How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow

Public Speaking: Don't Irritate the Bouncer

June 29, 2007— the day public speaking changed forever. Before smartphones, a bored audience member had to doodle or stare at the ceiling. Now they have a casino in their pocket. If you want to hold people’s attention, you’re not just competing with distractions… you’re competing with the most addictive technology ever created. In this episode, we break down why engagement is no longer optional. Every time you open your mouth, you become a guest in your listener’s mind. And every mind has a ruthless bouncer whose job is to kick out anything boring. We explore the five main causes of boredom—Irrelevance, Complexity, Aimlessness, Apathy, and Predictability—and give you practical tactics to beat each one. You’ll learn how to stay relevant, simplify your message, create structure, tap into emotion, and use vulnerability to surprise your audience. The bottom line: It’s your job to engage, not their job to pay attention. If you want to influence people, you have to talk about what they want and show them how to get it. A simple, powerful guide to making your communication impossible to ignore.

Public Speaking Isn’t About Mechanics — It’s About a Message

Most people think becoming a great speaker means mastering body language, vocal tone, and slide design. But the truth? None of that matters if you don’t have something worth saying. In this episode, Adam and Clay unpack why public speaking isn’t about polish — it’s about purpose. Drawing from Rob Fitzpatrick’s idea of pseudoteaching, they explore how even flawless delivery can fall flat when the message lacks substance. You’ll learn: * The myth of mechanics and why performance doesn’t equal impact * Two practical tests for knowing if your message is worth sharing * How to shift your focus from sounding good to saying something good Whether you’re leading a meeting, pitching an idea, or giving a keynote, this episode will help you stop performing and start communicating. ______________________ Have a message you need help preparing? Send us an email Info@howtolead.work to learn more about our coaching services.

The Power of Bringing Humor to Work

Work is serious — but does it have to feel that way? In this episode, Adam and Clay explore how humor can make us better leaders. From lowering defenses to building trust and sparking creativity, humor isn’t a distraction — it’s a leadership superpower. You’ll learn the kind of humor that works (and what to avoid), why joy is serious business for healthy teams, and three practical ways to lighten up without losing your edge. Plus, a funny story to kick things off and a challenge to bring more laughter into your leadership this week.

Keeping Humans Engaged in an AI Driven World

As AI transforms the workplace by automating tasks and boosting productivity, leaders face a new challenge: keeping humans engaged, connected, and valued. This episode explores how the real threat isn’t artificial intelligence—it’s disconnection—and offers three ways leaders can respond: coach more, lean into human skills, and make purpose visible. The message is clear: in an AI-driven world, your greatest responsibility is to make work feel more human.

The Illusion of Communication

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” In this episode, Adam and Clay dig into why miscommunication happens so often at work—and how leaders can prevent it. From funny mix-ups (like a cake with the wrong message) to frustrating real-life examples of missed handoffs and unclear priorities, they explore why clarity is a leader’s most important tool. You’ll learn five simple habits to make sure your message actually lands: 1. Repeat back what you hear 2. Use visuals, not just words 3. Preview where you’re going 4. Match tone to intent 5. Share bad news in person The big takeaway? Don’t assume communication happened just because you said something. Clarity is leadership.