The quality of your attention shapes the quality of your decisions.

I learned this in my twenties, advising leaders in the European Parliament. I'd watch the smartest people in the room receive exactly the right advice, then struggle to act on it. Same pattern, again and again.

Until I understood: it wasn't a knowledge problem. It was a capacity problem.

So I spent the next decade studying what most leadership programs ignore: 15+ silent retreats, intensive work with secular Buddhist scholars, direct mentorship from the pioneers of boardroom coaching.

What I found: self-awareness isn't soft. It's the edge.

This is the paradox of my work. I help ambitious CEOs by slowing them down. Stillness isn't the opposite of performance. It's the source of it.

I work at the intersection of three things most advisors keep separate: inner work (seeing your own patterns), organizational systems (governance, strategy, culture), and peer wisdom (learning from others in the same seat).

Today, I create protected spaces where CEOs can surface what they haven't been able to see: through 1:1 advisory, organizational development mandates, or the Wise Leaders Fellowship, a CEO community that begins with silence.

If you're sensing there's something you're not yet seeing, let's talk.

Leadership means doing hard things in a human way.

Yours,

Nikolas

Nikolas Konstantin 🌱

Oliver Aust

I’ve helped 300 CEOs and founders become top 1% communicators using my ‘Speak Like a CEO’ methodology so they could scale themselves and their businesses.

I know what it is like in the boardroom, on camera, on stage, or having to engage 10,000 employees. 

My Speak Like a CEO Method gives you:
• Clarity: messages that land, communicated with confidence.
• Attention: thought leadership that cuts through the noise.
• Impact: communication changes the outcome of everything you do. 

Without:
• Wasting time on ineffective strategies.
• Losing opportunities due to poor messaging.
• Struggling to attract top talent, customers or investors. 

I’ve helped hundreds of CEOs and founders do just that:
• Gerrit McGowan: EUR 5M pre-seed funding secured.
• Leonhard Zwikker: Achieved 1M+ annual website visitors.
• Frederik Rubens Steensgaard: Successful US fundraising round completed.
• Carmen Morin: Elevated industry leadership through a strategic launch.
• Dr. Christian Poensgen: Secured a major book deal, thought leadership.
• Julius Bachmann: Successfully secured new high-ticket clients.
• Sergio G. Chavez: Established a globally recognized platform and podcast.
• Dimitri Gärtner: Achieved clear articulation of new company strategy.
• Howie Chan: Successfully launched a high-impact podcast.
• Nikolas Konstantin: Transformed keynotes for deep audience connections.
• Florian Hoppen: Transformed positioning and established thought leadership.
• Daniel Hanemann: Shaped tone-of-voice and unlocked growth potential.
• Rebecca Schween: Put her on a path to thought leadership and business growth.
• Sabine Bronowsky: Optimized presentation style, resulting in enthusiastic feedback.
• Chelsea Blacker: Increased confidence and significantly improved positioning.
• Konstanty Sliwowski: Boosted online visibility and personal branding.
• Johanna Duchek: Simplified presentation approach and improved delivery.

(To name a few)

As a Top Voice, TEDx speaker, podcast host & bestselling author, I reach millions with my insights on leadership communications.

How I can help you:

1) Newsletter & Podcast: Get insights and actionable strategies. 
→ https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/ 
→ https://open.spotify.com/show/5qC1wouXgqlEq1yeQf8Q60?si=e7a47c8580b44070

2) Speak Like a CEO Academy

The fastest, most cost-efficient way to become a top 1% communicator. 
→ https://speaklikeaceoacademy.com/

3) 1-on-1 Coaching: Work directly with me to transform your leadership communications. 

If you’re serious about becoming a top 1% communicator, DM me and we’ll see if it's a fit.

Founder & CEO

We help leaders become thought leaders 
and companies build message machines. To schedule a free consultation, visit www.eoipsocommunications.com.

Persuasion isn’t about manipulation.

It’s about influence. YOUR influence.

Some people have a way of making you say “YES” before you even realize it.

What’s their secret? 

Persuasion is a skill, not a gift. 

And the best persuaders follow habits that make them impossible to ignore.

Here are 7 habits you can start using today:

🔹 1. They Lead with Questions
Instead of pushing their point, they make you think it’s your idea.

👉 Example: “What would happen if you kept doing things the old way?”

🔹 2. They Master the Power of the Pause
Silence makes people uncomfortable. A well-placed pause forces attention and gives your words weight.

🔹 3. They Speak in Stories, Not Just Facts
People forget statistics but remember emotions. Wrap your key point in a story and watch it stick.

👉 Example: “Steve Jobs didn’t just launch the iPhone. He told a story about a world without buttons.”

🔹 4. They Mirror & Match
Great persuaders subtly reflect the tone, body language, and energy of their audience—building instant trust.

🔹 5. They Create Urgency
Persuasion thrives on timing. The best persuaders make you feel like now is the moment to act.

👉 Example: “This opportunity won’t be here in six months. The window is closing.”

🔹 6. They Use the Power of “Because”
Studies show people are far more likely to comply when given a reason—even if it’s simple.

👉 Example: “Could I skip ahead in line? I’m in a rush because I have a flight to catch.”

🔹 7. They Make Saying “Yes” Easy
The easier you make it to agree, the more likely people will. Offer small, low-risk steps first.

👉 Example: “Would you be open to a quick chat to explore ideas?” (instead of “Let’s partner up.”)

Which one do you use the most? Drop a comment below! ⬇

♻ Please share to help your network and follow me Oliver Aust for daily tips on leadership communication.

Follow to become a top 1% communicator I Founder of Speak Like a CEO Academy I Bestselling 4 x Author I Host of Speak Like a CEO podcast I I help the world’s most ambitious leaders scale through unignorable communication

First impressions matter.

Starting with your introduction.

I’ve seen too many people wing their introductions.

Big mistake.

Top 1% communicators never underestimate first impressions.

They know how to become instantly memorable.

When I work with my CEO coaching clients, I ensure they stand out.

You can steal my method:

Record yourself introducing yourself in 30 seconds. Then ask:

Would you be interested in meeting this person?

Would you remember them a day later?

If not: Rewrite. Rehearse. Refine.

Use these 7 strategies to ace your next intro:

1 - The Networking Pitch - Daniel Priestley

🟢 Name
Say it slowly. Own the moment. Smile.

🟢 Same
Say what you do in familiar terms.

🟢 Fame
Share a line of credibility.

🟢 Aim
What are you focused on right now?

🟢 Game
End with your bigger vision.

2 - Nail Your Non-Verbal

→ Real smile (no fake smiles)
→ Stand tall, shoulders back, face them directly
→ Avoid awkwardness: signal handshake, hug, or wave

3 - The 5-Second Intro

Practice this all-purpose 3-step formula:
Who you are → What you do → Who it helps

4 - Use Micro-Stories

Instead of listing titles or credentials, embed a 1-sentence story: “I used to write speeches for government leaders. Now I coach founders on how to own the room.”

5 - Show Your Energy, Not Just Expertise

Most introductions are soulless and bloodless. But energy is magnetic.

6 - Tailor Your Intro To The Room:

💼 Boardroom: Lead with credibility and clarity.
🎤 Stage: Start with a story or question.
☕ Networking: Keep it casual and curiosity-driven.

7 - Avoid These Mistakes

🚅 Saying your name too fast.
🥱 Being forgettable: “I’m in communications”
🪽 Winging it – first impressions matter!


What do you pay attention to when you introduce yourself?

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A CEO I work with needs his organization to change.

He wants to go with the usual narrative: 

“We must change, or we’re doomed.” But he worries that it would create rifts in the organization.

Rightly so. Instead, we base his 2026 strategy presentation on the My Story – Our Story – The Future framework.

Revealing something about himself, making himself vulnerable even, created a narrative of “us vs the problem” instead of a divisive “us vs them”.

Steal these 5 structures to ensure your presentation moves people to action and won’t be forgotten by tomorrow👇

1. 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓? 𝐒𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓? 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓?
Perfect for updates, decisions, or making a point land.
Ask:
✅ What happened?
✅ Why does it matter?
✅ What should we do next?

2. 𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐊 – 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓 (𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑)
Ideal for pitching a solution or sharing success stories.
→ Describe the situation
→ Share the challenge
→ Explain your action
→ Reveal the outcome

3. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃 3-𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄
Great for storytelling and vision casting:
🎬 Act 1: Excite – the opportunity
⚠️ Act 2: Disturb – the conflict
💡 Act 3: Assure – the resolution

4. 𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄
Want to connect emotionally and inspire? This one’s gold.
→ My Story: Share your experience
→ Our Story: Build common ground
→ The Future: Show the path ahead

5. 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐌 – 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐓
A classic for a reason.
→ Problem: Name it
→ Solution: Offer it
→ Benefit: Make it real for them


❓ What’s your go-to structure?

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🚀 Want to Speak Like a top 1% Leader? My 2026 cohort starts in January: https://lnkd.in/d4rPPD8q

Your mind goes blank mid-speech.

You start to worry.

What do you do?

Public speaking is scary – what can throw me off is not getting a reaction from the crowd.

“Do they not like it? Are they even listening?”

During a major talk 9 years ago, I choked – I just couldn’t remember what came next.

It can happen to anyone. Even those paid 4 millions per year on the speaking circuit – like Scott Galloway, who had panic attacks on stage on 3 different occasions.

How do you prevent it? With my BMW method:

1/ Calm your BODY
↳ Practice sighing and breathing.
↳Try to be well rested, don’t overcaffeinate.
↳ Move before you are trapped on stage.

2/ Tame your MIND
↳ Reframe nervousness as excitement.
↳ Show up to give, not to get.

3/ Prepare your WORDS
↳ Use structure, not scripts.
↳ Choking is often the result of memorizing a script. Instead, remember stories and key
messages.

But what do you do when it still happens?

You can turn to the audience: “Who here has experienced this?”

If you really need a moment say: “I’m sorry, I'm not feeling well, please be patient with me.” or “I’m sorry, my mind went blank. Please give me a minute.”

The key is to say something so your audience knows what’s going on. People usually couldn't be any nicer about it.

Breathe, then go back to your presentation. If you have slides, read off of them until you recover.

If you don’t, I recommend having a “plan on a page” nearby. That’s the outline of your talk. It can be on the floor, on a desk or lectern nearby, or in your back pocket.

Choking isn’t failure. It’s feedback. Ask yourself:

Was it my BODY?
↳ Was I jetlegged, tired, did I drink the night before?
↳ Next time, get ready for your speech like an athlete gets ready for a game.

Was it my MIND?
↳ Did my perfectionism, imposter syndrome or need for validation kick in?
↳ Next time, make it all about how you can help the audience, not yourself.

Are my WORDS to blame?
↳ Did I use a storytelling structure or did I try to remember a script?
↳ If the latter, move from Level 2 (Robot) to Level 3 speaking (Raconteur).

❓ How do you keep calm on stage?

- - - -

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I spoke basic high-school English.

Now I publish and podcast in English.

Almost 1.1 billion people speak it as a second language – often in business.

That's almost 3x the number of people who speak English as their first language.

Many of the 1.1 billion are stuck on the OK plateau of mediocre vocabulary, clumsy
syntax and strong accents. That is a challenge, especially in leadership positions.

I know the challenges, I had them too. When I moved to England at 22, I spoke basic
average high school English.

Today, I host a popular podcast, give TEDx and keynote speeches, and write books, all
in English.

So how did I go from average to articulate?

Here are 7 steps that helped me master English and unlock opportunities I never
thought possible.

✅ Choose your dialect (British or American - don’t mix)

✅ Target the 10% of sounds that give you away

✅ Raise the stakes

✅ Immerse yourself

✅ Fall in love with the culture

✅ Know how to learn

✅ Aim not just for fluency, but for clarity, confidence, and connection.

This is not about losing your heritage.

It’s about being understood and being taken seriously in business.

- - - -

❓ What’s your top tip for learning a new language?

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The best leadership advice for the age of AI?

Become more human.

Your biggest leadership threat in 2026 isn’t AI. It’s irrelevance.

Here are 10 strategies to not only stay relevant but become irreplaceable:
 
1/ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐈 + 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
 ↳ Supercomputers need super communicators.
 ↳ To stay relevant, master both.

2/ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 + 𝐀𝐈 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬
 ↳ Your team in 2026 = people + AI agents (yes, they are getting real good)
 ↳ Your job: orchestrator-in-chief.

3/ 𝐁𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫
 ↳ In a world of deepfakes, who says it matters more than what is said.
 ↳ Build your voice. Be trusted.

4/ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲
 ↳ AI fakes emotions. You don’t.
 ↳ Double down on human-to-human connection.

5/ 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 “𝐀𝐈 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞”
 ↳ If people think a bot wrote your message, trust drops.
 ↳ Outsourcing your voice to AI = irrelevance.

6/ 𝐃𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥
 ↳ Top-down won’t work anymore.
 ↳ Instead: tell a compelling story of change.

7/ 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞
 ↳ Building a product is easy. Earning trust and attention? That’s leadership.
 ↳ Communicate like a creator.

8/ 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 10-80-10 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞
 ↳ 10% your idea → 80% AI help → 10% your polish.
 ↳ That way you keep your voice, just 5x faster.
 
9/ 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 > 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
 ↳ AI is smarter, faster, cheaper.
 ↳ Your edge? Better decisions, better taste.

10/ 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
 ↳ Use the machine to compete.
 ↳ Leaders who partner with AI, win.

❓ What’s your best piece of leadership advice for 2026?

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🚀 Want to Speak Like a top 1% Leader? My 2026 cohort starts in January: https://lnkd.in/d4rPPD8q

Your biggest leadership flex in 2026?

Telling one story so well it replaces 20 slides.

Most leaders are ramblers or robots. 

Their presentations are data dumps, their speeches forgettable, their relevance shrinking in the age of AI. 

But there is a way to achieve relevance, confidence and impact – and it is a learnable skill. 

I’ve taught it to 300 CEOs and founders so they could command the world’s biggest stages like SXSW, Web Summit and TED and raise millions for their startups. 

Whether you realize it or not, you fall into one of these three categories. 

Which one are you? And more importantly – who do you want to become in 2026?

Level 1: The Rambler

Passionate but all over the place. They have plenty to say but no clear path, leaving their audience lost (or looking at their phones).

To move up to Level 2:
→ Write down your key messages. Writing it down clarifies your thinking. 
→ Create a 1-page outline of your talk or presentation, or even a script. 
→ Practice, practice, practice.    

Level 2: The Robot 

Polished, rehearsed, and… forgettable. 

They are on message but miss the one thing that matters most – connection.

To move up to Level 3:
→ Ditch your script or teleprompter.  
→ Turn your talk or presentation into a story.  
→ Add sparkle: metaphors, surprise, drama, attention hooks.  
→ Remember what you want to say, don’t memorize. 

Level 3: The Raconteur 

The speaker who pulls you in. They don’t just talk; they transport. 

They weave structure with spontaneity, data with drama, making their message impossible to ignore.

Great speakers don’t just inform. They captivate. They shift perspectives, spark emotions, and make ideas stick.

—-----------------
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❓Interested in becoming a Level 3️⃣ Speaker? Together we can make it happen by March: https://lnkd.in/d4rPPD8q

Many women are taught to be nice & agreeable.

To say yes to every request.

But that comes at a cost in the workplace.

This week on Speak Like a CEO, I sit down with Kate Mason, PhD, a former world-champion debater and author of Powerfully Likeable: A Woman's Guide to Effective Communication.

Kate challenges the idea that women have to choose between being likeable and powerful at work. 

She unpacks how to define your authentic communication style, bring warmth without losing authority, and find calm confidence even in high-stakes rooms.

She also shares 
✅ how to say “no” and set boundaries without guilt
✅ what to do when you’re afraid to speak up
✅ how to manage perfectionism and over-preparation and 
✅ the one mindset shift that helps women "steal space" in powerful rooms.

- - - 

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Nikolas Konstantin 🌱

Oliver Aust

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