Episodes: Listen Now to The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast — The Successful Bookkeeper

EP473: Ruth Milligan - Building Influence Through Better Words

Written by Michael Palmer | May 13, 2025 1:00:00 PM

“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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