EP473: Ruth Milligan - Building Influence Through Better Words

"Speaking requires feedback. We have to listen to ourselves. We have to listen to each other and give feedback in order to get better. Speaking is social." -Ruth Milligan Ruth Milligan, founder of Articulation and curator of TEDxColumbus, dives into how better communication leads to better business — especially for bookkeepers and business owners who want to be more clear, confident, and effective. In this episode, you'll learn… The hidden cost of unclear communication How to fix filler words, jargon & "shaded habits" How to explain complex topics without dumbing them down To learn more about Ruth, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:14 – Helping people own their voice & ideas 02:53 – From speechwriter to TEDx coach to business owner 05:47 – What's a "threshold concept" in speaking? 07:30 – Speaking is social: your audience decides the meaning 08:21 – Why technical experts lose audiences 13:26 – Bookkeepers: Your audience isn't in your field 14:06 – The pain (and power) of watching yourself speak 16:34 – The power of feedback & self-awareness 19:21 – Emails that confuse vs. emails that get results 21:51 – Declarative vs. procedural knowledge 23:51 – Training clients: Why reschedules are your problem 33:09 – Using AI for voice notes & speech prep 36:19 – The risks of AI hallucinations with real content 40:14 – A direct takeaway for introverts: Watch your "shaded habits" 41:58 – What you don't know can hurt your influence 44:39 – Breath: the simple fix for filler word 54:20 – Valuing yourself & your time This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!]]>