Above The Business Episode 521: The Science of Communication and Leading Through Presence with Dr. Nick Morgan
In this conversation, Dr. Nick Morgan breaks down the science behind effective communication and explores why traditional public speaking advice often falls short. From the neuroscience of trust-building to the challenges of virtual communication, Nick shares decades of insights on what it really takes to move people to action through authentic, embodied communication.
Great communication isn't about perfecting your technique or following traditional public speaking rules—it's about developing awareness of how you're being received and creating authentic connection through alignment between your words, body, and intent. As Nick emphasizes, the most powerful communicators are those who've learned to focus outward on their audience's experience rather than inward on their own performance.
This episode is perfect for business leaders, executives, and anyone looking to improve their communication impact and lead more effectively through authentic presence.
Nick is the author of multiple acclaimed books including Working the Room (Harvard, 2003), Trust Me (2009), Power Cues (2014), and Can You Hear Me? (2018) on virtual communication. His forthcoming book, The Embodied Voice, is planned for 2025. After earning his PhD in literature and rhetoric, Nick taught at UVA, Lehigh, and Princeton before founding his communications consulting firm, Public Words, in 1997.
Connect with Bradley:
1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.
Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks.
Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!
Join us at The Q1 Planning Workshop!
Most business owners hit January with good intentions and a loose idea of what they want to accomplish. By March, they're back in reactive mode, wondering where the quarter went.
Here's the thing: Q1 sets the tone for your entire year. If you don't have a clear plan going in, you're leaving your business growth to chance.
That's why Bradley is hosting a live Q1 Planning Workshop on December 9th at 10 AM CST.
This isn't another feel-good goal-setting session. We're going to roll up our sleeves and do the real work:
Financial Analysis & Planning – Review where you actually stand (not where you think you stand) and set revenue targets that make sense for your business.
90-Day Plan Design – Build a focused quarterly plan that moves the needle, not just keeps you busy.
The Clarity Organizer – Use this framework to translate your vision into actionable steps your team can actually execute.
You'll walk away with a concrete plan for Q1 that creates momentum for the rest of 2025.
When: Monday, December 9th at 10 AM CST
Investment: $25
Who It's For: Business owners doing $300K-$3M in annual revenue who are serious about growth
Click here to register: https://blueprintos.thrivecart.com/the-q1-planning-workshop/
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About the Above the Business Podcast
The Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.
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