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 85, Molly’s first caller, Rob raises the topic of vulnerability—key to fostering open conversations—helping his clients do so appropriately. They also talk about differences in gender that they’ve seen as folks rise through the ranks. Lily then calls in curious about the notion of “bringing your whole self to work” and how groups and individuals do this in a way that leads to a better work environment. Lastly, Humberto asks about how to handle when people say things in meetings that they really shouldn’t! He and Molly discuss how he might handle this during meetings as well as in a private 1:1 after the fact. Molly’s Thought for the Week: “The delete key is your friend.” (For context, she just upgraded computers and finally tackled an overload of files and photos she wished she’d deleted long ago!) Tune in and 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. In Episode 84, Dave Whorton—entrepreneur, investor and CEO & Founder of the Tugboat Group™—joins Molly and shares a powerful journey to redefining a capitalism that goes beyond shareholders to serving society. When his father sat him down and said, “You need to carry your weight,” Dave took his responsibility to heart, applying at HP for what he figured would be a janitor job. Experiencing the “caring for people” culture that founders Bill & Dave created imprinted on him. After Berkeley engineering (“best school I could afford”), the feeling of paycheck-to-paycheck, “In Search of Excellence” and wanting to be an owner steered his career. He shares his unlikely and unexpected first entrepreneurial experience, landing in consulting at Bain and venturing into venture capital at Kleiner Perkins (yes, John Doerr reached out, not how it usually works…though Dave did not immediately take up his offer!). He talks through his decision-making to delay pursuing his passion to run a company and immense learning in supporting start-ups—Google, AutoTrader and Amazon. Going on to found Tugboat Ventures® in 2006 and co-found 4 companies, including drugstore.com and Good Technology, Dave shares the pivotal seed planted when one of his entrepreneurs said, “I hate your (VC) model.” “Let me tell you about my people, my purpose, and our impact,” vs. “your get-big-fast and exit model”. The possibility of less transactional and more enduring were intriguing to Dave and led to creating a vibrant community of Evergreen leaders and companies. He’s open about this most compelling entrepreneurial chapter—one that recognizes how ownership is critical, strategic & underappreciated and offers staying private as a means to go deeper than wealth generation and public recognition sought after in capital markets. Dave founded Tugboat Institute® in 2013 to connect, support and inspire purpose-driven leaders of Evergreen® businesses, for which the “7Ps” principles are the defining characteristics: Purpose, Perseverance, People First, Private, Profit, Paced Growth, and Pragmatic Innovation. The “7 Ps” can prevent you from outstripping your financial resources, culture and management team’s capacity to learn, grow and improve. With revenues from $10M-$10B and 10-290 years old, the Evergreen® companies show how the longest living companies most innovative. Curiosity, can-do, an eye for opportunity, and exceeding expectations are constants in Dave pursuing his true north. Tune in to hear his journey, inspiring us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard to achieve our true and best selves. Molly’s Thought for the week—thank you Dave! Evergreen leaders and their businesses are the opportunity for capitalism at its best. Learn more: www.tugboatinstitute.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 83 is the 13th feature of “Our Voices”–an opportunity to hear firsthand of people’s journeys and what it was like for them to grow-up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. Dr. Jim Yong Kim, Partner and Vice Chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, shares his path to extraordinary change agent—what shaped his identity as an Asian American and how as educator, medical expert and global leader he made change happen at G20 summits and in remote, rural villages alike. Born in South Korea to parents uncharacteristically NOT urging “just fit in,” Dr. Jim reveals his early years in America—feelings as an outsider, often stared at, and struggles with what being Korean means. His Father, tough and unashamed of his roots, guided his son to complete medical school before other studies, so he’d “have a skill that no one can take away from you.” Unlike Asian stereotypes, Dr. Jim divulges his nature as a fighter and shares fondly his exhilarating, formative time at Brown University’s “Third World Center” and feeling closest to his fellow people of color. He may surprise you, noting studying anthropology was largely a way to resolve his identity crisis. And rather than “service” it is fighting for justice that’s his raison d'être, compelling his fearlessness to “speak truth to justice” on uncomfortable topics to the world’s most powerful political leaders and respected experts. Hear him talk of his difficulty with tough conversations, his “no cry zone” at Partners in Health, “fighting for things worth fighting for” and many insights from his roles around the world: * Global action is extremely difficult—the personalities matter a lot. * Leadership is critical; democracy, fickle. * Optimism is a moral choice: you can’t take on intractable problems without it—per Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, “Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.” He shares his hope in the amazing movements of young people tackling tough ESG issues, and sees Asians waking up to “things not being fine” as a good thing. “People knowing how it feels to be Asian can create greater awareness for ALL underrepresented groups and a powerful sense of solidarity. With the awakening of BLM and The Asian American Foundation—there’s a sense it is possible to be respectful of all people and their choices.” Molly’s thought for the week, honoring family friend Dr. Lee Shiu, who passed peacefully at 92: “Enjoy life to the fullest. Sing, dance, laugh, be happy, and don’t worry too much.” Tune in to learn from Dr. Jim’s remarkable life journey, inspiring us 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. bendingthearcfilm.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 82, innovative speaker, educator and artist, Dr. Aaron Smith, beloved as the “rapping professor” to students at Temple University, shares why he’s a racial optimist. This episode will help you to be a part of the solution—and look at humanity in a way where you see yourself in other people.

As a youth, when Aaron witnessed racism, his response was feeling that people were being cheated… cheated by not having the interest or tolerance to appreciate other people—because they lacked skill set, language & courage to step out of “boxes” and consider people on individual merit. And he saw this could be remedied by education and exposure to the full humanity of other people.

His African-American and Asian studies equipped him to see how systemic oppression and unequal justice were the enemies, not the communities who seemed different. He shares how a teacher’s single statement changed his life trajectory, and taught him to “weigh his words.” He implores all to understand the chronology of human history as a starting point (see his reading list!)

“Race is not a zero sum game about winners and losers—racism is.”

“Underlying issues, challenges and problems related to xenophobia and intolerance along racial lines could be resolved with greater empathy.”

And he talks of the extraordinary energy and appetite of young people today to take on the messes previous generations have not—racially, environmentally and more—and how the skeptical are some of his best students. HOPE!

Then Yen calls in for a thought-provoking discussion around the “felt sense” of interacting with others and how to tap into this to deepen our relationships. We also talk family, and the “roles” we play, not always so consciously. Lastly, Roger shares a major win—turning a job losing situation into an unexpected promotion, not only by saying it skillfully, but by “being” it skillfully. Molly's thought for the week – Wise words from the rapping professor:

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. What happens when Mother Teresa is your role model? Over a billion people see your work! In Episode 81, learn from Molly’s guest—extraordinary social innovator Firdaus Kharas, master of social change via animations that compel viewers to accept his messages and come to their own conclusion to change for the better. In Calcutta, Firdaus—influenced more by his pioneering, attorney Mother than Father (wanting him to be an accountant!)—saw poverty firsthand and knew his destiny was to do something about it. Aspiring to see 100 countries (now at 146…), he arrived in Pennsylvania as the 1st ever Bombay Rotary Club exchange student. Studying human rights, researching methods of torture, and working in Canada’s immigration/refugee affairs were part of his schooling to improve the human condition. Believing that “people everywhere matter,” “we are one human family” and “we’re all creative beings”, Firdaus talks of his eternal optimism, helping him confront the atrocities and injustices he aims to end. Motivated by impact, never money, he recounts his journey to build his media company and leverage his creativity—a breakthrough with UNICEF and epiphany of the power of humor in mid 2000, when his Three Amigos animated condoms appeared in 150 countries—widely credited for assisting the stopping the spread of HIV aids. His topics are many: human rights, health education/disease prevention, children at risk, environment, preserving culture, sexual violence, racism, to name a few. He talks of his two kinds of animation: behavior change communications and catalyst videos to ignite discussion that drive social change, and notes the irony of today’s instant two-way communications bringing us closer, while populism that divides. How Firdaus is driven by his values inspires as much as his passion to make the world a better place for all. Tune in to hear how one human makes a world of difference, inspiring us 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. See his animations here:

Chocolate Moose Media: http://chocmoose.com

Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life: https://chocolate-moose-media.myshopify.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 this Episode, Sam Allen, Executive Vice President & COO of Salesforce, joins Molly and shares his journey from his youth in the Midwest to combat veteran and Commissioned Officer in the US Marines to entrepreneur and high-tech mergers and acquisitions and running a multi-billion dollar business. With little guidance in his modest youth, Sam had to chart a path for himself and enlisted in the military. Fortunately, this provided an opportunity to attend college. He describes combat as, The ultimate assault on the senses…survival instincts on steroids. Under extreme duress as people are trying to kill you or your people, you dig deep into a central reservoir of the mission.” He’s honest about early deer-in-headlights feelings as he re-joined civilian life and his thought process and intention to develop himself and his career and support his family. The “best laid plans never survive the 1st bullet.” Sam offers his experiences with bias and never spending more than a few hours or day thinking about job changes. He reveals how a virtue may also be vice and learning to manage this so that others perceive him as he intends. Don’t miss his “operating manual,” a brilliant tool to help people know who he really is as a leader and human being. He sets the tone for all he interacts with to be real and their true selves. And hear how he’s charged up about his current role and the opportunities for business to help create a better world. Molly’s thought for the week are the three values that guide Sam: Integrity-Courage-Dependability. Join the show and learn how to navigate life 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. In Episode 79, Molly’s first caller is Shuang, an academic researcher making a career shift into business consulting, who has given her boss ample time for a proper transition, but now their interactions are awkward. She’s keen to fix this situation. Next, Mike finds himself promoted to a role that’s exactly how he wants to grow, yet senior management has not relieved him of his former job. We discuss how to raise this with his supportive boss to address his burnout and enable him to succeed in his new position (11:30). Then, Kit has a team member who is underperforming—this seems less about capability and more about motivation—and asks how to talk openly and provide feedback in a manner that motivates (21:45). Molly covers a delicate scenario in which you were thrown under the bus by a newly promoted former peer... how to skillfully engage with this new leader and right the ship (33:00)? Lastly, Michael opens his heart as a 26-year old start-up entrepreneur with many downs who finally now sees some light at the end of the tunnel. The son of Asian immigrants, he shares poignantly his desire to support his parents who’ve given everything they have to stand behind him (37:35). Molly’s thought for the week: Be here now. . Tune in and 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. In Episode 78, the 12th feature of “Our Voices,” Molly is joined by architect, inventor and social entrepreneur Alice Chun. Separated from her parents at age 1, Alice shares her cross-cultural upbringing between South Korea and the US—at times feeling she fit in neither. Trained in architecture she’s both teacher and innovator; the Haiti earthquake compelled her 1st invention—the Solar Puff™—world’s only self-inflatable, portable solar light. Alice embraces business failures as moments of inspiration & invention, mistakes in “getting the right people on the bus,” and the fleeting moments of “I should just give up.” She personifies GRIT–at one point, holding 3 jobs, breast feeding her baby and going through a divorce. MLK saying that racism is a sickness, a disease…can’t hate people for being sick..was profound for Alice. Hear her compassion for those projecting their own emptiness outward. She recounts a moving experience teaching children in developing areas and asks how can you make lives better, what problems can you help to solve, how can you make an existing solution a bit better? Alice’s latest invention, transparent, soft, self-adhesive and CLEAR masks will transform protecting healthcare workers. Alice lives her passion and demonstrates the power of never giving up with admirable humility and self-belief!

Thought for the week. Thank you Alice! Be a fighter, not with your fists or words—fight with the light of your mind, imagination and heart.

Tune in to hear her journey, inspiring us 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.

Learn more at:

And follow Alice's inventions at IG @solight_design IG @seeus95

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 77, Molly’s first caller, Kathy, is keen to understand “metaskills”—your intentional energy or vibe—that impact how people perceive you, and how work gets done. Next, Kevin calls in about how to respond when asked for his thoughts on working from home and “how would you like to work going forward?” He also asks about a personal dilemma around preserving friendships when politically polarized and neither side appears to value diversity (11:40). Then Ed, who’s in charge of security and safety for a retail-based organization, asks about how best to have sensitive conversations with store staff to alert him if they sense any risk of workplace violence (32:25). Lastly, Cathy raises an observation of unconscious bias and asks for ways to approach a professor when they unintentionally may have offended a bunch of folks (41:40). Molly closes by encouraging parents that it’s never too early to help our youths find their voices – using an example of how a teenager making a food delivery might respond to an irate customer (50:55). Molly’s thought for the week, from tennis pro Jorge Capestany: There’s no failure… there’s only feedback. Tune in and 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. In Episode 76, Molly is joined by Matt Giordano, who shares an enthralling journey to his passion and purpose as internationally-known yoga instructor. He talks of a pivotal guide in art teacher Mrs. Walk, and the painful wake-up call of an intervention of friends saying they didn’t like who he was becoming. Hear of Matt’s remarkable curiosity, self-reflection and open-mindedness from a young age, which helped him first land on a yoga mat; there was no turning back! He’s upfront about travel burnout and working 4 a.m. to midnight, leading him to intentionally shift his business approach (which luckily set him up well to adapt to Covid times). Matt also adds perspective for those who might consider yoga, and those for whom it may not be a fit. Don't miss his wisdom around embracing change, the power of observing your own thoughts and behaviors and keeping your ego in check. Then, Keishla joins Molly keen to help a friend confront her micromanaging boss in a positive and productive way. Tune in and learn how to navigate life while being invaluable and true to yourself.

Thought for the week, inspired by Matt: Build humble confidence.

Learn more:

Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within, by Kenny Werner was an “a-ha” read for Matt!