Jeff Wetzler, Transcend: Curiosity and Reinventing School

Jeff Wetzler, Transcend: Curiosity and Reinventing School

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola May 7, 2024 Duration: 32:01

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Jeff Wetzler, co-founder and co-CEO of Transcend, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming education. They discuss the need for education reform and the challenges of communication in leadership. Wetzler emphasizes the importance of listening and creating a safe space for open communication. He also highlights the power of curiosity and asking questions to learn from others. The conversation concludes with a listener challenge to practice no BS listening. Overall, the episode explores the role of effective communication in driving educational innovation and leadership success.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Schools need to be reinvented to meet the changing needs of students in the 21st century.
  • Effective communication requires active listening and creating a safe space for open dialogue.
  • Curiosity and asking questions are essential for learning from others and fostering innovation.
  • Avoid jumping to conclusions and be willing to laugh at yourself.

About Jeff:

JEFF WETZLER is co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization and author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You. Wetzler combines unique leadership experiences spanning more than 25 years in business and education, as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, and as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America. He earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in psychology from Brown University. Based in New York, he is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. See his new Harvard Business Review article here.

You can connect with Jeff Wetzler 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/laurasicola-inc
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @drlaurasicola
  • Website: https://laurasicola.com
  • 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
Podcast Episodes
Dr. Mark Wilkinson, Vocal Expert: Your Voice Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
This week, Dr. Mark Wilkinson will share with us various ways that preparing our voice can help lead to a greater impact in front of any size audience. In this episode you will learn: The importance of warming up your bo…
Lisa DiPaolo of Karyopharm Therapeutics: Qualities of a Senior Leader [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
This week, Lisa DiPaolo shares with us the qualities that she looks for when hiring someone for a senior leadership role. In this episode you will learn: How her company is on a mission to defeat cancer. The importance o…
Dave Noll of Keller/Noll - Pitching to Outrageous Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:05
In this episode of Speaking to Influence, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Dave Knoll, creator of over 60 television shows, including the popular series "Chopped" about successful pitching.