SPEAK LIKE A CEO is the leading podcast on CEO communications. Every week Oliver Aust has an in-depth conversation with an inspiring founder or entrepreneur abo...
271: Stories Sell: Storytelling Secrets for Leaders. Matthew Dicks
Matthew Dicks, bestselling author of Storyworthy and Stories Sell reveals how stories captivate, connect, and inspire.
The key isn’t a list of events but a moment of transformation – without change, it’s just a report.
Matthew’s journey to globally-recognized expert began with a surprise win at The Moth storytelling competition, but it wasn’t luck.
His years as a writer, teacher, and even wedding DJ prepared him to hold any audience’s attention. His honest account of overcoming self-doubt shows that storytelling isn’t about talent – it’s about practice.
A simple but life-changing habit, which Matthew calls "Homework for Life," involves capturing one meaningful daily moment. This practice not only builds a reservoir of stories but also makes everyday life richer and more memorable.
Great stories, Matthew says, start with action and location to instantly draw listeners in. He also challenges the belief that humor is risky – nostalgic or relatable moments create connection without the need for punchlines.
Many businesses get storytelling wrong, drowning audiences in data instead of building connections.
Matthew highlights successes like Domino’s bold rebrand and failures where companies lose control by ignoring their flaws.
In leadership, storytelling builds trust and culture. Meetings become more impactful when leaders share real moments, not polished performances.
Matthew’s advice is clear: authenticity beats perfection. Stories connect because they’re real. Whether you’re giving a speech or pitching an idea, this episode offers practical tools to turn information into lasting impact.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/
Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.
https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/
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270: Moment – How to Negotiate with Pirates. Scott Walker
Scott Walker is one of the world’s foremost experts on negotiation.
When hostage situations, kidnappings, or cyber attacks put lives and livelihoods at stake, Scott is the crisis negotiator called in to resolve the chaos.
Having successfully negotiated over 300 high-stakes incidents, Scott shares the field-proven principles from his best-selling book "Order Out of Chaos" - hailed as "A Masterclass in Communication Excellence" by The New York Times.
Today, Scott trains leaders and teams to negotiate better deals, resolve conflict, navigate crises, and thrive under intense pressure.
In this fascinating clip, he reveals how to negotiate with pirates, and why kidnappers are just business people looking for a great deal.
For Oliver’s full conversation with Scott, check out episode 239.
Having spent over a decade negotiating with hostage-takers and criminals, Scott's strategies for navigating uncertainty and conflict prove indispensable for any leader or professional.
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269: The Art and Science of Speaking Like a Leader
What are the critical skills that define leadership today? With over 20 years of experience advising top global executives, Oliver explains why communication is the #1 skill for success, how to build an irresistible personal brand, and strategies for overcoming communication challenges in a world increasingly shaped by remote work and AI.
Discover why Richard Branson’s personal brand outshines his company’s, learn how to become "unignorable" in a crowded market, and uncover why your communication skills are more essential than ever in the AI-driven age.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/
Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career.
https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/
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268: 10 Steps to Build a Thriving Community. Daisy Morris
Want to build a thriving community but not sure where to start? Daisy Morris, founder of The Selfhood and author of Community Is Your Currency developed the framework for you.
Oliver and Daisy dive into the essential difference between an audience and a community, and what both individuals and companies often get wrong about community building.
Daisy shares her 10 powerful steps to creating a thriving community, including how to find your people, share your magic, collaborate effectively, and keep the creative juices flowing.
Tune in for actionable insights from one of the foremost voices on community building.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/
Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/
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267: John Strelecky on Leadership, “Soft Skills”, and the Big 5 for Life
With more than 10m books sold, John Strelecky is one of the most successful and inspirational authors of our time.
His first book, "The Café on the Edge of the World," gained international acclaim and has been translated into over 40 languages, selling millions of copies.
John has written extensively about leadership and is the creator of the "Big Five for Life" concept that inspires leaders and businesses to discover their purpose and lead fulfilling lives.
In this episode, he shares how he went from consultant to traveler to bestselling author, what good leadership is, the role of “soft skills”, how to keep your best people, and how leaders and businesses can identify their Purpose for Existing (PFE).
He also discusses why most writing in business is unemotional, boring and complex, and the simple shift that can turn you into a much better writer.
Enjoy this episode with one of the great storytellers of our time!
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/
Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/
SPEAK LIKE A CEO is the leading podcast on CEO communications. Every week Oliver Aust has an in-depth conversation with an inspiring founder or entrepreneur about leadership and communications. Tune in and find out all about how CEOs are tackling their communications
Oliver is a best-selling author, and one of Europe’s leading communications & personal branding experts. He is on a mission to help people reach their full potential and share their unique voice. As founder and CEO of a leading communications consultancy, he is a trusted advisor to many high-profile individuals and organisations.
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