Chris Fenning: How to master everyday communications

How well do you communicate?A simple question on the face of it, but are you really winging it?Whether it’s via email, that first impression, or contributing to meetings, there are ways we can improve how we contribute. That’s exactly what I discuss in this episode with my guest Chris Fenning, an award-winning author on the topic of communication.Chris shares the significance of structuring communication so we can deliver messages in high stakes situations with more skill. He also explores the role AI is taking in our communication methods, and what we need to be careful of when using it. This episode will help you transform your impact and improve your prospects through better communication.“Good communication requires building good habits.”– Chris FenningYou'll hear about:·      How preparation can significantly improve communication effectiveness.·      Using structure in communication to help ensure messages are understood.·      Why awareness of your use of jargon is essential when communicating with non-experts.·      Ways AI tools can assist in communication but should not replace skill development.·      Why listening and asking questions are key for effective leadership communication.·      How pausing before responding can enhance clarity and thoughtfulness. About Chris Fenning:Chris Fenning helps professionals master their communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google, JP Morgan, and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages.  Resources: • Website: https://chrisfenning.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/• Book links:• The First Minute: https://www.amazon.com/First-Minute-Start-Conversations-Results/dp/183824400X• Effective Emails: https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Emails-Straightforward-Communication-Business/dp/1838244069• 39 Ways to Make Training Stick: https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Make-Training-Stick-Development/dp/1916818013• Online courses: https://chris-fenning.thinkific.com/ My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Example

Do you know what your digital footprint is?We all know that overusing digital devices isn't good for us. But do we know the full extent of what we leave behind when we use our phones or laptops?In this episode I am joined by Professor Sandra Matz to discuss the digital footprints we leave for companies and other individuals to use. Sandra talks about the misuse of digital footprints and the actions we can take to take back control of it.We also explore what can be done to create regulation change in regard to the use of our data. A quite shocking but essential episode for all of us as we leave our digital trail in the world.“Don’t stop at what’s legal. Think about what’s ethical.”– Sandra MatzYou'll hear about:·      Digital footprints encompassing both explicit identity claims and behavioural residue.·      How people are often unaware of the extent of their digital footprints.·      Ways machine learning can provide insights into mental health and behaviour.·      How data can be used ethically to improve individual well-being.·      Why data considerations must be ethical as well as legal.·      Federated learning can protect user data while still providing insights.·      Regulation being necessary to protect personal data.·      Why collective action is essential for meaningful change in data regulations.  About Sandra Matz:As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Professor Sandra Matz studies human behaviour by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions. Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals, and her work has been frequently covered by many of the major news outlets. She lives in New York with her husband Moran Cerf and her son Ben Cerf.• Profile: https://sandramatz.com/• The book ‘Mindmasters’: https://www.mindmasters.ai/• Personality Test: https://www.mindmasters.ai/mypersonality My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Is your way of thinking limiting fresh ideas in your organisation?That dominant way of thinking you’re so used to could be doing more damage than good. Perhaps it’s time to find another way to enable innovation and growth amongst your team.In this episode I am joined by Rohit Bhargava, the man behind non-obvious thinking. Rohit tells us what non-obvious thinking is, and why it matters. He also gives you practical ways to develop it and how to use it to your own advantage.Rohit advocates for a world filled with open-minded individuals who can see beyond the obvious and challenge the status quo.Now that sounds like a world and a work place we should all aspire to.“What would the world be like if the opposite was true?”– RohitYou'll hear about:Why non-obvious thinking is essential in a world of conventional ideas.How fresh perspectives can lead to innovation and growth.The SIFT framework and how it helps in developing non-obvious thinking.Creating space being crucial for generating new ideas.Leading with empathy allows for understanding diverse perspectives.The ways AI can be used with non-obvious thinking.Engaging with out of the ordinary topics can spark new insights.About Rohit Bhargava:Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time WSJ bestselling author of ten books on marketing, innovation, diversity and trends including his #1 bestseller Non-Obvious Megatrends. Rohit has been invited as a “non-boring” keynote speaker to event in 32 countries. He writes a monthly column for Inc magazine on non-obvious ideas. On a personal note, he loves the Olympics, actively hates cauliflower and is a proud dad of boys.Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitbhargava/• Books: https://rohitbhargava.com/books/• Non-obvious newsletter: https://rohitbhargava.com/subscribe/• Non-obvious insights blog: https://rohitbhargava.com/blog/My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Do you struggle to move the dial on your organisation’s culture?Perhaps, the answer to your problems lies in the use of a tool that breaks from traditional methods to measure culture: AI.In this episode I am joined by Charlie Sull, a pioneer in the use of AI to understand, measure and evolve culture in organisations. Charlie shares culture measurement methods you can use with AI, that use employee language to provide concrete, measurable insights.Charlie emphasises the importance of top-down prioritisation to facilitate cultural change, and gives interesting data led insights into the impact of remote work on culture.This episode is for leaders at all stages of their career that are looking to transform culture, supercharge performance in your team, and use pioneering techniques to do so.“Cultural measurement tells you how to fix things.” – CharlieYou'll hear about:Why culture is a critical ingredient in any organisation's performance.How AI can effectively measure and evolve organisational culture.Traditional cultural measurement methods being outdated and ineffective.Remote work can have varying impacts on organisational culture.Caring about employees is fundamental to a strong culture.The fact top leadership buy-in is essential for cultural transformation.There is often a disconnect between espoused values and actual culture.Cultural change can happen more quickly than traditionally thought.About Charlie Sull:Charlie Sull is a globally recognized expert in corporate culture and AI. He is the co-creator of the most-read series in MIT Sloan Management Review history, Measuring Culture, with a readership of millions. His work has been featured on Brené Brown, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, TIME, and many other leading media outlets.Charlie is the co-founder of CultureX, where he helped develop a new kind of artificial intelligence to measure and improve culture. At CultureX, he works with the top teams of many of the world’s leading firms, like AB InBev, HSBC, and H-E-B, and helps them improve their cultures using artificial intelligence.Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-sull/• Services: https://www.culturex.com/• Culture Champions Series: https://blog.culturex.com/My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Can AI improve your company’s strategy?A question that is more and more prescient in the modern world of today.In this episode I am joined by Graham Kenny, a prolific author, consultant and professor in all things strategy. In recent years he has also been experimenting with how far AI can help organisations design and implement winning strategies.Graham discusses the transformative role of AI in strategy formulation and execution. He emphasises the importance of stakeholder perspectives in defining strategy and shares an excitement for AI in being a fundamental part of this.We also explore how AI can enhance the execution strategy, specifically by developing sharper KPIs and using digital twins.AI is a tool that can help you win against the competition, are you using it to its full potential?“If people aren’t using AI for strategic analysis, they are missing the boat.” – GrahamYou'll hear about:●      How AI can significantly improve strategic thinking and execution.●      Understanding stakeholders is crucial for effective strategy.●      How AI serves as a powerful tool for analysis in strategic planning.●      Digital twins simulating organisational changes before implementation. About Graham Kenny:Graham Kenny is an internationally recognised expert in strategy and performance measurement. He writes regularly for the Harvard Business Review with over 50 articles, has written more than 70 articles for international journals and has authored six books.He is passionate about helping boards, executives and managers lead successful organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has also enjoyed a successful academic career having been a Professor of Management in universities in the US and Canada.Resources: • Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkkenny/• Services: https://strategicfactors.com/• Articles: https://strategicfactors.com/articles/ My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Has your job become all-consuming as a leader in your organisation?Whether it’s organisational transformation, doing big M&A deals or handling a crisis, your health and relationships can be the things most impacted.In this episode I am joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens, and author of "Leading to Thrive." He emphasizes the importance of energy management for sustainable success, highlighting four energy sources: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.Leaders need to balance both work and personal life to thrive in their roles, while maintaining their well-being. Klaus explores how to do this through dual mastery of the inner and outer game of leadership.This conversation challenges orthodoxy and sets out a manifesto for aspiring and experienced leaders alike.“Too many leaders ignore themselves for too long. Then they burn out.” – KlausYou'll hear about:●      Making sure leadership isn’t all-consuming and impacting your health.●      How mastering the inner game involves managing energy and mindset.●      Trust and conflict management being vital for high-performing teams.●      Diversity should be tied to performance, not just a goal.●      Effective leadership cascades practices throughout the organization. About Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld:Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 giants on different continents: Alcoa in the US and Siemens in Germany. With a nearly forty-year career spanning multiple industries, from established businesses to tech startups, he has advised US presidents and global leaders across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.As the founder of K2Elevation, he invests in North American and European tech and biotech firms. Actively engaged in private sector, public affairs, and cultural boards, Dr. Kleinfeld, a dual US and European citizen, enjoys work, life, and family near New York. Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld/• Book ‘Leading to Thrive’: https://www.leading-to-thrive.com/ My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

So here we are, 100 episodes of Lancefield on the Line.To celebrate I am taking the opportunity to reflect on my journey as a podcast host, sharing insights gained from interviewing a diverse range of brilliant guests. I discuss what I have learned it takes to be a good podcast guest and host, as well as key areas we have covered in strategy, leadership and self-development.For the first time I also have questions fired back at me by some of my esteemed guests over the 100 episodes, where I offer further reflections on leadership and personal growth.Thank you to everyone involved in the last 100 episodes, the guests, the audience, my friends, supporters.I do hope you enjoy this episode. “The art of conversation is alive and kicking.” – DavidYou'll hear about:·      The Lancefield on the Line stats·      What it takes to be a great podcast guest·      What it takes to be a great podcast host·      4 big themes from 100 episodes·      Amy Gallo: Difficult conversations leaders are avoiding·      Josie Thomson: Leadership blind spots·      Tony Martignetti: Surprises in the evolution of the podcast·      Dina Denham Smith: What being a father of disabled child has taught me·      Dan Pontefract: The most challenging podcast interview·      Steven Rogelberg: The guest I'd most like to interview·      Scott D. Anthony: The connections between topics.·      Scott D. Anthony: What my guests miss·      Scott D. Anthony: My power question·      Michael Bungay Stanier: My hardest strategy and leadership lesson·      Paolo Gallo: Three takeaways from 100 episodes·      Melody Wilding: How my leadership philosophy has changed over 100 episodes ·      Costas Markides: Why CEOs don't do what they know they should do·      The most surprising, moving, intimidating episodes·      The bloopers and mistakesAbout David Lancefield:David is the founder of Strategy Shift. He’s worked with more than 50 CEOs and hundreds of others C-Suite executives to design bold strategies, supercharge their leadership, and transform their culture in 20 countries. He’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Review, and Strategy+Business, and a guest lecturer at the London Business School. He is a former senior partner in Strategy&, PwC.Resources:• Strategy Shift: https://strategyshift.co.uk/• Profile: https://strategyshift.co.uk/founder/• Newsletter: https://davidlancefield.com/newsletter/• Courses: https://strategyshift.co.uk/courses/• Writing: https://davidlancefield.com/writing/• YouTube: http://bit.ly/3cFGk1kFor more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Does your boss value everything you do?They should see it, get it, and tell us they appreciate it. But they don’t.Managing upwards could be the solution you need. It will help you perform at your best, and importantly, progress your career.My guest in this episode Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up, shares her research and experience on how to do this skilfully. She emphasises the need for employees to align with their bosses, understand different management styles, and communicate effectively.Melody gives insights into how you can convey information deftly, and navigate difficult conversations, such as how to get that raise that you’re after.This episode is packed full of tips about situations you'll find yourself in every day. So get ready to take notes.“Managing up is not about sucking up” – MelodyYou'll hear about:Why managing upwards is essential for career progressionHow understanding your boss's priorities can enhance your work alignment.Building a support network is crucial for effective upward management.The best ways to handle compensation discussions.About Melody:Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge (March 2025).As an award-winning executive coach, for more than a decade she’s helped top performers at the world’s most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to find their professional power position, the sweet spot where confidence and influence meet. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She’s a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and MSNBC.Resources:Book 'Managing Up' - https://managingup.com Scripts to say no at work - https://melodywilding.com/sayno My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Success can be exhilarating, exhausting, even emotional.But even if you have it, you get a niggling feeling you could achieve more.In this episode I am joined by Laura Gassner Otting, author of Wonderhell. We talk about the complexities of success, fulfilment, and personal growth.Laura shares the importance of recognising the emotional challenges that accompany success, and how to navigate them effectively. She discusses the significance of aligning personal goals with values, and the importance of recognising this as a practice for all areas of life not just your work.Whether you’re riding high, full of self-doubt or wanting to get back to your A-game, there is a lot to learn from Laura.“Fix the goal, don’t fix you” - LauraYou'll hear about:How to use your emotions as catalysts for growthWhy you need to align goals with personal valuesFulfilment and the roles balance and success play to achieve itReinvention as a lifelong process not just in your workAbout Laura Gassner:Laura’s secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back on you, so that you can get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results. A regular contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily, Laura is the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of three books, Wonderhell, Limitless, and Mission-Driven. Laura’s 30-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm, partnering with the full gamut of mission driven corporate and nonprofit executives.Laura is turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, motivator, and provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like. Just ask her enduringly patient husband, two almost-grown sons, and two troublesome pups with whom she lives outside of Boston, MA.Resources:• Profile: https://lauragassnerotting.com/meet-laura/• 'Limitless Leader' report: https://lauragassnerotting.com/resources/#report• ‘Hello Tuesday’ Newsletter: https://lauragassnerotting.com/resources/#newsletter• ‘Wonderhell’ and ‘Limitless’ Books: https://lauragassnerotting.com/resources/#booksMy resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Strategy is a word that invokes many emotions.There are those that fear it, those excited by it, and those apathetic to it.To help me on my quest to develop millions of strategic people I am joined by Alex MH Smith, author of No Bullsh*t Strategy.Alex talks with clarity on what strategy should mean to companies and how to approach it. He shares the ways in which people get strategy wrong, and the emotional weight the term has.Alex believes humility is the key to strategic thinking and growth. He also gives insights into what your strategy should include and the significance of good faith disagreement in strategic discussions.Alex’s brutally honest, refreshingly clear insights will change the way you think about strategy forever. “The higher your level of gaze, the more strategic you are” – AlexYou'll hear about:Why most businesses don’t actually have a strategyThe two fundamental problems every company faces—and how to fix themWhy extreme humility is the secret weapon of great strategistsThe biggest mistake leaders make when trying to "be strategic"How to communicate strategy so that everyone in your company actually gets itAbout Alex Smith:Alex is an author and speaker who believes that strategy is the most important skill in business. Unfortunately, it’s also the most misunderstood skill in business - meaning the vast majority of leaders don’t have this power at their fingertips. His work is focused on changing that - by making strategy simple, digestible, and fun so everyone can use it. Whether it’s through his social media following, his best selling book No Bullshit Strategy, or his DIY strategy program The Strategy Shortcut System, everything Alex does is about helping you make the key choices that are going to 50x your results - with no additional effort.Resources:• Hidden Path newsletter: www.basicarts.org/newsletter• Strategy Shortcut System: www.strategyshortcutsystem.com• No Bullsh*t Strategy: www.basicarts.org/bookMy resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)