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 55, Laurie, raises a personal challenge—blessed that adult kids are back, but feeling a bit of stress with the full household, with particular concern around how to best support a child struggling at times with their mental health. Then Cyrill, who advises businesses and knows “getting to truth” is vital, inquires about handling excess optimism; how to be direct with executives and ensure no holding back when things aren’t on track (9:15). Roger is keen for advice about bringing up to his boss that his compensation seems significantly below market (24:30). I close with suggestions to help people in a “dominant group” widen their lenses to appreciate what it’s like for those not. Join the show for these conversations 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. In Episode 54, BJ Fogg, PhD. joins Molly in an insightful conversation about his path to being a behavior scientist, professional writer and teacher. His early work on Persuasive Technology has informed the design of products used by millions (incl. Instagram). BJ shares how his teacher at age 8 made all the difference and about his early experiences in overcoming hurtful adversity as a youth. Perseverance resulted in turning a writing weakness into a strength that supported his career, and the serendipity of hacking his own habits led him to create a new method of habit formation, Tiny Habits. Molly wraps w/ a scenario where someone attacks everything you said, arguing for a topic you weren't assigned! Tune in for her conversations as you learn 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 53, Molly's 1st caller, Jim is interested in approaches and specific phrases to help him raise and discuss topics when people may have emotionally-charged, opposing viewpoints. Next, Chris shares his experience in being unexpectedly laid off, and wonders how to handle the shock (and disappointment) when people he thought were close colleagues just weren’t there (18:45). Then, Chantalle calls in keen to be intentional about her growth opportunities for 2021 and asks how she might think about this (30:45). Molly closes with ideas for a parent who wants to tactfully raise their child’s sub-optimal Zoom classes with the school. Thought for the week: Live healthy, be happy, express hope. Join the show for her conversations as you learn 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 52, the 6th feature of OUR VOICES, legendary harpist, Ann Hobson Pilot shares her journey to defy color and gender barriers to join the Washington Nat’l Symphony—the 1st African American woman in any orchestra—and then the Boston Symphony Orchestra. At times unable to dine or reside where white members could, Ann demonstrated grace, conviction and tenacity. Hear how self-doubt had no role for her & her strength to not take things personally. She talks of staying at peak performance levels—playing to perfection over a 50-year career—and the changes needed to increase diversity in her field. A zen trailblazer, Ann combines calm confidence, humility & self-belief, 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.

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 51, Ami calls in first, keen on ways to handle the struggles so many are experiencing with friends & family around highly emotional topics such as politics (and when the conversation has gone off the rails, how to recover and mend the relationship). Next, Tamara needs strategies to give performance feedback to a team member who's a peer not pulling their weight (16:00). With so much virtual work, Peter has a team in which the energy has been dropping & tensions rising, and wants to reverse the trend for an open environment where members can be the best versions of themselves (28:40). Molly closes w/ 2 scenarios: when you dismiss someone’s reality as your perception & requesting feedback. Join the show for her conversations as you learn 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 50, Molly is joined by finance guru Laurence Black, founder of The Index Standard. Born in Zimbabwe & educated in South Africa, Laurence recounts strong family support as they moved across continents. He also describes his lucky start as a trader in London and talks of what he learned from prominent mentors along the way. Laurence shares his transition from focus on his own success, to empowering his team and focusing on theirs, which has made all the difference. He’s open about agonizing over leaving corporate life and re-balancing family life, as well as his own growth areas. Molly then covers how to handle 3 tough conversations: being overworked, condescended to and when someone goes radio silent. Tune in to the show 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 49, Tay calls in first, enthused and also a bit nervous, about a new stage in life: co-habitating with her significant other, which came about sooner due to Covid. My guest Dr. Bruce Y. Lee—whose journey has included investment banking, medicine, entrepreneurship, and also building and researching computer models to simulate health and public health situations—provides gems on navigating one’s career. He shares how his was an unconventional, “try & learn” path, one he’s thrilled to have traveled, though his “career GPS” was frequently recalculating. Bruce offers thoughts on Covid and also implores: science is fun! (11:00). Franciscus then calls in about family-led enterprises & oversized egos. Tune in for her conversations as you learn 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 & productive manner. In Episode 48, the 5th feature of “Our Voices”, sports & entertainment attorney Jaia Thomas shares her journey of both serendipity & conscious choices. She recounts learning early not to fear speaking up on issues of injustice or inequality and shows how her habit of taking the initiative has repeatedly led to opening doors and creating opportunity (including working w/ actor Will Smith). A stint supporting Barack Obama’s presidential campaign opened her eyes to politics & voting (16:00). Jaia founded Diverse Representation to promote diversity in sports & entertainment (26:05). She talks of being a trial-and-error entrepreneur. We tackle a sensitive conversation re: an introduction she’s not comfortable making (36:15). Join the show to hear how all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves.

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 47, Jennifer—an entrepreneur—calls in eager for ways to support her team members being more open about the reality of navigating life in Covid times; she also wants to provide the leadership to serve clients whose budgets are decreasing. Then, Matt, who is earlier in his career, inquires about when and how exactly he might speak up with a different point of view, yet not risk coming across as a know-it-all or disrespectful to more tenured staff (20:45). We also discuss when you sense someone isn’t open to your input and how to work through that and create connection. Finally, Molly covers a situation in which a leader is caught off guard when a team member who’s not performing blame. Tune in for her live conversations as you learn 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 46, Molly's first caller, Luke—deep in the throes of medical school applications—talks of the challenge in balancing writing “what you’re supposed to” to get accepted vs. being more true to himself. Aimee then shares her desire to rebuild a key relationship with a boss after a sensitive situation that required several people to leave the firm. And finally, Lucy re-considers how to coach a team member whose listening skills within the team are fine, but somehow aren’t with her. And we also talk about helping this person communicate with clarity. Molly's thought for the week: the power of positivity – it’s something you can bring in your own spirit to all those you’re with. Keep the faith. Tune in for these conversations as you learn to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself.