Whether it's TED Talks or an opinion-editorial (op-ed) in the Harvard Business Review, what influences is the language of science-help.
By focusing on subjects such as how mindfulness can reconfigure brains leaders rivet the attention and earn the respect of audiences and readers. Society now expects those deep dives into the implications of scientific research.
Fading or should be fading is the rah-rah rhetoric of self-help. That self-help tone and content captured the amazing tales of how FDR succeeded despite polio and just look at Steve Jobs' comeback.
For that very reason the amazing system of Dale Carnegie comes across as dated. Its instructional materials, which we purchased when taking the introductory public speaking course, are dominated by anecdotes of conquering the self. Those could be aligned with the times if they contained simplified data on how changing thought patterns can change persona, behavior, you name it. That's of course neuroplasticity.
Leaders who want to connect have to reach beyond their discipline such as financial services or law. They have to find out, then connect the dots on how the findings of science affect audiences and readers.