#570: How to Command the Room, Connect the Dots, and Close the Deal, With Dr. Laura Sicola

Dr. Laura Sicola reveals why expertise alone won't get you heard — and the 3 Cs that turn knowledge into leadership influence. You've mastered your subject. You know your material cold. So why does the room glaze over when the stakes are highest? Cognitive linguist, executive coach, and author Dr. Laura Sicola says the gap isn't your expertise — it's the three inches between your brain and your mouth. In this episode of the Business of Story, she shares the framework that's helped Fortune 500 executives at Amazon and Kaiser Permanente stop sounding like spreadsheets and start commanding every room they walk into. Her TEDx Talk, "Want to Sound Like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right," has nearly 7 million views — because the problem is universal and the fix is counterintuitive. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE The 3 Cs of Executive Presence: Command the Room, Connect with Your Audience, and Close the Deal — and why each requires a completely different skill  Why the movie playing in your head is never the movie your audience is watching — and how to close that gap before it costs you the deal  The neuroscience of humor: why a well-placed laugh creates dopamine, builds trust, and makes you more persuasive without sacrificing credibility  How to use Chris Voss's "labeling" technique to stay curious when conversations get triggered and defensive  The one counterintuitive move that makes you sound smarter, more likable, and more relatable — all at the same time ABOUT DR. LAURA SICOLA Dr. Laura Sicola is a cognitive linguist, former professor, and executive coach who helps leaders bridge the gap between their expertise and their influence. She is the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice and the founder of Vocal Impact Productions. Website: laurasicola.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurasicola Book: Speaking to Influence — available on Amazon in paperback ($12.95), Kindle ($9.95), and Audible (narrated by the author) FREE GIFT FROM DR. LAURA SICOLA Download two free chapters of Speaking to Influence here: [INSERT FREEBIE LINK] ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF STORY The Business of Story is the top-ranked podcast for leaders who use storytelling to grow their influence, their teams, and their organizations. Host Park Howell — known as the World's Most Industrious Storyteller — brings you the strategies, frameworks, and real-world lessons that turn communicators into leaders. Want to build a brand story that actually lands? Visit StoryCycleGenie.com to discover how the StoryCycle Genie® uses your brand's unique story to create marketing that moves people. SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW If this episode gave you one idea you can use today, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It takes 60 seconds and helps other leaders find the show.