Speaking and Writing with Ruth Oji
The language of confidence, by Ruth Oji
When people think about commanding presence in professional or academic life, their minds often turn to dramatic images. They picture a charismatic orator pacing across a stage, an assertive executive
When explanation becomes noise, by Ruth Oji
Imagine walking into a team meeting to provide a brief status update on a project. You were asked a simple question: “Is the new safety system ready for deployment on
The leadership skill of listening, by Ruth Oji
Most people think of leadership as the ability to speak clearly, deliver compelling presentations, and give instructions that others follow. From corporate boardrooms and media studios to university classrooms, energy
Great communicators are built, not born, by Ruth Oji
Have you ever listened to someone speak and thought, “This person is a natural”? Perhaps it was a lecturer who could explain a difficult idea so simply that everyone understood
What AI is teaching us about human communication, by Ruth Oji
A colleague recently asked me to review an email she had drafted using an AI writing assistant. The email was impeccable; every sentence was grammatically correct. The structure was logical,
Why listening is the most underrated communication skill, by Ruth Oji
There is no shortage of advice about listening. Every leadership book includes a chapter on it. Every communication workshop dedicates time to it. The guidance is remarkably consistent: make eye
Seven words that quietly damage credibility, by Ruth Oji
I was reviewing a colleague’s presentation draft when I noticed something curious. She had written, “I just think we should maybe consider this approach,” in a slide note, which she
Why smart people are often misunderstood, by Ruth Oji
I once watched a brilliant colleague present research findings to a group of stakeholders who had commissioned the work. She was articulate, precise, and thoroughly prepared. Her slides were models of
The most expensive communication mistake professionals make, by Ruth Oji
A colleague once sent me a project brief that was, by any measure, impressively detailed. Three pages of specifications, timelines broken down by week, deliverables listed with precision. When I asked
The words you choose shape how people hear you, by Ruth Oji
Why vague language undermines your authority—and what to do about it Imagine a senior manager presenting quarterly results to the executive team. Her data are solid, and her analysis is sound.
