Molly Tschang's Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you benefit from Molly's guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. She helps everyone from CEOs to interns to recognize that we are all both part of the problem as well as the solution, and that the path to solving any problem is to say what needs to be said. Molly is a rare breed: tough enough to advise CEOs and company boards, but empathetic enough to understand the human costs of not allowing talent to shine. She has helped dozens of management teams navigate the human after-effects of mergers and acquisitions, and her show brings her expert guidance to a wider audience.
CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Giselle's inspiring story02:22 Giselle's early life and move to Los Angeles06:24 Sudden hearing loss at age 911:54 Learning about cochlear implants16:58 Adapting to hearing with cochlear implants22:26 School experiences and accommodations27:42 Discovering a passion for listening and helping others37:47 Choosing a career in oncology social work43:36 Handling challenging conversations46:18 Self-reflection and personal growth50:38 Surprising facts about Giselle58:07 Giselle's proudest accomplishment
CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Dr. Michael Bartozek and his background03:46 The importance of supporting healthcare teams04:07 Dr. Bartozek's journey in military medicine06:00 Leadership and communication in healthcare settings07:26 Balancing service, family, and personal growth09:40 How to speak up with honesty and warmth11:12 Using curiosity to navigate difficult conversations12:40 The role of assumptions and questioning in conflict resolution14:07 Building trust through warmth and authenticity17:30 Practicing new skills in everyday interactions19:21 Creating meaningful impact beyond monetary rewards22:35 The power of small acts of connection23:03 People first: what it truly means in healthcare25:32 Handling conflict and finding the middle ground29:57 Maintaining hope and resilience in challenging times33:39 What it means to be a change maker35:42 Embracing discomfort for growth37:46 Practicing and building confidence in conversations38:04 A practical tip: listen so others feel heard38:58 Reflections on sharing and vulnerability
CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and introduction to Jamie Ramsden 02:37 Growing up in a family of professional musicians 05:54 Music, education, and lessons from Jamie’s parents 07:31 What sports taught Jamie about teamwork and discipline 08:43 Falling in love with France 09:51 An unconventional path into international business 12:18 Taking his first job in a foreign country 14:52 Moving to America and pursuing an interesting life 16:05 Transforming a struggling automotive business 19:39 Becoming a CEO at 33 20:52 From chief executive to executive coach 23:40 Learning through mistakes and experimentation 26:21 When leaders overwhelm their teams 28:24 Creating a culture where people can speak honestly 30:34 “Feed your people or lose your throne” 34:53 The pressures and competing demands of leadership 37:19 Developing self-awareness and a strong sense of self 39:21 A time Jamie did not say it skillfully 42:41 Family, hobbies, and life outside of work 45:13 The one thing Jamie wishes he could change 46:43 Rapid-fire questions: astronaut, pirate, and “Rambo” 48:15 Jamie’s top takeaway 49:10 Reflecting on sharing his journey 50:03 Closing thoughts from Molly
CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Giselle's inspiring story02:22 Giselle's early life and move to Los Angeles06:24 Sudden hearing loss at age 911:54 Learning about cochlear implants16:58 Adapting to hearing with cochlear implants22:26 School experiences and accommodations27:42 Discovering a passion for listening and helping others37:47 Choosing a career in oncology social work43:36 Handling challenging conversations46:18 Self-reflection and personal growth50:38 Surprising facts about Giselle58:07 Giselle's proudest accomplishment
CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Dr. Michael Bartozek and his background03:46 The importance of supporting healthcare teams04:07 Dr. Bartozek's journey in military medicine06:00 Leadership and communication in healthcare settings07:26 Balancing service, family, and personal growth09:40 How to speak up with honesty and warmth11:12 Using curiosity to navigate difficult conversations12:40 The role of assumptions and questioning in conflict resolution14:07 Building trust through warmth and authenticity17:30 Practicing new skills in everyday interactions19:21 Creating meaningful impact beyond monetary rewards22:35 The power of small acts of connection23:03 People first: what it truly means in healthcare25:32 Handling conflict and finding the middle ground29:57 Maintaining hope and resilience in challenging times33:39 What it means to be a change maker35:42 Embracing discomfort for growth37:46 Practicing and building confidence in conversations38:04 A practical tip: listen so others feel heard38:58 Reflections on sharing and vulnerability
CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and introduction to Jamie Ramsden 02:37 Growing up in a family of professional musicians 05:54 Music, education, and lessons from Jamie’s parents 07:31 What sports taught Jamie about teamwork and discipline 08:43 Falling in love with France 09:51 An unconventional path into international business 12:18 Taking his first job in a foreign country 14:52 Moving to America and pursuing an interesting life 16:05 Transforming a struggling automotive business 19:39 Becoming a CEO at 33 20:52 From chief executive to executive coach 23:40 Learning through mistakes and experimentation 26:21 When leaders overwhelm their teams 28:24 Creating a culture where people can speak honestly 30:34 “Feed your people or lose your throne” 34:53 The pressures and competing demands of leadership 37:19 Developing self-awareness and a strong sense of self 39:21 A time Jamie did not say it skillfully 42:41 Family, hobbies, and life outside of work 45:13 The one thing Jamie wishes he could change 46:43 Rapid-fire questions: astronaut, pirate, and “Rambo” 48:15 Jamie’s top takeaway 49:10 Reflecting on sharing his journey 50:03 Closing thoughts from Molly
In episode 233 (Our Voices #44) of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly sits down with Thando Lamula—Chartered Tax Advisor, board chair, and Mrs. Africa—for a raw conversation about what it really takes to find and use your voice, even after outward success.
Thando shares her extraordinary path: growing up on a sunflower farm in South Africa, navigating two faiths at once, and earning the nickname “General” in university for her fearlessness. She built a career in tax law—finishing her master’s degree with her newborn
daughter waiting in the car outside night class so she could slip out to breastfeed—and has since chaired boards, won awards, and been crowned Mrs. Africa.
But Thando opens up about the six years she spent staying silent, even as everyone around her called her fearless. She shares what changed after reading Say It Skillfully and attending INSEAD, and the courage—and consequences—that came with finally speaking up for herself.
Honest and hard-won, this episode is a reminder that being fearless for everyone else is not the same as being fearless for yourself—and that the second kind is the one that changes your life.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Molly and Thando Lamula
01:48 Thando's early life and childhood on a farm
05:04 Her journey through education and career in tax law
10:09 The importance of resilience and self-belief
15:07 Balancing family life with a professional career
20:01 The power of speaking up and authenticity
29:47 Lessons from setbacks and redirections
39:49 The significance of community and sisterhood
49:55 Reflections on future aspirations and growth
01:00:07 Final thoughts and encouragement
In this episode of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly sits down with Noel Moldvai—entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder of Augment—for an inspiring conversation about resilience, emotional intelligence, and what it truly means to lead.
Noel shares his journey from leaving Yugoslavia as a young boy to navigating life as a first-generation immigrant in Canada and California, learning English as his third language, and finding his path from Berkeley to Google to Rubrik before taking the leap into founding his own company.
He opens up about the hard-won lessons that shaped him as a leader: why EQ matters more than IQ, how he learned to manage his own emotional reactions before trying to lead others, and the near-death moments at Augment that tested everything he had. He also shares the surprisingly personal origin story behind Augment (a platform now being called the Robinhood for private markets) born out of his own frustration trying to access locked-up startup equity just to buy an engagement ring and a home.
Honest, grounded, and deeply human, this episode is a reminder that naiveté can be both a blessing and a curse, and sometimes, it's exactly what it takes to build something the world has never seen.
Chapters:
0:00 EQ, IQ, and the importance of people
0:33 Molly introduces Noel Moldvai and Augment
2:34 Noel’s earliest memory and leaving Yugoslavia
3:52 Leaving family behind and starting over
6:28 Learning English in Canada
8:03 School, math, physics, and childhood mischief
11:05 Belonging, family traditions, and growing up between cultures
13:12 Returning to Hungary and Serbia
14:24 College, self-motivation, and finding his path
19:23 Becoming a self-starter and learning to build teams
21:41 Google, Rubrik, and realizing he wanted something different
28:00 Why EQ matters more than IQ
30:42 Managing emotional reactions and making better decisions
33:53 Meditation, exercise, and creating stillness
35:37 The backstory behind Augment
36:57 Unlocki...
In episode 230 of Say It Skillfully®, Molly welcomes back Sandy Ogg, CEO of Curve Sports and founder of CEO.works, for an inspiring conversation about baseball, leadership, and creating opportunity for others.
Sandy shares how sports shaped his life from childhood through college, teaching lessons in teamwork, perspective, resilience, and character. He also reflects on how that lifelong connection to baseball evolved into a larger mission: helping underserved young athletes access pathways to education, growth, and opportunity.
From stories of youth teams and scholar athletes to reflections on leadership, privilege, AI, and the uniquely human skills that cannot be replaced, Sandy offers a powerful reminder that success is not just about winning games — it’s about helping others discover what is possible.
A heartfelt conversation on purpose, impact, and using the gifts we’ve been given to give back.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Sandy Ogg’s Leadership and Baseball Journey
02:41 Where Sandy’s Love of Baseball Began
04:22 Baseball, Family, and the Coast Guard Academy
06:42 Lessons from Youth Sports and His Father
08:08 Learning Context Beyond Winning
11:16 Coaches, Leadership, and Team Development
13:43 Recognizing an Uneven Playing Field
16:18 Building a Team with Access and Opportunity
17:49 Scholar Athletes, Grades, and College Jerseys
20:33 Life Lessons Beyond the Field
22:05 The Parent-Coach-Athlete Triangle
24:40 Defining What Winning Really Means
26:06 Gratitude, College Jerseys, and a Doorstep Moment
27:59 Realizing the Gift Was Also for Him
30:16 Giving Back to the Sport That Gave So Much
30:50 Curve Sports Foundation and Scaling Impact
33:29 How Others Can Help Young Scholar Athletes
34:35 Scholar Athletes as a National Treasure
36:24 AI, Human Skills, and What Cannot Be Replaced
38:14 Personal Side: Trumpet, Introversion, and Creative Tinkering
42:16 Favorite Food and Childhood Memories
42:59 Top Takeaway: Learn What AI Can’t Replace
45:04 Reflecting on...
In Episode 229 of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly welcomes chemical engineer, researcher, and Cornell University professor Lynden Archer. A leader in the field of biomaterials and sustainable energy innovation, Lynden shares insights from his groundbreaking work developing environmentally responsible materials that could transform industries ranging from plastics to batteries.
In this inspiring conversation, Lynden reflects on the pivotal role of mentors in his life and how he found his way from growing up in Guyana to graduate school and a distinguished academic career. He shares the experiences and influences that helped shape his path and the lessons he learned along the way about perseverance, curiosity, and staying open to opportunity.
Filled with insights on innovation, leadership, and scientific discovery, this episode offers listeners a compelling look at finding your north star and how bold thinking and collaboration can drive meaningful change.
In Episode 228 of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly welcomes back storyteller, entrepreneur, and founder of Tell My Story, Jason Reid. After the tragic loss of his 14-year-old son Ryan to suicide in 2018, Jason transformed unimaginable grief into a mission to help families better understand youth mental health and create spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and supported.
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Jason shares the inspiration behind his new film Shift: Do What Moves You, which highlights how purpose, passion, and personal interests can help young people rise above depression and anxiety. The discussion explores the importance of creating safe conversations around mental health, the role of parents in supporting their children’s emotional wellbeing, and why having a hobby or passion outside of work or school can be life-changing.
Jason also reflects on personal growth, the power of curiosity, and why learning about emerging technologies like AI is essential in a rapidly changing world. From parenting insights to leadership lessons, this episode is filled with practical wisdom for anyone seeking to live more intentionally and help others do the same.
Jason’s message is both hopeful and practical: finding what moves you—and encouraging others to do the same—can create profound change in both individual lives and communities.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction – Molly welcomes Jason Reid
01:04 Jason on intentional living and personal growth
03:55 Why lifelong learning matters in a rapidly changing world
04:50 Jason’s focus on understanding AI and future technologies
06:09 Navigating political division and understanding different perspectives
08:44 Why everyone should start learning about AI now
09:01 Podcast recommendations for understanding AI
10:39 The origin of Tell My Story after the loss of Jason’s son Ryan
12:40 How parents can start conversations about mental health with kids
15:47 The importance of asking direct questions about su...
What does it take to lead when the stakes are life-and-death, failure is inevitable, and doubt never fully disappears?
In this episode of Say It Skillfully®, Molly sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Riel Erickson — one of Canada’s first female fighter pilots, senior Royal Canadian Air Force officer, instructor, and leadership mentor.
Riel shares her extraordinary journey from farm life to the cockpit, revealing the internal battles behind elite performance: self-doubt, fear, identity, and resilience. She explains why embracing failure is essential to growth, how leaders create psychological safety, and what it really means to move from doing the work… to leading people… to shaping institutions.
This conversation is a masterclass in grounded leadership, courage under pressure, and using humanity — not perfection — as your greatest strength.
You’ll learn:
• Why failure can be freeing
• How to manage fear instead of eliminating it
• The hidden cost of masking to fit in
• What great mentors actually do
• How leaders scale impact through others
If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, this episode is for you.
00:00 — Introduction: Leadership Where Stakes Are High
00:01 — Riel’s Background & Breaking Barriers
02:09 — International Women’s Forum & Finding Belonging
05:57 — Early Life & Choosing the Military Path
09:17 — Culture Shock of Military Training
11:13 — Hating Pilot Training… at First
12:57 — The Freedom of Detaching Identity from Success
14:16 — “Embrace Failure” as a Life Mantra
15:18 — Discovering Love for Flying & Challenge
16:27 — Family Support & Sacrifice
19:17 — Overcoming Self-Doubt
22:29 — Managing Fear Under Pressure
26:15 — Career Path: From Pilot to Instructor to Leader
29:06 — Being the Only Woman in the Room
32:12 — Leadership & Psychological Safety
34:16 — Moving from Doing → Teaching → Leading Systems
35:32 — Work-Life Integration, Not Balance
40:07 — Mentorship That Changes Careers
44:55 — Why Mentoring Others Matters
47:10...
In this episode of the Say It Skillfully Podcast, Molly sits down with Darcy Verhun — a rare kind of leader who builds companies by putting people first, not as a strategy, but as a way of being.
From growing up between city life and the farm in Alberta, to becoming a management consultant for 25 years, to scaling a business to a $2B market cap, Darcy shares the values, habits, and leadership mindset that shaped his journey.
Darcy also opens up about leading through culture change inside Canada Diagnostic Centres, why “smiling” became a serious leadership priority, and how small daily behaviors can transform an organization from the inside out.
They close with a powerful “say it skillfully” moment: the one question Darcy asks at the end of meetings that can completely change outcomes — and create space for people to finally use their voice.
If you’re a leader, coach, or someone trying to build a culture where people feel safe, seen, and motivated to grow — this one’s worth your time.
Chapters
00:00 Intro: A leader who builds by putting people first
01:18 How Darcy and Molly met (Marshall Goldsmith connection)
02:39 Darcy’s upbringing: farm life, work ethic, and humility
06:12 The reading rule that became Darcy’s “superpower”
07:03 Sports, skiing, and coaching elite athletes
08:38 Why Darcy’s coaching style is built on stories
10:00 What Darcy learned early: honesty, caring for others, open home
12:13 Mentors and the professor who still challenges him today
14:17 MBA + the unexpected path into consulting
15:21 25 years in consulting: leadership, culture, and hard problems
16:13 The shift from advising to owning the mission
17:13 Purpose as a decision-making compass (“enhancing life”)
20:39 A defining leadership moment: doing the right thing, not the textbook thing
25:43 Entering healthcare: culture challenges + rebuilding trust
29:13 The “CDC” framework: Culture, Deliver Care, Operational Excellence
31:59 “Culture change doesn’t take years—it starts with me”
32...
In this episode of Say It Skillfully®, host Molly Tschang engages in a deeply human, candid, and inspiring conversation with Ron Carucci — bestselling author, executive coach, and co-founder of Navalent. Together, they trace Ron’s extraordinary journey from a chaotic Long Island childhood to becoming one of the most trusted voices in leadership, organizational transformation, and personal growth.
Ron opens up about the trauma and humor of growing up in a loud Italian household, discovering his love for the arts, navigating early career pivots, and finding purpose in helping leaders use their voices to serve the greater good. He shares vulnerable insights about therapy, impostor syndrome, mental health, parenting, marriage, failure, and what it means to truly “play big.”
This episode offers profound lessons in honesty, self-compassion, resilience, and leading with integrity. Ron’s wisdom — centered on the belief that “nothing in life is irrevocable except death” — invites listeners to rethink how they show up in their work, relationships, and inner lives.
A powerful celebration of growth, shared humanity, and the courage to become who you are meant to be.
00:00 Introduction to Ron Carucci
01:00 Growing Up in a Loud Italian Family
02:51 Childhood Dynamics, Bullying & Identity
04:36 Juilliard, Early Dreams & Family Expectations
05:44 Pivoting from the Arts to Purpose-Driven Work
06:29 A Transformational Moment with a Young Soldier
07:10 Discovering the Power of Story
07:47 Sibling Relationships & Processing Trauma
09:36 Therapy, Internal Parts & Self-Understanding
11:10 Entering the Corporate World & Early Lessons
12:24 Learning the Language of Leadership Development
13:03 Navigating Marriage, Partnership & Life on the Road
14:05 Long-Distance Love & Building a Family
15:36 Early Career Ambition & Realizations
20:12 The PepsiCo Chapter — Politics, Ego & Hard Lessons
23:09 Imposter Syndrome & Speaking Truth to Power
25:26 Struggles with Diplomacy & Authenticity
26:5...
In this episode of Say It Skillfully, host Molly engages in a profound conversation with Mini’imah Shaheed, an inspiring leader in education. They explore Mini’imah’s journey from her roots in East Oakland to her impactful work in founding a school based on love and community. The discussion delves into the challenges faced in the education system, the importance of resilience, and the vision for empowering women leaders. Mini’imah shares her personal experiences, including her battle with cancer, and emphasizes the need for grace and self-compassion in leadership. This episode is a celebration of growth, community, and the transformative power of education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Manaima Shaheed’s Journey
03:03 Growing Up in East Oakland
05:50 Navigating College Life at UPenn
08:48 Teach for America Experience
11:57 Teaching and Leadership in Atlanta
14:32 Challenges in Education and Systemic Barriers
17:38 Resilience and Personal Growth
20:46 Influences and Role Models
23:40 Starting a School and Educational Innovations
31:28 The Power of Love in Education
34:37 Leadership as a Labor of Love
37:29 Navigating Difficult Conversations
41:10 Exploring Hobbies and Personal Growth
43:07 Understanding Introversion and Stoicism
44:11 Reflections on Regrets and Do-Overs
45:35 Future Aspirations and Legacy Projects
48:20 Empowering Women Leaders
50:27 Celebrating Personal Accomplishments
52:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Insights
54:31 Final Reflections and Takeaways
In this inspiring episode, Molly welcomes Jeff Greenwald — world-class coach, bestselling author, and founder of Fearless Tennis and Mental Edge Sports. Jeff shares his remarkable journey from rising junior player at the legendary IMG Academy to competing on the pro tour, and ultimately transforming setbacks into a career helping athletes master the mental side of performance.
00:00 – Intro: The Mental Game of Tennis
Molly introduces Jeff Greenwald, bestselling author, world-class coach, and founder of Fearless Tennis and Mental Edge Sports, framing the conversation around performance, mindset, and authenticity.
01:16 – Jeff’s Early Journey
Jeff shares how he fell in love with tennis, from choosing the sport at age 12 to training at IMG Academy and playing on the pro tour.
03:40 – Struggles on the Court
Jeff opens up about being a hothead, battling frustration, and learning hard lessons after being suspended from competition — experiences that planted the seeds for his later work.
05:27 – Discovering Sports Psychology
How reflection, journaling, and a deep curiosity about mind-body connection shifted Jeff’s approach to competition and eventually led him to sports psychology.
10:03 – Family Influence & Choosing Tennis
Jeff reflects on his family’s role in shaping his drive, resilience, and perfectionism, and why he chose tennis over team sports.
13:09 – Life at the Academy
Stories from his intense training days, the pressures of competition, and the early lessons about discipline and self-reliance.
17:14 – Contemplating Quitting the Tour
Jeff recalls moments of burnout, the challenges of constant travel, and how curiosity ultimately pulled him toward coaching and psychology.
20:03 – Coaching in Germany & A Defining Match
How his time coaching abroad — and one match where he dropped fully into the “zone” — revealed new possibilities and sparked his shift into mindset training.
23:12 – Building Fearless Tennis & Mental Edge Sports
Jeff describes the e...
In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, host Molly Tschang sits down with Vicky Serany, founder and president of Southern Studio, to explore her unexpected path from architect to business owner. Vicky shares how her passion for design became a mission to create joyful spaces and build a company where people love to work. Through real-life lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth, Vicky opens up about the power of letting go of control, leading with empathy, and navigating tough conversations with grace. She and Molly talk candidly about the challenges of running a business, finding your voice, and living a life aligned with your values—both in the office and at home. Whether you're a creative professional, business owner, or just someone striving to lead with heart, this episode offers rich insights and practical wisdom you won’t want to miss.
Topics Covered:
• Designing a business that puts people first
• Building a values-based culture
• Leading with authenticity and vulnerability
• The intersection of work, family, and fulfillment
• Tips for skillful conversations as a leader
00:00 – Intro: Designing for Joy & Leadership
Molly introduces Vicky Serany, founder of Southern Studio, and frames the conversation around leadership, values, and personal growth.
02:45 – Vicky’s Journey: From Architect to Entrepreneur
Vicky shares how she unexpectedly became a business owner and the evolution of her design career.
08:10 – Creating a Joyful Work Culture
Discussion around building a company where people genuinely love to work, and why joy is at the center of her leadership philosophy.
13:20 – Letting Go of Control
Vicky reflects on how releasing the need to control every detail has been key to growth, both personally and professionally.
17:45 – Leading with Empathy & Vulnerability
They explore how empathy, especially in tough conversations, builds trust and emotional safety in teams.
23:15 – Designing with Heart: Purpose-Driven Work
Vicky...
In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, Nat Ware—Rhodes Scholar, social entrepreneur, and founder of Forte and 180 Degrees Consulting—shares his journey from a modest upbringing in Sydney to building global systems that unlock human potential. Nat breaks down his revolutionary Forte model, which funds education and healthcare without cost to individuals or governments, by leveraging future tax revenue from increased employment. He also reflects on resilience, happiness, and the mindset that’s fueled his impact—including surviving a gunshot wound the night before Forte’s first launch. A must-listen for anyone passionate about creating scalable, sustainable change.
Learn more at: www.sayitskillfully.com
00:00
Introduction to Nat Ware's Journey
02:55
Childhood and Family Background
05:48
Academic Influences and Early Interests
08:42
First Steps into Philanthropy
11:40
Transition to Global Awareness
14:38
Founding 180 Degrees Consulting
20:32
Pursuing Higher Education and PhD
23:50
Introducing the Forte Model
29:51
Impact Stories and Future Vision
33:59
Unlocking Human Potential through Education Financing
37:56
Scaling the Model Globally
41:07
Innovative Approaches to Education Quality
42:43
Resilience in Entrepreneurship
46:19
The Importance of Partnerships
47:53
Understanding Happiness and Expectations
53:31
Living a Life with No Regrets
01:00:13
Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations
Molly is joined by Dan Berger, an Israeli-American entrepreneur whose life experiences shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and resilience. Dan shares his journey from being an orphan to creating spaces for connection through his ventures, including Social Tables and Assemble Hospitality.
00:00 Introduction to Dan's Journey
01:51 Trauma and Belonging: A Personal Narrative
06:10 Life in Israel: Early Memories and Identity
11:51 Navigating Adolescence: Moving to America
20:07 Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Impact
23:50 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Healing
29:58 The Transition from Social Tables to Assemble Hospitality
31:38 The Journey of Selling a Company
34:20 Exploring New Ventures and Personal Growth
36:01 Understanding Belonging: A Personal Perspective
39:45 The Four Belonging Personas
41:22 Lessons Learned Through Research and Self-Discovery
43:55 Navigating Tough Conversations
47:22 Hobbies and Personal Interests
49:25 Reflections on Life and Accomplishments
50:43 Future Aspirations and Passions
53:17 The Importance of Addressing Men's Issues
From military missions to life lessons, Steveo Bermudez brings the real talk in this week’s Say It Skillfully! His journey is one of resilience, leadership, and the power of showing up for others. Whether navigating deployments, balancing family, or owning mistakes, Steve-o shares the hard-earned wisdom that has shaped his success. You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away with insights to level up in work and life.
Stay tuned—this is one episode you won’t want to miss!
00:00 Introduction to Steve-o's Journey
04:04 From Military Brat to Air Force Veteran
10:48 Leadership Lessons from Family Dynamics
14:03 Understanding Military Deployments
18:04 Success in Military vs. Civilian Life
21:07 Receiving Feedback and Personal Growth
24:44 Navigating Ambiguity in Leadership
27:17 Dealing with Difficult Team Dynamics
31:35 Balancing Work and Family Life
37:47 Navigating Home Life After Deployment
42:01 The Importance of Communication in Relationships
45:59 Overcoming Insecurities and Building Confidence
50:00 The Meaning of Service and Selflessness
55:51 Personal Insights and Hobbies
01:00:38 Transformative Relationships and Personal Growth
01:01:20 Reflections on Sharing Life Experiences
Molly is joined by Ayse Birsel, a renowned industrial designer, as they explore her unique journey from Izmir, Turkey, to becoming a leading figure in design. The conversation delves into her educational journey, the challenges of adapting to life in New York, and the significance of imagination and creativity in both design and personal growth.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Ayse and Her Journey
06:04 Ayse's Early Life and Influences
11:59 The Impact of Family and Culture
17:57 Moving to New York and Adapting
23:47 The Design School Experience
30:06 Understanding Industrial Design
35:48 Empathy in Design and Ayse's Philosophy
39:03 Navigating Self-Doubt and Optimism
41:36 The Journey of Starting a Design Firm
43:20 Love and Partnership in the Design World
48:15 Balancing Motherhood and Career
53:49 Overcoming Challenges in Business
56:01 The Joy of Designing for Better Living
58:45 Redesigning Life Through Design Principles
01:01:44 The Art of Skillful Communication
01:03:20 Rapid Fire Insights and Reflections
In this episode of the Say It Skillfully Podcast, Molly has a conversation with Rachel Ziering, the Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws Rescue. Rachel shares her journey from a musical upbringing to her passion for dog rescue, detailing her experiences and the challenges she faced while building her nonprofit organization. The conversation highlights the importance of following one's passion, the lessons learned from both music and nonprofit work, and the impact of community outreach in animal welfare. In this conversation, Rachael shares her experiences and insights from leading a nonprofit organization focused on animal rescue. She discusses the importance of managing volunteers, the challenges of nonprofit leadership, and her motivation to continue her work. She also talks about the vital role of fostering in animal rescue, the strategies for fundraising, and how she handles criticism and online reviews.
Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, joins Molly Tschang on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, self-discovery, and mission-driven leadership. Trisha discusses her early life challenges, the importance of education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style. She talks about her work at the North Texas Food Bank, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective practices to serve the community better. Trisha reflects on her personal growth, the significance of listening as a leader, and the impact of her experiences on her current role.
Ganesh Iyer, CEO of Etnyre International, joins Molly on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share his inspiring journey from a humble upbringing in India to navigating the corporate world and becoming a CEO. He discusses the importance of putting people first in business, the challenges of leadership, and the philosophy of optimizing profit while improving lives. Ganesh reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of work-life integration. The conversation emphasizes the value of kindness, adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful work.
Molly is joined on the Say It Skillfully Podcast by the design director for the elite sportswear company designing for the best athletes in the world, including the women's Olympic gymnastic team, Jeanne Diaz.
One of the creative geniuses behind the stunning women's patriotic blinged out leotards from this year's Olympics, Jeanne joins the show to share her story, including how she chose to follow her passion, navigating and building a career in the fashion industry, and recently working with amazing athletes like Simone Biles while designing Olympic sportswear.
Since leading fashion designer Robby Geller moved to LA from Germany at a young age, he has never stopped learning. He discusses the array of learning curves he has faced throughout his personal and professional journey- whether that be at age five or 35, with language and even fashion. Most importantly, he emphasizes the need of active contribution to get things done.
Hear about the not-so common path of a world renowned fashion designer and how contributing to the conversation can be fully life changing.
Unexpected social media sensation David Lorimer joins Molly for this episode of the Say It Skillfully podcast and delves into the "behind-the-scenes" of his @today.iam.grateful Instagram page. David authentically shares his journey, from his childhood in Iowa and Kentucky through his adult life, telling tales of his career, relationships, and finding himself.
He further tells us the duality between joy and true fulfillment. David goes beyond his everyday work life and dives into balancing it with the intricacies of parenting and mental health.
Finally, he teaches us how intentional gratitude and personal reflection are the greatest shields against mental health issues.
Total Leadership CEO, Stew Friedman, joins Molly on today’s episode of Say it Skillfully. Ranging from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the purpose of life. The enriching conversation spans from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the meaning of life. Stew exemplifies the idea the you don’t need to know where you are going to end up in the right place.
Visit https://www.totalleadership.org/ for free videos, book chapters, articles including the 50+ that he's written for Harvard Business Review and more from Stew.
Also, follow Stew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewfriedman/
Molly Tschang sits down for a conversation on the Say It Skillfully podcast with former WD-40 CEO, Garry Ridge.
The conversation revolves around personal and professional growth, cultural understanding in international business, and the importance of authenticity and purpose in leadership. Garry shares his experiences and insights on how to navigate life's journey with clarity, speed, and self-compassion. He emphasizes the significance of values, people-first mindset, and effective communication in achieving success. Garry gives personal anecdotes from his career and life, and mentions key factors in building positive relationships and gaining respect in international business.
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 209 is the 41st 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. In this episode, Molly is joined by Evan Wolfson, who founded and led the Freedom to Marry campaign; winning marriage equality in the U.S. after a 30+ year battle. Sharing Evan’s world-changing movement wraps four years with VoiceAmerica. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to amplify so many amazing voices! Evan joins the show to share the story of his long battle for marriage rights, dating back to his time in college, where he wrote his thesis on same-sex marriage long before it was in the national conversation. He’d move on to appear before the supreme court, write a book on “Why Marriage Matters”, and found Freedom to Marry. As a kid, Evan saw law as a means to politics, government and shaping history—hear his career path to literally doing so. Many gems from his fight for marriage, and his mentality when faced with setbacks and feeling like the world is against him. Don’t miss Evan’s thoughts on what being an activist means, as well as how he felt when the battle for same-sex marriage rights was won with similar reasoning to his 1983 thesis. Then, we talk a bit about what’s next in the fight for a better world. Evan inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week from renowned meditation teacher, Shinzen Young: “Untangle and be free.”
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. Here is Episode 208 for you, featuring Paul Lambdin, owner of North Carolina staple Cary Car Care. Paul joins the show to share his story, from a struggle-filled childhood that had him and his brothers in a constant battle with his alcoholic father, to becoming an entrepreneur with a success story that will leave you inspired. Tune in to hear key moments and turning points from Paul’s come-up, as well as lessons he learned along the way on teamwork, self-belief and communication. Don’t miss Paul’s reflections on his journey, including an inside look on building a successful small business, how he is raising his family differently than he was raised, and how he finally let go of anger he’d been holding inside for a long time. Paul inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: The gap between knowing what you want and going after it is where fear thrives. You don’t need enough courage for the entire journey. You only need courage for the next step.
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. Here is Episode 207 for you, featuring Top 100 Most Influential Yoga Teacher Alison West. Alison joins the show for a conversation about what she’s done, how she got there, and her biggest epiphanies along the way. She’s studied in almost every major yogic lineage including in India with the Iyengars and with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She’s taught since the 80s and more recently founded “Yoga Union”, a premier NYC studio, as well as Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center. Don’t miss hearing the ups and downs of Alison’s journey, including an in depth look at moments of spiritual awakening, the process of learning and re-learning when it comes to different yoga lineages, and how she was drawn to yoga after originally being invested into ballet. Alison inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.
Molly’s thought for the week: “Increase the peace.”
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. Here is Episode 206 for you – respected Canadian Armed Forces Officer Kelly Williamson’s unlikely journey inspires us to live up to our own potential. Kelly joins the show to share her story, starting with the massive change of scenery brought about by joining a military college after graduating from a performing arts high school. Hear captivating stories and insights from her journey throughout the process of attending military school and becoming an officer for the Canadian Armed Forces. She shares first-hand accounts of assisting with humanitarian aid in Afghanistan in 2011, Haiti in 2010, and Nepal in 2015. Don’t miss hearing lessons that Kelly learned along her amazing career, including the necessity of not being too proud to ask for help, and accepting that you might not “fit the mold.”
Molly’s thought for the week (Thanks, Kelly): “Be kind, be brave, be you.”
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 205 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them.
Molly’s first caller, Kris, is facing a situation that’s challenging emotionally and a significant new responsibility as he steps in to handle his grandmother’s finances. The bureaucracy, change of financial advisors, lack of responsiveness, and errors are extremely frustrating, yet he’s got to make it work. He and Molly talk about ways to reset his own mindset, so that Kris can create a productive relationship with the new advisor. Hear him reflect on his tendencies and embrace taking a step back to create space to move forward in a better way. Next Onwar, who is early in career, opens up about a defining career moment! He is in an apprentice program and being considered for a permanent position (which would be a gamechanger in his ability to support his family). He shares his non-traditional path into software engineering, as the college route proved not to be a fit for him, and learnings in navigating the corporate workplace. He and Molly talk about his strategy to understand the evaluation process and how best to position himself. And don’t miss Onwar’s openness to new ideas for how to reach out to his boss’ boss (16:15). Then Hugi is keen to reach out for paid board and consulting assignments and utilize his risk, automation and multicultural expertise. Molly suggests informational interviewing as a way to get to know organizations and building relationships to have an internal sponsor. With Latino heritage Hugi also asks about diversity as a dimension he brings. Molly offers thoughts for him in considering how an organization values diversity in the broadest sense and to be specific about the ways he can be value add (37:10). Tune in and learn how to navigate work and life while being invaluable and tru...
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. Here is Episode 204 for you – don’t miss the brilliant Bob Roth, widely considered one of the leading experts on Transcendental Meditation. Molly and Bob sit down and go over what meditation is, and how it can work for anyone, regardless of whether or not you believe in it. Hear all about Focus, Open Monitoring, and Self-Transcending, the three main branches of meditation. Bob explains he came to meditation in 1969, a time when those who practiced were “certifiably weird,” and even though he was “a practical sort of guy,” he had so much trust in and respect for his teacher, that he opened himself up to learning. Now, in 2023, he has devoted his life to bringing Transcendental Meditation to a million and counting children. Bob says his journey started as a way to lessen his stress and has ended up as “a tool to help make a big difference in the world.”
Don’t miss Bob reminiscing on the 60s and 70s, reflecting on how meditation became a widespread movement back then, and maybe even saved his generation. The cultural uproar Bob remembers will help you fully understand why meditation going mainstream came at the perfect moment. Bob talks about how inspiring Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was to him because while everyone else fixated on his working with The Beatles, and that level of star-power could have gotten to his head, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi stayed completely focused on researching how meditation was beneficial to physical and mental health. Bob expands on what these health benefits are, explaining how he has helped establish forums for top medical researchers to look into the correlation between meditation and better health.
Bob wraps up this episode by sharing his two keys to success in all areas of life. Tune in to hear what they are! Don’t miss this wisdom-filled episode of Say It Skillful...
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. Here is Episode 203 for you – don’t miss the inspiring economist, Jeremy Bess, whose journey to success reminds us all to never give up, regardless of the adversities we may face. Jeremy reflects on his challenging teenage years, when he was functionally homeless and dependent on friends and his brother for a place to sleep. His decision to study economics at the University of Tampa was motivated by these years of uncertainty. This choice brought him to advising Fortune 500 companies starting when he was just 24 years old. Often facing push back for being so young in rooms full of older C-suite level executives, Jeremy now tries to lend a hand to the next generation interested in economics. Listen as Jeremy looks back and reflects on periods of stress and self-doubt. Today, he says, “I felt confident that if I just kept going that it would slowly figure itself out, which it kind of did.” Putting faith in yourself and luck has paid off big time! Tune in to hear Jeremy reflect on the philosophies of economics and how they affect your everyday life. His conversation with Molly developed into discussing how COVID was a shock, not just to him, but to the global economy. He tells how he thinks it changed the game, and how we are still feeling effects from this hit today. He offers advice on how to grow your business in a way that can last. Don’t miss this inspiring episode! Jeremy empowers us all to trust in ourselves and work hard.
Molly’s thought for the week (Thank you Jeremy): Just work really, really hard. Keep going.
P.S. Jeremy leads to his full potential by communication to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hour access bit.ly/3sETIgg
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 202 is the 40th 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. In this episode, Molly is joined by Nozipho Tshabalala, a conversation strategist and global moderator. Nozi reflects on growing up in South Africa under Nelson Mandela, and how she inherited her parents’ strident work ethic. Their dedication to her education helped Nozi always set the highest bar for herself, fueled by “failing was not an option for me.” You’ll be surprised by how she picked her major! Her inner confidence stems from what her parents instilled: “I am smart, but I am capable, and I’m teachable.”
Hear Nozi’s unlikely foray into one of the world’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Group (from none other than its chairman)! This led to unexpectedly shooting a documentary for CNBC Africa. She was on screen for only 15 seconds, but those 15 seconds changed her life. Only two weeks after the documentary aired, she was offered a news anchor position with CNBC Africa, covering development and finance (compelling her to delve into topics she knew zero about). Nozi knew the first time she moderated live that it was her calling. “Conversations are the birthplace of action, and in the absence of conversation, we absolutely get nothing done.”
Today, family reigns supreme for Nozi. She has an intellectual match in her husband and a gift of a son. With her hard-earned stability, she paid for her mother to return to and graduate college as a newly certified teacher. Balancing motherhood on top of her constant travel for business is one of Nozi’s self-described top accomplishments.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode. Nozi...
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 201 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them.
Listen to the full episode—
Say It Skillfully: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/podcasts
Laura from Connecticut (not NY...) calls in first for a new approach to a team member who delivers the sales numbers, BUT also over-delivers on negativity. This is not helping the team dynamic. Laura sees the person trying but the 2 steps forward and 3 back isn’t cutting it. Hear a few new strategies, including clarifying consequences for behavior that don’t serve the greater good..
Then Sean, after a fulfilling career in the military, opens up about his transition to private sector. He’s mindful of the culture shift and keen not to communicate in ways that may come across as “harsh.” He and Molly talk about the positives of experiencing a very different environment and embracing it so that the organization fully benefits from Sean being new and seeing things differently (13:35)
Finally, Sophie shares her struggles in figuring out the appropriate approach to negotiating total compensation in start-up environments. An experienced COO, she reflects on the early days of leaving way too much on the table, as well as pivoting to the other extreme. Don’t miss a lively chat on making the most of comp discussions, including gaining key information around the people and culture fit that are crucial to assessing if an opportunity is right for you (33:35).
Tune in and learn how to navigate work and life while being invaluable and true to yourself.
Molly’s thought for the week: “Make a choice to build a life you don’t regularly need to escape from.”
—Venus Williams
And—Molly invites you to check out her 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” In this post, click on the LinkedIn Learning lo...
Say It Skillfully® is the show where Molly Tschang expertly guides you in how to honestly speak your mind at work in the most positive and productive manner. In milestone Episode 200, Molly’s guest is her mentor, Marshall Goldsmith. An executive coach to some of the biggest CEOs in the world and an author and editor to 55 books with over 3-million copies sold, Marshall shares his wisdom inspired by his Buddhist practice.
One of the earliest believers in Say It Skillfully®, Marshall says Molly’s dedication to effective communication stuck with him. Saying what you mean is the key to making a positive difference.
Marshall talks about finding long-term happiness and using his Buddhist principles as a guiding star. Molly gets some live coaching from Marshall on the importance of happiness in the moment. He says people have to choose to be happy every day. Marshall speaks on how his Buddhist beliefs have impacted his coaching process, influencing his clients to “let go of the past, develop adaptability, and find joy in the present moment.”
Molly and Marshall wrap up by talking about making a positive impact on other people’s lives and personal legacy! Tune in to hear about MarshallBot, and how Marshall Goldsmith envisions his technological alter-ego will live on.
Molly’s thought for the week ( the 1st thing she learned from Marshall)
Let it go.
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 199 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them.
Chris kicks the show off, and Molly is thrilled to hear his growth from when he first joined her on January 7, 2020! He’s upfront about where he was—obsessing about the “title” before the person was getting inside his own head and holding him back. He opens up about his journey to greater self-awareness, and one of his challenges now, getting buy-in from team members. As he’s in project management, leading and navigating change is a constant, and Molly shares some tips.
Next Kiera raises a common question, “How exactly do I know when to say something vs. just keep quiet because it’s not so big of a deal?” Molly and Kiera unpack a situation many can relate to—how to handle roommates with varying ideas of what “neat, clean and tidy” are! Kiera shares her learnings in considering others are “just like me” and offers how greater kindness toward herself helps her be more kind to others. “Transparency is your friend” is one of her top takeaways (19:15).
Then Yody (thanks for taking Molly’s LinkedIn course!) is keen to push her boss, but not seem pushy! She is eager to build her technical skill, though an outreach to her boss for additional development has been unanswered. She and Molly consider different lenses for Jyoti to see the situation through, including how she can see herself differently. And she’s game on to actually record herself in order to gain awareness for how others might perceive her (36:45)!
Tune in to these courageous human beings and learn how to navigate work and 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 198, Molly is joined by her friend Jason Castano, a shining example of a young person who took the bull by the horns, found his passions and never stopped believing in what was possible. For Jason’s parents the only way to leave Colombia with hope of America was entrusting a total stranger with their lives and life savings to fly to Mexico, swim across a river at night with their young daughter, fly to California, and then to New York. His father made $3/hour washing dishes and his mother was a maid. Jason overwhelmingly recalls gratitude for their “hard work” and a happy childhood, always having what he needed. Admittedly shy, skinny and insecure as a child, Jason talks about being bullied and then transformed by being part of a karate fight team. He reflects about the opportunity to be top 8 out of 300 as the first time he really wanted something. The good fortune of joining a military program for high schoolers completed his metamorphosis to a self-confident, strong youth with a new lease on life. Hear how Jason played the long game in boldly embarking on his first career as a physical trainer, which took him on private jets and a chance to see the world. Living his core values with his clients, endless work ethic and penchant to always exceed expectations helped him break through. And in 2015 when a client offered him an opportunity to move into real estate, Jason found his “dream job” as portfolio asset manager and agent for River 2 River Realty. Hear how he now supports family members to immigrate and make better lives for themselves. Many nuggets to be gleaned from Jason’s journey! Don’t miss how he was “chest up, shoulders back” and always grateful when people entrusted him. Jason inspires us to be the very best versions of ourselves.
Molly’s thought for the week – a...
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 197 is the 39th 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. In this episode, Molly is joined by global humanitarian volunteer, Alison Thompson, whose journey inspires us to serve our community and world in ways we may never have imagined! Growing up in Australia, her father a preacher, Alison moved frequently in a missionary lifestyle and she found herself most comfortable in her early habitats of developing world and jungle.. She recalls her parents’ unconditional love and beaming love into the eyes of those in need, though she thought she’d grow up, have a candy store and four kids, vs. immerse herself in helping people in refugee camps! Along her way to her dream role, Alison’s career took her to nursing, math teacher, investment banker and film school. She implores, “Don’t be scared to take a new path!”
On September 11th, 2001 Alison lost 64 friends and that day changed her life trajectory. She worked for 9 months as a first responder at Ground Zero and shares how she managed to cope and then to thrive after something so senseless.
In founding “Third Wave Volunteers”—30,000 medical and non-medical volunteers on the ground responding to disasters globally—Alison takes you through mistakes, learnings and the highs and lows. Hear how each of us can make a difference! She shares her experience with large aid organizations and the power of a hug that doesn’t let go.
Hers is a love story (and how she met the love of life—hear how they make their relationship work). No surprise, Alison believes that the secret to happiness is service to others.
Don’t miss this moving episode....
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 196, Molly is joined by one of the world’s greatest leaders, Alan Mulally, who led Boeing to the global leader of commercial airplanes and Ford to the #1 automotive brand in the USA. Alan shares his leadership journey and his “Working Together” System, honed as he’s led hundreds of thousands of people in creating value for all the stakeholders and the greater good.
We dedicate this episode to the indomitable Frances Hesselbein, who taught us:
“Work is love made visible.”
“Who you are as a person is going to have more to do with your leadership, service and contribution than anything else.”
The foundation of Alan’s life of service started at home in Lawrence, Kansas. He reminisces about the daily words impressed upon him by his parents, not least of which included:
“Remember Alan, to serve is to live.”
“Seek to understand before you seek to be understood.”
“It's nice to be important. But it's more important to be nice.”
If you don’t hear it for yourself, it may be hard to believe Alan’s career path… He recounts an early epiphany as bag checker at the grocery store—from humble beginnings and struggling to fit in, to the very top echelons of business Alan was always guided by humility, love and service. He delves into how being grounded in your authentic self is the key to saying it skillfully (authenticity = alignment between your beliefs, values and behaviors). And Alan offers how being who you are and developing an integrated life (vs. balancing work and life) has made all the difference!
Don’t miss learning about Alan’s Working Together Strategic, Operational and Stakeholder-center System, which has underpinned his and his organizations’ success. Reference materials will be available on Molly’s LinkedIn post https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/ for you to follow...
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 195 is another edition of “Top Talks from the Top”. Do yourself a big favor and take in the many, many gems that Harry Kraemer generously shares, not least of which is tapping into the power of self-reflection. Over a 23-year career at Baxter International, he went from finance whiz literally to Chairman & CEO.
The eldest of 5, Harry recalls moving every few years as his dad was a salesman and growing up “fairly religious.” His Uncle Francis was a priest, which was his first career choice (that didn’t exactly manifest). Harry shares the pivotal moment with his to-be father-in-law that set him on a trajectory he’d never imagined! Young Harry learned how silence can be a pretty good thing, such that for the past 4+ decades, he self-reflects for 15 minutes every single day. It’s made all the difference as he doesn’t suffer from “worry, fear, anxiety, pressure, and stress!”
Harry talks openly about how to be when things are going well, AND to consider the inevitability of when things go downhill. He’s all about “no surprises”. He walks the walk of truly valuing people and relationships and recollects fondly the opportunity to be constantly meeting people and learning from them in the 140 countries Baxter operated in. I’ve never known anyone to thrive as much in relating human to human!
Don’t be surprised how Harry’s people focus contributed to his ascent at Baxter (something he NEVER envisioned). And his values-based leadership made any “tough talks” less so! Hear how he embraced his privilege and responsibility to set an example of what a good person to his 55,000 team members.
You’ll be better for tuning into this refreshing conversation. Harry inspires 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 very bes...
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 194 features callers earlier in their professional careers and what’s top of mind for them.
My first caller, Henry, is right out of college and into his first ever full-time job! He’s wondering about approaching superiors and peers, how to bring up new ideas, find ways to shine and add in a meaningful way to the culture. Hear the incredible maturity of someone new to the workforce (and enjoy a hit of optimism for the future of work). Henry also shares tips for how organizations ensure they don’t miss out on top talent!
Then Robert, who’s been working about nine years, opens up about leaving a company when he realized he wasn’t perceived or treated the way he wanted to be (after attempting to turn things around). Should he have tried harder to change groups vs. change jobs? Did he leave in the right way? We revisit his experience and talk about what he might have considered and what to take into his new role (26:45).
Tune in and hear what’s top of mind for early-in-career professionals—learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself.
Molly’s thought for the week: Do or do not. There is no try. —Yoda
And for leaders, please don’t miss taking Molly’s 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s a link for free 24-hr access
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mollytschang_sayitskillfully-communicationskills-passion-activity-7099873982077657088-L-qC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Hope it helps you to lead to your full potential. Happy learning!
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 193 Molly’s guest is Nashville Hall of Fame singer-songwriter, Tony Arata, and his unexpected journey to the limelight of his craft, without that ever being his intention.
Being “last of the litter” with 4 older siblings, Tony shares, “my parents were the best role models ever… mom with a 5th, and dad, a 3rd grade education.” Pivotal moments are a theme—a chance gift of a $50 guitar from his brother with a treasure trove of all his siblings’ albums are what ignited Tony’s musical interest and “fancying to be songwriter.” Hear how Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T and 11th grade English teacher Sally Scott putting Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath in his hands were pivotal in his epiphany: “Songs come from people, not the radio or albums.”
Moving from Columbia, SC to Tybee, GA in 11th grade, Tony recalls, “I had no friends in Tybee; my guitar and music were my friends.” He learned by voraciously listening to music and reading lyrics. Chuckle as you hear how Tony (journalism major in college) lied his way to his first job as writer… about buses. And the rest is history. A few of many gems:
True peace is found when doing what you enjoy for no other reason than it helps define you and brings you peace
That kid learning to play guitar at Tybee island is the same old man amazed by the 12 notes and 26 letters. This world of music is an ever evolving process….Nobody says, “I’ve arrived”.
Music is my peace, my outlet – I never had to ask permission from anyone (to write music)
… do it regardless of fame—no hollow pursuit—waiting on validation to come from somewhere else.
Tony gives insight into his creative process: “Write for the best idea, best song you can at the time.” And watching a lot of people “break the rules” made all the difference. He talks about his cherished family, including...
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 192 is proof our passions in life can come seemingly out of nowhere. Molly’s friend Mark Axelowitz takes us behind the scenes of his life journey—making his way to and excelling in a Wall Street career and then (when least expected) a surprise acting career, starring opposite none other than Robert De Niro three times!
When Mark was 9, his father lost the entire family savings in the stock market. All 4 kids had no choice but to work. Mark delivered newspapers and caddied, and it was his flourishing landscaping business over a decade that covered his clothes, cars and saving for college. He recalls the deep embarrassment—worst house, worst car, having almost no furniture. While his father, who lived until 101, said losing everything was the best thing that could have happened because he had 4 children who weren’t spoiled, Mark learned at a young age the necessity of making money.
Staying home for college was the only option, taking 3 jobs: mowing lawns, packing trucks for UPS and working in the Hofstra computer center. Hear Mark recount his early roles and never looking back after his brash foray onto Wall Street. He became a top financial advisor, working with many of the most successful hedge funds, private equity funds and key players in entertainment. I won’t spoil how Mark’s 2nd career in acting transpired—you have to hear it to believe it. Don’t miss how Mark epitomizes leaning into discomfort (a.k.a. freakin’ out) as the path to growth.
Married 34 years, in business with a partner he’s known 43, relationships have been Mark’s bedrock, as has serving his community. Mark shares (while not his intention) “100%—I owe my success to giving back … without philanthropy I’d never have met Ray Dalio, Bill Ackman, … or been an actor.”
The moral of Mark’s amazing journey: “helping...
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 191 is a juicy one: handling when leaders bad mouth one another and won’t embrace change in themselves, and a candid conversation re: big corporate communication blunders—is the pendulum on inclusion swinging too far … anything the rank and file might do?
Molly’s first caller Mary is a clear example of “being part of the solution”. Prioritizing creating 1:1 connections, no surprise she’s trusted by folks senior and junior—they tell it like it is to her. She shares her frustration with the authoritative/directive style of a leader (that’s not serving him or the team), and flagrant “bad behaviors” of leaders that everyone knows don’t get along! Molly offers options to take this head on.
Then Phyllis calls in with how she can approach her CEO and co-founder, who unapologetically treats junior staff in ways where they don’t feel respected. She and Molly discuss how to ascertain what drives the CEO, enabling Phyllis to confront the situation and serve both the organization’s culture and its ability to deliver both financial results and social impact (23:50).
Next Gary bravely raises the elephant on the table—when a big corporate campaign intended to advocate for greater inclusion falls completely flat, so much so that the fall-out results in very bad PR, brand damage and plummeting sales. The conversation turns to how such “catastrophes” happen and what brave souls can do to potentially avoid such impending train crashes. They get real about understandable fear “white males” have about using their voices and how to settle the pendulum swing to perhaps less extremes (33:50).
Molly’s thought for the week:
You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restrai...
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 190 professionals who know their boundaries call in with how they’re willing to “say no” when something is not ok and to make career transitions to stay true to themselves! Working in IT, Alex calls in about a dodgy situation in which his boss and boss’s boss are at odds—with Alex in the middle (sigh). “Transparency is our friend” proves again to be the answer. Hear how transparency of both bosses’ “radio silence” also helped Alex make a brave, and right, call to leave a culture that wasn’t consistent with his values. Hear how he let one door close to open an unexpected new one, and has not looked back!
Then Mary, who has worked in many aspects of healthcare, takes us through her own epiphany working for an executive who seemed to have two very different personalities (warm and harsh). Crediting her foray into studying (and teaching) mindfulness, she shares how she was able to deliberately step back—with an open heart— and pivot her approach with this leader to create a dramatically different relationship, both 1:1 and in group meetings. Mary also shares how she made the call to leave a “bad boss” (22:40).
Finally, Tony, who works in the public sector, opens up about his own journey as he’s a “leader of leaders” and developing what that looks like. He’s candid about his areas of growth—ceding control, setting expectations and engendering trust. In building Tony’s team, he and Molly talk about vulnerability as a must for trust, and connecting as human beings (all with strengths and weaknesses) to support each other’s success. “Measuring” our degree of connection/relationship also came up, and Molly offers ways to consider this both quantitatively and qualitatively (39:20). Enjoy these thought-provoking conversations—learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to y...
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 189 is the 38th 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, you’ll 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, Molly is joined by Abeer Abu Ghaith, a champion in social activism and creating economic opportunities for her fellow Palestinians and people in the MENA region through her entrepreneurial ventures and technological knowledge. Abeer joins the show to share her story, living in a refugee camp until age 12 and being in a conflict zone the majority of her life. She opens up about personal struggles and the ups and downs of being the “first high-tech women entrepreneur” in Palestine. Don’t miss insights from a bright soul who sees doors where others see walls. Abeer inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard.
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 188, Molly’s
long-time friend and former Cisco colleague Larry McManus shares how he made a mid-career change from big corporate life to running his own show, and has never looked back!
As a youth, Larry learned work ethos and drive to chart his own path. His dad, growing up poor in NYC and trained as a doctor through the US Army, was very hard on him and 3 siblings; his mom provided business sense as the firm household manager. Moving 5 times in just 7-½ years, Larry learned adapting and starting over. This was also reinforced by a pivotal time in 7th grade. Partners of his father’s medical practice reneged on their promise to make him partner. At that point, his parents chose to control their destiny—to leave Columbia, SC for the town of Newbury and start a private practice.
Struggling in school with the prospect of a nightmare 8th grade, Larry made the ask to be in Newbury before the rest of the family joined. He recounts fondly of being roommates with his dad. They lived just above the office and Larry did the cooking! Entrepreneurship was part of growing up. Larry and his brother always had money-making schemes, like collecting aluminum cans out of golf course trash cans or selling golf balls, and learned first-hand about financing a business as their parents signed a 13% note!
Following his father’s footsteps, Larry opens up about facing that medicine was NOT going to be his thing, and how to tell his dad. Thanks to cultivating strong mentors, Larry got his real estate license during college. Don’t miss his remarkable ascent from intern to managing his mentors’ firm at age 20—the power of speaking up! More twists and turns led Larry to international real estate and then into mergers and acquisitions! Always, his keen business sense, practical problem-solving, and str...
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 187 is the 37th 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. In this episode, Molly is joined by Farhana Hasan, a technology and data specialist who was a senior leader in global aviation for almost 20 years. At Delta Air Lines she led the technology implementation for partnership development, responsible for technology implementation with 23 different airlines around the world. She joins the show to talk about her journey and give an inside look at HerWILL, which she founded to highlight and elevate talented women for better opportunities. Don’t miss insights from a long-time leader and advocate for women. Farhana inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: When there’s a WILL, there’s a 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. Episode 186 features Brian Requarth, who joins the show to share his rollercoaster entrepreneurial journey, including the ups and downs of co-founding Viva Real, which faced early fundraising problems, saw Brian step down as CEO to be more present in his family life, and eventually sold for over $600 million. He also talks about what he’s up to nowadays, such as how he enables other entrepreneurs to succeed. Don’t miss insights from his long career, including the importance of being comfortable with rejection (which he learned from working a telemarketer job), how necessity forces creative solutions, and the power of vulnerability and transparency as an entrepreneur. Brian inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: If you want money, ask for advice; if you want advice, ask for money. We don’t get there alone.
