025: When Conversations Get Hard: How to Achieve Skillful Communication Under Pressure with Molly Tschang

Molly Tschang—the mastermind behind Say it Skillfully and Abella Consulting—shares her journey in guiding executives through complex changes and fostering team cohesion. Her work in over 80 mergers and acquisitions at high-profile companies like Cisco and US Filter underscores her expertise and passion for effective communication. Molly's bestselling book, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, "Say it Skillfully: Speak Up, Make Your Words Matter, Win Together," further cements her reputation as a catalyst for personal and professional transformation. Our conversation explores her achievements as a TEDx speaker and her dedication to organizations like Community Solutions and NetHope, highlighting her commitment to positive impact. Throughout our discussion, we reflect on personal growth through adversity and the development of confidence. I recount my own college struggles, the pivotal decision not to transfer, and the unexpected job offer from IBM that altered my career path. These stories illustrate the importance of embracing challenges, balancing ambition with emotional well-being, and leveraging skillful communication. We also examine the power of aligning personal values with organizational culture and how embracing the "Say it Skillfully" framework empowers individuals to tackle tough conversations with confidence. In this episode, you will hear: Molly Tschang's journey from personal adversity to becoming a transformative leader and communication expert The creation and impact of "Say it Skillfully" as a framework for effective communication The role of effective communication in successful mergers and acquisitions at companies like Cisco Balancing ambition with emotional well-being and embracing challenges for personal growth Navigating career shifts, taking calculated risks, and the value of mentorship and professional development The importance of aligning personal values with organizational culture for authentic leadership Resources from this Episode As mentioned, love to offer all your subscribers free access to my mini-audiobook sneak peek of the simple and powerful "Me—You—We" framework—a game-changer for expressing yourself skillfully and listening with intention.  https://sayitskillfully.zoundy.com/me-you-we1  Website: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/  Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.