This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and how it mattered in getting the company to their goal.

In this episode you will learn:
How a COO is like a Swiss Army knife
The importance of acknowledging and addressing self-doubt and inner critics, and how Anu sharing her own experience helped a coworker overcome her own fears and take on a challenging task.
About how Anu delivered a company all-hands presentation, aiming to bring transparency and inspiration to her team to work towards core growth by breaking down the problems despite her fear of overwhelming with details and creating an atmosphere of anxiety.
Anu’s criteria for identifying exciting candidates during interviews, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, ambition, and the ability to collaborate creatively.



24 Hour Challenge: 

Reflect on how you want to feel when you achieve success, and to consider if your current goals align with those feelings. What really would make you happy?



Mentioned in the Episode:
“Remember the Name” – Fort Minor 
“Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance” – Angela Lee Duckworth



About Anu:

Anu Muralidharan, a first-generation immigrant, arrived in the US burdened with $120,000 in debt. Today she is the COO and a board member at Expensify (NASDAQ: EXFY).

Despite her success, Anu battled self-doubt throughout her journey. The promotion to VP, a title she ardently pursued, led her to a profound low marked by crippling depression. This pivotal moment forced her to redefine success and develop three guiding principles to navigate uncertainty.

Now, armed with those principles, Anu empowers young women to embrace their strengths, silence their inner critic, and seek self-approval—a quest that unites and liberates humanity.



You can connect with Anu in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuradhamuralidharan/
Web: www.expensify.com



You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and how it mattered in getting the company to their goal.
In this episode you will learn:
<ul>
<li>How a COO is like a Swiss Army knife</li>
<li>The importance of acknowledging and addressing self-doubt and inner critics, and how Anu sharing her own experience helped a coworker overcome her own fears and take on a challenging task.</li>
<li>About how Anu delivered a company all-hands presentation, aiming to bring transparency and inspiration to her team to work towards core growth by breaking down the problems despite her fear of overwhelming with details and creating an atmosphere of anxiety.</li>
<li>Anu’s criteria for identifying exciting candidates during interviews, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, ambition, and the ability to collaborate creatively.</li>
</ul>
 
24 Hour Challenge: 
Reflect on how you want to feel when you achieve success, and to consider if your current goals align with those feelings. What really would make you happy?
 
Mentioned in the Episode:
<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDvr08sCPOc">“Remember the Name” – Fort Minor </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8">“Grit: The Power of Passion &amp; Perseverance” – Angela Lee Duckworth</a></li>
</ul>
 
About Anu:
Anu Muralidharan, a first-generation immigrant, arrived in the US burdened with $120,000 in debt. Today she is the COO and a board member at Expensify (NASDAQ: EXFY).
Despite her success, Anu battled self-doubt throughout her journey. The promotion to VP, a title she ardently pursued, led her to a profound low marked by crippling depression. This pivotal moment forced her to redefine success and develop three guiding principles to navigate uncertainty.
Now, armed with those principles, Anu empowers young women to embrace their strengths, silence their inner critic, and seek self-approval—a quest that unites and liberates humanity.
 
You can connect with Anu in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuradhamuralidharan/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuradhamuralidharan/</a></li>
<li>Web: <a href="http://www.expensify.com">www.expensify.com</a></li>
</ul>
 
You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola</li>
<li>LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/</li>
<li>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions</li>
<li>Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions</li>
<li>Twitter: @LauraSicola</li>
<li>Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions</li>
<li>Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/</li>
<li>Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today</li>
</ul>
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal.

Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more!

For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com 

To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@vocalimpactproductions.com

Speaking to Influence

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal. Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more! For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com  To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@laurasicola.com

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal. Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more! For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com  To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@laurasicola.com

Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’

Reed Phillips, CEO of Oaklins De Silva and Phillips, shares insights on leadership communication and lessons learned from his career in investment banking. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in communication and the negative consequences of being secretive with employees.

Reed also discusses a time when he made a wrong hiring decision and had to let someone go, highlighting the importance of admitting mistakes and seeking input from others. He shares his experience as an investment banker and offers advice on building influence and overcoming communication challenges.

Reed suggests seeking feedback from industry colleagues and friends to assess one's abilities and areas for improvement. The conversation also touches on the importance of initiating conversations, developing storytelling skills, and simplifying complex concepts for clients.

In this episode you will learn:
Transparency in communication is essential for building trust and fostering a positive work environment.
Admitting mistakes and seeking input from others can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.
Negotiation is a valuable skill that can help find win-win solutions and avoid missed opportunities.
Being open to new opportunities and exploring alternatives can lead to personal and professional growth. Approach negotiations as win-win situations to find mutually beneficial solutions.
Seek feedback from industry colleagues and friends to assess your abilities and areas for improvement.
Initiate conversations and find common ground to build relationships and influence.
Develop storytelling skills to engage and connect with others.
Simplify complex concepts to make them more accessible and understandable for clients.

About Reed

With over 29 years of experience as a CEO and co-founder of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, Reed has successfully built and led one of the world's premier investment banking firms focused on the media, marketing, information and technology sectors. He has also expanded their global presence as the chairman and president of Oaklins International, which has 850 investment bankers in 45 countries.



You can connect with Reed in the following way:
Website: https://www.oaklins.com/dp/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipsreed/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reed Phillips, CEO of Oaklins De Silva and Phillips, shares insights on leadership communication and lessons learned from his career in investment banking. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in communication and the negative consequences of being secretive with employees.
Reed also discusses a time when he made a wrong hiring decision and had to let someone go, highlighting the importance of admitting mistakes and seeking input from others. He shares his experience as an investment banker and offers advice on building influence and overcoming communication challenges.
Reed suggests seeking feedback from industry colleagues and friends to assess one's abilities and areas for improvement. The conversation also touches on the importance of initiating conversations, developing storytelling skills, and simplifying complex concepts for clients.
In this episode you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Transparency in communication is essential for building trust and fostering a positive work environment.</li>
<li>Admitting mistakes and seeking input from others can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.</li>
<li>Negotiation is a valuable skill that can help find win-win solutions and avoid missed opportunities.</li>
<li>Being open to new opportunities and exploring alternatives can lead to personal and professional growth. Approach negotiations as win-win situations to find mutually beneficial solutions.</li>
<li>Seek feedback from industry colleagues and friends to assess your abilities and areas for improvement.</li>
<li>Initiate conversations and find common ground to build relationships and influence.</li>
<li>Develop storytelling skills to engage and connect with others.</li>
<li>Simplify complex concepts to make them more accessible and understandable for clients.</li>
</ul>
About Reed
With over 29 years of experience as a CEO and co-founder of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, Reed has successfully built and led one of the world's premier investment banking firms focused on the media, marketing, information and technology sectors. He has also expanded their global presence as the chairman and president of Oaklins International, which has 850 investment bankers in 45 countries.
 
You can connect with Reed in the following way:
<ul>
<li>Website: https://www.oaklins.com/dp/en/</li>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipsreed/</li>
</ul>
You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola</li>
<li>LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc</li>
<li>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc</li>
<li>Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola</li>
<li>Twitter: @LauraSicola</li>
<li>Instagram: @drlaurasicola</li>
<li>Website: https://laurasicola.com</li>
<li>Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today</li>
</ul>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reed Phillips - Oaklins DeSilva + Phillips: Mastering the Art of Win-Win Negotiations

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, about the importance of communication skills and influence in the business world. They discuss the value of soft skills, such as foreign language proficiency, and the need to recognize and leverage one's unique talents.

Richard challenges listeners to improve their voicemail messages and congruence between their audio and visual presence. They also talk about the importance of giving people a personalized outbound voicemail message and the impact it has on the impression they leave.

He emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and having a sense of humor in building relationships and achieving success.

In this episode you will learn:
Character during chaos is an important leadership trait.
Promote individuals based on their strengths and redirect them to roles where they can excel.
Express appreciation and acknowledge the contributions of team members.
Take calculated risks and communicate with stakeholders about challenges and unique aspects of the business. Soft skills, including foreign language proficiency, are valuable and marketable skills in the business world.
Recognize and leverage your unique talents and skills, and don't downplay their importance.
Improve your voicemail message and ensure congruence between your audio and visual presence.
Give a personalized outbound voicemail message to make a positive impression.
Be the lone voice of dissent when necessary and advocate for others.

About Richard Blank

At 27 years old, Richard relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. He has trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers over two decades. Richard has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica’s Call Center since 2008.



You can connect with Richard in the following way:
Website: https://costaricascallcenter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessprocessoutsourcingcallcenter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ST99AEp7COEWS4q4VUw4Q
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, about the importance of communication skills and influence in the business world. They discuss the value of soft skills, such as foreign language proficiency, and the need to recognize and leverage one's unique talents.
Richard challenges listeners to improve their voicemail messages and congruence between their audio and visual presence. They also talk about the importance of giving people a personalized outbound voicemail message and the impact it has on the impression they leave.
He emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and having a sense of humor in building relationships and achieving success.
In this episode you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Character during chaos is an important leadership trait.</li>
<li>Promote individuals based on their strengths and redirect them to roles where they can excel.</li>
<li>Express appreciation and acknowledge the contributions of team members.</li>
<li>Take calculated risks and communicate with stakeholders about challenges and unique aspects of the business. Soft skills, including foreign language proficiency, are valuable and marketable skills in the business world.</li>
<li>Recognize and leverage your unique talents and skills, and don't downplay their importance.</li>
<li>Improve your voicemail message and ensure congruence between your audio and visual presence.</li>
<li>Give a personalized outbound voicemail message to make a positive impression.</li>
<li>Be the lone voice of dissent when necessary and advocate for others.</li>
</ul>
About Richard Blank
At 27 years old, Richard relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. He has trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers over two decades. Richard has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica’s Call Center since 2008.
 
You can connect with Richard in the following way:
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/videos/">https://costaricascallcenter.com</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessprocessoutsourcingcallcenter">https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessprocessoutsourcingcallcenter</a></li>
<li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ST99AEp7COEWS4q4VUw4Q">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ST99AEp7COEWS4q4VUw4Q</a></li>
<li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/</a></li>
</ul>
You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola</li>
<li>LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc</li>
<li>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc</li>
<li>Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola</li>
<li>Twitter: @LauraSicola</li>
<li>Instagram: @drlaurasicola</li>
<li>Website: https://laurasicola.com</li>
<li>Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today</li>
</ul>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Blank - CRCC - Building Rapport: Getting to Know Your Team

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ekaterina (Katie) Curry, the Managing Director of Millennial Specialty Insurance. They discuss various topics related to communication and leadership, including the importance of precision in word choice, the need to be a translator between the C-suite and the team, the power of timing in communication, and the challenge of explaining things to teenage kids. Katie also shares her experience of going to bat for someone on her team and the lessons she learned from it.

In this episode you will learn:
Precision in word choice is crucial to avoid misinterpretation and potential problems.
Being a translator between the C-suite and the team is an important leadership skill.
Timing plays a significant role in effective communication.
Explaining things to teenage kids can be challenging, but building a strong relationship and providing guidance can help.

About Katie:

Ms. Ekaterina (“Katie”) Curry is a global business & operations leader with deep expertise in financial services and insurance. She currently leads Operations, Quality, Process improvement and Agency teams at Millennial Specialty insurance multifamily.

2x Fortune 500 leader, she has led colleagues on 5 continents through transformation and rapid growth. Katie transitioned from Financial Services to insurance at the end of 2022 and is focused on bringing best practices to the insurance industry.

Katie is originally from Bulgaria but has lived and worked in the U.S. for over 20 years. She holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Yale University.

She is a frequent industry speaker and author on operations,leadership, and working with Gen Z and Millennial colleagues. When she is not working, you might find Katie hiking with her husband, kids and their dog Flynn.

You can connect with Katie in the following way:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinacurry/

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @drlaurasicola
Website: https://laurasicola.com
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Sicola interviews Ekaterina (Katie) Curry, the Managing Director of Millennial Specialty Insurance. They discuss various topics related to communication and leadership, including the importance of precision in word choice, the need to be a translator between the C-suite and the team, the power of timing in communication, and the challenge of explaining things to teenage kids. Katie also shares her experience of going to bat for someone on her team and the lessons she learned from it.
In this episode you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Precision in word choice is crucial to avoid misinterpretation and potential problems.</li>
<li>Being a translator between the C-suite and the team is an important leadership skill.</li>
<li>Timing plays a significant role in effective communication.</li>
<li>Explaining things to teenage kids can be challenging, but building a strong relationship and providing guidance can help.</li>
</ul>
About Katie:
Ms. Ekaterina (“Katie”) Curry is a global business &amp; operations leader with deep expertise in financial services and insurance. She currently leads Operations, Quality, Process improvement and Agency teams at Millennial Specialty insurance multifamily.
2x Fortune 500 leader, she has led colleagues on 5 continents through transformation and rapid growth. Katie transitioned from Financial Services to insurance at the end of 2022 and is focused on bringing best practices to the insurance industry.
Katie is originally from Bulgaria but has lived and worked in the U.S. for over 20 years. She holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Yale University.
She is a frequent industry speaker and author on operations,leadership, and working with Gen Z and Millennial colleagues. When she is not working, you might find Katie hiking with her husband, kids and their dog Flynn.
You can connect with Katie in the following way:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinacurry/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinacurry/</a></li>
</ul>
You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola</li>
<li>LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc</li>
<li>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc</li>
<li>Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola</li>
<li>Twitter: @LauraSicola</li>
<li>Instagram: @drlaurasicola</li>
<li>Website: https://laurasicola.com</li>
<li>Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today</li>
</ul>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’

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