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 154, Dr. Steffen Pauls tells his story of ups and downs, from attending summer school in the U.S.—barely knowing English—to working his way up in the world of fintech and private investing. Steffen grew up in a strict and disciplined home in Wiesbaden, Germany. Expectations were high; he was told he must go to university AND get his PhD. Hear memorable stories from his childhood that shaped who he is today, including his dad opening his eyes to the realism of playing piano professionally. Hear about Steffen’s time at Harvard summer school. He started at age 19, barely knowing any English, and ended up staying for over a year and writing his master’s thesis (you won’t believe what he did to overcome his lack of English… talk about grit). With great gratitude, Steffen talks about how this fueled his dreams of working internationally and enabled him to pursue roles in consulting and investment banking that laid the foundation for him as an entrepreneur. Don’t miss lessons learned from his journey that included leaving roles without knowing what was next, doing a start-up alongside his wife, the loss of their 1st child, and priceless experiences with KKR in the early days of the firm. Hear how Henry Kravis himself imparted how powerful it is to know: you are important. And Steffen shares how it was essential for him to believe in himself while starting Moonfare. Don’t miss this captivating account of what it takes to find your true north and have the courage to find success on your terms. Molly’s thought for the week: When you see something others don’t, that's an opportunity. Do something about it.

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 153, troubles with communication for a start-up are at the top of the list. Molly talks with professionals about early experiences in managing a team and offers thoughts for people at all levels to embrace change as a means of growth. Call in (866-472-5790, Int’l collect: +1-480-398-3352) and ask Molly how to handle that tough conversation or situation you’ve been avoiding. Or email from her host page (https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/3923/say-it-skillfully). Molly will help callers empower themselves and say what needs to be said, at work and home. Join the show live for her conversations as you learn how to navigate work transitions 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. Episode 152 is the 29th 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. Molly is joined by JeVon McCormick, who shares an amazing story of turning extreme adversity into strength. JeVon is the son of a 1970's pimp (with 23 children) and a mother who ended up as one of his father’s prostitutes; he has faced more adversity than is conceivable to most. He grew up on welfare, was sexually abused, sometimes left with no supervision for weeks, forced to eat out of trash cans and go weekends without food, and ended up homeless at thirteen before reuniting with his mother. On top of all this, when he was academically tested at fifteen years old, he scored at a fifth grade level. JeVon eventually acquired his GED after failing to graduate high school. His first jobs were cleaning toilets and working in a mailroom. Tune in to hear how, despite all of this, JeVon never felt sorry for himself and became CEO of Scribe Media and author of the hot off-the-press book, Modern Leader. Don’t miss top takeaways from JeVon’s inspiring journey, including how to find the positives in the most negative of situations, his inspiration to be the best at whatever he’s doing, and his up and down internal battle that led to him finding peace within and accomplishing what was never expected. JeVon 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: We all make mistakes in life and in business, but only fail if we stop trying—so don’t ever stop trying. Learn more about JeVon here: https://jevonmccormick.com/modern-leader/ https://scribemedia.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 151, Molly is joined by Christina Rahm, who shares her story, persevering through more personal and health issues than you might imagine, and making a positive change in the world in her unique way. Growing up in a small Missouri town where she felt like an outsider and was bullied by other kids and even a teacher, Christina talks about learning to see the bright side of things. Thankful to her parents for exposing her to a wide variety of music, sports, travel, and higher learning, she tells us about how—though seeming overly harsh at times—her parents taught her many important lessons in perseverance, dedication and humility. Christina’s passion for helping others was cultivated from a young age. As early as age five, she recalls aspirations to make change in the world and help humanity as she’d seen by figures such as Gandhi and Mother Teresa. She talks about her first instance of helping people professionally, an internship helping gang members and abused children—something her parents didn’t agree with for fear of her safety and even temporarily cut her off! Christina describes how her passion evolved from wanting people to feel good, to wanting people to achieve their absolute best in life. She opens up about her battle with lyme disease throughout college and how, with motivation from her parents, she pushed through (which includes working as a hotel maid). She describes that, while extremely tough at the time, she is grateful for the wisdom and mental toughness gained. Moving past lyme disease, Christina faced myriad of issues while advancing in the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries, including a brain tumor, cancer, miscarriages, divorces, and multiple unplanned pregnanices. She talks about how her drive and dedication helped her to always be an outstanding performer in ultra-competitive environments while facing these problems head on. We can all draw inspiration from Christina’s struggles and take her story as proof that, even with the odds stacked against us, we can find ways to prosper and positively impact the world. Don’t miss Christina’s learnings on what we can do to lead healthier lives and find physical and mental wellness from within. She also offers how listening to and embracing ideas and different points of view from everyone has been key in her success growing companies. Christina 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: Look forward more than you look back. Check out https://drchristinarahm.com/, and her new book, “Cure the Causes”.

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. This week, we celebrate 150 episodes of Say It Skillfully® with Molly’s brilliant friend Bruce Kasanoff, who shares his journey, learning to take initiative and succeed in a wide variety of fields (and even be selfish). Eventually, he became one of about 125 original LinkedIn influencers, and excelled writing about “how to do well by doing good” and “bring humanity back into business.” He’s settled into where he truly feels at home—as a co-creator and ghostwriter. Growing up in Boston, very unhappy with his surroundings, Bruce recalls “giving up” after 6th grade and coasting through high school. He opens up about the confusion he felt hearing his parents say “You can do anything you put your mind to”, but seeing them stuck in their lives. He believes their early deaths are partly attributed to this feeling of entrapment. At the same time, he recognizes how the unconditional love they showed him gave him the freedom to try and fail and eventually succeed. Bruce shares the 30 seconds that changed his life: a few sentences from a production manager compelled him to take initiative for the first time, moving up from $3/hour stage crew, to crew chief! This also created one of his first “say it skillfully moments”, in which a friend clued Bruce into his “bossy” side. Bruce is amazed that four decades later, it’s still hard to find the right words in uncomfortable situations. In another great example of initiative, Bruce tells the story of a time at WGBH/Boston in which he bet on himself and went to his boss’s boss’s boss (yikes) to escape from his current role (it ends well). Bruce gives us a rundown of his work across many different fields, and how after finding success as an original LinkedIn influencer, he followed his heart and settled in as a co-creator—helping to magnify the talent of talented people. Don’t miss Bruce’s “far and away best lesson he’s ever learned”— intelligence is having something valuable to say, but much more importantly, knowing what’s valuable to different people. Mastering this concept has helped set Bruce apart from others in all channels of his life. Raising 3 kids, Bruce talks about the ups and downs of this hectic family life and regrets, including situations where he wishes he showed more empathy for the desires of others. Bruce 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, inspired by Bruce: “Be yourself, but not obsessed with being yourself.” Visit Bruce’s website and LinkedIn page for outstanding life and business tips, newsletters and more!: https://kasanoff.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasanoff/ Molly’s brand-new Say It Skillfully mini course: https://bit.ly/3SgwLaS

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 149, Molly’s first caller, Abhijit, a career coach in India and in leadership development for 15 years, shares an out-of-the-blue team dilemma. He thought the team was “on plan” and overnight, it wasn’t. How to handle his team interactions and his own shock and fears in possibly missing deadlines and not delivering? Next Erin, in her second job after studying civil engineering, is keen to make the most of her first performance review with her new boss. She also shares her success story in pivoting to this new role, with unexpected help from a LinkedIn post (21:15)! Then, Roger, in workforce development, shares a year-long whirlwind that went from being let go without any warning, to managing an entire training center (that he never imagined), and finally being recruited for a dream job he never envisioned, much less thought was possible. He role models the power of patience, taking the high road and seizing opportunity. His new employer is the institution at which 30 years ago he’d wanted to play football. Destiny has its way (39:30). Finally, I share 3 different styles of adapting to change (thank you Janet Frood of Horizon Leadership):

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 148, Molly is joined by sisters Tia and Talia, who’ve been “business partners” since ages 5 and 6! They share how their entrepreneurial parents ignited their spark for learning and creating. Experimenting with their Mom to create better gluten and dairy-free options led them to star in “Tia & Talia’s Tasty Treats”—80 YouTube episodes that took them around the world to help kids eat healthy. “You are what you eat!” Hear how they complement each other’s skills (and their pet peeve when people think they’re twins). Having filmed their show in the US, Mexico, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, France, and Germany, they also talk about what they appreciate about traveling (and about being back home). Avid about reading and writing and the book series, “Wings of Fire,” were the catalyst for their 2nd enterprise—in 3D printing! Intrigued by this high tech device from their dad, note how he—skillfully—challenged them to earn money to buy their own. Ta-da! TT3D was born, with its first product line of colorful dragons, yes dragons. The girls share why they find dragons inspiring, and talk of their customer service experience, and starting to get an appreciation for “the numbers.” Tia & Talia open up about what they appreciate about each other and their super supportive parents. When the world may at times seem too heavy, enjoy this light, open-hearted and joyous account of two bright lights in the prime of their youth—learning, growing and shining. We hope it ignites a bit of youth for you.

Molly’s thought for the week, whether cooking or dragon-making:

Check out the amazing dragons and other toys and support Tia & Talia’s entrepreneurial dream at: TT3D.org

Invite you to be part of the solution! Take advantage of the wisdom of youth—you won’t regret it http://bit.ly/38i5sbU

And here’s a tip to communicate effectively: http://bit.ly/35jL4nk

Sign-up for Molly’s free mini-course and access all her resources 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. Episode 147 is the 28th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. Timing is everything. Molly’s guest Christopher Haight admits, “right now” he’s in the perfect place to share his journey, as adopted, gay and Asian. He shares what it’s taken to not just understand, but to embrace the elements of his identity as strengths vs. things to deal with. He attributes “raised as a middle-class white kid” as key to early self-confidence and never letting others diminish who he is. Growing up amongst adopted Korean kids in mixed race families also made his life very normal! Christopher reveals how the most obvious part of his identity—being Asian—took him some time to come to grips with. Thanks to his career in development with Cornell University, he talks gratefully about his eye-opening move to New York City, meeting all sorts of people—especially Asians—and their multitude of stories. “New York can make you a much better person if you let it.” YouTube and his work played critical roles in how he came to learn about and appreciate his Korean culture! Visiting Korea, he shares moments of loneliness, as well as comfort, when he realized that he’d always have a home there. In transition professionally to an exciting opportunity with Stanford, Christopher poignantly reflects on being comfortable within, and how his own groundedness paved the way for a very meaningful life relationship (also an adopted Korean!). He owns up to tending to “compartmentalize” and hold his cards close, though less so in the last 5 years. The opportunity to lead and grow a team at Cornell proved pivotal as he took this responsibility of being entrusted with people seriously. He freed himself “to be me,” in order to signal to his team to do the same. And he reminds, “Your words and actions teach others, even if you don’t realize it.” Christopher offers the wisest words around DEI, “Culture is not policy, it’s practice. It’s not a solvable now challenge.” Don’t miss his sage advice for leaders, including celebrating bad news. He implores people to confidently ask for what they need, to empower themselves to break bamboo & glass ceilings! Forget “pay your dues” mindsets, pave the way so that others aren’t challenged by the same barriers!

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 146, Molly is joined by Slava Hazin, who shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. at a young age without knowing English to living the American Dream. Slava talks about living in and traveling through 3 continents while still a young child. He shares lessons learned from this journey and tells us about the values it instilled in him. Also, he describes the jobs he worked with his family, and shows how their efforts led to success. Fascinated by law from a young age, Slava shares how he became a lawyer, why the law is so interesting to him, and what makes a good attorney. He also talks about his specialty in commercial and real estate litigation and problems he’s faced along the way. Slava goes into his work helping his community, what he finds fulfilling about it, and shares his thoughts on how to make a positive impact on the world. Slava 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, courtesy of Slava: “Make the world better where you live. Start with your neighborhood, your community and make it the best it can be. Start at home.” Invite you to be part of the solution! Here are ways to give feedback with finesse: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/feedback-with-finesse And it is possible to help your boss gain self-awareness http://bit.ly/2Y2j0Vl Sign-up for Molly’s free mini-course and all #sayitskillfully resources for you 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 145, Molly’s first caller, Ana—promoted to manager in her design company (yay!)—is keen to provide feedback with finesse and be true to herself. She’s asked to provide input from her boss to one of her team members, and doesn’t exactly agree. Molly also offers a way to influence her boss, rather than just deliver feedback that may not best serve the individual or firm (1:05). Next, Brennan is two years into an exciting entrepreneurial journey, building his residential and commercial painting business. He shares how a prized employee makes a career decision to leave the company, a shock from someone who’s added great value. Hear how Brennan handled his surprise and impressively turned around the situation whereby the departure was a win-win. Even seasoned executives will benefit from hearing Brennan talk about his business values. He also opens up about how they lived those values in one particularly big, and costly, mistake (17:30)! To help leaders and teams thrive through change, Molly then provides a few key considerations, thanks to organizational researcher Margaret Wheatley. While ideally leaders are proactive, she offers ways that anyone in the organization can use their voice to ensure that change isn’t just for change’s sake (42:10). 1) New information enters system: who, what, when, where, and why 2) Sense of shared purpose around the change 3) Participation: all have opportunity to give input about how change will occur 4) Process: all understand how input will be used and final decisions made. And to get you thinking, Molly closes with this… Are we perceiving diversity as a zero sum game? Have we backed ourselves into a “win-lose” mindset? Is one group able to speak up, but another group feels shut down? Encourage all to look in the mirror and consider how we, inadvertently, may be part of the problem, as well as ways we are part of the solution (47:10). Don’t miss these conversations and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself! Molly’s thought for the week: “We can change the world if we start listening to one another again. Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard and we each listen well.” —Margaret Wheatley. Invite you to be part of the solution! Here are ways to give feedback with finesse: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/feedback-with-finesse And it is possible to help your boss gain self-awareness http://bit.ly/2Y2j0Vl Sign-up for Molly’s free mini-course and all #sayitskillfully resources for you here: https://sayitskillfully.com