Dr. Laura Sicola—executive communication coach, cognitive linguist, and TEDx speaker—teaches that effective executive presence is built on mastering three core communication behaviors. These “3 C’s” form the backbone of how leaders influence, build trust, and drive action. This is extremely important for Safety Professionals to master.
⭐ The 3 C’s
This isn’t about being loud or dominating. It’s about projecting presence, confidence, and clarity so people instinctively pay attention. Key elements include:
Dr. Sicola emphasizes that leaders must shape how others experience them, not just what they say.
Influence requires rapport. Leaders must make others feel seen, understood, and respected. This involves:
Sicola’s background in cognitive linguistics helps leaders understand how people process speech and meaning, and how to close the gap between “what you think you said” and “what they think they heard”.
Every communication—meeting, presentation, hallway conversation—should move people toward a clear outcome. This means:
Sicola frames this as the ultimate test of influence: Did your communication drive the decision or behavior you intended?.
🎯 Why These 3 C’s Matter for Safety Leadership
For your Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast audience, these principles translate beautifully:
