The Art of Speaking Up

417 | How great leaders handle questions they can’t answer

You're in a meeting. Someone asks you a question you don't know the answer to. What do you do?

In this episode, I'm teaching you 4 "time-stopping techniques" — communication tactics that buy you time, protect your credibility, and help you respond with confidence when you're put on the spot at work.

You'll learn:

• The Validation technique
• The Open-Ended Probe
• The Closed-Ended Probe
• The Future Over-Deliver

 

These are the exact tactics leaders use to handle tough questions while maintaining their credibility.

Grab the free Bias to Action Worksheet: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/biastoaction/ 

416 | You're not broken: how to build confidence without trying to fix yourself

Are you trying to build confidence at work but feel like you're stuck in a cycle of never being good enough? 

In this episode, I'm breaking down two very different approaches to building confidence — the Fixing Method and the Expansion Method — and explaining why one of them works while the other one sabotages growth.

If you struggle with perfectionist standards, crushing pressure, and a lose-lose cycle where no amount of progress ever feels like enough - this is the episode for you.  

I’ll help you see that youre already capable, and that building confidence at work is about amplifying your true self, not correcting your flaws. If you’re ready to build genuine, lasting confidence without the self-punishment - you must listen to this one.

 

Join the waitlist for the Art of Speaking Up Academy: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/

415 | Executive communication: a step-by-step guide to impressing senior leaders when you speak

You don't need to speak perfectly to impress senior leaders. You just need to know how to engage them emotionally. In this episode, I'm teaching you the Theater Framework – my 3-part system for inspiring and impressing an executive audience when you speak.

Most advice about executive communication focuses on what to say. But the leaders who leave the strongest impression know it's really about how you make people feel - and that’s what I’m helping you with today.

You'll learn:

• Why executive audiences aren't there for the information (and what they actually want)
• How to bring the right energy into the room so leaders feel bought into your work
• A simple question that turns any boring slide into a compelling story
• How to close your presentation in a way that builds your reputation as a strategic leader

Whether you're presenting a project update, leading a meeting, or speaking up in a high-stakes room – this framework has you covered.

 

Links:

Download my free worksheet — 5 Phrases That Will Help You Sound Like a Leader:

https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/ 

 

Work With Me:

Group Program Waitlist: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/ 

1:1 Executive Coaching: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/coaching/ 

414 | The hidden key to confidence (that most high-achievers struggle with)

If you've been working hard to build confidence at work – studying, preparing, accumulating wins — but still feel like something is missing, this episode is for you.

The real foundation of confidence isn't skills or accomplishments - it’s something much deeper.  In today’s episode, I’m explaining what this missing ingredient is, and why high achievers often struggle with it.

If this episode resonated with you, learn more about working with me below:

Private Coaching: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/coaching/ 

The Art of Speaking Up Academy: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/

413 | 3 ways to instantly sound more authoritative when you speak

Want to sound more confident, credible, and authoritative when you speak at work?

In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple but powerful communication framework called the three-party triangle - a tool that will instantly elevate how you come across in meetings, presentations, and high-stakes conversations.

Most professionals focus only on the topic they’re speaking about. But if you want to build executive presence and be seen as a leader, you need to do more than just share information.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to communicate with more authority at work
• How to position your ideas strategically
• How to get recognition for your work (without feeling awkward or “braggy”)
• How to speak with confidence in meetings and leadership settings
• A simple framework to improve executive communication instantly

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, struggled to speak up, or wanted to sound more confident and impactful in your role – this will give you a clear, practical way to do it.

Download the free Bias to Action Worksheet (linked below) to start leading meetings more confidently:

https://jessguzikcoaching.com/biastoaction/ 

412 | How to respond when someone talks over you at work

Getting talked over at work puts you in a lose-lose situation – stay quiet and lose your chance to speak, or talk back over them and risk looking difficult. 

In this episode, I'm teaching you a three-step approach that helps you take back the floor after someone interrupts you, without coming across as aggressive or confrontational.

You'll learn:

• How to use persuasion techniques to take back the floor
• The exact pivot phrase to use when redirecting the conversation back to your topic
• How to re-engage the room emotionally so your return to the floor feels seamless (& not awkward)
• The one question to ask yourself before any meeting where you'll be presenting or giving an update

Free resource: Grab my free PDF — Five Phrases to Help You Sound Like a Leader:

https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/

411 | How to stop rambling and speak clearly (the sandwich method)

Rambling when you speak can feel frustrating. You start talking, you lose your train of thought, and suddenly you’re going in circles.

In this episode, I’m going to show you exactly how to stop rambling and start articulating your thoughts clearly using a simple structure I call the sandwich method.

This is one of the easiest ways to sound more confident, more organized, and more polished when you speak – especially in meetings, presentations, or high-stakes conversations at work.

Inside this video, you’ll learn:

• How to use the sandwich method for clear, structured communication
• How to organize your thoughts quickly so you sound confident
• A simple trick to make your ideas sound more compelling and polished
• How to give clear, concise updates without over-explaining

If you’ve ever struggled with overexplaining or feeling like you’re not coming across clearly – this episode is for you.

And the best part is: you don’t need to be perfectly prepared. This method works in real time, even when you’re thinking on your feet.

 

 

Free resource:
I created a free worksheet: 5 Phrases That Will Help You Sound Like a Leader
Download it here → https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/

Own the room, part 3: the bigger impact you’re meant to be making

Are you working hard but not getting the recognition you deserve? Do you feel like you could be making a bigger impact?  If so - today’s episode is for you.  Today, I’m sharing an empowering framework to help you grow your impact and get recognized for the talents you bring as a leader. 

 

Enrollment for The Art of Speaking Up Academy is open through Monday April 13th, apply here: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/

 

Have questions?  Feel free to shoot me a note at jessica@theartofspeakingup.com

Own the room, part 2: when you’re asked to lead rooms you don’t feel ready for – and it rattles your confidence

If you’ve ever stepped into a bigger project or new role that required you to lead in bigger rooms - today’s episode is for you.  These situations can cause you to spiral - you feel out of your element, you struggle to show up confidently, and you leave wondering if you even have that leadership capability in you.

 

The good news?  You’re absolutely not stuck, and in today’s episode I’m explaining how to thrive in these challenging, transitional situations.  If you’re ready to go from feeling stuck to feeling empowered - you don’t want to miss this one.

 

Apply to The Art of Speaking Up Academy:

https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/ 

 

Have a question or two?  Feel free to email me at jessica@theartofspeakingup.com

410 | The one overlooked pivot that helps you speak up powerfully at work

Do you want to stop holding yourself back and start speaking up more frequently (and confidently) at work?

 

If you’ve been prepping what to say and learning communication frameworks - only to continue feeling intimidated when the spotlight’s on you - then you must listen to today’s episode.

 

Today I’m explaining why you keep getting stuck, and teaching you one subtle but wildly effective shift to help you develop a confident voice that grows your impact and furthers your career path.

 

 

Enrollment for The Art of Speaking Up Academy is open - click here to apply:

https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/