Say It Skillfully, featuring Molly Tschang

Molly Tschang doesn’t sugarcoat it: most workplaces don’t suffer from a lack of talent—they suffer from people holding back what they really think. In this episode, host Dr. Michelle K. Johnston sits down with Molly—co-author of Say It Skillfully with Marshall Goldsmith—to talk about the real reason teams stall: disconnection, fear, and leaders who unknowingly make it unsafe to speak up. Michelle and Molly also explore seismic shifts in leadership: the rise of leaders willing to lead when it’s inconvenient, and the growing urgency for workplaces where truth can be spoken without punishment. Molly ends with a mic-drop reminder for anyone feeling stuck: you have choices—find environments that deserve you, then bring your full voice to the table.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome + meet Molly Tschang and Say It Skillfully
01:28 Molly’s origin story: belonging, shyness, and finding her voice
03:45 Cornell, chemical engineering, and early identity pressure
05:40 The IBM pivot: choosing growth over the bigger paycheck
07:35 Deloitte consulting + the power of learning through people
08:30 U.S. Filter: integrating acquisitions and leading through change
10:02 Burnout, “In Transition,” and getting connected to yourself
11:01 Cisco’s heyday: high trust teams and “set the container”
13:22 Philanthropy, Ethiopia/Uganda, and a perspective-reset on work
16:39 Relationship systems coaching and the role of vulnerability
18:10 Abella Consulting: helping senior teams “Win as One”
18:26 Meeting Marshall Goldsmith + the videos that took off
23:03 Radio show to podcast: reverse-engineering the skillful model
26:32 Connection, empathy, and why it starts within
29:10 When it isn’t safe: choosing workplaces that deserve you
32:41 Seismic shifts in leadership + courage at every level
37:14 Final advice: the energy you bring is the message
39:00 Wrap + where to find the book

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

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Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/ 

What is The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston?

Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. I’m your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of today’s top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift.