SPEAK LIKE A CEO

Learn a three-step system to plan, practice, and present like the top 1%. Hear the seven deadly sins of presenting and how to avoid them. Discover quick structures, killer openings and endings, and the 90% test to make audiences care. Tips on slides, storytelling, body language, voice mastery, handling interruptions, and a fast prep method to boost confidence and impact.

Here's a hard truth: the people you think are idiots think the exact same thing about you.In this episode, Thomas Erikson, bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots, helps us answer the question: are we really surrounded by idiots or are we simply failing to communicate? He breaks down the four personality types that shape how every person around you behaves and explains exactly how each one thinks, communicates, and needs to be led.You’ll learn the truth about energy vampires, narcissists, and how to protect yourself without sacrificing yourself in the process.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Why you think you're surrounded by idiots (00:51)The four “colors” of human behavior (04:10)Yellow vs. blue: the communication gap (09:58)How to adapt to different colors (15:03)What each color needs most from their leaders (16:47)How to build your leadership communication skills (18:22)The trap most leaders fall into (23:05)The colors that struggle the most to adapt (28:47)How to deal with energy vampires (30:27)The truth about working with narcissists (34:04)Connect with Thomas Erikson:http://surroundedbyidiots.com/Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-plannerWant to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)

Nir Eyal, bestselling author and researcher on behavior design and motivation, shares how hidden beliefs, not willpower, keep high performers from the top 1%. He explains why toxic positivity fails, how to treat beliefs as tools, and practical ways to reframe limits. Short, provocative takes on attention, anticipation, agency, and becoming a more resilient, persuasive leader.

Andy J. Pizza, bestselling author and Creative Pep Talk creator, explains how ADHD shapes speaking, storytelling, and leadership. He discusses masking versus authenticity, why entrepreneurship attracts neurodivergent minds, how to negotiate work styles, and using storytelling as a communication edge. Practical ways to support neurodivergent teams and why this wiring may shine in the AI era are also explored.

Nancy Duarte, communication and persuasion expert and CEO of Duarte, and bestselling author on storytelling. She breaks down what happens in the first 30 seconds, how leaders win a room, and the quickest ways to lose attention. Topics include turning data into a story, using tension and contrast, making slides one idea at a time, balancing logic and emotion, and practical tips for introverts and CEOs.

Mark Bowden, a leading body-language and communication expert who advises CEOs and leaders, explains why you lose authority in the first 10 seconds. He breaks down how gestures, facial cues, and voice shape instant credibility. Short, actionable rules about hand placement, eye contact on video, and preparing for unpredictability keep your presence strong and believable.

Ashley Herd, author and former HR leader with McKinsey and Yum Brands experience, shares practical management frameworks. She outlines cozy joggers leadership: clear expectations plus autonomy. Short conversations cover Pause-Consider-Act, purposeful one-on-ones, smarter delegation, balancing empathy with accountability, and small communication habits that shift how people respond to you.

Adam Galinsky, Columbia Business School professor and author of Inspire, studies leadership, influence, and perspective-taking. He explains the Leader Amplification Effect and why words and small signals ripple beyond the room. He outlines three roles of inspiring leaders, the power of simple visual language and repetition, and a practical habit to make people want to follow your lead.

Angus Fletcher, professor of story science and author of Primal Intelligence, studies how narrative thinking shapes decisions and intuition. He explores storytelling as a form of intelligence, why AI stumbles in changing environments, the three stories every business runs, and how surprise and alignment spark attention and innovation.

Download your copy of the 21 Storytelling Frameworks guide:https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliverHave you ever been told to "fake it till you make it" or “just be yourself"? It's no surprise this common advice doesn't work – it focuses on acting confident instead of becoming confident.This episode breaks down Oliver’s three-step method that helps you build true confidence so you’re not overthinking or over-preparing for every presentation. You'll learn why you get so nervous in the first place, the common mistake that causes people to freeze, and how to calm your anxiety so you can speak confidently under pressure as a leader.Topics discussed:Bad public speaking advice (01:22)How perfectionism fuels imposter syndrome (03:33)Limiting beliefs that hold you back (04:04)The foundation of being a confident speaker (05:07)The 3-step BMW method (06:37)Why scripts don’t work and what to do instead (09:02)Strategies that build true confidence (10:56)Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com