What if the real barrier to scaling your business — and inspiring your team — isn't strategy, talent, or effort, but your ability to communicate vision and empower people effectively?
In this episode of ScaleX™ Insider, Brendan McGurgan is joined by Nancy Duarte, communication expert, author, and CEO of Duarte, Inc., to unpack why so many leaders struggle to turn vision into action — and how overcoming fear, articulating a compelling vision, and investing in people can create sustainable growth.
Nancy shares why leaders often get stuck in silence, how fear signals that a message matters, and why empathy and preparation are critical to delivering vision with impact. Drawing on decades of experience guiding leaders and organisations, she reveals how to transform fear into focus, inspire your team, and design the people systems that actually scale your business.
Brendan and Nancy explore practical tools, mindset shifts, and frameworks for turning ideas into action — from pre-talk rituals to building talent pipelines — and why empowering your team is as important as the vision itself.
Episode Highlights
Why fear often signals the importance of your message
How leaders can turn glossophobia into thoughtful preparation
The role of empathy in effective communication
Pre-talk rituals and mindset practices that boost confidence
Transforming vision into action for sustainable growth
Building a people-first culture that drives business performance
Identifying, developing, and empowering emerging leaders
Creating psychological safety to encourage learning, experimentation, and ownership
The hidden cost of staying silent on important strategic decisions
Aligning your vision with what customers and your team actually need
Meet Nancy Duarte:
Nancy Duarte is a communication expert, CEO of Duarte, Inc., and author of multiple books on leadership, presentation, and organizational transformation. She helps leaders and organisations communicate vision and ideas with clarity, empathy, and impact — turning strategies into action and people into high-performing teams.
Nancy specialises in:
Transforming leadership fear into actionable vision
Building talent pipelines and learning cultures
Empowering teams to own initiatives and scale the business
Teaching leaders to communicate strategically and empathetically
Key Topics Covered
→ Overcoming fear of public speaking and strategic communication
→ Articulating vision to inspire commitment and alignment
→ Developing people systems that support scalable growth
→ Mentorship, emerging leaders, and talent pipeline development
→ Building culture, accountability, and ownership in teams
→ Pre-talk rituals and preparation to boost leadership presence
→ Aligning vision with customer and team needs
Who Should Listen
This episode is essential for SME founders, CEOs, executives, and team leaders who want to:
Communicate vision with impact
Build high-performing, empowered teams
Scale their business without relying on themselves
Turn fear into focus and action
Create a sustainable, people-first growth culture
About Nancy Duarte
Nancy Duarte is the CEO of Duarte, Inc., a global communications firm, and author of several influential books on presentations and leadership. She has guided leaders and organisations in articulating vision, communicating effectively, and creating cultures that thrive.
CONNECT WITH NANCY DUARTE:
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nancyduarte
🔗Website: https://www.duarte.com/
About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling
ScaleX™ Insider is brought to you by Simple Scaling — creators of the ScaleX™ Accelerator Programme.
A 12-month journey for ambitious SME leaders combining strategy, mindset work, and peer support to break through growth plateaus.
Host: Brendan McGurgan
Website: simplescaling.com
Watch on YouTube: Simple Scaling Channel
Listen on Apple Podcasts: ScaleX Insider
Listen on Spotify: ScaleX Insider
