Speak As Well As You Think

Hosted by Jenn Alex

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May 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to the Speak As Well As You Think podcast, brought to you by Vautier Communications. I’m your host, Jenn Alex. The goal of this show is to uncover communication strategies and behaviors you can use to improve the way you show up and perform at work. I’ll sit down with communication experts and professionals across different fields to uncover what effective communication looks like in action, so you can apply to your own career. If you’d like a written summary of each episode, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter by visiting vautiercommunications.com.

Listen to episodes

49 recent

May 13, 202631 min

Storytelling for Influence

This month, we're discussing Storytelling as an influential tool. People tend to remember a story long after they forget the data. A great message may inform, but a great story can help people feel the message. We discuss a few specific areas: Why stories influence better than information aloneWhere we see stories show up, and why they work Some common mistakes people make with their storiesStorytelling can be an effective tool in so many areas; you just need to know how to tell the right story.

April 15, 202636 min

Why eye contact matters

This month, we're talking about eye contact. We've all heard we should look at people as we speak, but what exactly does that mean? How long do we look at them? How do we move when there are multiple people to look at? If it feels awkward to the speaker, does it come across awkward to the listener? All great questions.Here's what we unpack: Why eye contact mattersWhat does your eye contact communicateHow to vary it based on the setting/situationWhen and how to practice it

March 18, 202630 min

Overcoming Communication Anxiety

We're talking communication anxiety this month. Nervousness is an age-old topic that we really can't discuss enough. This month, we'll cover: Common causes of communication anxietyWhat it can look and feel like to the speaker and audienceWays to manage the feeling in the momentSome long-term approaches to alleviating nerves

February 18, 202625 min

Persuade without being pushy

In today's episode, we're discussing persuasion at work. It's an element of many people's jobs, so understanding its importance and how to create a safe and comfortable space for persuasion to live is important. Here are a few things we'll discuss: Persuading is not convincing; it's alignmentKnow what your audience wants or needs (one we always talk about) Create credibility by asking questions and listening just as much as you talkKnowing when to take a step back and maintain your image/trustIf people leave agreeing but not acting, persuasion didn't happen.

January 14, 202626 min

Setting SMART Goals using clear communication

It's January, so of course, everyone is focused on goal-setting for the year to come. As you plan your goals out, consider a few things: Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)Be realistic - lofty goals are fine, but know how you're going to get thereCommunicate your goal(s) clearly to yourself and othersCheck in often and reflect on how the goal is going - make changes if necessaryGoing in with a plan helps breed success. Understanding that failure is sometimes part of a goal creates consistency in showing up. Being clear and reflective with yourself allows room for adjustments or getting back on track.

November 12, 202523 min

How to be clear, concise & stay on message

Some people can captivate an audience when they speak. Others, the audience walks away while they're still speaking. Many factors can influence this, but one key determinant of audience engagement is the speaker's ability to stay on message. Being clear and concise is a skill. It's important to understand: Why it can be so difficult to accomplishUnderstanding what your audience wants or needsKnowing what point you're trying to makeThe ability to practice purposefully In this episode, you'll hear how you can approach the coming holidays with clear, concise, and on-message conversations.

October 15, 202519 min

The Empty Boat Mindset & Communication

This month, we're exploring the 'empty boat' mindset parable and how it relates to effective communication and relationship building. The parable basically states that if an empty boat runs into yours, you navigate around it. But if someone is in that boat, you tend to react negatively, even though the same situation occurred. We discuss the importance of: Separating intent from impactResponding not reactingAssuming positive (or neutral) intentFocusing on understanding vs. placing blameCreating safety so relationships can thriveApproaching interactions as if they are "empty boats" allows you to have more control over your reactions and emotions.

September 17, 202526 min

How to Coach Good Communicators

Sometimes the hardest people to coach aren’t those who struggle with communication; it's the ones who think they’ve already mastered it. Not because they lack skill, but because their blind spots are often more ingrained.In this episode, we'll take years of experience and explore:The Blind Spots of “Good Communicators” — from dominating conversations to resisting change.Coaching Without Clashing with Ego — using rapport, curiosity, and concrete evidence to open minds.Common Pitfalls — like over-talking, under-listening, or failing to adapt to different audiences.Shifting the Mindset — reframing communication as a lifelong practice, not something you 'complete'. Whether you lead, manage, or mentor, you’ll learn practical ways to help even your best communicators keep getting better.

August 13, 202529 min

Effective Communication Cultures

Some organizations have excellent communication cultures, while others struggle in this area. The organizations that have it down tend to do 3 things: They have access to communicate with anyone within the organization, no matter their title or role. They focus on development opportunities. They lead with a growth mindset, and their leaders "walk the talk". Listen along for more details on each of these topics and what you can do, either as a leader or an individual, to identify opportunities within each space. The sooner an organization or team can create a culture of good, open communication, the more successful they'll be.

July 16, 202527 min

Top 5 Engagement Tips

Keeping an audience engaged can feel like an uphill battle some days, but it's of the utmost importance when it comes to being an effective communicator. In this episode, we'll discuss our top 5 tips for keeping your audience engaged. We recommend: Make the talk about your audienceAsk questionsGive them something to doChange up your delivery at timesShorten sectionsFocusing on these five things will help keep your audience focused, interested, and most importantly, engaged with you and the content.