Tim Newman Speaks: Better Questions, Bigger Breakthroughs: How to Communicate With Confidence

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Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That could’ve gone better…”?

In this solo episode of Speaking With Confidence, host Tim Newman explores how asking better questions can unlock more effective communication, stronger interpersonal skills, and, believe it or not, career-changing opportunities.

Inspired by his conversation with communication coach Michelle Schafer, Tim shares how simple shifts in our approach to networking, interviews, and public presentations can turn small talk into a powerful connection. Spoiler alert: it’s not about having all the right answers, it’s about asking the right questions.

You’ll learn how thoughtful questions like “What energizes you about your work right now?” create deeper and more authentic conversations than the typical “So, what do you do?” You’ll also discover how preparation, just 15-20 minutes of intentional research, can skyrocket your confidence before any public speaking opportunity or job interview.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

• How to use communication skills and curiosity to create meaningful conversations
• Why better questions matter more than polished answers
• Practical ways to prepare with purpose before a public presentation or interview
• Tips for following up in a way that builds strong professional relationships
• Why soft skills like listening and intentional follow-up are your secret career superpowers

Whether you're navigating a job search, trying to overcome imposter syndrome, or simply looking to become a more powerful communicator, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you communicate effectively and with confidence.

Listen now and start your journey toward personal development and professional growth—one thoughtful question at a time.

Grab your free resource: timnewmanspeaks.com
Download The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them and register for the Formula for Public Speaking course today!

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Episode Transcript

Tim (00:08):
Welcome back to Speaking with Confidence, a podcast that
helps you build the soft skillsthat lead to real results
Communication, storytelling,public speaking and showing up
with confidence in everyconversation that counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on your
journey becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support.

(00:30):
It truly means the world to me.
If you have questions or if youwant something covered on the
podcast, send me a message.
Please visit timnewmanspeakscomto get your free e-book the Top
21 Challenges for PublicSpeakers and how to Overcome
them to get your free ebook theTop 21 Challenges for Public
Speakers and how to Overcomethem.
Each week, I'll be doing a 10to 15 minute episode to go more

(00:52):
in depth on a topic that wasdiscussed in the interview
released on Monday.
Today's episode is all abouttwo powerful tools that can
change the way you connect withpeople, whether it's in a job
interview, a networking meetingor a public presentation.
We're talking about how tocommunicate more effectively by
asking better questions and howto build your confidence through
preparation and follow-up.
These takeaways come straightfrom my conversation with career

(01:16):
coach Michelle Schaefer, andlet me tell you, they are simple
, practical and incrediblyeffective when you use them
intentionally.
So let's dig in.
We often think of effectivecommunication as what we say,
but if there's one thingMichelle emphasized, it's that
what you ask might be even morepowerful, and I love this.

(01:36):
I love it because it helps flipthe spotlight.
Instead of worrying about whatto say to impress someone, shift
your mindset and focus onasking the kind of questions
that invite meaningfulconversations.
Here's why that matters.
When you ask someone athoughtful question, you're not

(02:01):
just gathering information,you're building a connection.
You're creating space for themto feel heard, and that is a
superpower in both yourprofessional and personal life.
Let me give you an example.
We've all heard or been askedthe question.
So what do you do?
It's a classic, but it oftenleads to surface-level responses
.
The person gives their jobtitle and the conversation

(02:24):
stalls.
But what if, instead, you askwhat part of your work do you
find most energizing right now?
Or what's something excitingyou've been working on lately?
Those questions invite stories,they show curiosity, they make
people light up and they open upthe door to a deeper connection
, which, by the way, is exactlywhat makes someone want to keep

(02:49):
talking to you Better questionsare also critical in interviews,
client meetings, teamdiscussions or really anywhere
you want to stand out In aninterview, try these.
What does success look like forthis role in the first 90 days?
Or what's something this teamvalues that might not show up on

(03:13):
the job description?
Or how about what's the biggestchallenge you're currently
trying to solve?
Those are the kind of questionsthat communicates value without
you having to sell yourself,and this applies to public
presentations too.
Asking rhetorical questionslike what's the story your
communication style is tellingwhen you're not speaking.
That gets people reflecting,that gets them engaged, that

(03:38):
gets them to lean in.
So if you want to be a morepowerful communicator, don't
just focus on what you say.
Focus on what you ask.
Now let's talk about confidence.
Confidence is a secretingredient everyone's chasing,
and Michelle put it beautifullywhen she said that confidence
doesn't come from hoping it'llshow up.
It comes from being preparedand following through.

(04:02):
So if you've ever thought Iwish I felt more confident
reaching out to people or I getnervous speaking up in meetings,
or how about this one?
I never know what to say in aninterview.
Here's your game plan.
Step one prepare with intention.
Don't wing it.
If you're walking into a coffeechat, an interview or even a

(04:25):
new client meeting, take 15 to20 minutes to prepare, research
the person or organization, lookfor something specific.
You can reference an articlethey wrote, a project they led,
a value they hold, and then justwrite down two or three
questions you want to ask.
But the key here is to be trulyinterested.
Do not ask surface levelquestions.

(04:46):
That prep work does two thingsit boosts your confidence
because you feel ready.
And, number two, it showsrespect, which builds trust
before you even speak.
You don't have to memorize ascript, but you do need a plan.
And if you're preparing for apublic speaking opportunity or
presentation, the same rulesapply.

(05:07):
You need to know your content,you need to know your audience
and you need to make sure you'vebeen practicing that.
Loud Confidence lives inrepetition.
Every time you run through it,your brain quiets that imposter
syndrome and says hey, I gotthis.
Step two you need to make sureyou follow up with purpose After

(05:30):
the conversation, whatever itwas, don't let the opportunity
end there.
Send a thank you email, mentionsomething specific they say
that stuck with you, reaffirmyour interest and offer value in
return.
And that's what separatesforgettable from follow-up
worthy, and if you're seriousabout building a network that

(05:52):
leads to real opportunities,that follow-up might be the most
important step of all.
Here's a quick tip After everymeaningful conversation coffee
chat, podcast, client call,whatever it is ask yourself how
can I continue this connection?
Sometimes that's a follow-upemail, sometimes it's sharing a

(06:13):
relevant article, sometimes it'sintroducing them to someone in
your network.
The follow-up is whererelationships are built and it's
also where your confidence getsa major boost, because every
time you follow through, you'rereinforcing the identity of
someone who shows up preparedand communicates with a purpose.
That is the energy of apowerful communicator.

(06:35):
So here's what I want you toremember If you want to
communicate more effectively askbetter questions, be curious,
be intentional.
Give people something that theywant to answer.
If you want to build yourconfidence, don't wait for it.
Prepare for it, show up ready.
Then follow up strong.

(06:56):
These aren't just soft skills.
These are career-changingskills.
They're life-changing skillsand the good news is you can
start using them today.
Thanks again to MichelleSchaefer for inspiring these
insights.
If you haven't listened to thefull episode, go check it out.
We covered even more on mindset, interpersonal skills and how

(07:17):
to tap into opportunities mostpeople never see.
That's it for this episode.
Go out there, speak up and keepbuilding your confidence, one
conversation at a time.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
to get your free ebook the Top21 Challenges for Public
Speakers and how to Overcomethem.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking

(07:38):
course.
Always remember your voice hasthe power to change the world.
We'll talk to you next time.
Take care.