Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

443: How Successful Technical Leaders Take Super Complicated Content From Blank Stares to C-Suite Buy-In

Aug 6, 2025

Join messaging coach Joel Benge, a former cybersecurity leader and author of 'Be a Nerd That Talks Good', as he helps technical experts bridge the communication gap. He discusses why even the smartest can struggle to connect, introducing the concept of 'message therapy' to simplify complex ideas. Joel shares three core human drivers essential for engaging non-technical audiences and emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and clarity. Learn strategies to earn attention while maintaining the integrity of your message.

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ADVICE

Master Heart, Head, Gut Communication

Connect emotionally first to capture attention, then deliver just enough logic to engage intellect without overwhelming.
Finally, build credibility to seal trust, combining heart, head, and gut motivations in communication.

ADVICE

Create Emotional Connection

Build emotional and personal rapport even with technical audiences by connecting on shared goals or interests.
Use stories and big ideas to contextualize data, making your message relevant and relatable.

ADVICE

Simplify Complex Ideas for Stakeholders

Avoid overwhelming audiences with overly complex technical details, especially for non-technical stakeholders.
Translate complex ideas into simple metaphors or short explanations to improve understanding and avoid stumbling blocks.

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When you explain what’s going on, are people blinking at you with blank stares — even though you're right and the situation is extremely complex?

If you're a technical expert who's ever been frustrated that people “just don’t get it,” this episode is for you. Messaging coach and former cybersecurity leader Joel Benge reveals why being brilliant isn’t enough — and why even the smartest people struggle to connect when it counts most.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s conversation with Joel Benge you’ll know:

🛠️3 core human drivers of communication that even data nerds must master

💃🏼How to translate complex ideas into language that builds trust (without “dumbing it down”)

🎯A key “message therapy” method to prep your pitch, presentation, or white paper for real-world impact

Hit play to learn how to earn attention, trust, and buy-in — even if your message is packed with facts and your audience is packed with PhDs.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (it retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 4 all about choosing your mindset!! Everything else follows from mindset leading to your voice being heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Joel Benge, is author of Be a Nerd That Talks Good and founder of MessageSpecs Consulting.

Joel helps technical professionals and speakers bring clarity and connection to high-stakes communication. With 20 years of experience translating cybersecurity, compliance, and emerging tech for audiences ranging from NASA engineers to C-suite execs, Joel knows how to turn dense material into messages that move people.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.