SPEAK LIKE A CEO

Meet the man who scaled Kindle and turned McDonald’s, Volvo, and MGM into truly digital businesses. Atif Rafiq has helped reshape some of the world’s biggest brands by challenging how organizations make decisions and execute bold ideas. As the first Chief Digital Officer in the Fortune 500 and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Decision Sprint, Atif believes the true competitive edge lies not in execution alone, but in mastering the messy, often misunderstood process of decision-making.Atif breaks down how to foster a culture where problem-solving thrives, people feel heard, and collaboration leads to clarity. He knows what he talks about: Atif led the transformation of McDonald’s customer experience through self-service kiosks and shares how old school carmaker Volvo reimagined its digital strategy.Now as founder of Ritual – an AI-native workspace designed for strategy, product, and cross-functional collaboration – Atif is building what some have called a “McKinsey Killer.” He offers a compelling take on how AI can democratize high-quality problem-solving and why consultants will need to evolve to stay relevant.He also shares his most important piece of communication advice for leaders: seek clarity before you provide it. In a world moving faster than ever, Atif’s approach to thoughtful decision-making, human-centered innovation, and transparent leadership offers a powerful roadmap for change.00:00 Welcome00:19 Establishing a Culture of Problem Solving01:31 Leadership and Cultural Shifts at McDonald's04:12 Digital Transformation at McDonald's07:48 Innovations at Volvo09:18 Decision Sprint: The Book16:58 Methodology for Effective Decision Making18:25 AI and the Future of Decision Making20:03 Introducing Ritual: AI Native Workspace20:58 Key Questions for Exploration and Discovery21:14 Ritual: AI-Powered Collaboration21:38 Overcoming Information Sharing Challenges22:10 Human-AI Collaboration in Ritual22:32 Structuring Problem Spaces with AI23:24 Measuring Confidence in Recommendations23:37 Ritual vs. Traditional Consultants24:44 Future of Consulting in the AI Era28:38 Upskilling and the Next-Gen Knowledge Worker32:47 Challenges and Opportunities for Founders34:41 Building Long-Term Relationships36:05 Advice for Younger Self and Community Building38:39 Final Thoughts and Communication Advice

What makes someone unforgettable in today’s noisy, distracted world? Oliver Aust sits down with Lorraine K. Lee – author of Unforgettable Presence, globally recognized keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor with over 300,000 followers, and former editor at LinkedIn – to explore the art and science of becoming someone people remember, trust, and want to work with.Lorraine shares her deeply personal and professional journey from being a high-performing, yet overlooked team member at LinkedIn to becoming one of the most in-demand voices on executive presence, virtual communication, and career visibility. Her transformation didn’t happen overnight – it was fueled by a clear realization: being good at your job isn’t enough if no one notices. You need presence – and that’s a skill anyone can learn.She introduces listeners to her signature frameworks, starting with the EPIC career brand: Experiences, Personality, Identity, and Community. This framework helps you define and communicate your professional identity with intention, starting with your unique background and values, and extending to how others perceive and speak about you. She follows with the RAVE model for influence: Relationships, Appearance, Visibility, and Expertise. It’s a practical roadmap for building influence at any level, with or without a formal leadership title.Lorraine also shares highly actionable tips for upgrading your video presence, leading meetings with impact, and navigating first impressions – both in person and online. You’ll learn why micro-behaviors matter more than you think, how to manage your energy like an athlete, and how to leverage LinkedIn not just to go viral, but to build meaningful professional relationships. Lorraine emphasizes that presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room – it’s about being the most intentional.Find out more about Lorraine K. Lee: https://lorraineklee.com/Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

What if machines could read us better than people can? Blake Eastman is on a mission to make that a reality – and to ensure it serves humanity, not replaces it.Blake is the founder of The Nonverbal Group, a former poker pro and psychology professor, and now a pioneering builder at the intersection of human behavior and AI. Blake pulls back the curtain on his decades-long obsession with decoding people, from micro-reactions and smiles to power dynamics and unspoken expectations.He also previews his upcoming book, a science-backed reimagining of How to Win Friends and Influence People. It will break down the underlying psychological forces – like hierarchy, status, and value orientation – that shape how we communicate. His goal? To create a foundational guide for truly understanding human behavior at its most nuanced level.Blake explains why the popular ideas of “reading people” and “taking baselines” are misleading, and how even experts often misinterpret the subtle signals that govern human connection. He dives into the challenge of building machines that can identify social friction, coach people in real-time, and even outperform humans in behavioral prediction – without losing the ethical thread of care and responsibility.Throughout the episode, you'll learn how AI can supercharge your social intelligence, why most communication advice fails without context, and how to develop the kind of communication range that makes leaders truly effective. Blake also shares actionable insight into how anyone – especially those with cross-disciplinary skills – can leverage AI to gain a massive edge in business and life.Find out more about Blake Eastman: https://www.nonverbalgroup.com/Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Join Danny Fontaine, The Pitch Guy and author of "Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience On The Planet," as he redefines the art of pitching. He reveals his innovative TITAN and Storycoaster frameworks that turn pitches into unforgettable experiences. Learn how emotional connections can trump logic, why trust is essential, and how to craft stories that resonate. Danny shares tips for introverts, the importance of authenticity, and even the legendary pitch story that changed British advertising forever!

Oliver’s TEDx talk, “AI-Powered Leadership: Why Supercomputers Need Supercommunicators” just dropped. It sets the stage for a real talk on what AI means for leaders. Oliver and his bestie, serial founder Gerrit McGowan explore how emerging tech is reshaping communication, leadership, and trust, and how leaders can use AI without losing authenticity.  From voice cloning to deepfakes, from 3D avatars to AI writing assistants to humans leading teams of AI agents – this conversation hits on the future that’s just arrived. They explore what leadership looks like when AI can seemingly outthink us in every domain. They examine where humans still have the edge, and how leaders can stay relevant.Gerrit also reveals how he lost his voice hours before a keynote and created his virtual self overnight to go on stage. They talk trust, communication, and how to train AI tools to sound like you. Plus, Oliver shares the 10–80–10 rule for using AI to accelerate your work without outsourcing your voice.And both wrestle with a critical question: where does the human edge still matter?This is not a debate on whether AI is coming. It’s a field manual for staying human and relevant.Oliver’s TEDx talk is live now: https://youtu.be/Va82je55WSU?si=P9DTsBlFBhqCwHcGMake sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Oliver’s TEDx talk, “AI-Powered Leadership: Why Supercomputers Need Supercommunicators” just dropped. It sets the stage for a real talk on what AI means for leaders. Oliver and his bestie, serial founder Gerrit McGowan explore how emerging tech is reshaping communication, leadership, and trust, and how leaders can use AI without losing authenticity.  From voice cloning to deepfakes, from 3D avatars to AI writing assistants to humans leading teams of AI agents – this conversation hits on the future that’s just arrived. They explore what leadership looks like when AI can seemingly outthink us in every domain. They examine where humans still have the edge, and how leaders can stay relevant.Gerrit also reveals how he lost his voice hours before a keynote and created his virtual self overnight to go on stage. They talk trust, communication, and how to train AI tools to sound like you. Plus, Oliver shares the 10–80–10 rule for using AI to accelerate your work without outsourcing your voice.And both wrestle with a critical question: where does the human edge still matter?This is not a debate on whether AI is coming. It’s a field manual for staying human and relevant.Oliver’s TEDx talk is live now:  https://youtu.be/Va82je55WSU?si=tjUI3OmIIs0WvsfV Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

What's the difference between a leader and a manager? Why should we avoid the industrial age-style race to the bottom? This week we are sharing a brief moment of Oliver’s conversation with Seth Godin, 21-time best-selling author and one of the leading business thinkers in the world.Check out episode 263 for the full conversation.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

In this engaging discussion, communication expert Joel Schwartzberg, author of 'The Language of Leadership' and 'Get to the Point', shares vital insights on effective leadership communication. He introduces the 'I Believe That' Test and the 'XY Test', tools designed to help leaders refine their messages and stay focused. Schwartzberg emphasizes the importance of clear communication to avoid rambling and cognitive overload. Additionally, he addresses the gap between self-perception and audience feedback, encouraging authenticity in public speaking.

In this discussion, Oliver Degnan, host of the Amplified Leadership podcast, shares his expertise on making leadership communication impactful. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in crafting memorable messages and creating a compelling vision. Oliver offers actionable insights on how to build trust and enhance team communication. The conversation also delves into the art of effective presentations, highlighting strategies that engage audiences and inspire action. Get ready to elevate your communication skills to the top 1%!

Andrew Brodsky, a management professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of "Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication," tackles the problem of Zoom fatigue in this engaging discussion. He reveals how intentional virtual communication can enhance productivity and reduce burnout. Listeners learn why video meetings often feel off, the myths surrounding remote work, and the essentials of the 'PING' framework. Brodsky also emphasizes authentic communication, the role of AI in digital interactions, and actionable strategies to optimize virtual meetings.