“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
09:30 – Why technical experts lose audiences
14:35 – Bookkeepers: Your audience isn’t in your field
15:15 – The pain (and power) of watching yourself speak
17:43 – The power of feedback & self-awareness
20:30 – Emails that confuse vs. emails that get results
23:00 – Declarative vs. procedural knowledge
25:00 – Training clients: Why reschedules are your problem
34:18 – Using AI for voice notes & speech prep
37:28 – The risks of AI hallucinations with real content
41:23 – A direct takeaway for introverts: Watch your “shaded habits”
43:07 – What you don’t know can hurt your influence
45:48 – Breath: the simple fix for filler word
55:29 – Valuing yourself & your time

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EP473: Ruth Milligan - Building Influence Through Better Words

The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast