You’re in a team meeting, someone starts talking… and keeps talking.

They lose their train of thought, fill the air with “likes” and “ums”, and before long, the point is lost.

Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. Because here’s the truth: verbal communication isn’t innate—it’s a learned skill.

And this week’s guest has spent 35 years helping people master it.

Meet Ruth Milligan. Ruth is a 35-year communication veteran. Her career has included being a speechwriter, press secretary, marketing consultant, and, for the last 15 years, communication coach and trainer. She is the author of Motivated Speaker with her co-authors and colleagues, Acacia Duncan and Blythe Coons.

In this episode, Ruth shares why speaking is a learned habit—not a natural gift— and why catching habits early in low-stakes settings sets the stage for success when the pressure is on.

You’ll learn why filler words, overtalking, and disorganized thoughts sabotage your message and how to fix them with practical, proven tools for you and your team.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Ruth breaks down how to stop saying “um” and reveals the six threshold concepts for learning to speak well.

Join the conversation now!

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Conversation Topics

(00:00) Introduction
(01:39) Common mistakes people make when communicating
(07:18) Why listening to yourself is the best feedback tool
(13:58) Handling slow speakers and ramblers: what actually works
(18:28) Pre-meeting coaching that helps your team speak better
(25:03) The power of practicing before you speak (and what to rehearse)
(27:57) A great manager Ruth has worked for
(29:31) Keep up with Ruth
(30:55) [Extended Episode Only] How to finally stop saying “um”
(33:09) [Extended Episode Only] The six threshold concepts for learning to speak well

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Ruth Milligan

- Follow Ruth on LinkedIn here

- Grab a copy of her book, The Motivated Speaker, here

5 Book Giveaway

Ruth is giving away five copies of her book, The Motivated Speaker: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential, to members of Podcast+. In this book, you will discover practical and accessible approaches that will help you establish powerful habits in your speaking practice. You’ll understand what’s preventing you from being influential and persuasive, and build a new foundation toward being a highly effective communicator.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

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360: How to Train Your Brain to Speak Better in Any Setting with Ruth Milligan

The Modern Manager