19 mins: Make an impact in meetings

What you'll learn:

Ashleigh Paholek is the founder and CEO of TIER Society and a TV journalist who’s spent 10 years speaking with authority on breaking news – even when she blanks! She’s back after sharing her top storytelling tips – to assure us that we don’t need more words to sound credible; just the right ones. When we use fewer, intentional words, people listen harder. In your next meeting, try:

💡 To take the floor without fighting: Lean in 2-3cm and try the pre-claim (say their name first: ‘Sarah, I’ll jump in’), the forward signal (‘Quick one from me’), or unmute before speaking online (it’s a visual cue!)

💡 Ask yourself: ‘If they remember ONE thing from me today, what do I want it to be?’ That becomes the anchor line – and everything you say supports it.

💡 The Point → Proof → Pause → Push structure: Start with your conclusion first (‘Our timelines are at risk’), give proof (‘We’ve already slipped three days’), pause to let it land, then push for action (‘And that’s why we need to adjust the workflow now’).

💡 When you catch yourself waffling: Find yourself repeating yourself or speaking faster? Do a clean stop, pause, then use a reset phrase: ‘Let me make that clearer’, ‘To simplify’, or ‘The key takeaway is’.

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