At the second SMU Wellness BalanceUP session held on 4 June 2026, SMU alumni gathered to learn from Crystal Lim-Lange, CEO of Forest Wolf and co-author of the national bestseller Deep Human: Practical Superskills for a Future of Success, how to communicate with greater confidence, influence, and impact.
Most of us have been there: heart racing, palms sweaty, wondering if what we're about to say is worth saying at all. Crystal opened the evening with a simple but powerful reframe: speaking is about value. Not performance. Not perfection. Value.
Drawing on Aristotle's three modes of persuasion, Logos (logic), Ethos (credibility), and Pathos (emotion), Crystal highlighted the importance of balancing all three. Data matters, but trust and emotional connection are often what move people to action.
Reflecting on her early days in investment banking, she shared how delivering compelling pitches, sometimes in just 90 seconds, taught her the importance of clarity, distillation, and impact. She also offered practical techniques for opening presentations, from audience polls and powerful visuals to personal stories that create connection.
Perhaps the most resonant takeaway of the evening was this: speaking well is not about you. It's an act of service to your stakeholders. When you speak up clearly, authentically, and with conviction, you give others permission to do the same.
The lively quiz, engaging Q&A, and nearly full room were a testament to the value alumni found in the session.
