Ruth Milligan chats with Michael Palmer, host of The Successful Bookkeeper podcast, and shares insights on how professionals, especially scientists and technical experts, can build influence through effective communication. Drawing from over a decade of coaching leaders for TEDx and beyond, Ruth emphasizes the importance of storytelling, clarity, and audience-centered messaging. She notes that while technical experts are often brilliant, their impact can be limited if they cannot convey ideas in accessible and compelling ways.
In this episode, Ruth explains that good communicators must “decouple their ego from their expertise” and shift focus from impressing to connecting. She introduces the concept of the “communication continuum,” where communicators evolve from self-focused to audience-focused messaging. Practical tips for this include preparing with empathy, using analogies, and structuring talks with a clear beginning, middle, and end. She also discusses the need for intentional practice and feedback, rather than relying on natural talent. Ruth explains that Articulation’s coaching approach champions authenticity, preparation, and simplicity, urging professionals to invest in developing their speaking skills to foster influence, alignment, and action. Ultimately, strong communication is not about performance, but about service—translating complex ideas into stories that resonate and inspire change.
🎙️ Introduction & Background (00:01)
Speaking is a habit, not a gift. Ruth debunks the myth of the “natural speaker,” emphasizing that good speakers are habitual and have practiced extensively and introduces her book, The Motivated Speaker, which targets people seeking to improve their communication and explores the threshold concepts that underpin great speaking: speaking isn’t natural, it requires feedback, is social, is embodied, genre-specific, and messy. Mastering these helps speakers become more effective.
🗣️ The Social Aspect of Speaking (08:47)
Ruth emphasizes that meaning is made by the audience. Complex or unfamiliar words alienate listeners. Accessible language is critical for comprehension and influence. Speakers should only present the information needed to persuade or inform—not everything they know. Purpose and audience comprehension matter most.
📚 Best practices for high-level speakers (13:30)
As a first step in any presentation, a speaker should consider: what do I want the audience to do with the information when I’m finished? Michael and Ruth also discuss the importance of making your challenging, job-specific information accessible, whether you are a cancer researcher or a bookkeeper.
🧠 Procedural Knowledge for Business Owners (18:05)
Milligan shares how she learned bookkeeping basics and stresses the difference between declarative and procedural knowledge—knowing what vs. how.
👩🏫 Training Clients Through Clear Communication (24:37)
Ruth explains how setting expectations and consequences (e.g., missed meeting fees) changed client behavior, advocating clear procedural writing.
✍️ Writing as Thinking (33:07)
Writing helps clarify thinking. Ruth uses voice memos and AI tools to draft and refine communications. Speaking preparation often starts with written structure.
💻 AI as a Communication Aid (37:16)
Milligan discusses how AI can summarize or simplify complex ideas but warns against “hallucinations” and stresses human oversight.
😎 Shaded Habits (41:18)
Ruth introduces “shaded habits”—annoying speaking quirks from private settings that diminish influence in public speaking. Awareness is the first step to correction.
🛠️ Replacing Filler Words with Intentional Breaths (44:30)
Practical advice: eliminate “ums” and filler words by pausing and breathing. Conscious awareness and listening to oneself are key to improvement.
💰 Acknowledging the Financial Value of Good Communication (47:16)
Michael and Ruth reflect on how communication affects income. Better speakers and writers command higher trust and compensation.
🧰 Further Resources (50:42)
Listeners can find The Motivated Speaker at themotivatedspeaker.com, with print, audio, and ebook formats available.
