SPEAK LIKE A CEO

Peter Sorgenfrei is the leadership coach you want to have at your side. As a six-time CEO and founder, he understands the challenges and the overwhelm experienced by anyone who is unapologetically ambitious.  But he also learned the hard way that you have to listen to your body and mind to be successful and, more importantly, to keep your sanity. In this episode, he takes us inside his journey as a founder, sharing the unexpected lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and personal identity. Peter opens up about one of the most profound realizations of his career: his happiest moments weren’t tied to financial wins but to seeing his team grow and thrive. Leadership, he argues, is about empowering others, fostering a strong culture, and prioritizing mission over metrics. But that mission-driven focus came at a cost.  In 2019, his relentless pursuit of success led to complete burnout – his body literally shut down. He recounts how he found his way back through rest, time in nature, and deep reflection, ultimately discovering a new passion: helping others navigate the same struggles. Beyond business, Peter challenges us to rethink how we define ourselves. Too often, we introduce ourselves by our job titles rather than our values or passions. What happens when we shift that perspective? He shares how embracing identity beyond work can create deeper, more meaningful connections both personally and professionally. Peter and Oliver also dive into the unconventional ways Peter builds and leads teams. From letting candidates suggest their own salaries to practicing radical transparency, his approach forces people to evaluate their worth and alignment with the company’s vision. And when it comes to tough conversations, he believes real compassion lies in honesty – not avoidance. Whether it’s performance feedback or handling layoffs, delivering the truth with empathy builds trust and long-term success. If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone searching for clarity in your work and life, this episode is packed with wisdom that will challenge you to rethink leadership, communication, and self-care.  Find out more about how Peter elevates leaders: https://lp.petersorgenfrei.com/ Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a celebrated behavioral scientist and Harvard professor, shares her expertise on effective communication in this insightful discussion. She introduces the 'conversational compass' as a tool for aligning goals in discussions. Listeners learn how to navigate emotions, using humor to maintain engagement. Dr. Brooks also explains the art of small talk and the importance of transitioning to deeper conversations. Plus, discover how her research inspired a Pixar movie, blending science with storytelling in captivating ways.

Matthew Dicks, bestselling author and storytelling expert, shares his insights on the art of compelling narratives. He emphasizes that true storytelling is about moments of transformation rather than just presenting facts. Dicks advocates for 'Homework for Life', a daily habit of capturing meaningful experiences to enrich storytelling. He critiques traditional business presentations for lacking authenticity and highlights how relatable stories can deepen audience connections. Authenticity, he stresses, is essential in leadership, fostering trust and culture.

Scott Walker is one of the world’s foremost experts on negotiation. When hostage situations, kidnappings, or cyber attacks put lives and livelihoods at stake, Scott is the crisis negotiator called in to resolve the chaos. Having successfully negotiated over 300 high-stakes incidents, Scott shares the field-proven principles from his best-selling book "Order Out of Chaos" - hailed as "A Masterclass in Communication Excellence" by The New York Times. Today, Scott trains leaders and teams to negotiate better deals, resolve conflict, navigate crises, and thrive under intense pressure. In this fascinating clip, he reveals how to negotiate with pirates, and why kidnappers are just business people looking for a great deal.  For Oliver’s full conversation with Scott, check out episode 239. Having spent over a decade negotiating with hostage-takers and criminals, Scott's strategies for navigating uncertainty and conflict prove indispensable for any leader or professional.

What are the critical skills that define leadership today? With over 20 years of experience advising top global executives, Oliver explains why communication is the #1 skill for success, how to build an irresistible personal brand, and strategies for overcoming communication challenges in a world increasingly shaped by remote work and AI. Discover why Richard Branson’s personal brand outshines his company’s, learn how to become "unignorable" in a crowded market, and uncover why your communication skills are more essential than ever in the AI-driven age.  Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Want to build a thriving community but not sure where to start? Daisy Morris, founder of The Selfhood and author of Community Is Your Currency developed the framework for you.   Oliver and Daisy dive into the essential difference between an audience and a community, and what both individuals and companies often get wrong about community building.  Daisy shares her 10 powerful steps to creating a thriving community, including how to find your people, share your magic, collaborate effectively, and keep the creative juices flowing.  Tune in for actionable insights from one of the foremost voices on community building. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

With more than 10m books sold, John Strelecky is one of the most successful and inspirational authors of our time.  His first book, "The Café on the Edge of the World," gained international acclaim and has been translated into over 40 languages, selling millions of copies.  John has written extensively about leadership and is the creator of the "Big Five for Life" concept that inspires leaders and businesses to discover their purpose and lead fulfilling lives.  In this episode, he shares how he went from consultant to traveler to bestselling author, what good leadership is, the role of “soft skills”, how to keep your best people, and how leaders and businesses can identify their Purpose for Existing (PFE). He also discusses why most writing in business is unemotional, boring and complex, and the simple shift that can turn you into a much better writer.  Enjoy this episode with one of the great storytellers of our time!  Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

What if we challenged traditional notions of success and leadership? In this episode, Oliver Aust sits down with Gigi Danzinger, a philanthropist and social entrepreneur who, at 60, changed her name to reflect a bold new chapter.  Gigi shares her unique approach to social impact, focusing on empowering communities through initiatives in Hudson, New York.  From a basic income pilot, her investments in underappreciated founders and her "no strings attached" philanthropy, Gigi is redefining what it means to make a difference as a leader.  Tune in as she discusses her journey to challenging traditional success, investing in underappreciated founders, and building sustainable, community-driven models that inspire change. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Culture is destiny. How we treat each other at work has a huge impact on business success and personal fulfillment.   But how can leaders navigate the complexities of remote and hybrid work while cultivating an environment that attracts top talent and drives innovation? Oliver Aust sits down with company culture expert Chris Dyer, author of "The Power of Company Culture" and "Remote Work", to unpack the key pillars of building a world-class company culture.  From embracing transparency and empowering employees to encouraging productive risk-taking, Chris shares practical strategies that any organization can implement. Discover how to: Foster a culture of openness and trust, even in remote/hybrid settings Empower employees to solve problems and drive innovation Attract and retain top talent through an engaging, people-first culture Leverage "cockroach meetings" to boost productivity and collaboration Adapt your culture and communication for the hybrid/remote landscape This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to cultivate a thriving, future-proof company culture. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

Do you ever feel like you're drowning in work? Constantly battling a never-ending swarm of emails, Slack messages, and meeting invites? Wondering how you can use automation and new tools to make your life easier? We all know the feeling all too well. In this week's episode, Oliver Aust speaks with Nick Sonnenberg. Nick is a serial entrepreneur, a guest lecturer at Columbia University, and the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller, "Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work." As the founder and CEO of Leverage, Nick has made it his life's work to help companies and individuals break free from the overwhelm. And communication is a huge part of that. In this conversation, Nick shares his proven strategies for mastering meetings, crushing email, using AI the right way, and putting an end to the dreaded "scavenger hunt" for information.  The upshot? You could potentially gain an extra full day of productivity per week - just by using the right tools and systems the right way.  Make sure you’re subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO newsletter to become a top 1% communicator: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ Do you want to speak with confidence, inspire your team, and accelerate your career? You can now join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and work with Oliver over the next 90 days to become a top 1% communicator and transform your career. https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/