Humor and Executive Presence

Humor and Executive Presence

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola January 31, 2023 Duration: 22:35

This week, Laura discusses the importance of humor and executive presence. Laura shares her tips for adding “fun” to your presentation while keeping it professional and engaging your audience.

Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode:

  • How to be more interesting, entertaining, and captivating to an audience.
  • Energy variation is at the heart of a successful presentation.
  • Humor can enhance your vocal presence.

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:


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
Podcast Episodes
Eric Watkins - Abstrakt Marketing: Effective Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
In this episode of Speaking To Influence, Dr. Laura Sicola engages in a captivating conversation with Eric Watkins, President at Abstract Marketing Group. They delve into various aspects of effective communication, perso…
Ian Wendt of Jaguar Health: Being Coachable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:11
In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ian Wendt, the Chief Commercial Officer at Jaguar Health. They discuss various topics related to leadership, communication, and personal development. Ian shares insights about…
Skip Howard of Spacee: Transparency, Triumph, and Taking Risks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:29
Laura welcomes Skip Howard, Founder of Spacee, to this episode of Speaking to Influence. Skip talks about a time when he had a vision that no one, his investors, board of directors, or sales teams believed in, and what h…
Glenn Hofmann of New York Life Insurance: Busting A.I. Myths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Glenn Hofmann, Chief Analytics Officer of New York Life Insurance, is our guest on the newest episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares with Laura why we should not be afraid of A.I. and gives tips on how to lever…