Speaking With Confidence

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Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with a complicated coworker, wondering, “How do I actually communicate with this person to get things moving forward?” In today’s episode of Speaking with Confidence, I dive right into the core question: How can you effectively communicate with complicated people—especially when, let’s be honest, we’re all complicated in our own unique ways?
Hi, I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and I’m excited to guide you through practical strategies for navigating communication challenges at work. In today’s episode, I reference Ryan Leak’s insightful book, How to Work with Complicated People, which inspired much of the approach I share.
We kick things off with an all-too-familiar workplace scenario: a colleague agrees to a deadline with smiles and nods, only to send a passive aggressive note a few days later that derails the project. Your instinct may be to fire back or just give up, but I explain why that reaction rarely solves the underlying problem—because the real issue is how complicated humans communicate with each other.
Here’s what we covered:
Why communicating with complicated people is a universal challenge
The importance of translating your message for different audiences
How workplace communication direction changes your approach (up, across, and down)
Strategies for communicating up: focusing on outcomes and impact with leadership
How to handle peer-to-peer conflict through respect, questions, and common ground
Four keys for giving clear, motivating direction to your team
The difference between tactical fixes and building a true communication system
The foundational skill of knowing your audience and message, and why it’s essential for every workplace conversation
Whether you’re reporting to a boss, negotiating with coworkers, or leading a team, you’ll leave this episode with actionable techniques to stop the cycle of miscommunication and start showing up—every single time—with clarity and confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistent progress.
Before I sign off, don’t forget to grab your free eBook, “The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them,” at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, and check out our Formula for Public Speaking course. Thanks for listening and always remember: your voice has the power to change the world.
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Have you ever wondered why taking action beats raw talent every single time, or how you can leverage new technology like AI without losing the heart and soul of your message? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re getting to the root of what it means to communicate with clarity, build your confidence as a storyteller, and stand out in our fast-changing world.
I’m Tim Newman, your host, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and today I’m joined by the incredible Jim Edwards. Jim’s a true legend in the world of online business and communication, with almost three decades of experience helping entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, and professionals get their messages heard. Not only is he a bestselling author of over three dozen books, but he’s also helped countless people find their voice and capitalize on their knowledge.
Listeners will also hear actionable advice on:

Finding and sharing your own stories (even if you think you don’t have any)

Developing patience and delayed gratification for long-term success

Building confidence as a speaker through preparation and practice

Using writing as a tool for clarifying your thoughts and improving your communication

Harnessing AI as a creative accelerant, not a replacement for your ideas

Understanding the new role of creators and curators in a world awash with content

How to recognize and communicate your true value as a coach, speaker, or business owner

Whether you’re trying to write your first book, become a more compelling speaker, or navigate the digital landscape with authenticity, this episode offers real, practical steps and mindset shifts that will help you take your message and your confidence to the next level.
I’m so grateful to Jim Edwards for joining me and sharing his wisdom (and contagious enthusiasm). If you’re looking for even more confidence-building resources, don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com for your free eBook and more tools to help you unleash your voice!
Connect with Jim:
Website: https://jimedwards.com    
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejimedwardsmethod/   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimedwards   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimEdwardsFan
X: https://x.com/RealJimEdwards
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimEdwards
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejimedwards

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Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatchSpeaking With ConfidenceFormula for Public SpeakingFacebook
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Have you ever wondered why some leaders inspire trust and action while others leave their audience confused or disengaged? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I dig into a hard-earned lesson from early in my own teaching journey: the dangers of overcomplicating communication.
Back when I started out as a teacher, my eagerness to impress led me to present high-level material to high school freshmen and sophomores only to realize that complexity wasn’t a sign of intelligence but a barrier to understanding. That moment of frustration, both for me and my students, revealed something powerful: people can’t appreciate your knowledge if you can’t explain it in a way they can grasp.
In this episode, I walk you through transforming the way you communicate, whether you're presenting to a boardroom, pitching a client, or simply leading a team. I draw on insights from leadership expert John Maxwell to introduce the law of simplicity, clarity, brevity, and focus on three mandates that can take your influence to the next level.
Here’s what you’ll hear in today’s episode:

Why complexity pushes people away and can be a career killer

How trying to “sound smart” with jargon or convoluted terminology signals insecurity, not expertise

What actually builds trust and gets you noticed in leadership roles

The 8th grader test: why your message must be clear enough for a middle schooler to understand

John Maxwell’s three mandates for powerful communication clarity, brevity, and focus and how to apply them to all your messages

Simple steps you can use to audit and improve your own communication before any meeting or presentation

The real mindset shift: moving from ego-driven to audience-first

How these principles not only change how others perceive you, but directly impact your career progress

By the end of this episode, you’ll be equipped with a practical framework to strip away confusion, communicate with true confidence, and make sure your message always lands. Remember, leadership starts with the ability to make the complex clear. I hope you enjoy the episode and start putting these mandates into practice right away because your voice really does have the power to change you.
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What separates a good communicator from a truly exceptional one and how can you ensure you’re not holding yourself back from the career you want? On this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re diving into the core of leadership communication, self-awareness, and the ever-changing landscape of workplace communication especially as technology like AI becomes more prominent.
I’m Tim Newman, your host and a recovering college professor turned communication coach. Today, I’m joined by leadership consultant, seasoned executive educator, and author, Michael de Lisser. With over 25 years of experience creating customized leadership development programs, coaching 500+ executives, and shaping the next generation of leaders at the University of Utah, Michael de Lisser brings wisdom, practical insights, and real stories to every answer.
Here’s what we cover in this jam-packed episode:

The pivotal reasons leaders get fired and how communication is often at the root

Michael de Lisser’s go-to method for transforming communication habits, from videofeedback to new behaviors

The power of self-awareness and catching your “blind spots” early

Recording yourself: why it's uncomfortable, but vital for growth

Filler words, over-explaining, and other common bad habits and how to fix them

Why trying to be “perfect” or someone else sabotages both your executive presence and credibility

The unique challenges (and strengths) of younger generations in communication

How AI is reshaping workplace communication, and why delivery still matters most

The case for always customizing your message to your audience (with real boardroom examples)

Building relationships to increase your influence and message “stickiness”

Developing a pre-presentation ritual to manage nerves and “get in the zone”

What executive presence really means and why authenticity wins over style every time

How to use your strengths and shore up weaknesses to captivate any room

Tips for practicing under pressure, bouncing back from mistakes, and celebrating wins on your communication journey

By the end of this episode, you'll have a toolkit of actionable steps to raise your self-awareness, break through old communication patterns, and show up with confidence no matter the audience or setting. If you’re ready to take your communication skills from good to great (and beyond), this one’s packed with insights you’ll want to revisit again and again.
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Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatchSpeaking With ConfidenceFormula for Public SpeakingFacebook
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Have you ever left a presentation struggling to remember the speaker’s name, or worse, realized you might be that forgettable speaker yourself? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle the real root of feeling like an imposter on stage and share practical steps to help you transform into the kind of communicator people truly remember.
Today, I’m guiding you through a topic that undermines so many presenters, yet rarely gets the attention it deserves: building your speaker identity. We often chase technique, obsessing over posture, gestures, and slide design, but we forget the foundation that makes those techniques powerful—who we are as communicators and what unique perspective we bring.
So, what exactly makes up your speaker identity? I outline the three pillars:

Your Unique Value Proposition—what only you can say about your topic based on your expertise, experience, and angle.

Your Authentic Communication Style—how you naturally connect, whether it’s humor, data, stories, or questions.

Your Signature Stories—the pivotal experiences that shaped your understanding and give emotional weight to your message.

You’ll walk away from this episode with:

A new understanding of why identity—not just technique—makes speakers memorable

Real-world examples of transformation through authenticity

The three key pillars of speaker identity and how they work together

A step-by-step exercise to claim your own speaker identity

Immediate actions to align your presentations with your authentic strengths

Insights for tackling imposter syndrome at its root

I close by reminding you—progress, not perfection, is our goal. If you want extra support, check out our free eBook or my full Formula for Public Speaking course at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com. Remember, your voice has the power to change; all you need to do is bring your true self to every conversation that matters.
Support the show
Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatchSpeaking With ConfidenceFormula for Public SpeakingFacebook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices