Vivian Wesson of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church: The Power of Small Gestures

Vivian Wesson of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church: The Power of Small Gestures

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola January 16, 2024 Duration: 33:24

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola and guest Vivian Wesson explore the importance of curiosity over judgment in inclusive conversations, emphasizing the transformative power of small gestures and acts of kindness in creating an inclusive society and highlighting the positive impact of smiles.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The surprising relevance of improv skills in leadership
  • The importance of replacing judgment with curiosity
  • The impact of silence on DEI efforts
  • The power of greeting and acknowledging others

24 Hour Challenge:

Stop apologizing! Distinguish when situations require a ‘pardon me’ rather than a true ‘I’m sorry’.  Empower yourself by changing your language around the situation, and pass it on!

Mentioned in the Episode:

“Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It” - Chris Voss

About Vivian:

A Fordham law school graduate, Vivian currently serves as Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel for The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Board of Pensions offers a broad range of benefits to congregations, agencies, and affiliated institutions, serving more than 65,000 members nationally.

Prior to joining the Board of Pensions, Vivian held the position of Chief Intellectual Property Counsel of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., for which she worked for over 16 years. Her areas of expertise include intellectual property, software licensing, mergers & acquisitions, strategic investments, benefits, corporate governance, reinsurance regulation, records retention, and business entity management.

Vivian has authored several articles on social justice issues, including “How AI and Facial Recognition Can Chill Access to Justice,” “Why Facial Recognition Technology is Flawed,” and “Environmental Racism: How Lawyers Can Help Close the Climate Gap.” Aside from her work with the Board of Pensions, Vivian chairs the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and is a member of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate. In June 2021, Vivian was appointed as a delegate to NYSBA’s House of Delegates. Vivian also serves as a Director of Phillips Exeter Academy’s General Alumni Association.

 

You can connect with Vivian 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
Kari Schneider of Empowered: Self Mastery for Optimal Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:28
This week, Kari Schneider shares with us how as a coach of an Olympic Gold Winning team she has used what she has learned with elite athletes to improve he performance of leaders. In this episode you will learn: How impo…
Dr. Jennie Byrne, “The Power of Synchrony” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:30
Dr. Jennie Byrne shares with us the neuroscience of virtual platforms and how we can find synchrony as well as success by following a few key steps. In this episode you will learn: To define synchrony What video conferen…
Kevin Nolan, CEO of Nolan Painting, Inc. “Living Deliberately” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:18
In this episode Kevin shares his company’s “painting promise” which they have had in place for 25 years. This promise drives the business in all aspects and allows Kevin to focus on succession planning for his upcoming t…
Mike Massaro CEO of Flywire: Successfully Setting the Narrative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
This week, Mike Massaro shares how important it is to set the narrative. Mike’s quote was, “If you don’t set the narrative, the narrative is going to be set for you.” In this episode you will learn: How transitioning fro…