Why Great Leaders Listen First with Joanne Merrick

Send us a text What separates managers who merely delegate from those who transform teams? It's not just strategy, it's communication. In this episode of Speaking With Confidence, I sit down with global leadership expert Joanne Merrick to talk about what it really takes to become a powerful communicator in today’s chaotic work world. With over 25 years of experience across five continents and leadership roles at Amazon, Deloitte, and Juniper Networks, Joanne brings the receipts. She unpacks the neuroscience behind why autonomy fuels creativity, how emotional intelligence can replace micromanagement, and why being understood starts with taking responsibility for how you show up. We dive into: Why communication is a leadership skill, not just a speaking skill How to evaluate whether management is the right next step for your career The role self-awareness plays in storytelling, feedback, and influence How to overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence through connection The surprising power of someone believing in you Whether you're leading engineers, managing meetings, or just trying to make your voice heard without second-guessing yourself, this conversation will give you the mindset, tools, and practical language to communicate with clarity and impact. Connect with Joanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-merrick Game On! Is Management Your Best Career Play? Her Free management assessment: theleadershiprecipe.com Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve! Support the show Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatchSpeaking With ConfidenceFormula for Public SpeakingFacebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices