Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’

Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola December 5, 2023 Duration: 33:44

This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and how it mattered in getting the company to their goal.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How a COO is like a Swiss Army knife
  • The importance of acknowledging and addressing self-doubt and inner critics, and how Anu sharing her own experience helped a coworker overcome her own fears and take on a challenging task.
  • About how Anu delivered a company all-hands presentation, aiming to bring transparency and inspiration to her team to work towards core growth by breaking down the problems despite her fear of overwhelming with details and creating an atmosphere of anxiety.
  • Anu’s criteria for identifying exciting candidates during interviews, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, ambition, and the ability to collaborate creatively.

 

24 Hour Challenge:

Reflect on how you want to feel when you achieve success, and to consider if your current goals align with those feelings. What really would make you happy?

 

Mentioned in the Episode:

 

About Anu:

Anu Muralidharan, a first-generation immigrant, arrived in the US burdened with $120,000 in debt. Today she is the COO and a board member at Expensify (NASDAQ: EXFY).

Despite her success, Anu battled self-doubt throughout her journey. The promotion to VP, a title she ardently pursued, led her to a profound low marked by crippling depression. This pivotal moment forced her to redefine success and develop three guiding principles to navigate uncertainty.

Now, armed with those principles, Anu empowers young women to embrace their strengths, silence their inner critic, and seek self-approval—a quest that unites and liberates humanity.

 

You can connect with Anu in the following ways:

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola 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: 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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