentors who saw her potential, from the VP who noticed her curiosity while filing to the founders of Trio, who provided security and guidance. About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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Why Every Employee is a Salesperson

Before everyone dives into fall planning, this month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations that every executive should have fresh in their mind! In this episode, host Melinda Lee welcomes Ernie Bray, a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of AutoClaims Direct (ACD), to discuss Ernie's personal communication journey to overcome stage fright and the critical role of communication in driving sales. Ernie shares his insights on how leaders can cultivate effective communication within their teams, the importance of adaptability in sales, and why every employee, not just the sales team, plays a vital role in representing the company. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Aligning Your Team Through a Cohesive Message Sales isn’t just for the sales team. Ernie discusses how involving employees in content creation, social media videos, and customer interactions strengthens brand consistency and communication across the entire company. Preparation and Practice are Non-Negotiable Success in sales doesn’t come from winging it. Ernie explains how structured role-playing and handling objections in advance help teams deliver a clear and confident message. Leadership That Inspires Action Great leaders don’t delegate and disappear, they lead by example. Ernie reveals how active involvement in sales and communication fosters motivation, alignment, and company-wide advocacy. Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape What worked last year might not work today. It's tough, but it's something every company that's been around for a while knows. Ernie talks about why being able to adapt and keep learning is key to staying ahead in a market that's changing quickly. Memorable Quotes: "As a business owner, you have to be the best salesperson in your company. That doesn't mean doing all the pitches, but it does mean being the champion of your message." “Every interaction with a customer is a chance to communicate, and the better you are at it, the more you elevate your company.” “You don’t know it all, there’s always something new to learn about communication and leadership.” Connect with Ernie Bray LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erniebray/ About the Guest: Ernie Bray is a dynamic entrepreneur, CEO, and business strategist known for his high-energy leadership and innovative approach to sales, marketing, and business growth. As the CEO of AutoClaims Direct (ACD), he has led the company to be recognized six times on the Inc. 5000 list and three times on Entrepreneur Magazine’s "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." Fun-facts: Ernie has competed in over 35 endurance races, including half-Ironman triathlons, marathons, and open ocean swims. He can still sink NBA-range three-pointers like a pro. He has also been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, TechCrunch, HuffPost, and more. About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How to Craft Compelling Stories That Move Your Audience

Before everyone dives into fall planning, this month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations that every executive should have fresh in their mind! In this conversation with Melinda Lee, structural engineer and author Wayne Kalayjian reveals how he transformed the untold story of Michelangelo’s collapsing dome, a crisis that birthed modern engineering, into a compelling narrative. He reveals how he translated 18th-century Italian archives and complex physics into a gripping narrative and explains why clarity, concision, and audience-centric communication are at the heart of good writing. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The "Spaghetti Method" of Storytelling "You can’t serve a tangled bowl of pasta, straighten one strand at a time." Wayne’s approach to untangling concurrent events: isolate threads, introduce them logically, and rebuild the big picture. Writing for Humans (Not Just Engineers) "If your readers don’t read it, writing a book is meaningless." Wayne’s mantra: Simplify without "dumbing down." Use analogies (like domes as living organisms) to make technical concepts visceral. The Counterintuitive Power of Constraints Why Wayne embraced the "hardest story to tell" and how constraints (like 18th-century Italian translations) forged sharper communication skills. Audience Connection Without Crossing Boundaries "'Research their world thoroughly, but never presume intimacy - true connection comes from respect, not forced familiarity." Learn how to deeply understand your audience's needs and knowledge level while maintaining professional rapport. Connect with Wayne Kalayjian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whkalayjian/ About the Guest: Wayne Kalayjian, PE, SE, CFE, is a world-renowned structural engineer and storyteller who bridges Michelangelo’s genius with modern engineering in his book Saving Michelangelo’s Dome. As an expert, he’s designed bridges, tunnels, and even rescued Cape Cod’s historic Highland Lighthouse from collapse, but his real passion is transforming technical chaos into compelling narratives for leaders and everyday readers. Fun Facts: ✍️ Serial Author: Currently brewing his second book (because one dome-saving saga wasn’t enough). 📜 Renaissance Mind: Holds a dual degree in art history + engineering. 🌉 Reluctant Hero: Once moved a 4,000-ton lighthouse to safety like it was a chess piece. About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How a Disney Leadership Coach Handles a Crisis

Before everyone dives into fall planning, this month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations that every executive should have fresh in their mind! Today, the world feels like it's in a constant state of crisis. Every day news seems to destabilize us. We don't need to contribute to that. But how can we maintain clarity in our communication when everything else seems so muddy? In this episode of the Speak In Flow podcast, host Melinda Lee sits down with Dr. David Yudis, a leadership psychologist and former head of talent development at Disney. Together, they break down the art of leading under pressure, sharing the simple mental tools and human-first principles that transform you from a reactive participant into a grounded leader who provides calm and clarity. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Grounding Power of “So What?” Discover the simple, two-word tool to immediately center yourself and your message in any high-pressure situation. How to transform reactive panic into a clear, actionable focus for your team by asking, “So what does this mean for us, and what do we do about it?” The Two Leadership Traps in a Crisis Understand why leaders often fail to connect when the pressure is on. The dangers of reactive, emotionally-hijacked communication versus the potential disconnect of appearing “too calm,” and how to find the authentic, grounded middle path. Self-Awareness Before Strategy “What is the message that you are trying to communicate, and to whom, and… how can you best make that connection?” How to cultivate the self-awareness that forms the foundation of emotional intelligence and prevents “stress leakage” that can undermine your leadership over time. The Strength in “I Don’t Know” “Here’s what we know, here’s what we don’t, here’s our next step.” Admitting uncertainty and pairing it with a clear action plan is the ultimate leadership move in an uncertain situation. BLOG: Do you need the right words at the right time? As we all know, this is harder than it looks. However, in critical moments, this skill can mean the difference between sinking and staying afloat. Learn how in our latest blog post, "The Art of Crisis Communication." About the Guest: Dr. David Yudis is a transformational leadership architect who builds executive capability through designed experience. As a licensed clinical psychologist, former Head of Enterprise Executive Development at The Walt Disney Company, and founder of his leadership lab, Potential Selves, he bridges the profound gap between human behavior and high-stakes organizational performance. Guided by a belief that the deepest learning is visceral, not theoretical, he has pioneered a proprietary methodology called "The Game." A co-author of The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change and a Forbes Coaches Council contributor, Dr. Yudis now guides Fortune 500 executives through the ambiguity of capital raises, strategic pivots, and succession challenges. Social Handles: Website: www.davidyudis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidyudis/ Fun Facts: 🎤 Former Frontman: Was the lead singer for the new wave band New Millennium. 🍽️ Curator of Curiosity: Once hosted a dinner that included a world-renowned quantum physicist, an NBA play expert, and an Olympic coach. 🗣️ Polyglot: Speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and New York. 🧳 Five Lives Lived: He has authentically lived five distinct professional and personal lives so far. About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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Vanity Metrics vs. Actionable Metrics

Are you drowning in dashboards but starving for clarity? Sara Wyman, founder and CEO of Stackpack, joins Melinda Lee to expose the dangerous gap between vanity metrics and what actually drives business performance. In this eye-opening conversation, Sara reveals why most companies are measuring the wrong things, and how that's quietly bleeding their margins dry. A must-listen for any leader who's ever felt overwhelmed by data yet uncertain about what truly matters. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Vanity Metric Trap “We typically choose to measure what's really easy to count... but it doesn't tell you if it's actually working.” Why "80% AI adoption" sounds impressive but tells you nothing about whether your business is actually winning; and how activity metrics can lull leaders into a false sense of progress while the real story hides beneath the surface. Permission to Simplify “We believe that more measurement equals more control, but this is often not the case.” Escape the dashboard overload, and give yourself (and your team) the relief of focusing on what actually moves the needle. Communication as Infrastructure How to apply the same discipline to communication that you apply to metrics, defining the purpose of every channel, distinguishing discussion from decision, and creating institutional memory that survives stress and chaos. Metrics That Evolve “Quarterly resets aren't a failure; they're a necessity.” Learn why what got you here won't get you there, and how building flexibility into your measurement system keeps your company agile and aligned. _______________________________ “If I get specific, I'll lose customers.” “If I say no to some, I'll miss out on others.” Sound familiar? When you try to be everything to everyone, you end up being nothing to no one. The businesses that win are the ones willing to go deep, get specific, and own a corner of the market. Check out our blog post, “Niching Down Is the Smartest Growth Strategy,” to start defining your true ideal customer. _______________________________ About the Guest: Sara Wyman is the CEO and Founder of Stackpack, building the financial control layer for modern companies and the AI that powers them. She spent 7 years at Affirm leading multiple business lines and strategic partnerships with Shopify and Stripe that created billions in enterprise value. Prior to that, she built Payments at Etsy from the ground up and oversaw Finance and Operations at Reformation. Now she's tackling the next frontier: helping finance teams see, govern, and forecast AI spend before it quietly impacts their margins. Social Handles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-wyman/ Fun Facts: 🍁 She grew up in Vermont tapping maple trees for syrup every spring. 🎤 She was once the lead singer in a cover band. 🙉 She can't whistle. _______________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ The Legacy Growth System™: https://www.speakinflow.com/legacy-growth-system Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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Want to Scale? First, Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

Scaling is every entrepreneur's dream, but when you're actually there, it can quickly become a nightmare. Why does this happen? And how do we prevent it? In this episode of the Speak In Flow podcast, host Melinda Lee sits down with Kishore Rajgopal, CEO and founder of Rapidious, to uncover the critical questions every CEO must ask before scaling. With a background in corporate strategy and five startups under his belt, Kishore brings a rare blend of business acumen and human-centered leadership, sharing hard-won lessons from both his successes and his "glorious failures." In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Power of Narrowing to Scale “Once you have a niche under control, then you get to the next niche.” Why going broad is a trap, and how niching down to a hyper-specific market creates clarity in your go-to-market, your KPIs, and your communication, setting the foundation for sustainable growth. Ownership Over Tasks “Don't give them work. Give them ownership.” Discover why the most effective leaders stop tracking hours and start empowering teams with ownership, and how this shift unlocks engagement, accountability, and better results. Aligning Energies Through Conscious Communication Learn why alignment is the single most important factor in scaling, and how regular, open communication, not rigid processes, keeps everyone moving in the same direction. The AI Advantage for Smaller Teams “There's a lot of work that can get done with a small team.” How AI enables small, agile teams to achieve what once required massive headcount, and why staying lean is a competitive advantage in today's fast-changing market. ______________________________ Broad market = more customers, right? Wrong. 🚫 Companies that niche down: ✅ Convert at 67% vs 20% ✅ Grow 3x faster ✅ Charge premium rates Check out our blog post, “Niching Down Is the Smartest Growth Strategy,” to start defining your true ideal customer. ______________________________ About the Guest: Kishore Rajgopal is the founder and CEO of Rapidious, where he is redefining how the RV industry uses AI and data to make smarter and faster decisions. He has founded five startups and brings hard-won experience in pricing, analytics, and enterprise strategy. He has advised major retailers such as JCPenney, Publix, and Nordstrom. Outside of the boardroom, Kishore is a yoga and meditation teacher who brings a human-centered approach to leadership, balancing technology with team alignment and conscious communication. Social Handles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajgopalkishore/ Fun Facts: 🧘 He teaches yoga and meditation alongside running his AI startup. 🚐 Rapidious is his fifth startup, and he says he learned more from his failures than his successes. 🌏 He runs a fully remote, global team without tracking a single employee's hours. ______________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ The Legacy Growth System™: https://www.speakinflow.com/legacy-growth-system Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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How To Win Over Skeptical Clients

We could think that now that information is more accessible than ever, it would be easier for people to find our products, but the reality is quite the opposite. The information overload has buried a lot of great companies, so being "great" is not enough anymore. Borja Cuan, co-founder of 415 Digital, joins Melinda Lee to reveal that the secret to standing out is about the discipline of communication, the power of proactive transparency, and the surprising strategy of giving away value for free to build trust. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why Clients Fire You “Whenever there's an issue with a client, I'm usually finding that it's tied to bad communication.” It's often not about the results. Discover why a lack of communication is the silent killer of client relationships and how asking for validation can save a partnership. The "One Win a Week" Rule “It didn't need to be anything huge. It could be a small victory.” Learn the simple yet powerful habit Borja implemented 8 years into his business: requiring his team to highlight one positive update to each client every week to proactively build trust and showcase value. How to Win Over a Skeptical Market With so many agencies burning their clients, find out why Borja's "secret weapon" is doing work for free upfront to give prospects a taste of what it's like to be a client. Breaking the "Bragging" Taboo “Neither your managers nor the client will think you are bragging.” Highlighting your own successes is not arrogant. It's your responsibility to make your team's achievements known because clients and managers are often too busy to notice them. ____________________________________ Most leaders overcomplicate their communication. They share too much, prepare too little, and wonder why their message didn't land. Check out our blog post "Leadership: Dos and Don'ts" to stop treating communication as an afterthought and start getting results. ____________________________________ About the Guest: Borja Cuan has been in performance marketing since 1998, back when Google was barely a year old. As co-founder of Four15 Digital, he helps businesses scale through strategic advertising on Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. His approach combines big-picture thinking with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring clients and team members get real value from their work. Borja is known for embracing AI as a tool to boost efficiency and free up his team to focus on what truly matters: building strong client relationships and driving revenue. Social Handles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borjacuan/ Website: https://four15digital.com/ Fun Fact: ⚽ He once played soccer in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park in Glasgow. ____________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ The Legacy Growth System™: https://www.speakinflow.com/legacy-growth-system Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more

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Leaked Messages? Learn to Navigate the Screenshot Economy

The digital footprint is real, and it applies to work too. Every email, Zoom call, and Slack conversation stays there to be scrutinized later, and these have come with a lot of advantages and some invisible consequences as well. Join Melinda Lee on this episode of the Speak In Flow podcast as she sits down with Kaitlin Fluhler, a Senior VP at PrayTell, to dissect this new reality of digital communication. They move beyond the fear of leaked messages to explore how leaders can build unshakeable trust through integrity, consistency, and a clear brand promise. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The "Screenshot Economy" “Say it, forget it. Write it, regret it.” Discover why the barrier between private thoughts and public record has permanently collapsed, and how this fundamentally changes the weight of every message a leader sends. Alignment Over Fear “Don't fear the screenshot. Control your own integrity.” Learn why a clear internal compass, rooted in both personal values and brand promise, is the only reliable defense against the chaos of leaked messages and public scrutiny. The Shift from Product to People “It's not, 'The product let me down.' It's, 'These people let me down.” Understand the profound shift in how audiences connect with brands, they are now in a relationship with the people behind them. This means every employee's message now carries the weight of the brand's integrity. The "Brand Promise" Litmus Test for Crisis “If we're not clear, someone's going to build a narrative for us.” Uncover a simple but powerful framework for navigating any PR crisis: stop, pause, and ask: “What do our audiences expect from us every single day?” _____________________________________ Ever walked out of a meeting and thought, "That's not what I meant to say"? You're not alone. The gap between what we think and what we communicate is where deals die, but it doesn't have to be that way. Check out our blog post "Leadership: Dos and Don'ts" to master the art of reading the room. _____________________________________ About the Guest: Kaitlin Flueller is a seasoned communications leader with over 16 years of experience building integrated strategies for brands across lifestyle, consumer, and tech industries. As Senior VP at PrayTell, she manages a $10M portfolio of consumer brands and has worked with category-defining names including Under Armour, Calm, Fender, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Citizen, Peet's Coffee, and Jack in the Box. She's led bi-coastal teams, executed 360-degree campaigns, and served as trusted crisis counsel for high-stakes reputation challenges. Known for her strategic rigor, creative instinct, and calm-under-pressure leadership, Kaitlin builds lasting client relationships with humor and radical candor. Social Handles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-novell-fluhler-80526012/ Fun Facts: 🎓 Santa Clara University grad. Go Broncos! 🍷 WSET certified, though with two toddlers, she spends more time saying "no whining" than wining and dining. ______________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ The Legacy Growth System™: https://www.speakinflow.com/legacy-growth-system Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Cut 50% of Your Pitch and Get 10x More Results

Have you ever experienced that familiar feeling of butterflies in your stomach before speaking in public? Even the best speakers have experienced it. The best speakers aren't free of fear; they understand their fears and know how to control them. In this episode, startup advisor, board director, and founding member of Open Water Group, Keith Meyer, joins Melinda Lee to tackle the most common issue holding founders and leaders back: the inability to communicate clearly. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why Leaders Get Stuck in the Weeds “It's very easy to get wrapped up in the weeds and not take a step back and think strategically.” It's easy to get lost in daily tactical firefighting. Keith explains why taking a step back to think strategically is the key to making a real impact, and how to break free from the day-to-day grind to focus on what actually moves the needle. The 100+ Pitch Mindset The raw, unfiltered reality of raising capital is that you have to pitch over 100 times before you get that first "yes". The real breakthrough comes when you learn to simplify your message so that anyone can understand it. Less Is More “Sometimes less is more, right? People don't want to know any of the details behind the scenes.” Keith explains why leaders often overcomplicate their messaging out of pride, and how cutting out 50% of what you're saying can actually make your communication 10x more powerful. Board-Level Communication “A board member is just there to kind of gather a very summarized piece of information and make a decision.” When presenting to a board, it's not possible to share everything. Keith explains how to summarise complex information to create simple updates that enable quick and confident decision-making. He also emphasises why this skill is essential for any leader. __________________________________________ Learning to communicate in a confident way is good for your career and personal development, AND It's especially useful when you're trying to negotiate a pay rise. Check out our blog post "Earning What You Deserve." to find out the best way to show off the value of your work. __________________________________________ About the Guest: Keith Meyer is a marketing expert who has a lot of experience in growing brands and improving customer experience in fintech, financial services, and digital platforms. He works with the people who start companies and the people in charge of running them to help them grow and understand who their customers are. He has built some really successful marketing teams, come up with some amazing new products, and grown programs for startups and big companies all over the world, like Prosper Marketplace, Asset-Map, Income&, and Visa. Keith currently serves as a board director for the amazing Homework Project, a nonprofit tackling homelessness in California, and advises early-stage startups through Series C on go-to-market strategy. Social Handles: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keithmeyer Fun Facts: 🌍 Visited 54 countries and counting. 🗣️ Self-described "extroverted introvert" who learned to lead despite the nerves. __________________________________________ About Melinda: Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results. She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence. Website: https://speakinflow.com/ The Legacy Growth System™: https://www.speakinflow.com/legacy-growth-system Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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