Your Intended Message

A Better Way to Drive Change: Jeff Wetherhold

Why Top-Down Change Fails and how leaders can fix it How to lead change without burning out or losing your team Episode 281 (Jeff is based in Maine) In this conversation with Jeff Wetherhold we explore: * why 88% of change initiatives fail and what leaders consistently overlook * how treating change as a communication challenge shifts results * how ambivalence, not resistance, explains employee behaviour * how motivational interviewing helps leaders reduce resistance * why reflections help people reveal their own motivations * why benefits must be discovered rather than declared * how top-down directives undermine trust and buy-in * how leaders can engage skeptics without burning out * why individual conversations drive organizational change * how leaders can begin using these tools immediately ----- About our guest, Jeff Wetherfold: Jeff has 20+ years understanding what helps or hinders change for people and organizations. He is a former behvioral science researcher who has learned and worked extensively in the fields of change management, process improvement, motivational interviewing and leadership communication. Learn more about Jeff and hisspeaking, training and coaching services at https://www.jeffwetherhold.com/ [https://www.jeffwetherhold.com/] ----- Key lessons from this conversation with Jeff: * in this conversation we explore why 88% of organizational change fails and what leaders overlook * in this conversation we explore why change is primarily a communication challenge, not a technical one * in this conversation we explore how leaders mistakenly assume employees hold fixed attitudes toward change * in this conversation we explore the concept of ambivalence and why every person has reasons both for and against change * in this conversation we explore why top-down change efforts almost always fail * in this conversation we explore how motivational interviewing helps leaders move people toward change * in this conversation we explore why leaders need more reflections and fewer questions * in this conversation we explore how to identify and amplify employees’ intrinsic motivations * in this conversation we explore why benefits must be defined by employees, not assumed by leaders * in this conversation we explore why organizational change succeeds only when individuals choose to change ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com [http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/] https://superiorpresentations.net/ [https://superiorpresentations.net/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/] https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills [https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills1]

Five Roles Every High-Performing Team Needs: Mark Murphy

Don't force teamwork, harness your team's superpowers Great teams don't need to be friends Episode 280 (Mark is based in Georgia) In this conversation with Mark Murphy, we explore: * why you don’t have to like your teammates to perform well together * how forced fun can kill real teamwork * the five essential roles that make up every high-performing team * how to diagnose what’s missing when your team is stuck * why adaptive leadership means the best person leads in each situation * how understanding others’ strengths makes collaboration easier * why leaders should stop trying to fill every role themselves * how team diversity creates synergy instead of friction * what new team leaders often get wrong * how real teamwork feels more like training for a marathon than going to a party ----- About our guest, Mark Murphy: Mark is a New York Times bestselling author with books, Hiring for Attitude, Hundred Percenters and his latest, Team Players: The Five Critical Roles Your Need to Build a Winning Team. You can learn more about Mark, his books, reserch and programs at his website https://www.leadershipiq.com/ [https://www.leadershipiq.com/] Take the free quizs to clarify your leadership traits. ----- Key Lessons from this conversation with Mark Murphy: * teams don’t need to be friends to be effective * fake team-building activities can actually hurt performance * high-performing teams rely on five critical roles: director, achiever, stabilizer, trailblazer, harmonizer * it’s okay not to like everyone on your team—focus on results, not relationships * leadership on great teams is adaptive—who leads changes based on the situation * knowing your strengths and appreciating others’ roles builds trust and efficiency * team balance matters more than team bonding * great leaders don’t try to play every role—they delegate and empower others * when teams stall, identify which missing role is causing the blockage * success is measured by outcomes, not by how much fun the team has ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com [http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/] https://superiorpresentations.net/ [https://superiorpresentations.net/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/] https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills [https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills1]

Catch People Doing Things Right: Lessons from Ken Blanchard’s Editor Martha Lawrence

Praise in Public, Criticize in Private Leadership Lessons with Martha Lawrence Episode 279 ( Martha is based in San Diego, CA) In this conversation with Martha Lawrence, we explore: * how the culture of positivity shaped Ken Blanchard’s leadership philosophy * why The One Minute Manager changed how organizations lead and communicate * how to apply “catch people doing things right” both at work and at home * the fine line between genuine praise and shallow flattery * what “servant leadership” really means in practice * how leaders can help team members by asking better questions * how Martha Lawrence turned trauma into meaningful creative work * why apologizing and letting go of ego strengthen leadership * how Ken Blanchard modeled love and humility in leadership * how positivity and purpose can transform organizations and lives ----- About our guest Martha Lawrence: She's a vertern book editor who has edited hundreds of book including major bestsellers - Feel the Fear and Do it Anyways and The One Minute Enrepreneur. As the executive editor at Blanchard, she worked with business guru, Ken Blanchard for over two decades. Learn more about Martha and her new book at https://marthalawrence.com/ [https://marthalawrence.com/] Books by Ken Blanchard https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/ [https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/] Wow! More resources from Ken Blanchard https://www.blanchard.com [https://www.blanchard.com/]/ ----- Key Lessons from this conversation with Martha Lawerence: * Positive leadership is rooted in valuing people as much as results. * The One Minute Manager principles — clear goals, one-minute praising, and one-minute redirects — remain timeless leadership tools. * Catching people doing things right is more effective than focusing on mistakes. * Praise in public, criticize in private — simple rule, powerful impact. * Servant leadership means inverting the hierarchy: leaders serve their teams. * Leadership is learned behavior; empathy and humility can be practiced. * The best leaders help others grow by asking, “How can I help you do your job better?” * Adversity can become the catalyst for purpose and contribution. * Apologizing well is a leadership strength, not a weakness. * Real leaders let go of ego — as Ken Blanchard says, ego means “edging good out.” ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com [http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/] https://superiorpresentations.net/ [https://superiorpresentations.net/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/] https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills [https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills1]

What Nature Teaches About Communication: Hugh Coppen

The Power of Listening—Lessons from Elephants and Lions Elephant Wisdom: Be Still, Listen, and Lead Episode 278: (Hugh is based in San Fransico) In this conversation with Hugh Coppen we explore: * how animals communicate clearly without words * why listening is a survival skill in nature—and in business * what elephants and lions can teach us about leadership * how body language signals intent, trust, and respect * the importance of belonging and team spirit * why patience and silence build awareness * how communication extends across species * how natural systems model mutual respect and cooperation * how immersion in wilderness renews perspective and purpose * the elephant’s message for human beings: listen, think, and be content ----- About our guest, Hugh Coppen: Hugh grew up on his family farm in Zimbabwe where he developed his lifelong passion for wildlife and nature in the African wilderness. He eagerly spreads his love of nature and lessons from wildlife. He has severed as CEO of companies in the US, Canada and the UK. He leads safaris to Zimbabwe to help connect you with nature and the lessons of African wild life. https://tasimba.com/ [https://tasimba.com/] ----- Key lessons from this conversation: * Listening deeply reveals more than speaking. * Body language is the oldest and most honest form of communication. * Smell, sound, and stillness carry powerful meaning. * Awareness depends on observation and patience. * Trust and belonging are essential survival messages. * Respect sustains harmony and safety. * Communication includes shared signals across species. * Leadership in nature depends on clarity and calm. * Contentment and self-awareness are signs of true wisdom. * Happiness is created, not consumed. ------ ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com [http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/] https://superiorpresentations.net/ [https://superiorpresentations.net/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/] https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills [https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills1]

Align Conscious and Subconcsious Intentions: Vince Poscente

Managing Fear and Chaos The Ant, the Elephant, and the Earthquake Episode 277 (Vince is based in Dallas, Texas) In this conversation with Vince Poscente we explore: * how fear operates in both the conscious and subconscious mind * why alignment between intention and emotion determines progress * the meaning behind “there’s no linear way out of chaos” * how to face personal earthquakes like loss, failure, or crisis * why breathing is the antidote to panic and paralysis * how curiosity and letting go create the “third reality” for problem-solving * the role of outside perspective in breaking self-sabotaging patterns * how to reframe fear as a source of drive rather than a block * why connection and community are critical after trauma * how leaders can model vulnerability and emotional awareness ----- About our Guest, Vince Poscente: Vince is a New York Times best selling author of eight books including his latest, The Earthquake. He is president of Board Developer providing sound advice for high growth companies. You can learn more about Vince Poscente and order his latest book at  www.VincePoscente.com [http://www.vinceposcente.com/] ---- Key Lessons from this conversation with Vince Poscente: * Fear grows when we run away from it and shrinks when we face it directly. * The conscious mind (the ant) must align with the subconscious (the elephant) to move forward effectively. * There’s no straight path out of chaos — progress comes through curiosity and releasing control. * Breathing interrupts the brain’s fear response and helps bypass the amygdala’s freeze-flight-fight loop. * Fear can be reframed as a motivator rather than an obstacle — make fear your friend. * Personal earthquakes (crises) expose misalignment between conscious intention and subconscious patterns. * Healing requires acknowledging pain rather than suppressing it — the “solution loop” starts there. * Outside perspectives can reveal paths we can’t see on our own. * Connection and community are essential for long-term recovery — isolation fuels dysfunction. ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com [http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/] https://superiorpresentations.net/ [https://superiorpresentations.net/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/] https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills [https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills1]