Aïcha Ly from Opensignal – Effectively Communicating Even in Difficult Conversations

Aïcha Ly from Opensignal – Effectively Communicating Even in Difficult Conversations

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola July 11, 2023 Duration: 37:41

In this episode of the “Speaking to Influence”, Dr. Laura Sicola talks with Aïcha Ly, Head of Consumer Insights at Opensignal, a global organization that provides operators with unrivaled visibility of their networks and customer activity/insights.

In this episode you will learn:
• That people really appreciate a good human moment in your interaction with them
• No matter how well you craft a message, you can’t always control how others will take it
• Using contrasting statements in tough conversations can help preempt potential defensiveness
• That you can still remain humble by framing your accomplishments in your mission to help others
• To boldly take the time to think about a challenging question before answering
• Through empowering others to find their own solutions, you create a culture of problem solvers and foster growth within your team.

About Dr. Aïcha Ly:

A trilingual, solutions driven market insights strategist, speaker, activist, and owner of Start in The Beginning (SITB), Aïcha is recognized for dynamic and motivational leadership. Her approach to progressive collaboration is underlined by a mission to inspire the best outcome with a healthy exchange of ideas.

Being a Communications Consultant at SITB, allows her to live out her purpose of making others stronger communicators, enabling them to achieve greater influence and make a lasting, positive impact. As an experienced speaker, Aïcha gets to share her big ideas and perspective with people all over the world.

An immigrant from Senegal, West Africa, she beat the odds to ascend to prominent leadership roles and her goal is simple: pay it forward, extend opportunities to others, and empower as many as possible.

You can connect with Aïcha Ly in the following ways: 

  • Opensignal: https://www.opensignal.com/
  • LinkedIn (Aïcha): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aichaly/
  • LinkedIn (SITB): https://www.linkedin.com/company/sitbllc/


You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
  • Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
  • Laura’s Online Course: https://virtualinfluence.today 

Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
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