Say It Skillfully®

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 124, Molly has a lively conversation with Ryan Berman, who inspires us to “fear more”! Don’t miss this incredible journey and many gems that help us choose courage and succeed on our terms. With gratitude, Ryan acknowledges his lucky start. He grew up with supportive parents in a “very safe bubble” with a big brother showing him what NOT to do! ;-) Innately competitive, he was driven to play many sports, though always with a smile. He shares the game changing experience of his youth, along with his childhood demon: the label of “being good with people.” He’s open about internalizing this as “I’m the dumb one” and taking a decade to finally let that go. The unintended benefit was his obsession to outwork everyone. A tv/radio major in college, Ryan talks fondly of his chance opening to pursue his love of creativity in New York City and the “madmen” era of advertising (have a chuckle at his first foray at “jingles”). He’s confident that “our jobs pick us!” A self-proclaimed “compensated observationalist,” he encourages hearing what’s NOT said. Much to learn from his perseverance and patience! Ryan shares undertaking his book and the realization in hindsight that he needed the book! And he notes how his different experiences have all contributed to his ability and success in founding Courageous, a change consultancy that helps companies operationalize courage. Ryan shares his “put it all on the line” moment as he took a leap to start anew—embracing “fear more” (not a fan of the term “fearless”). Ryan and Molly also cover his focus on “believership vs. leadership” and the distinction between resilience as a response to change and courage, to proactively drive it. Ryan’s antidote to the great resignation involves clarity, conviction and a great story. There’s much to digest personally and professionally in this episode. Join this master storyteller and hear his—you’ll appreciate his mantras: “Courageous ideas are the only ones that matter.” “Mistake it ‘til you make it.” Learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: “Don’t just look at the world differently, do the world differently.” —Ryan Berman. Choose #Courage! The Book: Return on Courage http://www.returnoncourage.com/ The Podcast: Courageous Podcast https://lnkd.in/dYXsXvv The Company: Courageous http://www.couragebrands.com/ Your Challenge: Are You Courageous? https://vimeo.com/417691766

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 123, Molly is joined by Kristen O’Leary, who inspires us to #ChooseKind and empower all children to thrive academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Kristen models the courage she ignites in her students, though she never thought she’d be in education! Born and bred in Yonkers, NY, she recalls being bullied as the “odd man out”, though that taught Kristen to have the backbone to stick up for herself. While loving her college studies in theatrical/stage design, she realized it wouldn’t be a fulfilling career path. An innocent question from friends was all it took to open an unexpected door in the field of education for this 19-year-old. Kristen fell in love with teaching kids and talks about how her field work was critical to her studies. Thanks to her aunt, a chance internship at a school for the deaf led to a turning point. As she delved into special education, Kristen was moved by being immersed in the day-to-day struggles—part of a child and their family’s personal journey—and called by the opportunity to help and in many cases change the trajectory of people’s lives. Kristen is open about integrating married life and being a mom... the reality of daycare being way more expensive in the real world! Working part-time was their solution and created the path to her now dream job. Learn how her faith, community and early start in theater provided the foundation for Kristen to find her passion to help every child meet his or her potential. She offers thoughts for parents to best support their children, including not berating yourself for wishing you did something sooner or differently! And she encourages compassion in all, “we have no idea of what’s gone on for that person this morning.” Hear what she wishes for her own 17-year-old son, and don’t miss the many nuggets about leading oneself to choose kind, succeed on your terms and be the change you want to see in the world.

Learn more about the amazing John Cardinal O’Connor School, dedicated to children with learning differences: https://johncardinaloconnorschool.org

Resources to help you #sayskillfully:

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 122, Molly is joined by Jim, who shares that the results of a recent employee survey don’t fully jive with what he’s heard from his team. He’s keen to understand the disconnects. How to handle this so that people really tell him what they’re thinking? They cover the power of walking in others’ shoes, and what it means to lead. Next, Adriana is project managing a move of the entire company to a new facility, along with a new phase of people coming back to the office. She’s keen to enroll people in driving change and feeling empowered. Adriana and Molly discuss the criticality of clear messaging on why being in the office is a good thing and the power of transparency in project managing the move (21:00). Finally, Vanessa is in an exciting next career phase... building on her cleantech experience and moving to a new area, ESG, and as a manager. Well aware that team members have expertise and experience that she needs to learn from, she’s keen to make a strong first impression, build trust with the team and come across as a strong leader. They talk about the role of vulnerability and her interest in being likeable as well as admired (36:45). Don’t miss these lively conversations that help you with how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s Thought for the Week, from marketing guru Seth Godin: “The roads not seen almost always matter more than the potholes we hit along the way.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 121, Molly is joined by David Shrier, who shares an epic journey of embracing creative chaos. Growing up, the message he heard was “fit in” and “specialize”; he was drawn to anything but. A wannabe marine biologist, studying theater arts and neuroscience, he was drawn to creating community-bonding experiences. While stubbornness can be a vice, David harnessed it as a virtue in the workplace. At GE-owned NBC, he stubbornly resisted naysayers and outperformed everyone else in the group by 500%; then, quickly learned how key it is to bring others along to avoid “immune response” to innovation! He shares a stint in NYC, interning (as in “clipboard holder”) for the director of RENT, where he got a taste of working graveyard shifts for no money. David was keen to “do art and make money.” He found the latter on Wall Street and honed his business and financial acumen. Bouncing around for 20 years in things he didn’t like so much, David is open that he really had no plan, until age 40, when he did, and re-booted with a job at MIT—a new beginning. Don’t miss David’s vivid account of making change happen. He translates academic theory into business practice and applies technology to solve big problems at scale in business and society. Join David and Molly to learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself.

Molly's thought for the week, courtesy of David:

More on David DavidShrier.com

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 120 is the 22nd monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. Entrepreneur Jerome Myers, renowned for making real estate investing look easy, joins Molly for a heartfelt account of his ups and downs. Son of a soldier and stay-at-home mom, Jerome grew up in a diverse setting of North Caroline and credits his parents (likely intentionally) for never talking of race—enabling him to never feel “disqualified”. He went from basketball to baseball to tae kwon do, enjoying academics and cultivating an identity as one involved in everything! He shares how one mentor, Mr. Blackwell, insisted Jerome be in the school’s academically gifted program, in one fell swoop changing his life trajectory. Jerome is open with the disappointment in those who “looked like me” not stepping up to support him like this “white guy” did, and how this fueled his passion to “make people think it’s possible!” He notes the shock of hearing his father talk about racism, and appreciates the constant messaging he’s received to “be the best you can be, remove race from the conversation and do all that you can.” He encourages: “embrace who you are, be with those who accept you, focus on what you can change and control…you are wonderfully made!” Jerome delves into what led to being a “corporate dropout, including the crushing blow when told he had to lay off his team that had delivered on $20 million of new business. Hear his growth from “they made me do it” to embracing the agency he had and committing to no longer be part of the problem. Jerome shares poignantly his journey through marriage, divorce and parenting his two beloved daughters. “All relationships end... by choice or circumstance. Tune in to hear Jerome being authentic, genuine and loving... inspiring all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. #sayitskillfully Resources:

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 72 Molly’s first caller Ryan opens vulnerably by acknowledging his “bubble” of white, male privilege. Feeling disappointment and shame for events of the past 18 months, he’s keen to be a part of the solution. Jane then shares how she felt asleep at the wheel, witnessing a newly acquainted Caucasian, male professional—who should know better—say to an early-in-career Asian woman at his company, “I don’t understand how your Asian boyfriend doesn’t have an accent, but you do. We need to fix that.” How to respond in the moment? And Molly helps Jane, Asian as well, unpack her own feelings (10:30). Then Jason calls in with mixed experiences on diversity in corporate America. While optimistic, he’s seen firsthand the negative impact when transparency is lacking and senior leaders are left off the hook for poor behavior. They also discuss ways employees and managers can help all to feel safe, seen and heard (22:45).

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 119, Molly is joined by Beth Porter, who has become a creator of some of the highest quality tech-enabled learning experiences for people around the world. Beth describes what it was like growing up “small but mighty” with a tall personality in a short body as well as having a love for academics AND athletics—jock meets geek! Her early confidence stayed with her, enabling her to go from wide-eyed college student with passion for learning and teaching, to CEO who’s done pioneering research and led product and engineering teams; she developed a digital learning software used by more than 55 million people worldwide. Beth shares valuable lessons from her early career including the importance of taking time for yourself and valuing that each person is special. Beth is no stranger to adversity, don’t miss out on hearing how she remained stalwart in the face of unavoidable self-doubt, nearly going out of business and mastering the art of learning through failure. And, hear her thoughts on having to work in a “man’s world” for certain companies, as well as female entrepreneurs being funding-challenged in starting their business relative to men. Don’t miss hearing her story unvarnished. Beth inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action, so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and be our true and best selves. Molly’s thought for the week—words from the Indian sage, Poonjaji: Stop. Stop everything. Then you will realize you are the freedom you have been searching for. Learn more about how Beth is transforming how we learn at: https://esmelearning.com. #sayitskillfully resources for you! * Questionable ethics? Here’s how you can lead and be part of the solution http://bit.ly/3a53gW7 * All my videos by category: https://sayitskillfully.com

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 118, Tulio shows courage in calling in even though English is not his native language (bravo, Tulio!). He shares a job that started well, but sadly didn’t stay that way. While not pleasant, the lesson was clear: a trusted manager/employee relationship is key. Next, Cyrill is keen for how to get out of the uncomfortable situation of feeling stuck on calls, wanting to stop someone from going on and on. How to finesse this (8:15)? Then, Claire has both excitement and trepidation about considering retirement and creating what exactly to retire to. Claire and Molly have a lively conversation about how to think about this…from personal passion and the role “work” has played for her for decades, to making the most of her skills and experience, staying relevant and making a positive difference (20:20). Finally, Molly shares a helpful post she found on what you can say when someone is grieving, and shared examples, including: “I’m here if you want to vent, or just to listen.” “Is there anything I could do to make your life easier right now?” (the.holistic.psychologist)

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 117 is the 21st monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. In hearing the life journeys of people you might not otherwise encounter, listeners gain empathetic understanding for what may be a very different experience of what it means to grow up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, we are given a front row seat to the journey of Molly’s friend Peter Tavernise, whose tiger-like courage and self-assuredness inspires. Peter grew up a “military brat”, learning early the importance of serving others from his Air Force father and mother, who taught underprivileged students, some in extreme poverty. After college, Peter saw the possibilities of the Internet for nonprofits. Joining the “Circuit Riders” volunteer brigade, he introduced the Internet to many nonprofit executive directors from Florida to Chicago. He found his dream job at Cisco to literally “transform the nonprofit sector through the use of the internet.” He shares the best and worst as Executive Director of the Cisco Foundation from creating engaging math games for kids and creating Covid internet solutions to reconnecting regions after natural disasters. Peter opens up about the decline of his health—years of symptom after symptom cascading in—all the while test results not showing what exactly was wrong. After a former marine said, “You look like a prisoner of war,” he began to work from home. Peter was suffering and “begging the universe for just 5 minutes a week where I didn’t feel like I was going to die.” After 7 years and 32 different health professionals, one doctor finally cracked the code, and so began his road to recovery. Hear how he went from catastrophizing everything—fixated on relentless pain—to resilience, the power of somatics and invaluable life lessons. A few gems:

In Episode 116, Molly is joined by Joel Press, who shares a heartwarming journey—struggles in learning as a kid to a storied 50+ year career as CPA and hedge fund pioneer! Joel grew up struggling in school—being held back, nearly put into special needs classes, kicked out… and only as an adult realized he had ADHD. He opens up about what it was like being called stupid and the long-lasting impacts of that being ingrained in him. Joel wasn’t always open about his ADHD, but has learned that sharing his story can be powerful for others. He believes, “if you expose your own weaknesses with others, it helps them recognize their own” and talks passionately of using his learnings and experience to mentor parents of children with learning disabilities. “Normal brains can’t understand an ADHD brain.” He encourages those with ADHD to trust their judgment and recognize how doing things differently than others is ok and to never doubt yourself. Joel attributes much of his success to lessons learned from his parents who, while not having formal higher education, were smart and taught him well. Working in his father’s seltzer water business, young Joel drove truck routes at 4:00 am, 6-days a week—work ethic never in question. As a high school senior, he was voted least likely to succeed. Believing in himself, Joel applied to college, but was told by a guidance counselor, “Don’t waste your time!” Joel and parents ended up convincing them to accept him,... ultimately, he graduated number two in his class in accounting! Joel’s career unfolded with a start in accounting, rising to partner and member of a top firm’s national management committee, then starting the Global Hedge Fund practice at Ernst & Young, and several entrepreneurial endeavors of his own. Don’t miss Joel recount his early years, known as a rebel rouser, and saying what he thought, not what he “should have”... helping him turn what could have been career-ending screw-ups into great “luck” (must hear 43:05). Though he’s met “every famous hedge fund person,” Joel’s groundedness and humility are front and center. “Doing the right thing is paramount, and integrity is everything” have kept him true to himself, even in tough times. And he’s open about being broke and his family life on the rocks, with divorce both the greatest tragedy and best thing that happened to him. Joel stresses the importance of “believing in yourself, knowing you’re going to make mistakes, listening to what other people have to say, and never looking back on a decision.” He talks about the meaning he finds in his mentoring and community work and also offers an inside look at the world of Wall Street, including thoughts on diversity. “Never smart enough to deviate from the truth” Joel speaks from the heart, as he only knows how—inspiring us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. More on Joel’s work today: https://pressmgmt.com