Speaker Dynamics | Leadership, Communication & Public Speaking

What does executive presence look like when you have just made a mistake?
Mark Graban, host of My Favorite Mistake and author of The Mistakes That Make Us, shares a surprising truth. Real executive presence is not about perfection. It is about confident communication when things go wrong.
Mark has interviewed nearly 300 leaders, including members of Congress and high profile entrepreneurs, and asked each of them to share a professional misstep. A clear pattern emerged. The leaders people respect most are not the ones who avoid mistakes. They are the ones who own them. That level of leadership communication builds trust, strengthens teams, and increases influence when speaking.
 
Karin and Mark explore why punishment driven cultures quietly kill innovation and how psychological safety fuels better results. When leaders model confident communication and take responsibility for their own errors, they create space for others to speak up. That shift has a direct impact on morale, performance, and credibility.
For anyone focused on public speaking for leaders or strengthening executive presence, this conversation is a practical reminder that authority and humility are not opposites. They work together.
 
If you want to command the room while staying human, this episode will challenge how you think about mistakes and show you how to turn them into momentum.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Why Successful Leaders Share Their Mistakes
01:44 How My Favorite Mistake Podcast Began
04:41 Confident Humility and Executive Presence
10:24 Why Punishing Mistakes Damages Workplace Culture
12:26 Psychological Safety and Leadership Communication
19:44 Powerful Mistake Stories From Public Leaders
25:58 Building a Culture That Learns Instead of Blames
31:46 A Simple Framework for Learning From Mistakes 
 
Connect with Mark Graban:
Visit Mark' website
Grab a copy of The Mistakes that Make Us
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“AI is there to support storytelling, but not take it over,” says Maggie Miller, Speaker Dynamics’ communication coach and tech specialist, as she joins Karin Reed to discuss how generative AI, like ChatGPT, is reshaping presentation skills. Maggie shares how tools like ChatGPT save time, spark creativity, and even offer real-time feedback for presenters looking to refine their delivery.
 
Can AI enhance your storytelling without losing the human connection? Maggie believes it can. By treating AI as a “sous chef”—a helper for the heavy lifting—presenters can stay focused on authenticity and emotional connection. She also addresses ethical considerations, including data privacy and the importance of fact-checking, while offering practical tips on crafting effective prompts to get the most out of AI.
 
Starting small is key. Maggie suggests taking small steps, experimenting with AI for simple tasks, and gradually discovering its potential. For those ready to take the next step, Karin introduces Speaker Dynamics’ latest offering: “Using Generative AI for Powerful Presentations,” a program Maggie designed to help individuals and teams confidently enhance their communication skills using AI. Discover more at www.speakerdynamics.com/bonuscontent/
 
Quotes
“I think there are really three main benefits for using generative AI for creating powerful presentations… There are tools out there that give you a platform to practice presenting and get real time feedback. And so, this is just another way that you can use these types of tools to become a better presenter.” (04:24 | Maggie Milles)
“AI is there to support storytelling, but not take it over… Think of it as a sous chef—it’s really there to help you with those time-consuming tasks so you can focus more on the big picture.” (07:52 | Maggie Miller)
“The art is really about being very detailed about what you want. So, let’s say that you wanted to create an outline for a presentation. If you’re writing that prompt, you want to put in there: what is the topic that you want to be talking about? Do you have any time constraints or character constraints that it needs to consider? Are there any other nuances that you want it to take into consideration? I would say the biggest one that I always add to my prompts is: who is my audience?” (19:13 | Maggie Miller)
“I always say start small. Go to ChatGPT and ask it a simple question… The thing about ChatGPT and these other tools is the more you use it, the more it starts to mimic your behavior, whether you think that’s good or bad. The more you work with it, you’re basically training it to be more like yourself… Don’t be afraid. Give it a try.” (20:41 | Maggie Miller)
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Retaining your power in virtual communication means building a presence that resonates and holds influence, even from behind a screen. So, how do we adjust our approach to make sure our impact truly connects in virtual settings?
 
In this episode, Karin Reed unpacks what it takes to communicate powerfully online. Reflecting on a colleague’s observation that 80% of people appear significantly more powerful in person than online, Karin explains how small adjustments can elevate virtual presence. True influence in the digital space is created by intentionally shaping how you show up.
 
Karin shares five practices for retaining power online—from staying visible and speaking up to creating a warm, engaging atmosphere with small talk. Do you find it easy to connect through a screen, or does it feel like a barrier? Karin suggests that everything—your position on camera, lighting, sound, even background—impacts your digital impression.
 
Treating the camera as a direct link to others can transform virtual interactions and create a sense of connection and trust that feels almost face-to-face. Focusing energy through the lens is more than a technical adjustment; it can powerfully build genuine connections. For anyone aiming to leave a lasting impression in the virtual room, Karin’s insights offer a fresh perspective on communicating with strength and authenticity online.
 
Quotes
“In order to be powerful in the medium that you have available to you, you have to understand that there’s nuance and things that you have to change in order to ensure that you can have as much presence as possible in the room as that room allows you.” (02:20 | Karin Reed)
“Recognize if your goal is to be powerful in that room. So if your goal is to have influence and impact over the decisions that are being made or to inspire people to take action, having the video on is a critical component of that.” (03:16 | Karin Reed) 
“Your digital impression might be the only impression that people have of you. So you owe it to them to make sure it’s a good one. You want them to be able to communicate with you as easily as possible without distraction, but you owe it to yourself because you want what is appearing on the screen here to be a good reflection of your personal leadership brand, a personal leadership brand that you want to be powerful as.” (14:11 | Karin Reed)
“Focus on connecting with your conversation partners—not just spouting information at them, but connecting with them by injecting humanity into the way you interact and encouraging conversation and dialogue. Be as authentic as you possibly can be… The camera does change everything, but it should not change you.” (21:56 | Karin Reed)
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Why do some people command a room instantly while others struggle to be heard? Executive presence is often treated like a mystery trait, yet Chris Lipp argues it is rooted in something far more practical and trainable. It begins with personal power.
 
In this conversation, you will rethink executive presence from the inside out. Chris explains why titles and authority do not create real influence and how leadership communication starts with the belief that you can create impact. If you want more influence when speaking, especially when presenting to senior leaders, this episode will challenge how you show up and how you speak with confidence.
 
Chris breaks down the subtle habits that quietly erode executive presence, including blame, reactivity, over proving, and seeking approval. These patterns may feel safe in the moment, but they chip away at your credibility and authority. Through research and real stories, from Bob Iger taking responsibility early in his career to a teacher who diffused a violent threat through calm control, you will see how power is communicated long before you try to persuade anyone.
You will also hear how body language when presenting connects to mindset, and why non reactivity can instantly shift power dynamics in meetings. If you have ever felt small in a high stakes conversation, this discussion offers practical ways to reclaim control without becoming aggressive or performative.
 
Executive presence is not about dominating the room. It is about owning your responses, your words, and your internal state. When you strengthen executive presence, people listen differently and leadership communication becomes far more effective.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Formal Power Versus Personal Power in Leadership
03:07 Accountability and Executive Presence at Work
07:12 Why Proving Yourself Reduces Influence When Speaking
10:43 The Four Behaviors That Weaken Executive Presence
16:22 Handling an Office Bully Without Losing Power
18:52 How to Gain Status and Influence in Meetings
22:28 Personal Power Under Pressure in a Crisis Situation
28:44 Strengthening Executive Presence From the Inside Out
 
 
Connect with Chris Lipp:
Visit the Speak Value website
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Leading yourself is about controlling the controllable. And sometimes that is your own mindset and only your own mindset,” says Elizabeth Lotardo, a consultant, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of “Leading Yourself.” She joins Karin Reed in this episode to talk about the power of self-leadership and how it enables anyone, no matter their role, to take charge of their work life. She focuses on the idea that while you can’t always control external factors, like your boss or workplace changes, you can control how you respond.
 
How often do we let external pressures dictate how we feel or perform? Elizabeth challenges that mindset and encourages listeners to focus on what’s within their power—shifting their perspective, building stronger relationships, and managing their own behaviors. She shares practical tips for dealing with things like micromanagers, fears about AI taking over jobs, and the stress of reorganizations, pointing out that a proactive mindset can change everything. 
 
This episode offers a simple but impactful takeaway: “You’re never powerless.” By leading yourself, you can take control of how you show up, even in tough situations. It’s a skill that not only helps you overcome the challenges of work but one that you can carry with you for life.
 
Quotes
“Leading yourself is about controlling the controllable. And sometimes that is your own mindset and only your own mindset.” (02:34 | Elizabeth Lotardo)
“Leading yourself is a simple shift, but it’s not easy to execute. When you do, it shows up in a million little ways. But the ultimate crux of it is shifting from worrying about what’s outside of our control to focusing on what’s inside of our control. And that is empowering.” (03:37 | Elizabeth Lotardo) 
“AI is so scary. ‘I wonder if it’s going to take my job? Both of us are in the content business. That is a very real threat. This is my chance to lean into my uniquely human skills. This is my chance to build more authentic relationships. This is my chance to define my voice even more specifically. Pointing your brain to what you can control instead of sitting in what you can’t is the only way you’re going to lift out of that.” (09:23 | Elizabeth Lotardo) 
“The takeaway of leading yourself is you are never powerless. Even in the face of rapidly changing technology, even if you’re working for a leader who isn’t great, even if your company is a little bit behind, you are never powerless. The way you show up for your mindset, your behaviors, and your relationships has the biggest impact on the success you do or do not achieve.” (23:56 | Elizabeth Lotardo)
Links
Connect with Elizabeth Lotardo:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethlotardo/
Website: https://www.elizabethlotardo.com
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“What do Michelle Obama, Sheryl Sandberg, and potentially you all have in common? Imposter syndrome,” begins Karin Reed. She’s joined by Julia Korn, founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide, to dive into how widespread imposter syndrome truly is—impacting 70% of people across all demographics. It’s a universal feeling, and Julia explains that—contrary to popular belief—imposter syndrome is not exclusive to women. This misconception arises from the term’s origins in a study conducted at an all-female university in the 1970s, which led to the mistaken belief that it predominantly affects women.
 
Karin and Julia talk about how increased self-awareness can sometimes make imposter syndrome worse that causes us to doubt our abilities even more. Julia offers practical tips for navigating these feelings, highlighting the power of vulnerability and taking small steps to build confidence. How can you embrace these moments of self-doubt and turn them into opportunities for growth? This episode encourages listeners to embrace imposter syndrome and turn it into a tool for building confidence through self-affirmation and solid preparation. Tune in to gain practical, useful strategies to foster authenticity and confidence in your professional life.
 
Quotes
“Imposter syndrome goes beyond just a lack of confidence. It really is this deep feeling of phoniness, of feeling like you’re faking it, and of feeling unintelligent or incapable, despite evidence of high achievement. You might find that you’re highly motivated to achieve and have a lot of history of doing really well, but you still have this fear of being exposed as a fraud.” (01:43 | Julia Korn)
“I think the biggest preface that comes to mind with imposter syndrome and speaking is, “Who am I to…?” Who am I to get on stage in front of all these people and tell this story? Who am I to command the attention of all these people? I’m ordinary. I’m just me. We tend to really discount the power that our own voice and our own stories have.” (10:50 | Julia Korn) 
“Imposter syndrome loves shame; that’s its breeding ground. It loves secrecy. Feelings of imposter syndrome will grow when you keep them as a deep, dark secret and feel like you’re the only one suffering from them…. The thing that the data shows works the most is actually the simplest: getting vulnerable and simply talking about it.” (17:08 | Julia Korn)
“The question I get most often from clients is, ‘How do I build confidence?’ I want to give your listeners a little answer: don’t wait for confidence to come to act. Engage in small, scary, risky things now. Watch your confidence increase just a little bit, and let that lead to the next small risk. Think of confidence as a staircase that builds over time, like a muscle, versus a binary state of ‘I have it’ or ‘I don’t have it.’” (21:59 | Julia Korn) 
 
Links
Connect with Julia Korn:
Website: www.theauthenticityguide.com
Emerging Leader Collective Application: https://4mlz9tjnoss.typeform.com/to/eyTYdtxp?typeform-source=www.theauthenticityguide.com
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Speaking Like a Leader is tested most when the stakes are high and emotions run stronger than we would like. In this conversation on leadership communication, Karin Reed sits down with Emily Gregory, co-author of Crucial Conversations, to explore why avoiding hard feedback quietly erodes trust. Speaking Like a Leader means stepping into discomfort instead of sidestepping it. If leadership communication is about building credibility and connection, then feedback is where it either strengthens or fractures.
Emily shares a clear framework for handling tough conversations without damaging relationships. From doing the internal preparation before you speak, to stating your positive intent, to describing the gap between expectation and reality, this episode delivers practical tools you can apply immediately. Speaking Like a Leader requires clarity, ownership, and the discipline to protect trust even when accountability is necessary. The reminder is simple but powerful. Connection is the goal. Accountability follows.
You will also hear how these principles translate into virtual communication skills. How do you create psychological safety when you are speaking on camera? How do you compensate for limited nonverbal cues? How can leadership communication maintain executive presence when body language is less visible? For leaders focused on executive communication across in-person and remote environments, these skills are essential.
 
If you want confident communication that allows you to give feedback without fear, this episode will help you rethink how you approach discomfort. Whether you are presenting to senior leaders, managing a team, or communicating with influence across a distributed workforce, the real differentiator is this: do people trust that you care?Episode Breakdown:
00:00 What Defines a Crucial Conversation in Leadership Communication07:27 A Practical Framework for Giving Feedback with Confidence12:06 Delivering Feedback Effectively in Virtual Communication27:40 How to Create Psychological Safety During Tough Conversations31:36 Why Avoiding Feedback Erodes Trust and Weakens Leadership
 
Connect with Emily Gregory:
Visit Crucial Conversations for additional leadership tools
Read more on how to handle constructive criticism
Read the Harvard Business Review article on giving and receiving negative feedback
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Imagine what it’s like trying to keep people’s attention in a virtual meeting—one they might not be interested in, a meeting they might even feel they don’t belong in. Yet, there they are, and it’s your job to keep them focused and get business done,” begins Karin Reed.
 
In this episode, Karin addresses the challenges of keeping participants engaged in virtual meetings and offers practical strategies to maintain active involvement. The first step, she suggests, is to assess whether the meeting should even happen in the first place and offers two questions to ask to ensure that it does, based on insights from her co-author, Dr. Joe Allen, from their books Suddenly Virtual, Suddenly Hybrid, and Running Effective Meetings for Dummies. Dr. Allen suggests that in some cases, asynchronous communication may be a more effective option.
 
Karin emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations from the start—defining the meeting’s purpose and agenda upfront and encouraging participants to turn on their cameras to enhance communication through non-verbal cues.
 
What can you do to make virtual meetings more dynamic? Karin suggests breaking content into smaller, manageable segments and incorporating interactive elements like polls, Q&A sessions, and chat participation. She also points out the value of allowing some non-business small talk, mimicking informal in-person interactions, which can help build rapport and lead to more meaningful contributions.
 
Another key tip? Start the call early and stay until everyone has left. This approach opens up opportunities for one-on-one interactions that might otherwise be missed. Karin stresses the importance of keeping participants engaged throughout the meeting, whether through discussions or interactive tasks.
 
Quotes
“If a virtual meeting does not require input and interaction from your audience, don’t make people sit there and listen to you spout off that information. Send it out in a way they can consume on their own time without disrupting their workflow.” (03:12 | Karin Reed) 
“When we have virtual meetings, we’re expecting people to be active participants through a screen. And boy, it’s really hard to get people out of that passive observer position. They just want to show up, put themselves on mute, and sit there. But nobody can pay attention for that long if they’re just sitting there and watching… It’s a big challenge—keeping people tuned in and engaged.” (04:37 | Karin Reed) 
“Keeping the camera on allows people to communicate fully. It enables you to use non-verbal cues to deliver your message more effectively. People can read the intent of your message more easily, and when their cameras are on, you can also see the impact of your message on them.” (08:35 | Karin Reed) 
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Wouldn’t it be great if you had someone to guide you through writing your next chapter? Marcy Bullock is one of those people,” says Karin Reed in today’s episode of Speaker Dynamics - “Own the Room.” Joining Karin, Marcy emphasizes the importance of viewing life and career as a series of chapters, encouraging us to focus on “what’s next” rather than feeling overwhelmed by planning our entire future at once. How often do we burden ourselves with trying to figure it all out, instead of just concentrating on the next step? Marcy’s approach can help ease the pressure that many high achievers feel when facing major life decisions.
 
The episode delves into gender disparities in the workforce, with Marcy addressing challenges women face, such as unnecessary apologies, the struggle for equal pay, and the impact of the #MeToo Movement. Drawing from her experience teaching at NC State, she shares strategies for self-advocacy among women and marginalized groups. Despite progress, significant gaps remain in areas like parental leave and salary transparency. Marcy also uses a sports analogy to illustrate how cultural conditioning contributes to the confidence gap, with women often internalizing criticism while men tend to deflect it.
 
To help listeners overcome self-doubt and assert their worth, Marcy offers practical strategies—such as using data in salary negotiations and avoiding “glue work” that doesn’t align with strategic goals. She also emphasizes the importance of professional development and aligning your actions with your personal values. Marcy’s house analogy vividly illustrates how to prioritize your values, from foundational deal-breakers to minor preferences, urging us to focus on what truly matters.
 
Marcy leaves us with a powerful message: get out of your own way. She encourages us to treat ourselves with the same compassion we’d offer a best friend and to be intentional in our life choices. 
 
Quotes
“I realized that any marginalized group needs role models, needs tools in order to be able to succeed. And so, I decided to design this course and after teaching it for a few years, it was one of the most rewarding things I did because I’m very excited about helping women to advocate for themselves, to get what they are worth.” (06:09 | Marcy Bullock) 
“I think one of the biggest factors at play is women going into the workforce often being apologetic. They don’t want to step on anyone’s toes… So I think with gender parity, one of the big issues is, well, let’s just be real—parental leave and women being primary caretakers in a lot of families... Also, I just feel that overall, when women go into the workforce, we know they don’t make as much money as men do.” (07:32 | Marcy Bullock) 
“Don’t raise your hand for that unless that’s part of your job description… How does your job match with your boss’s priorities? How are you prioritizing things, and can you tie your accomplishments to impactful action items that have made a big impact on that organization? That’s how you’re going to be able to advocate yourself. But if you’re continually agreeing to do some of these things that women typically do, you’re going to find that when it’s time to advocate, you don’t have as much to pull for.” (18:44 | Marcy Bullock) 
 
Links
Connect with Marcy Bullock:
Marcy Lee Coaching Consulting - https://sites.google.com/view/marcylee/home?authuser=0
Instagram - @marcyleecoaching
The Confidence Code - https://learnconfidencecode.com
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Executive presence used to mean fitting a mold. Sound a certain way. Look a certain way. Smooth out the edges. Today, executive presence is rooted in authentic leadership communication. Instead of sanding down what makes you unique, she explains how leaning into who you are strengthens your authentic leadership communication and helps you communicate with influence.
 
Through real stories, Karin outlines five practical shifts. Show up as a whole person, not just a title. Help people understand why you lead the way you do. Listen to learn, not to respond. Speak in plain language that drives clarity instead of confusion. Stop overcorrecting every verbal stumble. Own your expertise while being honest about what you do not know.
 
This conversation is a timely reminder that confident communication is not about perfection. It is about presence. When you give yourself grace, you create psychological safety for others. When you admit you do not have every answer, you build trust instead of eroding it.
 
For leaders navigating today’s workplace, including those thinking about women and executive presence, this episode offers a grounded path forward. Executive presence is no longer about performance. It is about connection. When you lead from that place, your executive presence becomes both credible and relatable.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Shift in Executive Presence Toward Authentic Leadership
03:21 Why Being a Whole Person Strengthens Leadership Communication
06:02 Listen to Learn, Not Just to Respond
08:41 Speaking in Plain Language to Communicate With Influence
10:00 Why Confident Communication Includes Imperfection
12:45 Admitting You Do Not Know Everything Builds Trust
15:06 The Five Pillars of Authentic Executive Presence
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm