Choices & Chances with Tesa Arcilla

How Prime Ministers & CEOs Master Communication with Laura Shields - Ep17

• Tesa Arcilla • Season 1 • Episode 17

What separates great communicators from the rest? And why do even the smartest leaders struggle to get their message across?

"People have this idea that communicators like Barack Obama didn't put in any work, which is just nonsense," says Laura.

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Shields, founder of RedThread (and fellow 'Brussels Bubble' insider) who has spent over a decade training Prime Ministers, CEOs, and leadership teams to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

We break down:

🔹 The biggest communication mistakes top leaders make (and how to fix them)
🔹 Why intelligence doesn’t equal influence—and how to make your ideas land
🔹 The truth about authenticity in communication (and why it’s often misunderstood)
🔹 Why practicing out loud is the single most underrated strategy for public speaking
🔹 The power of storytelling and how to craft messages that actually resonate

Laura also shares her personal journey, from journalism to high-stakes communication coaching, and how her late ADHD & dyspraxia diagnosis shaped her approach to work and decision-making.

This episode has lots of golden nuggets in messaging, public speaking, and strategic communication—whether you're leading a team, presenting in high-stakes meetings, or simply want to be heard more effectively.

🎧 Listen now and share your biggest takeaway!

#Podcast #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #MediaTraining #Messaging #ExecutivePresence

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