232 Say It Skillfully® – Thando Lamula, Fealess Outward to Fearless Within

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