Tag: #communicatewithinfluence

The Power of Unplugging: Why “Me Time” Isn’t Selfish—It’s Necessary

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

Girls Trip.

Eight days. More than 40 years of friendship.

Recently, I spent eight days at the beach with women I’ve called friends for more than four decades.

Think about that for a minute. Forty-plus years.

We’ve known each other through different careers, relationships, families, moves, successes, disappointments, celebrations, and more life changes than any of us could possibly count.

And yet, when we get together, something happens.
We pick right back up.

There were long days at the beach, cocktails, late nights, a ridiculous amount of laughter, a few more wrinkles than when we first met—and definitely a LOT more stories.

But there was also something else.
I unplugged.
And I was reminded how important that is.

When Did “Busy” Become a Badge of Honor?

Like many professionals and business owners, I’m used to moving.

There is always another email to answer, presentation to prepare, client to coach, call to return, social media post to create, or idea bouncing around in my head.

Even when we technically aren’t working, how often are we still working?

  • We check email while drinking our morning beverage.
  • We answer a text from a client while sitting by the pool.
  • We tell ourselves, “I’m just going to take care of this one thing.”

And suddenly, work has quietly joined us on vacation.

Technology has made it incredibly easy to work from anywhere. The problem is—it has also made it incredibly difficult to stop working anywhere.

You Can’t Recharge If You Never Unplug

We talk a lot about charging our devices. When our phone hits 10%, we immediately start looking for a charger. But when we are running at 10%, what do we do?

We keep going.

We push through.

We add more caffeine.

We convince ourselves we’ll slow down when things settle down.

Here’s the problem: Things rarely settle down on their own.

We have to intentionally create the space.

That’s what these eight days gave me.

Time to laugh without watching the clock.

Time to sit on the beach without thinking about the next item on my calendar.

Time to reconnect with people who knew me long before the titles, credentials, business, and professional accomplishments.

And that kind of time fills a bucket that work simply can’t.

Sometimes You Need People Who Knew You “Before”

There is something wonderfully grounding about lifelong friends. These women knew earlier versions of me.

They knew me before Communicate With Influence. Before speaking stages and coaching clients. Before many of the roles that define my professional life today.

And after 40+ years, they know the current version too. That perspective matters.

Because our careers are an important part of who we are—but they aren’t all of who we are.

Sometimes we need to step away from the professional version of ourselves and simply be the friend sitting on the beach, laughing about something that happened 30 years ago.

No agenda. No deliverables. No strategy. Just connection.

Stepping Away Can Actually Make You Better at Your Work

There’s an irony in taking time away from work.

We sometimes worry that stepping away will cause us to fall behind. But I believe the opposite can happen.

When we allow ourselves to disconnect, we create room to think again. We return with more energy, more creativity, more patience, and often a clearer perspective about what actually deserves our attention.

Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity. It supports it.

And “me time” doesn’t have to mean an eight-day beach trip.

It might be an afternoon on your bike.

A hike.

Dinner with friends.

Reading a book without checking your phone.

A weekend when you leave the laptop closed.

The activity matters far less than the intention: Give yourself permission to be unavailable.

Same Girls. New Stories.

After more than 40 years, our lives look very different than they did when our friendship began.

We have changed. Life has changed. Our responsibilities have certainly changed.

But eight days together, experiencing sunrises and sunsets,  reminded me that some of the most important things haven’t.

Friendship. Laughter. Connection. Shared history. And making time for the people—and the experiences—that make life bigger than our work.

Yes, I came home to emails.

Yes, my to-do list was waiting for me.

And yes, there was some serious catching up to do.

But work waited.

Those eight days mattered more.

So here’s my challenge to you:

  • Look at your calendar.
  • Not for your next meeting.
  • Not for your next deadline.
  • Look for you.

If you’re not somewhere on that calendar, maybe it’s time to put yourself back on it.

Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is close the laptop, put down the phone, find your people… and go make some new stories.

If you are ready to use speaking as a growth strategy for your consulting business, schedule a speaker coaching call today. Let’s turn your expertise into a message that connects, converts, and creates new opportunities.

Book Your Session

Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.

#CommunicateWithInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #SpeakerCoach #ConfidenceSpark

In case you missed it.

Watch the replay, “Leading With Presence: Ways to Influence Every Room You Enter.

Preparation Doesn’t Prevent Problems—It Changes How You Respond

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

I had it all planned.

After a successful business trip, my flight landed on time. As I drove home, I was already thinking about dinner with my husband, catching up on the week, and sleeping in my own bed. Everything had gone exactly according to plan.

Until it didn’t.

Without warning, my rear tire exploded.

One second I was driving down a four-lane highway at highway speeds. The next, I was gripping the steering wheel, carefully guiding my car onto an almost nonexistent shoulder while traffic flew past just feet away.In moments like that, your priorities change instantly.

Dinner didn’t matter.

Being on time didn’t matter.

The only thing that mattered was getting safely through the next few minutes.

I immediately called my husband. Then I contacted Utah Emergency Road Assistance and AAA. Within 30 minutes, both arrived. They parked in front of and behind my vehicle, creating a protective barrier between me and the speeding traffic while they changed my tire.

As I sat safely inside my car, in the passanger seat with my seatbelt on (a tip the roadside assistant gave me), watching complete strangers work together to help me, I couldn’t help but think about how quickly life can change.

We Plan. Life Responds.

We spend so much of our lives making plans.

Business plans.

Travel plans.

Career plans.

Retirement plans.

Planning is important. It gives us direction and purpose. But life has a way of reminding us that not everything is within our control.

  • Sometimes the unexpected is inconvenient.
  • Sometimes it’s frightening.
  • Sometimes it’s life-changing.

Not Every Surprise Is Negative

When we hear the phrase unexpected event, our minds usually go to flat tires, medical diagnoses, canceled flights, lost jobs, or broken relationships.

But some of life’s greatest blessings begin unexpectedly, too.

  • An unexpected phone call.
  • An introduction that becomes a lifelong friendship.
  • A career opportunity you never saw coming.
  • Meeting your future spouse.
  • A client who changes your business.
  • A simple conversation that opens a door you never knew existed.

Looking back over my own life, many of my greatest opportunities arrived completely unplanned. If I had been too attached to my original plan, I might have missed them.

The unexpected isn’t always something to fear. Sometimes it’s exactly what we’ve been waiting for.

Preparation Makes the Difference

Although we can’t predict unexpected events, we can prepare for them. On that highway, I wasn’t prepared for a blown tire.

But I was prepared with resources.

  • I knew who to call.
  • I had roadside assistance.
  • I had AAA.
  • I had a husband who answered the phone immediately.

Preparation didn’t prevent the problem. It made the problem manageable.

The same principle applies in business and leadership.

You cannot prevent every challenge.

You can’t anticipate every difficult conversation, staffing change, economic shift, technology failure, or unexpected obstacle.

But you can build systems, relationships, and skills that help you navigate them with greater confidence.

Preparation doesn’t eliminate uncertainty. It reduces panic.

Unexpected Events Reveal Who We Are

Pressure has a way of exposing our character.

When plans fall apart, we discover whether we lead with fear or focus. Whether we panic or problem-solve. Whether we freeze or move forward.

As a speaker coach, I often remind my clients that the presentation rarely unfolds exactly as they rehearsed.

  • A microphone stops working.
  • Slides won’t advance.
  • The projector fails.
  • A participant asks a challenging question.
  • The room responds differently than expected.

The audience doesn’t judge you by whether something goes wrong. They remember how you respond.

The same is true for leaders.

Your team isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for confidence, composure, and someone who can guide them through uncertainty.

The Flat Tire Wasn’t the Story

Looking back, the flat tire wasn’t really the story.

The story was about preparation. It was about the people who showed up when I needed them most. It was about staying calm, thanks dad, when circumstances changed in an instant.

Unexpected events are inevitable. How we respond to them is a choice.

The same is true in business and leadership.

A presentation won’t always go as planned. Technology will fail. A key employee may resign. A client may ask a question you weren’t expecting. A meeting may take an entirely different direction.

The leaders who thrive aren’t the ones who avoid surprises.

They’re the ones who are prepared to navigate them with confidence, communicate clearly under pressure, and adapt without losing their composure Ready to strengthen your leadership presence before the next unexpected moment? Join me for my upcoming webinar, Leading With Presence: Ways to Influence Every Room You Enter, and discover practical strategies to lead with confidence, clarity, and influence—no matter what comes your way.

That evening reminded me of something I often tell my clients: Preparation doesn’t guarantee everything will go according to plan. It gives you the confidence to handle it when it doesn’t.

Life’s greatest opportunities—and its greatest challenges—often arrive without warning. The question isn’t whether unexpected events will happen.

They will.

The question is: Will you be ready when they do?

Let’s Be Ready Together

Whether you’re preparing for a presentation, leading your team through change, or navigating an unexpected challenge, your ability to communicate with clarity and confidence will determine how others respond.

Preparation isn’t about expecting perfection. It’s about developing the confidence, presence, and resilience to lead when life takes an unexpected detour.

If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership presence, become a more confident speaker, or communicate with greater influence when it matters most, I’d love to partner with you.

Because the moments you prepare for are important—but it’s the moments you never see coming that define your leadership.

If you are ready to use speaking as a growth strategy for your consulting business, schedule a speaker coaching call today. Let’s turn your expertise into a message that connects, converts, and creates new opportunities.

Book Your Session

Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.

#CommunicateWithInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #SpeakerCoach #ConfidenceSpark

Speak, Connect, Convert:  The Revenue Power of Speaking

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

A few months ago, I watched a brilliant consultant stand in front of a room full of potential clients and completely disappear.

Not physically, of course. She was standing right there.

But her message disappeared.

She had the experience. She had the expertise. She had the stories, the strategy, and the kind of insight that could genuinely help the people in that room.

Her slides were overloaded, her delivery was rushed, and her call to action was so soft it barely had a pulse.The audience was polite.

They nodded. They took a few notes. Then they left.

And I remember thinking, “They have no idea how good she really is.”

That is the painful part for so many consultants. You can be excellent at what you do and still miss the opportunity if your speaking does not help people feel your value, trust your process, and know what to do next.

Speaking is not just about getting in front of more people. It is about making the right people want to take the next step with you.

Speaking Is Not Just Education. It Is Business Development.

Consultants are often told to network more, post more, email more, and “stay visible.”

That advice is not wrong. It is just incomplete.

If you are a consultant, one of the most powerful ways to reach a larger number of potential clients is to step onto a speaking platform. Whether that platform is a conference stage, webinar, podcast, panel discussion, lunch-and-learn, study club, association meeting, or team training, speaking allows people to experience how you think, how you communicate, and how you can help them solve a problem.

And when done well, speaking does more than build visibility. It builds trust, creates authority, and opens the door to revenue.

Many consultants make the mistake of treating speaking as a one-time presentation instead of a business development strategy. They prepare the slides. They deliver the content. They answer a few questions. Then they leave the room hoping someone follows up.

Hope is not a strategy. It is a very weak follow-up plan wearing comfortable shoes.

A strong speaking platform should be designed to move the audience from interest to action. That does not mean turning your presentation into a sales pitch. Nobody came to hear a 60-minute commercial dressed up as education.

It means your message should clearly position you as a trusted guide. Your audience should leave understanding the problem more clearly, seeing the cost of staying where they are, and recognizing that you have a process, perspective, or solution that can help them move forward.

Your Audience Needs More Than Information

Consultants usually have no shortage of knowledge. The challenge is not having enough information. The challenge is knowing what to leave out.

A common speaking mistake is trying to prove expertise by sharing everything you know. That leads to crowded slides, overloaded content, and an audience that may respect your knowledge but feel too overwhelmed to act.

Your audience does not need everything in your brain. They need the right message, in the right order, with the right level of clarity.

This is where speaker coaching can make a significant difference.

Strong speaking is not about sounding polished for the sake of sounding polished. It is about helping your audience follow your message, stay engaged, and know exactly what to do next.

Speaker Presence Builds Trust Faster

People decide quickly whether they trust a speaker.

Before they ever hire you, refer you, or invite you back, they are asking themselves questions:

Do I believe this person understands my problem?
Can this person communicate clearly?
Would I want this person working with my team?
Do they seem confident without being arrogant?
Are they practical, credible, and relatable?

That is speaker presence.

Speaker presence is not about being theatrical or pretending to be someone you are not. It is about showing up with clarity, confidence, and connection. If you’d like to learn more about speaker presence, join this upcoming webinar:  Leading With Presence:  Ways to Influence Every Room you Enter.

For consultants, presence matters because your audience is not only evaluating your content. They are evaluating what it would feel like to work with you.

If you appear scattered, rushed, overly scripted, or disconnected from the room, your expertise may not land. But when you speak with confidence and authority, your audience begins to see you as the person who can help them create change.

Engagement Turns Listeners Into Leads

A speaking platform gives you access to a room full of potential clients, but engagement is what keeps them leaning in.

Engagement does not mean forcing awkward audience participation or adding gimmicks. It means creating moments where your audience sees themselves in the message.

Ask thoughtful questions. Use relevant stories. Include examples that reflect their real challenges. Build in reflection points. Give them language they can repeat later.

When the audience feels seen, they listen differently.

They are no longer thinking, “This is interesting.”
They are thinking, “This is exactly what we are dealing with.”

That is the moment your speaking begins to generate opportunity.

Hear It From One of My Clients

It is one thing for me to explain how speaker coaching helps consultants clarify their message, engage the audience, and create more opportunities.

It is even better to hear it from someone who experienced the process firsthand.

In this short video testimonial, you will hear how speaker coaching helped turn ideas into a clearer message, strengthen delivery, and build the kind of confidence that helps an audience lean in and take action.

Your Call to Action Should Be Clear and Easy

One of the biggest missed revenue opportunities in speaking is a weak or missing call to action.

Consultants often end with, “Thank you,” and hope people come find them.

That is leaving money on the table.

Your call to action should tell the audience exactly how to continue learning from you. It may be to schedule a discovery call, download a resource, attend a workshop, scan a QR code, join your email list, book a team training, or connect for a strategy session.

The key is to make the next step simple, relevant, and aligned with the presentation.

A strong call to action is not pushy. It is helpful. It gives people who are ready to move forward a clear path.

Speaking Can Become a Revenue Engine

When you learn how to structure your message, engage your audience, and deliver a clear call to action, speaking becomes more than a visibility tool. It becomes a revenue engine.

One strong presentation can lead to consulting contracts, coaching clients, referrals, podcast invitations, future speaking opportunities, and partnerships.

But it does not happen by accident.

It happens when your presentation is intentionally designed to connect, educate, and convert.

Ready to Turn Your Expertise Into Opportunity?

If you are a consultant, your next client may already be sitting in your audience.

But they need to do more than hear your information. They need to feel your confidence, understand your value, trust your message, and know exactly how to take the next step with you.

That is where speaker coaching changes everything.

Through speaker coaching, you will learn how to structure your message, simplify your content, strengthen your stage presence, engage your audience, and deliver a call to action that does not feel salesy — it feels natural, clear, and compelling.

Whether you are preparing for a conference presentation, webinar, podcast interview, panel discussion, workshop, or client-facing talk, coaching helps you speak with more clarity, confidence, and authority.

Do not leave future clients wondering what you do or how you can help them.

Give them a reason to lean in, listen, and move forward.

If you are ready to use speaking as a growth strategy for your consulting business, schedule a speaker coaching call today. Let’s turn your expertise into a message that connects, converts, and creates new opportunities.

Book Your Session

Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.

#CommunicateWithInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #SpeakerCoach #ConfidenceSpark

From Lambing to Leading: A Communication Wake-Up Call

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

Last weekend, we headed to Bozeman to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 97th birthday—and let me tell you, she showed up! The entire family arrived: siblings, spouses (affectionately known as the “outlaws”), and enough energy to power a small town.

It was a whirlwind—visits, walks, celebrations, pickleball matches… and then, plot twist: lambing season.

We stayed on my sister-in-law’s farm, where five ewes were ready to deliver. What unfolded felt like a live masterclass in instinct, resilience, and—surprisingly—communication.

The Pattern You Can’t Ignore

The first ewe delivered twins.
The second? Twins.
The third? You guessed it—twins.

At this point, we were all standing around like, “Is this a buy-one-get-one-free situation?”

Two more are still on deck, but here’s what stopped me in my tracks:

Within minutes of being born, these lambs:

Follow their mother by sound and scent.

Stood up.

Walked.

Found food.

Vocalized their needs.

No seminar. No webinar. No slide deck. Just instinct.

The only “coaching” they received? The push into the world.

Dentistry Is Instinctual… Until It’s Not

Watching those lambs made something crystal clear.

In dentistry, we pride ourselves on clinical excellence—and rightfully so. Years of training, repetition, and experience build strong instincts. You don’t have to think about how to hold an instrument or sequence a procedure. Your body knows.

But here’s the gap:

Clinical instincts are strong. Communication instincts? Not always.

And that’s where things start to wobble.

You can diagnose perfectly and present flawlessly in your head… and still lose the patient in the conversation.

We Are All Speakers—Every Single Day

Let’s call it what it is:
You are speaking all day long.

  • Case presentations
  • Team meetings
  • Patient education
  • Study clubs
  • Morning huddles
  • Difficult conversations

You don’t need a stage to be a speaker—you already are one.

But unlike those lambs, most clinicians were never coached on how to communicate effectively in these moments.
We were taught what to say clinically… not how to say it so it lands.

The Missing Piece: Intentional Communication Coaching

Here’s the truth—straight up:
If communication were purely instinctual, more patients would say yes.
More teams would be aligned.
More meetings would move things forward.

But they don’t. And it’s not because you’re not smart or capable.
It’s because communication is a skill, not a side effect.

Just like those lambs needed help getting into the world, clinicians need coaching to refine delivery:
• Structuring a clear message
• Eliminating filler and confusion
• Creating emotional connection
• Delivering with confidence and authority

When we improve communication, everything else accelerates—trust, case acceptance, team performance, leadership presence.

Step Into Your Role as a Speaker

If you’re already speaking every day… why not get better at it?
Don’t leave your impact up to chance or “how it comes out in the moment.” Get intentional.

Whether it’s refining your case presentations, elevating your team meetings, or finally feeling confident speaking in front of a group, this is a skill you can build.

And once you do? Game over (in the best way).

Instinct Gets You Started. Coaching Takes You Further.

Those lambs reminded me of something simple but powerful:

Instinct is enough to begin. It’s not enough to excel.

In dentistry, your clinical instincts are a gift.
But your communication? That’s your multiplier.

So yes—keep trusting your instincts.

But if you really want to elevate your influence, your results, and your leadership…It’s time to get coached.

Let’s iron out your communication in 2026.

Schedule a Communication Confidence Coaching Call today!

Book Your Session

Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.

#CommunicateWithInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #SpeakerCoach #ConfidenceSpark

From Elite to Rookie: Life Lessons from the Pickleball Court

Posted on by Lisa Copeland


Learning to Be the Beginner Again

I’ve spent most of my life being the strong one.
The fast one.
The disciplined one.

Elite athlete. Competitive swimmer. IRONMAN finisher. Snowboarder. Mountain biker.

I know what it feels like to train hard, to master form, to understand strategy, to push my body past comfort and into performance. I know how to be prepared. I know how to win.

And then I picked up a pickleball paddle.

The Shock of Starting Over

Let me be honest. Pickleball humbled me.

Not physically. Not from an endurance standpoint. But technically? Strategically? Socially? Completely.

Open play is where it gets real. You rotate courts. Winners stay. And when there are more players than courts, someone waits.

Sometimes that someone is me.

I’ve stood there, paddle in hand, watching others get called onto the court while I wait for someone to say, “Lisa, you’re up.”

And occasionally… I’m the last one picked.

If you’ve always been competent, capable, and competitive, being the beginner is uncomfortable. Being visibly less skilled than others is humbling. Being chosen last? That hits deeper than we like to admit.

Ego vs. Growth

Here’s what I realized. It’s not the game that’s hard. It’s the ego.


My brain knows I’m athletic. My history proves I can master complex things. But in that moment—when someone else is chosen before me—it whispers, Lisa:
“Maybe you’re not good at this.”
“Maybe you don’t belong here.”
“Maybe this isn’t your sport.”

Sound familiar?

This is what growth feels like.

• It feels exposed.
• It feels uncertain.
• It feels like you’re operating without your usual armor.

The Invisible Work of Becoming Better

What people don’t see is the internal recalibration happening.
I’m studying footwork.
Learning scoring and court positioning.
Understanding the soft game.
Practicing patience instead of power.

Pickleball isn’t about brute strength. It’s about touch. Timing. Strategy. Discipline in small movements.
And that requires me to become a student again.

There’s something deeply refining about being new. You don’t have shortcuts. You don’t have a reputation. You don’t have past wins to lean on.
You only have effort.

When “Elite” Doesn’t Transfer

One of the biggest surprises? Athletic success doesn’t automatically translate.

Fitness helps. Competitive drive helps. But technical mastery is earned in every sport, every profession, every discipline.
You don’t get to skip the awkward phase.
You don’t get to bypass the learning curve.
You don’t get preferred treatment because you’ve succeeded somewhere else.

And honestly? That’s healthy.

It strips away entitlement and leaves you with something far more powerful: humility.

Being the Last One Picked

There’s something fascinating about standing on the sidelines.
You watch body language.
You observe team dynamics.
You see who communicates well and who doesn’t.
You notice who stays composed under pressure.
You learn more from waiting than you do from winning.

Being the last one picked forces you to decide:
Will you shrink?
Will you get defensive?
Will you quit?

Or will you stay?
Watch?
Learn?
Adjust?

GROWTH LIVES IN THAT DECISION.

The Professional Parallel

Trying something new in sport is uncomfortable. Trying something new in your profession can feel even riskier.
• Launching a new service.
• Shifting business models.
• Speaking for the first time.
• Changing systems.
• Walking away from something that once defined you.

In those moments, you are the beginner again.
You may feel behind.
You may feel exposed.
You may feel like everyone else knows the game better than you do.

But here’s what I’m learning on the pickleball court:

Being new does not mean being incapable.
Being last does not mean being lesser.
Being uncomfortable does not mean you’re in the wrong place.

It usually means you’re stretching.

The Discipline of Staying

Elite athletes understand something important: mastery is earned in repetition.

So I keep showing up.

I practice my dinks and serves.
I refine my resets.
I focus on positioning and accuracy.
I ask better players for coaching.

And slowly—very slowly—I’m not the automatic last pick anymore.

PROGRESS DOESN’T ANNOUNCE ITSELF LOUDLY…IT ACCUMULATES QUIETLY.

How Do You Cope?

When was the last time you tried something for the first time in your profession?

When was the last time you felt unsure?
Outpaced?
Behind?
Chosen after others?

How do you cope when you are the beginner again?

Do you lean into the discomfort—or retreat from it?

Growth rarely feels glamorous. It feels awkward. It feels humbling. It feels like waiting your turn.

But sometimes being the last one picked is exactly what builds the resilience you need for your next level.

And maybe the real win isn’t being picked first.

Maybe it’s having the courage to keep showing up until you don’t need to be picked at all.

The Real Victory

Here’s what pickleball is teaching me.

Mastery in one arena does not exempt you from humility in another.
Confidence built over decades can feel shaky when you’re learning something new. And that’s not failure—that’s expansion.

Being the last one picked didn’t diminish who I am as an athlete. It revealed who I am as a learner.

It reminded me that growth requires vulnerability.
That progress requires repetition.
And that ego must sometimes step aside so development can step in.

The truth is, I don’t want to only do the things I’m already good at. I want to stretch, refine, and stay teachable.
Because comfort doesn’t build capacity.

And if I’m honest? There’s something powerful about earning your way back to confidence instead of assuming it.

Your Move

Let me ask you a question:
Where are you the beginner right now?

Where are you avoiding growth because you don’t want to look inexperienced?
Where are you waiting to be “ready” instead of stepping onto the court?

Trying something new in your profession might feel just as humbling as open play on a pickleball court.

But that discomfort?
That’s the doorway.

Lean into it.
Stay in the rotation.
Let yourself be coached.
Show up again.

Because the goal isn’t to always be picked first.
The goal is to become so steady, so skilled, and so self-assured that you don’t wait to be chosen.
You choose yourself.

Now tell me—what are you learning for the first time right now?
How can I help?

Ready to iron out your communication for 2026? Let’s start the year off right. Schedule a Communication Confidence Coaching!

Book Your Session

Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.

#CommunicateWithInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #SpeakerCoach #ConfidenceSpark

May the 4th Be With Me: What My Hip Replacement Taught Me About Fear and Confidence

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

Three years ago, on May 4th, I rolled into the operating room for hip replacement surgery with a nervous smile and a nerdy quip: “May the 4th be with me!”

At the time, I had no idea how much this journey would teach me—not just about physical healing, but about fear, resilience, and communication.

Meet Henrietta, my bionic hip.

We didn’t exactly hit it off. She was stubborn. I was impatient. Recovery tested my physical limits and my mental strength. But over time, something shifted. We found rhythm, balance, and—eventually—harmony.

Now, on our three-year anniversary together, I’ve been reflecting on what this experience taught me—not just as a patient, but as a communicator, speaker, and coach.

Fear Is Fear—No Matter What Form It Takes

Whether it’s surgery, stepping on a stage, or speaking up in a meeting, fear shows up in the same ways.

  • It tells you you’re not ready.
  • It whispers, “what if you fail?”
  • It convinces you to stay quiet, play small, or back out entirely.

In the days leading up to surgery, I felt a mix of emotions: vulnerability, uncertainty, and a loss of control. Sound familiar? Those are the same feelings many of my coaching clients describe before delivering a presentation or leading a high-stakes conversation.

Fear doesn’t care about the setting—it just wants to keep you safe.
But safe doesn’t always mean fulfilled.

Confidence Isn’t the Absence of Fear

One of the biggest misconceptions I see—especially in professional communication—is the belief that confident people don’t feel fear.

Wrong.

Confident people feel the fear and take the mic anyway. They walk into the meeting, stand behind the podium, and speak up—not because they’re fearless, but because they’re committed.

Confidence is a choice.

It’s the decision to move forward in spite of the discomfort.

When I went into surgery, I had no guarantees. But I trusted the process, the people, and the preparation. That mindset is the same one I teach to clients preparing for high-stakes presentations:

Prepare well. Trust yourself. Step up.

Your “Henrietta” Might Be Closer Than You Think

I didn’t name my hip right away. But during recovery, I realized I needed to give this big part of my journey an identity—something to smile about, something I could work with, not fight against.

We all have a “Henrietta”—a challenge, obstacle, or fear that once felt like a setback but can become a powerful part of our growth.

Maybe yours is:

  • A fear of public speaking
  • A new leadership role
  • Navigating team conflict
  • Starting a business
  • Re-entering the workforce

Whatever it is, I encourage you to stop seeing it as the enemy. Instead, ask:
What is this challenge here to teach me?

Whatever it is, I encourage you to stop seeing it as the enemy. Instead, ask:
What is this challenge here to teach me?

From Recovery to Resilience: Lessons I Now Live and Teach

That journey with Henrietta now lives at the heart of how I coach, speak, and communicate:

Fear is natural. Everyone feels it—especially those doing bold, brave things.

Action is the antidote. Taking the first step is how momentum (and healing) begins.

Resilience is built through discomfort. Not by avoiding it.

And here’s the best part: once you’ve walked through fear—once you’ve stood up, spoken out, or taken that first step—you’re never quite the same again.

You’re stronger. Clearer. More connected to your voice.

The Takeaway: May the 4th Be With You

On May 4, I celebrate not just a hip, but a turning point. Henrietta is more than titanium—she’s a reminder of what’s possible when we choose courage over comfort.

So if you’re facing something that scares you—professionally or personally—remember this:

Feel the fear.

Take the first step.

Trust that your future self will thank you.

You just might find yourself walking stronger—on your own Henrietta.

Click HERE to schedule a discovery call to learn more about Confidence as a choice.

Communicate With Influence   I help dental teams turn conversation into connection—and connection into growth.

Enhancing Referral Networks: A Generational Approach

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

Remember the joy of opening a pristine box of colored pencils as a child? Each pencil, vibrant and uniform, offered endless possibilities for creativity.

Similar to the way those pencils elevated our coloring adventures, incorporating tailored generational strategies can have a beneficial effect on referral sources, providing unique and memorable avenues to explore new referral opportunities.

Understanding Generational Categories

We are all immigrants to other generations’ cultural territories. Each generation brings unique experiences, values, and traditions. Adapting communication styles to meet generational expectations builds stronger relationships and trust.

As we navigate the landscape of generational categories, it’s essential to recognize the diverse perspectives and communication preferences each group embodies. Baby boomers may appreciate direct and formal communication, while millennials and Gen Z might prefer informal and technology-driven interactions. By understanding and respecting these differences, dental practices can effectively tailor their outreach efforts to resonate with each generation.

Evolving Provider Demographics

Changing demographics within the dental profession also influences referral dynamics. Understanding these shifts is crucial for nurturing referral communities and adapting marketing strategies accordingly.

In 2022, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) reported that 50.5% of dental school first-year students were female. This demographic trend is reshaping the dynamics of dental practices, with many women opting for part-time roles, especially after starting a family. Additionally, there is a growing preference among younger dentists, particularly millennials (Gen Y) and Gen Z, to forgo solo practices in favor of collaborative models. These changes influence the way referrals are managed and highlight the importance of adapting referral marketing strategies to accommodate evolving provider demographics.

Referral Marketing Strategies

A blended marketing effort, combining passive and active marketing strategies, yields the best results in establishing and maintaining a successful referral program.

Passive marketing efforts serve as subtle reminders of a practice’s presence and expertise. Branded gifts, delivered by a third party keep the practice top-of-mind among referral sources. Additionally, informative blogs can showcase the practice’s knowledge and capabilities, positioning it as a trusted authority in the field.

Active marketing strategies, such as face-to-face meetings and personalized presentations, facilitate deeper connections with referral partners. These interactions allow for meaningful dialogue and the opportunity to align services with the specific needs and preferences of each referral source. By sharing insights into the practice’s ideal patient profile and unique offerings, practices can effectively communicate their value proposition and foster stronger referral relationships.

Market Your Superpower

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s essential for practices to differentiate themselves by identifying and leveraging their unique strengths or “superpowers.” Rather than attempting to be a jack-of-all-trades, practices should focus on defining their niche and becoming known as experts in a particular area of care.

Identifying a practice’s superpower involves introspection and an honest assessment of its strengths, weaknesses, and areas of expertise.

Whether it’s a specialized treatment modality, innovative technology, or exceptional patient experience, every practice has something that sets it apart from the competition. By defining and marketing this superpower effectively, practices can attract patients and referrals who are precisely seeking the services they excel at providing.

Elevating Active Marketing

Taking active marketing efforts one step further by developing tailored presentations for referring offices and potential referral sources. These presentations provide an opportunity to showcase the practice’s expertise and educate referral partners about specific treatment modalities or services. By delivering targeted presentations focused on areas of mutual interest or need, practices can deepen their relationships with referral sources and increase the likelihood of receiving quality referrals.

For example, a periodontist may develop a presentation on grafting procedures and their benefits for patients. By collaborating with referring offices to better educate them about these procedures, the periodontist can increase awareness and referrals for this specialized service. Additionally, personalized presentations allow practices to highlight their brand culture and ideal client profile, reinforcing their value proposition and differentiating themselves from competitors.

Adapting to Changing Associations and Study Clubs

In recent years, there has been a decline in the membership of traditional dental study clubs and associations. This trend is indicative of broader demographic shifts within the dental profession, with younger generations assuming leadership roles as baby boomers retire. To remain relevant and attractive to a diverse membership base, study clubs and associations must adapt their offerings and event formats to align with generational preferences and demographic trends.

By diversifying event agendas and incorporating elements such as recorded live and virtual sessions, expert panels, and interactive workshops, study clubs and associations can appeal to a broader audience and provide greater value to their members. Offering flexible scheduling options, such as breakfast or lunch meetings instead of evening events, accommodates the busy schedules of modern dental professionals and enhances accessibility.

Conclusion

By embracing generational diversity, adapting marketing strategies, and varying meeting formats, practices can cultivate meaningful connections with referral partners. Implementing action plans such as identifying practice superpowers and drafting inclusive event calendars empowers practices to thrive in an evolving dental community. Let’s embrace these strategies to enhance our referral networks and foster continued growth and success in an evolving dental landscape. Connect with me if you’re interested in strategizing ideas for crafting your practice’s unique selling proposition one-sheet or boosting your association/study club attendance and membership.

How to Improve Treatment Case Acceptance

Posted on by Lisa Copeland

We are in the midst of a shift from product-centricity to people-centricity. Investments in your team and your customer is essential.

Dental practices pushing services rather than focusing on the wants of the patient will see their revenues dwindle over time.

We must have a strong culture in order to be patient-centric because it requires knowing the patient and catering to their wants.

If there is a service that they need but do not want, IT IS THE TEAMS JOB to influence the patients’ mindset from a need to a want.

  • First, we have to be able to prove the value of the need to the patient. WIIFT!  What’s In It For Them?
  • The secondary approach is explaining how the treatment will benefit their long-term oral health.
  • Lastly, demonstrate how accepting treatment now will lower their long-term costs

Generations will respond better to treatment recommendations if we close the generational gap and deliver the information to them in the communication style they expect.

Baby Boomers

  • Need thorough explanations
  • Prefer conversations in person or by phone
  • Value an appealing smile and optimal dental health
  • Allow time to have a relaxed discussion
  • Schedule treatment and invite them to contact you with any other questions

Generation X

  • Respect authority, follow rules, and are often linear thinkers
  • High achievers, but not always creative thinkers
  • Recommend ideal treatment plan(s) with phased scheduling and payment options
  • Focus on good dental health for appearance and as part of total body care.  
  • Appreciate follow-up communication with text or email as their preferred engagement

Generation Y (Millennials)

  • Technology dependent
  • Want instant gratification, and are intolerant of waiting
  • “What is best for me?” attitude when it comes to dental care decisions
  • Be patient-attentive, without interruptions
  • Provide same day service and combine appointments

Gen Z (Age 5 – mid-20’s)

  • As digital natives they expect the use of advanced technology
  • Look to the future and are very money conscious
  • Want explanations and options that focus on prevention 
  • Goal is to avoid expenses in the future, that could be addressed now