Susan Young's
Amplify Blog

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Why Thought Leaders Must Stop Overthinking

An invitation.

I just got a "Congratulations" email from the team organizing a women's healthcare leadership conference.

They invited me to speak at their annual event in Houston.šŸ¤—

I'm going to be there.

I'll show up.

I'll speak up.

🧨I'll help thought leaders stop overthinking their communication.

I'll show them how to avoid jargon and buzzwords, and choose their words carefully.

I'll teach them to share their successes through stories and examples that connect with real people.

I'll help them amplify their voices in a steady, confident way that draws people in and makes an impact.

Here's the truth:

I've noticed that even people in top positions often struggle to share what they know clearly and confidently.

āž”ļøHaving a title on an org chart or business card doesn't mean much if you can't communicate in a way that truly connects with people.

You don’t need a formal invitation to refine your communication skills.

It’s a decision about how you speak up and show up.

I’m just encouraging you to be bold....

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The Day Our Communication Really Changed

The first website.

The world's first website went live 35 years ago today. šŸŽ‚

The site was actually called the World Wide Web project and explained how to use it.

What the heck has happened to our world and communication since August
6, 1991?

I would need a decade, multiple therapists, and a big pot of coffee to "go there." 😯

For now, we can laugh about a simpler way of life.

🧨Can you relate to my Top 10 Internet Memories?

1. Using an AOL email address

2. Hearing that ear-piercing dial-up sound on the modem

3. Having to hang up the telephone to go online

4. Saying WWW before the actual web address (no one said "URL")

5. Receiving lengthy emails from the King Prime Minister Ruler of the Emirates that he had a $20m trust fund account from my long-lost maternal great-uncle

6. Understanding that having a virus didn't require a medical diagnosis

7. Printing interesting webpages

8. Grabbing free AOL floppy discs...everywhere

9. Watching images load line by line

10. Using Netscape Navigator

Interestingly, ...

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The Power is Not in Your Words

No words.

Our nonverbal communication is much more powerful than our spoken words.

Research from Nature-dot-comĀ says that people don’t just listen to what we say.

They also interpret our facial expressions, body language, and vocal cues at the same time. šŸ’Æ

You don’t have to say much because nonverbal cues and clues can substantially shape perceptions of emotion, credibility, and trust.

The bottom line: Be a people-watcher.

Pay attention to body language and physical energy. Equally important, be aware of your own facial expressions and gestures when interacting with others.

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How Are You Showing Up at Work Every Day?

Accountability.

It’s more than just keeping your word.

It’s about following through on what you promised.

The first step to being accountable is honoring your commitments.

The next step is about how you show up.šŸ’Æ

Do you just show up to meetings, or do you come ready to contribute, learn, and help others?

In business, simply showing up isn’t enough.

āž”ļøStakeholders don’t reward mediocrity, but they notice it.

Even though it’s summer and things may feel slower, I encourage you to find new energy and use this time to show up in a bigger, bolder way.

Try learning a new skill or signing up for a webinar.

Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read and start following content your leaders care about.Ā 

You could even look for a new mentor.

Hold yourself accountable not just for getting things done, but for doing them with purpose and intention.

That’s how you reach your true potential.šŸ¤—

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How to Quit Dancing Around Awkward Moments

The dance.

Bon Jovi is in the midst of nine shows at Madison Square Garden, after not touring since 2022.

That break followed serious vocal cord problems for frontman Jon Bon Jovi that threatened his iconic voice.

Last year, I saw Jon Bon Jovi on a news program talking about risky surgery and his tedious daily exercises.

He spoke of the physical pain and the emotions of not knowing if a comeback was possible. 😯

Critics and fans hadn't minced words a few years ago: Bon Jovi's strained and raspy voice was shot.

His bandmates tried to cover, but couldn't.

With all eyes and ears on Jon Bon Jovi, the band takes to the stage on opening night.

Surrounded by his bandmates, Bon Jovi sings the first few lines from Joe Cocker and the Beatles' song, With a Little Help From My Friends.

šŸŽ¶The opening words boldly and wholeheartedly address the elephant in the room:

"What would you think if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears, and I'll sing you a song, and I'll try n...

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The Golden 2-Step Process in Communication

I thought of you.

I picked up my phone and called you.

Whether you answered or I reached your voicemail, the first thing I said was:

I was thinking of you.šŸ˜‰

Human-to-human communication.

You have the power to make another person feel special and valued.

No texting.

No reason.

It’s just a simple two-step process based on our shared humanity and kindness.

āž”ļøStep 1. Think of someone.

āž”ļøStep 2. Pick up the phone.

Here’s the truth:

A small gesture like this can brighten someone’s day.

It might even make your day better. You could find yourself smiling.

If you end up talking in real time, it doesn’t need to take long.

Even a few minutes are enough, no matter how busy you are.⌚

Put some positive energy into the world.

Don't overthink.

Don't complicate it.

Take action.

You got this.šŸ¤—

PS: This works in business and at home.

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Why Smart Leaders Don't Waste the Summer Slowdown

Toes in the sand.

Summer can feel like a chance to slow down and take a break.

But the best leaders use this time to spot problems before they become costly.šŸŽÆ

When schedules are hectic, it’s easy to miss communication gaps.

More meetings happen, decisions are delayed, processes become shortcuts, and people start making assumptions.

That’s what I love about summer: the slower pace creates space to reflect.

āž”ļøThis is a good moment to ask yourself: What will you change now?

• Are there meetings that no longer have a clear purpose?

• Where do decisions tend to get stuck?

• Is there important knowledge that only one person knows?

• Which conversations have been put off because everyone was too busy?

When things get busy, problems show up.😯

When things slow down, take the chance to fix them now.🧨

Leaders who use the summer to improve communication and decision-making often start the fall with more clarity, stronger momentum, and fewer surprises.

What is one problem you can start working on right now?

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The Moments that Define Us

Defining moments.

My first memory of seeing the Statue of Liberty.

āž”ļøIn 1970, when I was in second grade in New Jersey, my class took a trip to the Statue of Liberty.

It was only a 30-minute drive from our cushy, middle-class neighborhood.

Back then, everyone brought metal lunch boxes to school.😯

But for this trip, our lunches were packed in brown paper bags instead.

My classmates and I sat at the base of the Statue and ate lunch, looking out over Liberty Island.

I finished most of my sandwich, walked to the rusted, weathered garbage can, and tossed my bag on top of the pile. šŸ—‘ļø

A minute later, I saw a homeless man reach into the can and take my bag. He began eating what I had thrown away.

That night, I asked my parents why anyone would eat food from the garbage.

They answered me in just three sentences.

I cried.

And I never forgot that moment.

āž”ļøThe next year, in 1971, a classmate called me a dirty J*ew.

I was only 9 years old. 😢

āž”ļø1976- I successfully lobbied the principal at my middle school for ...

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Before Investing in Another AI Tool, Do This

Accelerating confusion.

The chaotic pace of change with AI can feel overwhelming.

From proposals and documentation to enterprise risk and conflict resolution, firms that strategically embrace AI have a significant competitive advantage.

āž”ļøAs these changes accelerate into 2026, A/E/C leaders faces a key question:

Is your firm's communication and decision-making infrastructure keeping pace with your technology investments?

High-performing firms don't simply use more tools.Ā 

They're establishing clear communication standards, governance protocols, accountability, and measurable business outcomes.šŸ’Æ

Only six months remain to align leadership priorities in 2026.

Before the end of the year, A/E/C executives should prioritize:

āœ…Meaningful performance measures that connect AI investments to business results—not just technology adoption.

āœ…Consistent communication standards that keep AI-generated information accurate and client-ready.

āœ…Clear expectations that help employees use AI confidently, responsibly, ...

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