Welcome to the Prepare 2 Shift 4 Leaders podcast! I’m Dr. Paula Maddox, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have you join me for our first episode. After nearly 20 years of coaching leaders across the U.S. and over 57 other countries, working with Fortune 50, 100, and 500 companies, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and triumphs of leadership. This show is designed for leaders at every stage—from the C-suite to emerging managers—looking to strengthen their executive presence, expand their influence, and lead with intention. Each month, I’ll share insights, strategies, and practical tools to guide you on your leadership journey.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into a topic close to my heart: intentional communication for leaders. Communication is complex, yet it’s the backbone of effective leadership. We’ll explore what it means to communicate with clarity, purpose, and relevance and how to tailor messages for different audiences—whether they respond best to storytelling, data, or a structured approach. I’ll also walk you through the PREP framework (Point, Reason, Evidence, Point) as a tool for crafting concise, impactful messages, especially valuable in today’s fast-paced world where attention spans are shrinking.

Looking ahead, we’ll be covering a wide range of leadership topics, from developing a personal leadership brand to understanding the role of gender in communication styles. I invite you to subscribe, engage, and join me each month as we unlock the full potential of your leadership. Let’s shift your approach and bring your best to those you lead. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and let’s get started!

Episode Highlights:

[02:43] Dr. Paula discusses why we should focus on leadership at all. We're all leaders, and we need to activate that within each and every one of us.

[03:29] Today's episode is about communicating with intention.

[04:01] What does it really mean to improve your communication skills?

[05:21] The importance of being attentive to communications styles, especially in order to influence, persuade, or prompt action.

[06:23] Frame your messages to appeal to those whose support you seek.

[08:47] Paying attention to the palette of your guest.

[09:28] Dr. Paula talks about digital communication and gender.

[10:59] Male leaders often use big picture language. Female leaders often use specifics.

[13:32] Asking strategic questions to clarify.

[14:05] Four types of communication intentions: control, defend, relinquish, and affirming.

[16:20] Concise communication.

[21:03] Prepare in advance for short and concise talking points. Anticipate objections and have available supplemental data. Provide pre-reads. Highlight and set expectations early. Use the PREP framework. Point, reason, evidence, and point.

[23:23] Listen attentively to your audience. Note how gender plays a role in communication. Attention spans have decreased.

Be concise with pre-reads.

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