SAY IT SKILLFULLY

What if your words could change everything? What if the way you say something is just as important as what you say?

This week, I'm handing over the reins of my newsletter to someone who embodies the very heart of Design the Life You Love—my dear friend and communication expert, Molly Tschang .

Molly's new book, Say It Skillfully – Speak Up. Make Your Words Matter. Win Together is a powerful guide to using your voice with clarity, courage, and compassion. She shares stories, tools, and truths that help us all become more authentic and effective communicators.

I first met Molly through our mutual mentor Marshall Goldsmith, but it wasn't until years later, through our thoughtful podcast conversation (listen here) and professional collaborations, that our friendship truly blossomed. Molly sees people. She listens deeply. And she speaks with intention and grace. I'm honored to celebrate her debut as an author and proud to share her voice with you today.

Say It Skillfully is now the #1 new release in Behavioral Psychologyon  Amazon (YAY!) where you can get the e-book version today. You can learn more about her approach at sayitskillfully.com. And the best gift you can give Molly is a 5-star review on Amazon to help her reach her broader audience.

Now, over to Molly…

What if you communicated with empathy, authenticity, and creative insight? Well, you'd be in the wonderful company of Ayse! She has generously offered me this edition of her newsletter to celebrate the release of my first book, Say It Skillfully – Speak Up. Make Your Words Matter. Win Together. The book is only possible standing on the shoulders of giants: my coauthor, the mighty Marshall Goldsmith with a foreword by Ken Blanchard and epilogue by Alan Mulally.

As Ayse mentioned, I met her in Fall 2017 as part of Marshall's coaching club. Her reputation as an industrial design, thought leader, and innovator made her immediately impressive. For years, I admired her work from afar. I witnessed how Ayse masterfully navigated her professional evolution—from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, from product design to life design—all while applying the same design principles to her communication style and professional relationships.

Earlier this year, Ayse joined me on my podcast, an experience that elevated our professional connection to a new level of mutual appreciation. 

Ayse exemplifies how effective communication is a design practice: she prototypes conversations, iterates on feedback, and creates space for meaningful connection. Her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity while maintaining her authentic voice makes her a perfect example of the principles in my book.

The intersection of design thinking and skillful communication creates a powerful framework. Just as Ayse teaches that designing your life involves intentional choices and creative problem-solving, learning how and when to use your voice is equally transformative—benefiting your professional relationships, your career trajectory, and your leadership impact.

I can speak firsthand to how empowering and game-changing the ability to Say It Skillfully is. As someone who grew up painfully shy—not speaking English until age 5 and earning straight C's in 1st grade—I was once very unskillful in how I communicated. I'm living proof that this is indeed a learnable skill and can attest to the professional advantages unleashed when you can authentically express yourself and address challenges skillfully.

It's remarkable that what I consider your #1 professional success factor isn't something we're typically taught in school or at work. Effective communication is the ultimate currency in today's business environment. It builds trusted professional relationships, drives innovation, and creates collaborative success—and it's a team sport where everyone plays a role.

When you Say It Skillfully, professional performance improves and everyone wins. Here's to designing the communications—and the life—you love!

Molly Tschang

INSPIRATION

Molly Tschang LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/