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 105, Molly’s first caller, Lisa, shares an experience from 18 years ago, raising the topic of maternity leave at work, and how she and others successfully talked openly with management. They role model how one might raise some of the sensitivities that still exist today, with the ability to be in the shoes of both employee and employer key. And they delve into a WSJ piece about “Ruthless Productivity” at work! https://www.wsj.com/articles/was-the-office-always-this-distracting-get-ruthless-about-your-productivity-now-11635739260?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1 Next, Divan is keen on the topic of modernizing how people find jobs, with an eye to millennial, gen z youths… how to harness twitch, tik tok, etc. in an engaging way that helps level the playing field in applying and interviewing. He contrasts “growing up with an abacus” to digitally native kids. Then Priya joins Molly with a scenario on handling when the boss says, “You’re not fit for the role”—after being on the job just one month with no training! They also discuss how to interview a company to help ensure a good culture fit. Molly inquires about how much she contributes to discussions at work; Priya reflects and is honest about when she holds back. They talk about how she can be more forthright. Join the show to unpack these challenges and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly's thought for the week—thank you Zaza Pachulia! “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”

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 104 is the 18th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. Explorer and entrepreneur extraordinaire Cason Crane sheds new light on overcoming adversity in our lives. The oldest of 5 siblings, Cason grew up in a household in which he was pushed mentally and physically from a very young age. As a 6th grader, he was already studying multiple languages and completed his first half Ironman triathlon! He shares how this pressure affected him at the time and how he grew to appreciate it. His strong mental capacity and the competitive nature in his household instilled his values of never giving up and believing in himself. Cason talks about the positive experience of coming out as openly gay as a freshman in high school and the process of coming into his own. He expresses deep gratitude, “Knowing my family would always accept me” and acknowledges the privileges in his life. At just 18 years old, Cason set a goal to climb the Seven Summits: the tallest mountain on each continent, including Mt. Everest. Being the first openly LGBT person to do so, he used his platform to raise $135,000 for the Trevor Project—raising awareness for suicide prevention and supporting LGBT youths. You may be surprised to hear his thoughts around athleticism vs will. While working several years as a consultant after college, Cason used the pandemic as a launch pad to combine his love for exploring the world with his desire to make it a better place and started his now award-winning coffee company Explorer Cold Brew. Cason’s family motto is “It’s all mental,” and he says, “The biggest obstacle that people face is their own lack of self belief.” These ideas, along with his belief that quitting is not an option, continue to push him forward in tough times... whether a mountain climb, triathlon, business venture, or life in general. Cason inspires 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. Tune in to hear him talk about the best parts of being an entrepreneur, and how to never say “I can’t…”—a motivating and heartwarming account of living one’s values, finding your true north and leading others. Molly’s thought for the week—Thank you Cason: “It’s all mental” and “give yourself permission to adjust your definition of success.”

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 103 Emma calls in first and shares frustrations with leadership’s mixed messages regarding “making mistakes.” After owning up to a mistake, she feels management still may hold it against her; they talk about how to handle this, including avoiding perceiving meaning that others don’t intend. Then, Clare is enthusiastic about a career change—new job and new industry—and keen to get started on the best possible foot. She and Molly talk about numerous ways for her to be proactive as the new kid on the block and to ensure that people perceive her the way she would like (14:00). Finally, co-business owners, Julie and Corey, join Molly for a lively chat about their (wildly) different communication styles! They discuss the imperative of first owning what’s going on for each of them before considering the other, and how to meet each other part way. Being intentional in creating their “team alliance” also came up, a powerful way for them to model effective collaboration to their small business clients (29:00). Tune in to these real-time situations and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: It's easy to look tall when you feel tall. And check out #sayitskillfully resources to help you say what needs to be said.

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 102 is the 17th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. World-renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Wendy Suzuki, joins Molly and shares the ups and downs of her journey and how she got UNconventional—off the rails—to find and follow her truth north! Growing up in California, Wendy reflects on her upbringing and what it was like for her parents, who spent time in a World War II Japanese internment camp. Education was revered, sense of community strong through the Buddhist church, piano taught her about the arts, and baseball, basketball, tennis had her active. She shares the serendipity on Day 1 of UC Berkeley—wow’ed by Professor Marion Diamond in “The Brain and Its Potential” seminar on how brains could change and get better... Wendy knew she was to be a neuroscientist. Now an award-winning professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, she is frank about the tenure track and the costs; periods of being friendless, 25 pounds overweight, stressed out with insomnia. She admits to being an “anxiety hider” and describes her struggles with overcoming shyness and fear of being wrong. Her come-to-Jesus moment was in Peru river rafting, realizing, “I’m in my 30s and the weakest person on the trip.” Over 18 months, she got fit and got unconventional—doing the unthinkable for tenured faculty and switched her research focus to the transformative impact of movement on the brain, noting that doing so regularly stimulates new brain cells to increase memory. Wendy also provides a mini-talk on why anxiety is good! And she shares her favorite pandemic discovery—housework is aerobic—and how she created social connection while isolated. Don’t miss this empowering conversation, plus highlights of Wendy’s work—using exercise to make positive changes in our brains. With more than 31 million views on Facebook, her TED talk, The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise, was the 2nd most viewed in 2018! And learn from her about the oft misunderstood emotion, anxiety. You can harness the power of anxiety into unexpected gifts! Leading by example, Wendy inspires 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. Molly’s thought for the week: Be the change you want to see in the world. LEARN MORE and be happier and healthier through Dr. Suzuki’s books, Good Anxiety and Healthy Brain, Happy Life! https://www.goodanxiety.com #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 101, Cindy calls in first and shares thoughts on onboarding new people, in particular how to make it a two-way street. While it may seem “obvious” that all parties have skin in the game, employers who are proactive best set up newbies up for success by being explicit about training, and even more importantly they demonstrate “how” people work together. Then Gaby, who loves her job, shares how she didn’t exactly get off to a stellar start with her new boss and team; now a gossipy, combative setting is wearing on her emotionally and has her wondering if it’s worth it. Molly helps Gaby unpack this and shows how she can mend relationships and get back on track (11:45). Next, Roger is vulnerable about a very challenging period at an organization he’s been with for several years; promoted four times and then—boom—shockingly let go with a very bad taste for how it transpired. They discuss how to recover, stay high and turn this into a welcome opportunity to live his passion (28:00). Finally, Ben, immersed in change both personally and professionally, is now leading a bigger team and faces the need to grow his team, the organization and himself. Molly talks with him about leading people vs. managing work, and the imperative of increasing BOTH self-awareness and self-compassion (44:00). Molly’s thought for the week: Honor our teachers—past, present and future—especially the teacher within. Tune in and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. More ways to #sayitskillfully:

All Molly’s videos by category here: 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. Celebrating the 100th episode of Say It Skillfully®, Marshall Goldsmith—World #1 Leadership Thinker, #1 Executive Coach and inspiration for Molly to create her videos that led to the radio show—joins her for a lively look into his life journey. Molly shares her deepest gratitude to all her amazing guests for sharing the ups, downs, twists and turns of their journeys, especially the struggles and “learning moments” that most define who we are. Thanks also to all her wonderful and courageous callers, who were willing to share on the air in the spirit of helping listeners around the globe be who they are and say what needs to be said! This milestone celebrates all of you! Thank you for using your voice and helping create an accurate shared reality!!!

Much to learn from Marshall’s journey and his coaching of more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. Hear how he first met his wife, how his daughter’s feedback improved his earnings, about his spiritual journey, and about some of the most influential people who inspired his thinking and actions. An early epiphany: it’s easy to see our problems in everyone else; difficult to see our own selves in the mirror… Marshall shares his top learnings for you: 1) Work with great people! Make coaching about how great the client is—it’s about them, not you. 2) Mission in life: make a positive difference in people’s lives (not, prove how right or smart we are… Thank you, Peter Drucker). 3) Feedforward: ask people for input; then listen, thank them (don’t critique), and do what you can to try to get better. Don’t miss his most embarrassing moments, and the career path Marshall would have taken… He also shares tidbits from his book due out Sept, 2022, The Earned Life. Molly’s thoughts for the week—thank you Marshall! * Every time I take a breath, I’m a new me. * “Let it go.” (do it with me right now – raise one arm in the air, rotate your wrist a bit and exhale a big breath...) * Be happy now & here. Don’t miss the many wisdoms in this milestone episode, as well as what Marshall has been working on lately, as you learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself.

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. If…“What have I done with my life—I want to make a difference” has crossed your mind, have a listen to Episode 99. Tracy Smith, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Alabama, shares her journey to being known as a “cape-less superhero.” Tracy connects the dots from her youth... the tragic loss of her father when she was just 6 years old and the nurturing from her entrepreneur stepfather, which ingrained hard work ethic, the desire to be independent and valuing education, something that no one can take away from you. She recounts the image of her mom being supported by her closest friends and how all these “aunts” supported her and her sisters in the grief of daddy being in heaven. As a youth, Tracy made it a point to fit in with everybody, a skill that’s been core to her success as a nonprofit CEO. In raising her own children, she shares the power of “saying yes” vs. telling the kids “no” all the time; this has been pivotal to both her son and daughter finding and living their passions in life. The epiphany of “You can work for an organization with a mission” forever changed her trajectory. Tracy is upfront about “bad boss” experiences with people leading through their insecurities and egos teaching her how NOT to lead, and those with “great leaders” who inspired how she empowers others in her own leadership. Hear her thoughts on going with best case scenarios for maximum freedom and not creating policies based on worst case scenarios. LOTS of career considerations and leadership learnings, whether you’re early in career, or have been working for decades! Tracy and Molly have a lively chat about what private and non-profit sectors can learn from each other. And don’t miss hearing Tracy discuss how Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes for children with critical diseases and supports families in times of need. Tune in for heart-warming and inspiring thoughts and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: The way you respond to a situation has the power to change it. Tune in for an inspiring and heart-warming conversation and learn how you to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. More ways to #sayitskillfully: Inclusive vision—being a leader with vision, who also values others’ ideas http://bit.ly/2kgLHeK and all Molly’s videos by category here, 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 98, Mark Parsells, Founder and Managing General Partner Montpelier Ventures, shares a life journey that’s included Capitol Hill, running major, global multi-billion-dollar divisions for American Express, Bank One (Chase) and Citigroup, and being Chair and CEO of three private equity and venture backed FinTech businesses. Mark shares what it was like growing up the youngest of four boys with a minister-turned-entrepreneur father, who made being at the top the only option. He talks about difficult times at home and learning to embrace the truth that parents—and leaders—are people, too. Lively political conversations over dinner led to studying political science and then working for Senator H. John Heinz III, where Mark learned how things really work. Keen to cut his own path, he shares his decision process to business school and finding his way to the private sector (and his epiphany of a $20,000 summer internship vs. his annual Senate staffer salary of $18,500!). He chronicles his remarkable ascent and impact at American Express, where he succeeded at being entrepreneurial within the corporate bureaucracy—and was invited to the annual shareholder meeting to review his strategy that brought credit cards as a form of payment to government institutions for the first time in history. With humor, he recounts another epiphany of being a “terrible junior employee!” and is not bashful that he was horrible at taking feedback (and encourages you not to do what he did…). Unexpected twists and turns—in particular, a defining wake-up call overcoming lymphoma—and his time at Citicorp after being recruited by Father of the ATM John Reed and then a massive business turnaround for Sandy Weill are both sobering and inspiring. Don’t miss hearing how Mark went against everyone’s advice and chose to leave behind the world of corporate jets for his true north, one of happiness and no regrets. Learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week (Thank you Mark!): Do what YOU think is the right thing to do.

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 97, Molly’s first caller Rafael, who grew up mainly in Mexico, is eager to discuss a number of situations, some quite hysterical, of miscommunication across generations... from a younger colleague’s cryptic movie reference, to an “expert” presenting at a conference who managed to lose an entire audience, to a humorous encounter with his own daughter! We talk about ways to keep things light and work with emotions in the moment. Next, Matt raises a hot topic of how to effectively onboard new employees during Covid, from both the employer and newly-hired perspectives. We also cover tips for when you interview to turn the tables and ensure you’re better informed about the organization and role (20:15). Finally, Meredith asks about different ways to promote synergy across different functions and not succumb to organizational silos. We also have an unexpected exchange about her recent experience, where for the first time she’s in an environment in which challenging the status quo isn’t valued. Hear how she’s taking the bull by the horns to make a change (38:50). Tune in and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: celebrating the US Open and their “open” campaign, “When you’re open, you are a champion for all.”

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 96 is the 16th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change, level the playing field and help everyone live to their full potential. This may present a very different experience of... growing up, going to school, struggling, working and living; Molly hopes you’ll better appreciate and embrace our differences, so that we’re stronger for them! Her friend and special guest, Shalimar Adorno grew up knowing that she had to be great in life. It is remarkable that she saw “endless possibility”... Would you have seen if this had been you…? Born to a 17-year old mother in the South Bronx, Shalimar recounts not knowing where their next meal would come from, and not being able to safely play outside. She speaks fondly of 18 months living in Puerto Rico, where she could ride her unicycle outside, and food could always be found. Despite growing up in poverty, she highlights the richness of family ties and necessity of fearlessness and hope, and how her parents moved them always in search of a different beginning for a better life. Education was paramount—her mother sold her food stamps to enable Shalimar to go to a private school, knowing this was to be her lifeline. She talks about pivotal people without whom pivotal doors wouldn’t have opened, a dark decade after her brother was brutally killed and how she came to peace with it. Shalimar shares how she went from Spanish major and cohesive Hispanic community at Penn State to investment banking, and found her way to a life-changing role at the World Bank. She implores, “vulnerability is courage” and “bring your own folding chair when there isn’t a seat at the table.” Don’t miss this story of heart, grit and resilience—from a life not knowing abundance to the deepest appreciation of it. Tune in and be inspired to know no boundaries and for ways to take action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: Strength isn't about how much you can handle before you break. It's about how much you can endure after you've been broken (unknown, adapted from Robert Tew)