Dive into the complete episode list for UpSkill Talks. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
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07 Feb 2022
UpSkill — Black Futures Month (A Special Episode)
00:09:31
As we move forward into Black Futures Month, we wanted to take a moment to share a special poem with you.
In this episode, Michel shares her original piece, "The Time Is Now".
This piece was crafted for the inaugural Black Futures Month ceremony at George Brown College, and we are thrilled to share it with you now.
Thank you for listening, sharing and, of course, your continued support of UpSkill Talks and the UpSkill Community.
Over the past few episodes, we've discussed in length, the necessary steps to SET effective goals.
Now, it's time to GET those goals!
In this episode, Michel breaks down the action required to truly GET goals.
Goal-getting, in relation to goal-setting, is like having a strategy, and then the tactics used to implement that strategy.
It's shifting from where you ARE to where you want to BE, and all the steps it takes to get there.
As discussed in previous episodes, the most important part of setting goals, is having a clearly defined purpose. While this purpose is so important in setting goals, it really becomes important when taking action to get these goals.
Goal getting, is very much like a journey.
With a journey, we know where we are going and the direction to get there. We also know that the destination is prized and one to savor. However, along the way, there are disruptions and distractions. All the time, we face reasons to stop, or turn around or not continue.
And for many of us, this is when we "give up" on our goals.
Effective goal-getting, when tied to our purpose, is the reason we do it EVERY DAY. The reason we take action, small steps even, to achieve our most important goals. And yes, reach our destination.
At Upskill Community, we stand with you every day to help you along your journey of GETTING YOUR GOALS!
Thank you for listening and sharing!
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#18: UpSkill — Choosing The Right People (To Help You GET Your Goals)
00:12:00
One of the most important factors in achieving success with your goals is choosing the right people.
In this episode, Michel shares from her book, UpSkill: Soft Skills and Professional Development Essentials, the FIVE crucial steps in getting your goals.
The first four steps, such as aligning your goals with your purpose, have been extensively covered in the previous episodes.
However, the fifth step, is so important to consider: How to choose the right people to help you get your goals.
As leaders, we are tasked with reaching our goals inside our organization. And when we look around, specifically at the hiring process, it's easy to see how the selection (and sometimes the dismissal) of people is directly tied into our organizations' goals.
When you think of your goal, think of who you will need to support you to get there.
Who will help you bear the load, walk the road, share the pain, ensure you don’t forget your commitment to yourself or open a critical door for you. These are the people you choose to help you get your goals.
Making people decisions isn’t about removing everyone from your life...
It is about making sure you have sufficient people supporting your goals - and limiting the number of people that get in the way of your goals.
At UpSkill Community, we are those important people, to help you set and get your goals.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#19: UpSkill — Building a Team (To Help You Get Your Goals)
00:09:09
As you are looking to GET YOUR GOALS, we discussed in the last episode, surrounding yourself with the right people.
Now...we build a team.
In this episode, Michel shares how incredibly powerful having a team can be to help you get your goals.
In the world of boxing, we see one person fighting in the ring, but in reality, it's an entire TEAM that helps a boxer get there.
Selecting a team to support your goals is like fighting in the ring where you are responsible for all the actions on fight day. However, you know you have your people in your corner, cheering you on, reminding you of the actions to take even when you are so engaged in the fight that you can’t think.
The right team supports you, reviews your process with you and helps you plan next steps together. They hold you accountable to do better next time. They give you opportunities to practice, they provide a sounding board, and they ensure you don’t forget about your goals.
So, who do you need to be on your team to help you get your goals?
Michel continues in this episode to share the importance of choosing these people wisely.
While a team is so beneficial, a poorly-selected team can send you in the wrong direction.
At UpSkill Community, we are part of your team. Helping you, assisting you and keeping you accountable to GET YOUR GOALS!
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#20: UpSkill — Your Goals Live Outside of Your Comfort Zone
00:11:41
You might have heard the saying from Neale Donald Walsch, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
The same can be said for your goals.
In this episode, Michel shares how one of the biggest challenges between you and your goals, is the comfort zone you currently live in.
We all have comfort zones, whether it's our friends, our current financial situation, our job and more. Yet, as we look inside, we all want to achieve more. Even the world's biggest billionaires are still setting goals to go higher! (literally!)
However, we struggle to achieve our goals because we are afraid to leave our comfort zone. For many of us, this is where imposter syndrome comes in.
You might say to yourself, "I am not good enough" "I am not smart enough" "I will never reach that goal"
We all have that voice inside, and it's time to break through that voice - through our comfort zone - and go get our goals!
And the good news, your comfort zone will always be here for you. It's exactly the place to come back to when you want to assess and take inventory of your progress.
But, to make the progress, bust out of your comfort zone!!!
At UpSkill Community, we offer a supportive community to help you take each step as you embark outside of your comfort zone.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
With every goal you are going after, there will be a price.
In this episode, Michel asks the question, "what price are you willing to pay to get your goals?"
When you set a new goal, you must ask yourself what are you willing to do to get that goal? Or, what are you willing to give up to get that goal? What changes must you make to your life to make these goals achievable?
This is the price of getting your goals.
You might need to change your daily habits or how you spend your time. You might need to spend time away from family or stop wasting time on things like social media or Netflix.
When you reflect on your goal getting - what price have you been unwilling to pay in the past? What price did you find it easy to pay?
Many times, as Michel shares in this episode, our unwillingness to pay the price is what ultimately keeps us from getting our goals.
As Thomas Jefferson famously said, "If you want something you have never had, you’ve got to do something you have never done."
All goals have a price, are you willing to pay it to get to your goals?
At Upskill Community, we know there is a price for every goal, and we are here to support you to help you always get your goals.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#22: UpSkill — Emotional Awareness, Will Smith & The Importance of Six Seconds (1 of 2)
00:16:24
Anywhere human beings show up is a space filled with emotions.
Emotions formed from our backgrounds, values and our experiences.
In this timely and poignant episode, Michel looks out the "Will Smith Incident" through the lens of emotional awareness.
What are emotions?
Emotions are simply a class of feelings that sends us signals about what is happening around us.
Under normal circumstances, our emotions are easy to observe and control.
However, emotions rise as they get closer and closer to our boundaries.
And once an emotion meets a boundary, anger presents itself. Sometimes leading to violence.
The first six seconds of an emotional experience is a physiological involuntary response. But, after the first six seconds, we are back 100% in control of our emotions.
Additionally, Michel shares a powerful strategy to navigating these situations as they might rise for you.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of UpSkill Talks.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#23: UpSkill — Emotional Awareness (2 of 2): Chris Rock and Taking Control
00:18:21
As leaders, we are expected to always maintain control.
But what happens when we are (literally) slapped in the face?
In this episode, Michel looks at the incident at the Academy Awards from Chris Rock's perspective.
In order to control your emotions, no matter the situation, start by identifying your emotions.
When we see others who are "emotionally aware", what are the qualities we admire?
This is a great process for identifying your (and others) emotions.
It might seem obvious to identify our emotions, but according to research done by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, “only 36% of people can identify the emotions they experience.”
What are some emotions you notice?
When do you notice them?
If you were "slapped in the face" (whatever that might mean for you) would you be able to maintain control?
Loss of control is not a goal.
This is why you must have strategies when your emotions kick in.
Michel continues by sharing her "ISMS" framework, to help you, "identify", "strategize", "manage" and "share" challenging emotional moments.
Or simply remembered as, "I Steer Myself"
Emotions do not define you, you define your emotions.
UpSkill Community is a place where leaders come together for support and navigating emotional awareness.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#24: UpSkill — Preparing For Scrutiny, a Simple Strategy For Leadership
00:13:48
The leadership journey is a mixed bundle of wonderful experiences and some very unique challenges.
And no challenge greater, than the scrutiny that comes from those we lead.
In this episode, Michel shares a simple, but incredibly effective strategy to help navigate situations where scrutiny is "thrown" at us by those we are meant to encourage and inspire.
As leaders, we often have made the intentional choice to "move up the ladder" to take on a leadership role.
However, this ladder is never a linear path, it is more of a "lattice" framework that takes us up and down, and sometimes navigating through different positions, and even careers.
And along this journey to leadership, we receive scrutiny that, if we are not prepared for, can make this journey very challenging.
In order to properly deal with this scrutiny, so that we might lead effectively, we must learn of very personal, and powerful set of skills.
Michel shares in this episode, that when we are "thrown" scrutiny, one of the most powerful tools is our ability to pause.
First pause.
Then listen.
Then notice.
Taking these moments, when we receive (often times unsolicited) feedback, will allow us to calmly, and effectively, lead.
Are you looking for additional support on your leadership journey?
We invite you to join the UpSkill Community, where leaders receive tools and feedback to navigate these, and all, trying situations.
Thank you for listening and sharing!
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#25: Upskill — Leadership Lessons Series, Leadership Is A Long Distance Journey (1 of 3)
00:15:26
This episode, begins a five-part series on Leadership Lessons that you can take with you to become better leaders in this new world.
Leadership is not a sprint, it's a marathon.
In this episode, Michel shares her reflections on the 2022 Boston Marathon and parallels how today's leaders, must be like the runners in this marathon.
The Boston Marathon requires a lot of experience before you can even apply. You must have run many marathons prior and be a skilled marathon runner.
And these marathon runners know that it is a long journey. 26.2 miles to be exact.
For leaders, it is also a long, sometimes tumultuous, but very rewarding journey.
To truly master leadership, one must know that this journey does not have a destination. You are always learning, gaining new skills, learning new ways to lead and inspire others.
We are entering a new leadership space that requires more of us. The old ways of leading may not cut in in this new world order. And around every corner, is a new challenge just waiting to test our resolve and our ability to lead.
But as challenges come and go, great leaders have a marathoner's mindset.
To succeed, you cannot have a sprinter's mindset, you must know that the journey is long. And just as runner's prepare their whole life for the Boston Marathon, you have been preparing your whole life... for this.
Looking for the tools to help you run the marathon of leadership?
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#26: UpSkill — Leadership Lessons Series, the Need For Sprints (2 of 3)
00:13:15
As leaders, we must see our journey as a marathon, but also have the skills needed for sprints.
In this second part of a five-part series, Michel continues the parallels of our leadership journey, to the 2022 Boston Marathon.
Developing leadership skills is like interval training. While you are on a marathon, you have the need for sprints.
These sprints can be a quick burst of new ideas, fresh perspectives and exposure or experiences outside your comfort zone.
These sprints don't change that you are on a long-distance journey, as we discussed in the previous episode, they simply give you a "burst" of new information when needed.
Where are you on your journey now?
Do you need a sprint? A new set of experiences to help you upskill and lead in this ever-changing world?
If so, take a sprint! Ramp up your energy, refocus, disrupt your thinking, reimagine...
Whatever you choose to do, however you choose to do it...be your own disruptor!
And always know, we are here to be your guide and offer a strong community of leaders.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#27: UpSkill — Leadership Lessons Series, the Role of Your Environment (3 of 3)
00:16:59
This episode is the 3rd in a five-part series examining leadership lessons and the parallels from the 2022 Boston Marathon.
This year, like many, many years previous, the winners of the Boston Marathon were from Kenya.
As a matter of fact, the winner of the elite women's category (Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya) became the first athlete in history to win the NYC, Boston and Olympic Marathon titles.
In this episode, Michel explores the incredibly important role our environment plays in how we lead and create a culture moving forward in our new world.
In Kenya, the environment is "perfect" for running and training to run long distance. Runners from around the world train in this environment.
Yet why, year after year, it's the Kenyans that continue to win?
Looking closer, as Michel does in this episode, shows that running is not just a "thing" people train for, but it's a way of life. From childhood, through teens and as adults, people run.
They simply run everywhere.
Running is their environment. It is their way of life.
As leaders, how are you creating an environment, where the culture breeds success?
How are you creating the intangibles and the environment (that can't be measured) to create cultures in this new world?
At UpSkill Community, we support you in creating an environment, that as a leader, you know that your team will flourish.
And thank you for listening and sharing!
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#28: UpSkill — It's Time to Think About Your Thinking
00:09:38
So much buzz about innovative, critical, creative thinking. But what is thinking? And how do you do it?
In this episode Michel invites you to think about your thinking.
She shares a story of a mother whose three year old daughter Samantha asked a simply question, “why” that mommy couldn’t answer. Mommy had to call grandma for the answer because she was not actually thinking about what she was doing.
The goal of this episode is to help you think more intentionally as a leader.
Michel poses some challenging questions for reflecting on your thinking.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#30: UpSkill — Some things are better learned by experience, exposure or engagement
00:12:48
You may have heard the popular saying that some things cannot be taught, they must be learned or experienced.
Some things will only become clear when we engage in it ourselves. When we give ourselves the opportunity to be enlightened, to shift our mindset, to open up our frame of reference, to disrupt our usual ways of doing things.
In this episode Michel shares an experience she recently had, which brings home the message that somethings cannot be taught, they must be experienced.
Michel attended a three day long wedding celebration including Hindu, non-religious and a Christian elements.
Michel labels the event as a masterclass in how we should be consider living. It highlights the level of openness that we need and the way that love cuts across religious, racial and other boundaries.
Carefully designed experiences allow us to shift from being quick to reject, resent or fight against ideas to authentically connecting with each other. When we engage and share stories we learn how we are actually so much more similar than we are different. We learn to appreciate our differences.
These opportunities for engagements, and experiences that bring people together from disparate places, to recognize that we are a lot more similar than we are different are among the recommendations Michel makes in this episode.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
In this episode, Michel invites us to take a moment to reflect on our goals as we come to the middle of the year.
She suggests we go back and think about the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year provides some questions consider:
How am I doing on the goals that I've set myself at the beginning of the year, now that I'm at the midway point.
Do they provide a transformation? Do they make my life better? Do they move me forward? Do they make me feel better? Do they impact the lives of others? Do they bring about change in my community, family, world?
Consider if you are setting goals that don’t require you to stretch? Can you update your goals to make them stretch you a little bit more?
Then she invites us to take a moment to reflect on our process so far this year.
What's working well for you?
What you need to do to make it better?
What is getting in the way?
She shares her own personal reflection to help us see how we may be unconsciously telling ourselves stories that affect goal attainment.
So whatever you're doing right now, Michel invites us to pause. We're only at the mid year. If we start to pick up the pace, if we start to make changes right now, and if we refocus, we can really UpSkill our goal setting process, our goals, our achievements to achieve more by year end.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
In this episode Michel encourages us to run our own race, walk our own path and pursue our own journey.
She shares the story of a pregnant elephant and a dog to highlight why we shouldn’t compare our journey with others.
This episode is jammed packed with tips and motivation to helps us run our own race including these:
Define the race you run based on who you are, don’t compete with anyone else
Make sure to take time to understand the value of your own race
Know who you are and know the nature of your skills, goals and method of work
Run the race. Take the necessary actions to stay on track
Be aware of the field that you're running against in this race.
Michel invites you to be clear on who you are and the quality of the goals that you are producing. Determine if you are in this to produce a few elephants or many puppies.
The race you run is up to you. Which race are you running?
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#33: UpSkill — 5 Lessons Loss Can Teach us About How to Lead
00:16:00
In this episode, Michel discusses five lessons that loss can teach us about how to lead. She shares that last July, she lost her mom to stage four cancer. In December, she lost her aunt in law to stage four cancer and then in May she lost another aunt in law to stage four cancer.
Just three of the painful losses she chose to highlight. This episode could be entitled how cancer took so much from her last year or some variation on that.
Instead, she takes the opportunity to share the top 5 lessons she learned about how we can better lead based on what loss teaches. Michel admits she is speaking to herself as much as she is sharing these reflections and lessons with you:
Create a Culture of gratitude
Create a Culture of well being. Unplug from time to time. Do good for your people.
Culture of care, compassion, empathy, forgiveness. Give yourself and others wiggle room. Difference between big and small issues and create an environment to make mistakes and take risks.
Create greater connection and community by building deeper relationships with more people. Your legacy is all about people. Build connections, learn from each other, share best practices, tips and tricks. We belong to each other.
Do it now. Time flies. This calls for bold leadership. Do the things you want to do but are scared to do. Don't get caught sleeping, wake up and lead.
Michel has learned is that there will always be something coming up. So she wants to encourage you to step forward with a bolder leadership coming out of this pandemic, coming out of such great loss globally. Coming out of any personal losses you may have experienced as well.
Leadership is shifting. leadership is demanding more. Let us go out and connect more with people. Let us deepen the relationships that we have. Let's extend the community we're a part of. Let's include more people. Let's get to know them, not just their names. Let's go deeper to learn about their stories, to see how we connect with each other. And let's move this ball forward.
What was the nature of your losses over the past couple years? What lessons did you learn that can inform our leadership?
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#34: UpSkill — Get the Mindset to Unpack Your BEST Post Pandemic Self!
00:09:17
The ground shifted! It shifted for you, for me, for all of us.
People became more aware of some of the social issues, mental health, social justice, wellbeing, care community, a sense of belonging, more awareness of the importance of those at work. More awakenness about the inequities around us. Different attitudes, emerged about all of the things that became more clear. People began to hold us more accountable, particularly us as leaders, much more accountable. For how we do our work and certainly hold us accountable for taking action. Those are just some of the things that shifted.
In this episode Michel highlights that most of these shifts took place below the surface. She encourages us as leaders to always remember and pay attention to context to reduce risks.
It's always important to understand context. It is even more essential coming out of this pandemic. Nothing is the way you left it. Not the environments you used to frequent, not the people you are speaking with. They're not the same, even though they may appear the same above the surface, much of what's shifted has shifted below the surface.
Check your mindset to be better prepared for what’s ahead.
Take five and set aside time to think about what can you do differently? How will you do it differently and what will be the benefit of doing it differently? Take time to identify areas where you have a fixed mindset and then intentionally shift it. These are the riskiest areas for leaders if we don’t identify them before others do. Consider the system of mindsets that you're going to cultivate to help you unpack your best post pandemic self.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#35: UpSkill — Perspective Taking is the Key to Communicating and Partnering
00:10:21
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place, according to George Bernard Shaw.
In this episode, Michel shares that sometimes you think you've communicated your point, but the message has not been received or understood, the meaning has not been transferred because what you said is not what was received. Communication requires us to exchange information and meaning through a common system.
The challenge with a common system is that we all have different stories about the world. We all have different backgrounds. We all take in different information and we interpret the information in our own unique ways according to the book, "Difficult Conversations." She shares her own personal story that highlights how this is a challenge for communication.
One key skill that helps us to develop this common system of exchanging meaning is perspective taking.
This is using alternative points of view. Entertaining, incorporating, inviting different perspectives. A perspective is a lens. It's a frame. If it is an angle. It's a way of seeing. Our thoughts are limited by that frame, by our lenses. It's very important for us to always be thinking about strategies to broaden our thinking, to explore multiple ways of seeing.
Perspective taken is a skill and it can be learned. Michel provides many tips to develop perspective taking.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#36: UpSkill — Effective Communication Requires Style Flexing
00:12:00
Communication Rule #1: Communicate with others they way they want to be communicated with. You wouldn't communicate with a child the same way you communicate with an interviewer. You should not communicate with everybody the same way.
In this episode Michel shares that your capacity to communicate is often seen as an indicator of ability, intelligence, competence, confidence. It's one of the most important tools for professional and personal success. It helps you to influence others.
Influence is critical to success whether you're doing sales, leadership, or you just want to get things done. When you overlook the importance of these keys in the communication process, poor communication is the result. Poor communication is usually a symptom of another problem. That's why we talk about context.
As a master communicator you need to develop the skill to flex your style, to meet other's needs. Communication is interactive, iterative, inclusive. It's flexing your style and dialoging.
Asking questions, sharing stories, filtering noise, filtering ego, filtering emotions, shifting your mindset and perspectives very frequently and be intentional about improving the way you communicate with others are among the tips Michel shares in this value packed episode.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#37: UpSkill —Partnering and Communicating as a Leader
00:09:29
You are the part in partner. You are part of something bigger than yourself. Part of a team, an organization, part of a community, part of something much bigger. And so when you recognize yourself as part, then you understand the importance of partner in because you do not complete the puzzle.
In this episode, Michel shares that as a leader you're going to be held accountable to create, to cultivate a culture of wellbeing, one that provides equitable inclusive employee experiences, one that's adaptable, accountable and provides employee development opportunities.
That's no ordinary undertaken and therefore leadership is more than anything else.
This form of leadership is about the influence process. No one leader can create all of those environments. Leaders have to share leadership across the organization with a team of self leaders. Who also influence the process towards the vision and the goal and towards cultivating that culture.
They work together to create spaces for experimentation, exploration, education; spaces to make mistakes, to failures, spaces for peer leadership, spaces for shared leadership and spaces for connection and partnership.
In order to be able to communicate and partner effectively, we have to be very good self leaders. We have to be able to communicate and partner within our teams, across teams, across organizations, across stakeholder groups, and as the world shifts, relationship demands shifts and people's styles and preferences shift.
Michel encourages you to get obsessed with partnering. Partner across culture, partner, across department, across interest groups, across geographic lines. Communicate in the language of partnership, and intentionally pursue meaningful partnerships.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for:
#38: UpSkill — The Gap Between What We Intend to Communicate and What is Actually Communicated
00:09:17
Michel encourages leaders to be mindful when communicating, particularly because of the power positions you hold that sometimes your intent and your impact are not the same.
Intent is how you think or feel and impact is how your words, decisions, actions, make others feel.
We are not communicating to blank slates and the processor that the other person uses is shaded by their own experiences, by mistakes that others have made, by bad experiences, by their lived experiences, childhood trauma and so on.
These all affect how your message is processed. Be mindful of that. Our intent is transparent to us so we assume it's equally clear to others and that our message is received in the same spirit.
When we cut off someone, we expect them to be gracious to us because it's an honest mistake. When someone else cuts us off, it's not an honest mistake. We call them names and we make all kinds of assumptions about why they cut us off.
This is the called the fundamental attribution error. It's a process where we judge ourselves by our intentions and we judge others by their actions.
As leaders we need to be mindful when communicating that we hold a little bit more power. Our intentions may be good, but the impact can be devastating because of the power differential.
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#39: UpSkill — Build a Sustainable Values Foundation for Your Life
00:09:20
Whatever you think, say, decide or do in life is based on your values. Values are the things we believe deeply. They affect how we live and work with others, how we treat others and how we allow ourselves to be treated by others. They impact the quality of leader that we can ever be and the quality of outcomes we will be able to get from our people.
In the episode, Michel provides clear steps to identify your values and use them to guide how conduct yourself so that you build your vision and achieve your goals on a solid foundation.
Values are the fingerprints that show up on everything we do in our work and in our world.
Core values are the set of values that define who we are. They help others to be able to predict what we're likely to think, say, decide or do in any given situation. These values define the core of who we are.
Imagine if you're building a house from scratch, you would be thinking about the design, how many features, how you'll enjoy it, how you use it, but do you ever stop to think about the kind of foundation that's necessary for this house to be stable and safe for you to use.
That's pretty much what happens when we think about our vision, we think about what we want to achieve, what it will be like, what the benefits will be and what we will be doing. Rarely do we stop to think about the values that are important to set the foundation for this vision and for our goals to be sustainable.
Core values are not easy to live by. If they were easy to live by, this is not the kind of society we would live in. Core values are however essential for improving the way we live with each other and the way we feel about ourselves.
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#40: UpSkill — Align Your Personal and Organizational Values to Improve Results
00:08:25
People have values. Organizations have values. We have to be mindful of the values of our organizations. And likewise or organizations need to be mindful of the values of its people.
In this episode, Michel tells a story of horses on a farm who avoided the electric fence. As the horses approached the fence, they began to feel the energy and so they avoid the fence because they don't want to get shocked.
Values create a boundary maintain in system like that for us. When you approach the edge of your values, such as when you feel like you're being disrespected or when you are tempted to disrespect others, you begin to feel the discomfort that comes with being close to the edge of your own values.
When we're working with others within organizations, we need to be mindful of our values. Values impact the way we work and the way we treat each other.
Research conducted by Pearson suggests that when individuals employees understand and share their organizational values, three things are likely increased engagement, increased productivity and reduced turnover.
When values are shifting this rapidly and this significantly values alignment has to be in focus. As individuals within the organization reflect, revisit and revise their personal values, needs and goals, the may likely shift out of alignment with their organization. As a result, organizations have to be in agile mode, shifting, reconsidering, revisiting, revising, and resetting values to stay in alignment with vision, with people and with the current climate.
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#41: UpSkill — How the Imposter Syndrome May be Affecting Your Work
00:12:14
According to psychology today, "people who struggle with imposter syndrome, believe that they are undeserving of their achievements. They feel that they aren't as competent or intelligent as others might think. They think people will discover the truth about them and this truth will be the opposite of what the people actually believe. Those with imposter syndrome are often well accomplished. They may even hold high office or have numerous academic degrees."
The imposter syndrome is a term coined by Dr. Pauline Rose Clance in the 1980s.
In fact, at the very beginning of research on imposter syndrome, it was only associated with high achieving women. Research subsequently found that over 70% of us suffer with imposter syndrome at some point. In fact, if you are a high achiever, the research suggests that you are 25 to 30% more likely to suffer from this imposture syndrome.
In this episode Michel discusses mindset, mentorship and other strategies to address the imposture syndrome.
She shares the story of Paul, a senior IT engineer, who has very strong communicator skills and a great ability to deliver presentations. Paul is admired by his peers and clients but doesn't agree with their assessment of his abilities because he suffers from the imposter syndrome.
Michel suggests that our ability to accurately assess ourselves will give us a better, more holistic view of our strengths, our talents alongside the areas that we need to improve.
When an organization has high achievers like Paul within it who have great skills and competencies and are held back by the imposter syndrome, it impacts Paul, it impacts his teammates and the organization.
Please go to UpSkillCommunity.com to review show notes and join a community of leaders investing in better understanding themselves so they can address the imposter syndrome in their work and lives.
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#42: UpSkill — What Does Imposter Syndrome Look Like?
00:12:55
Susan Albert of the Cleveland clinic defines imposter syndrome as the feeling that everyone else knows exactly what they're doing, but you feel lost.
Whether you are a student, recent graduate or experienced professional, imposter syndrome can affect your perception of yourself and your abilities.
Imposter syndrome may not show itself in every area of your life. It may only be among friends, it may only be at school, or maybe only at work.
In this episode, Michel shares three specific traits that are indicators of imposter syndrome. With this knowledge, you can be more mindful of where you are making fertile ground for the imposter syndrome to grow and infest other areas of your life.
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#43: UpSkill — What are the Habits of Imposter Syndrome?
00:12:58
Whether you are a student or a seasoned professional, you likely have a skill. Not just a skill, but an area of expertise that you can help teach others.
When we have imposter syndrome, we don't acknowledge these areas. We can receive compliments and plaudits but we will always try to downplay them.
Phrases like "It's not that big a deal," or "Anyone could do it" might be common phrases for someone who is struggling with imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome doesn't affect every area of our lives. You may be very confident at work, but then display imposter syndrome in your relationship. Maybe your imposter syndrome manifests in one of your hobbies, or at school.
We all have an area where it shows up. You are not alone in that regard. But, we can all take steps to shut it out and starve the imposter of the oxygen it needs to live.
In this podcast Michel shares two specific habits of people with imposter syndrome. See where these habits might be showing up in your life. Identify them, and follow our guidelines for fixing them.
Please go to UpSkillCommunity.com to review show notes and join a community of leaders investing in better understanding themselves so they can address the imposter syndrome in their work and lives.
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#44: UpSkill — Shift to Focusing on Your Strengths to Combat Imposter Syndrome
00:14:03
Seven out of 10 people experience imposter syndrome at some point. Additionally, 25% to 35% of high achievers also struggle with it.
You are not alone in your journey to rid yourself of imposter syndrome.
At its core, imposter syndrome is only a way of thinking. But it is very important way of thinking that can affect our well-being, and our success.
To defeat imposter syndrome we must form a new mindset. Instead of a mindset that focuses on what we view as our weaknesses or shortcomings, we can focus on the strengths.
Most people have at least one area they are confident in. Use that as a starting point to drown out the other areas where the imposter has taken hold.
Please go to UpSkillCommunity.com to review show notes and join a community of leaders investing in better understanding themselves so they can address the imposter syndrome in their work and lives.
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#45: UpSkill — How to Stop Imposter Syndrome From Taking Away From You and Your Community
00:11:34
In this episode Michel discusses the ways in which the imposture actually gets in the way of our progress without us even realizing it.
There are specific consequences imposture syndrome can have on our lives, such as making us feel like we are unworthy of having more in our lives: promotions, better relationships etc.
You stay in your comfort zone because you doubt that you will succeed, or that you deserve to go any further.
Doing this holds you back, and also deprives others of the contributions you can bring to school, work or your personal life.
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#46: UpSkill — The Conversation on Imposter Syndrome, Straight to the Point (1 of 5)
00:19:20
In this episode, Michel invites you to join the conversation she is having with fellow UpSkillers on imposter syndrome.
It's a frank conversation with leaders sharing personal stories on how imposter syndrome impacts them, how it's showing up in their lives and their feelings about it.
In addition, they share openly about how our their work environments are fostering the feeling of imposter syndrome as well as supporting them to reduce it.
Michel invites you to reflect on how imposter syndrome is showing up in your life and the role of your environments in fostering or helping to reduce imposter syndrome in your life.
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#47: UpSkill — A Conversation on Imposter Syndrome (2 of 5)
00:20:22
In part two of the Upskill imposter conversation, Michel, Cadeem, Diana and Tiffany focus on the concept of psychological safety.
The concept was developed by Amy Edmondson and the Upskill group focuses on how it can help people feel more secure in their workplaces. When psychological safety is present, people feel safe to take the interpersonal risk of presenting their ideas and seeking clarification (asking "stupid" questions) from their peers and supervisors.
Cadeem shares his experience of working in a workplace that offered no psychological safety, and the Upskill group uses his experience as a starting point to discuss how imposter syndrome is also linked to the self-fulfilling prophecy.
Michel and Peter also analyze how corporate structures and dogmas also contribute to imposter syndrome, and describe how leaders and authority figures create environments that lead to imposter syndrome.
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#49: UpSkill — A Conversation on Imposter Syndrome (4 of 5)
00:19:45
In this episode we bring up three key things that can help you to reduce your imposter syndrome: Mentoring others, career clarity, running your own race.
Mentoring others helps to reinforce your own knowledge and demonstrate to yourself that you have expertise and value. Mentoring does not need to be done in a formal role, where you have a job title or expectations to lead others. You can mentor no matter the environment or your position. Cadeem shares his experiences mentoring others as a freelancer and a teaching assistant.
Sometimes when we feel like we are not successful, it is because we are still trying to figure out a career that suits us. We can spend years bouncing around from one job, or one industry to another. Each move can kill our confidence. Once we pinpoint what we want to be doing, we have a more straightforward pathway to success.
Lastly, run your own race. Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy. Work on yourself consistently.
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#48: UpSkill — A Conversation on Imposter Syndrome (3 of 5)
00:19:37
In the third part of our discussion about imposter syndrome, we explore its connection to organizational structures, power, influence, vulnerability and collaboration.
Hierarchical structures in our workplaces or academic environments can often leave those who aren't at the top feeling powerless. As an employee we don't want to challenge the manager. As a student we don't want to challenge the professor.
However, we break down how it is possible to have power and influence, no matter your position. We delve into how being a mentor can help to reinforce knowledge and give a sense of value. Seek out opportunities to mentor, because no matter your level of power or influence there is someone out there who can benefit from the knowledge you can share.
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#50: UpSkill — A Conversation on Imposter Syndrome (5 of 5)
00:18:09
In the final episode of our discussion of imposter syndrome, we focus on how imposter syndrome affects branding.
For those suffering with imposter syndrome, the concept of branding, or even self-marketing, can be intimidating.
Michel personally knows industry leaders with decades of experience who are hesitant to publicly post their thoughts on forums such as LinkedIn. Sometimes there may be a professional desire for anonymity, other times there is simply the belief that their views are not valid or are not interesting to potential readers.
In contrast, people with much less experience and knowledge are sharing their thoughts on social media daily. Millennials in particular are flocking to social media as a tool of self-promotion and empowerment. How can this shift be handled by an older generation of managers in order to create environments for reciprocal mentorship — the type of mentorship that pushes employees to have more confidence and deliver better results.
Please go to UpSkillCommunity.com to review show notes and join a community of leaders investing in better understanding themselves so they can address the imposter syndrome in their work and lives.
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#51: UpSkill — Reflections and Gratitude after a year of podcasting
00:10:58
This episode marks the end of Season One of Upskill Talks, and Michel uses it to share her gratitude with loyal listeners for helping the podcast grow so much over this past year.
The community has been a key part of Upskill Talks, especially the highly-requested discussion of Imposter Syndrome.
To our followers, thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone with us and exploring new ways of looking at old problems.
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For the first episode of season two, we dive into a discussion of branding. We often hear the terms "brand" and "branding," but how many of us can really explain it?
We know it relates to self-marketing, but we might not view it as relevant for us if we don't own a business or if we're not a public figure.
As Jeff Bezos says, ""Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room."
For this episode, branding expert Peter Wilken joins the Upskill Community to define a brand and gives listeners three key questions that they can use to discover/uncover what their brand is.
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#53: UpSkill — Branding and Brand Strategy to Shine your Unique Beam
00:14:03
In this episode of UpSkill Talks branding expert Peter Wilken continues the discussion on branding.
As Wilken said in the previous episode, branding is often overcomplicated by the people who control the information.
Peter delves more into the idea of "Who owns your brand?" As Jeff Bezos says, "Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room." Wilken mirrors some of this mindset, but also mentions you have some power over creating that perception that sticks in people's mind. A big part of that is keeping the promises you make to your customers.
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#55: UpSkill — Taking Feedback to Understand Your Brand
00:12:54
During our discussion with Peter Wilken we touched on the idea that you do not own your brand.
Your brand is shaped by other's perceptions of you. As we continue our discussion on branding, we want to explore how you can gather the feedback that will be useful to uncovering your brand and its reputation.
This will require identifying the right people to receive feedback from and putting our ego aside.
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#56: UpSkill — Storytelling and Non-Verbal Communication
00:13:00
The UpSkill Community recently had a fireside chat with Colleen Stewart, who discussed the importance of storytelling to branding.
Colleen, the founder of Perfect Pitch Consulting, is now an effective storyteller. However, she remembers a moment where a prospective customer fell asleep during one of her presentations. That experience is what led her to her current role.
When we try to sell a product or idea, we are essentially creating a story for it. As part of our storytelling we must also read the non-verbal cues of our audience to know when our story is engaging them or losing them.
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Public speaking is one of the most common fears that people face in the corporate or academic sphere.
However, presenting your ideas effectively is key to business. You don't have to think of "presenting" as something that only happens on a stage in front of an audience. Any time you are sharing ideas verbally you are presenting.
In this episode, we will give you some actionable tips that will help you to present ideas more effectively.
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#58: UpSkill — 3 Building Blocks of an Effective Story
00:15:58
"The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms," Muriel Rukeyser. In this episode we will continue to explore the importance of storytelling for our brand.
The mechanics of storytelling can come easy to us in social situations. You can share a funny anecdote using the right speed and the right emotion in the right places. You can get your audience going.
The issue is translating that to a business setting.
In this podcast, we will break down effective mechanisms for storytelling.
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#59: UpSkill: How to Master Storytelling Structure
00:13:00
"The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place," George Bernard Shaw.
Colleen Stewart shared her favoured storytelling structure during her talk with UpSkill Community, and we want to let all UpSkillers learn from it as well.
Using the structure she shares will allow you to better build the stakes and hold your audience's attention, whether it is for two minutes, or an hour.
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#60: UpSkill: How to Create a Compelling "Hero" for Your Audience
00:14:02
In this week's podcast we will take more insights from our Fireside Chat with Colleen Stewart.
A few weeks ago she shared her insight on Joseph Campbell and The Hero's Journey, which goes back to the mid 1900s.
Campbell obtained his B.A from Columbia and later studied in Europe. Upon returning to America, he couldn't get a job.
Campbell then went to live with friends in Upstate New York. He read everything he could at the local public library for five years, which became a substitute for a PhD in comparative literature.
What Campbell realized was that human beings tell the same stories, regardless of nationality or time period.
This realization led Campbell to create The Hero's Journey, which is a key part of our storytelling template.
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If you want your business to have an identity, a story can be so much more meaningful than a list of values.
In this week's episode, Colleen Stewart discusses the four key phases of a story that you can use to organize your ideas: setting, challenge, solution and outcome.
Using these four pieces effectively can help to grab your audience's attention and change their perception of you.
Listen as Colleen answers questions from other UpSkillers in order to paint the picture of how to create more memorable stories.
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#62: UpSkill: Win Your Audience Over With Simplicity and Imagery
00:09:31
When you have an important presentation, you always aim to impress. Sometimes we think that we must wow our audience with our intelligence, and that the best way to do so is to dive into technical terms and throw a lot of information at them.
That is often not the right approach. Even if your audience understands the information you throw at them, it doesn't mean it's engaging or convincing.
Sometimes, using simple stories can be more effective. In this episode we dive into a case study from Colleen Stewart, author of The Story Compass, on how simplicity can get your point across in a memorable (and replicable) way.
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#63: UpSkill: How to Bring Your Audience on an Emotional Journey
00:10:11
We've focused on storytelling format for the past few posts.
It's an important part of effectiveness, but it isn't the whole. At its core, storytelling is about eliciting an emotional response from your audience.
That emotional response does not have to come at the expense of knowledge or facts. You can intertwine the two and create effective stories that sell your ideas and values.
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It's a new year, new journey and new opportunities abound. Are you Set for Success?
In this episode Michel invites you to take 4 easy steps to win for yourself in 2023
Step 1: Choose a theme for your year - a word or phrase.
Make this year, a themed year for you. Choose a theme. That's going to make a big difference in your life. Whether that's a verb, that's going to tell you the action that you need to do. Whether that's an adjective, that's going to describe how you go about it, whether that's an outcome or a result that you're looking for in your life, whether that's a way that you want to show up. Whatever that is for you. No judgment. It's your word?
Michel heard words like impact. Execute. Plan. Confidence. I heard words like self care, self assurance, emotional control. I heard phrases, like just do it. Get up and get out, go after it. Let's go.
Step 2: To think about one activity. That you can do every day to support your word or phrase to honour your word or phrase.
Step 3: Identify the resources you need to support you. This could be as simple as buying a journal or you may need a coach to support you.
Step 4: Make sure there is a specific block of time in your calendar for the activities in step 2.
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#65: UpSkill: Stop it Now. Say No! Set Boundaries to improve your life!
00:15:59
In this episode Michel talks about setting boundaries, and practicing the art of saying no!
Setting boundaries is easy. Maintaining boundaries is the real skill.
She discusses 5 types boundaries that you need to set to give yourself and others space: Mental, Emotional, Physical, Material and Time.
We can set boundaries around the use of our time. We can set boundaries around our emotions. We can set boundaries around our physical bodies and physical spaces we can set boundaries around our materials, our homes, our money, our cars. We can set mental boundaries.
Where do you need to set boundaries? What boundaries are most important to you? And who do you find it most difficult to set boundaries with and why? Which boundaries impact you the most and which ones make you feel the worst? These are some of the questions Michel reflects on in this episode, sharing stories that will definitely resonate with you.
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#67: UPSKILL: Develop the Courage Required for CONFIDENCE (2/3)
00:28:04
This is the second episode of three where Michel addresses one of the most popular questions we get here at upscale talks. How do I develop confidence?
She uses the UpSkill CIA Confidence Formula for effectively developing confidence. The steps are
C - Courage
I - Intention
A - Action
This episode focuses on the C- Courage. Go back to episode #66 for the episode on I - Intention.
Courage is what comes between the intention and the action. It's what separates the people who become confident from those who don't.
You need Courage to move you from the intention to the action.
Here are 7Cs to developing Courage and definitions for you to choose from.
We're going to focus on everyday acts of courage, not only the big acts of courage that we hear about all the time, like climbing Mount Everest, saving someone from drowning or resuscitating someone.
This episode provides a long list of everyday acts of courage that you can practice yourself and applaud in others, as well as a Story of 3 Courages Leaders to inspire you to be courageous yourself!
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#69: UPSKILL: Rebuild your Confidence as a Newcomer
00:26:31
In this episode Michel shares strategies to rebuild your confidence when you get knocked sideways - especially in a new context.
Whether you're an ex-pat, a student or newcomer, when we enter a new context - a new country, community, province, state, borough, whatever that is for you - think about how that impacts your confidence.
It's not your accent! Listen to learn how to build confidence for success.
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#70 UpSkill — Measure Your Confidence With 5 Big Milestones
00:22:46
In this episode, Michel shares 5 important milestones to help you measure your confidence along your journey.
Confidence is lacking across the organizations from top to bottom and sideways. In educational institutions from early childhood to higher education and across all industries. You have a way of building your own confidence and getting back up when you get hit down.
You're going to learn and you're going to go at it again. And you're going to take it one single bite at a time.
Go back to episode 66-68 to set your intention, build your courage and take the necessary action. Then consistently reflect on who you are and what you bring to the table - realistically.
When you do that, you will be able to grow your own confidence and be able to sow the seeds of confidence in other people.
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In episode 71 of the Upskill Talks podcast, our host Michel Shah discusses networking and the importance of building authentic, reciprocal relationships.
Many people wrongly view networking as solely self-serving. In this episode, we break down this myth and explain what it's actually about -- cultivating trust and building network currency.
We outline the five key steps to network in the right way. But first, we clarify what networking is and isn't. We offer practical ways to support people currently in your network, like showing appreciation, and also ways to expand your network.
Remember: networking is not about using people to get ahead, but about building relationships based on mutual trust and support.
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#72 UpSkill — 3 Truths About Mentorship That You Need To Succeed
00:16:57
In episode 72 of the Upskill Talks podcast, our host Michel Shah discusses the importance of mentorship for accelerating your career and achieving your goals. Michel identifies the three key relationships you need to foster: 1. with oneself 2. with mentors who add value to your life 3. with mentees who you add value to
You might be thinking..... but how do you go about building your network of hand-selected mentors? We got you! Listen to the previous episode #71: 5 Key Steps To Actually Network Effectively for a step-by-step guide.
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Welcome to episode 73 of the UpSkill Talks podcast. In this special episode, we kick off part 1 out of a 5-part series on radical integrity.
To start off, we explore what exactly is meant by the term "radical integrity". To help us delve deeper into this topic, we have a group of UpSkillers joining us: Tiffany Castell, Silvia Caicedo, Diana McIntyre, Cadeem Lalor, and Michel Shah. This conversation is anchored by UpSkiller Peter Walfall.
Together, our guests discuss how radical integrity can transform the way we interact with others, our decision-making processes, and our overall approach to life. They share personal stories, tips, and strategies for cultivating radical integrity in both individuals and organizations.
Whether you are a business leader, a professional, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of radical integrity.
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74. How Radical Integrity Is Disrupting Society (2/5)
00:14:05
This week, we continue the conversation about Radical Integrity, particularly in our external environment -- in society, politics, and our workplaces. We explore the relationship between integrity and personal freedom.
This is episode 74 of the UpSkill Talks podcast, and part 2 out of 5 in a special series about Radical Integrity. Find the first episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/episodes/12625114
In this special series, we have a group of UpSkillers joining us: Tiffany Castell, Silvia Caicedo, Diana McIntyre, Cadeem Lalor, and Michel Shah. This conversation is anchored by UpSkiller Peter Walfall.
Together, our guests discuss how radical integrity can transform the way we interact with others, our decision-making processes, and our overall approach to life. They share personal stories, tips, and strategies for cultivating radical integrity in both individuals and organizations.
Whether you are a business leader, a professional, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of radical integrity.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
Go to UpSkill Community to review show notes and join a community of leaders devoted to UpSkilling.
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75. Is Radical Integrity The Same For Everyone? (3/5)
00:13:09
This is episode 75 of the UpSkill Talks podcast, and part 3 out of 5 in a special series about Radical Integrity.
This week, we continue the conversation about Radical Integrity, particularly, if it looks the same for everyone. Can integrity be subjective?
Find the first episode in the Radical Integrity series here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/episodes/12625114
In this special series, we have a group of UpSkillers joining us: Tiffany Castell, Silvia Caicedo, Diana McIntyre, Cadeem Lalor, and Michel Shah. This conversation is anchored by UpSkiller Peter Walfall.
Together, our guests discuss how radical integrity can transform the way we interact with others, our decision-making processes, and our overall approach to life. They share personal stories, tips, and strategies for cultivating radical integrity in both individuals and organizations.
Whether you are a business leader, a professional, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of radical integrity.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
Go to UpSkill Community to review show notes and join a community of leaders devoted to UpSkilling.
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Soft Skills Leadership Skills Inclusive Leadership Skills Book your Free Consultation today!
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76. How To Measure Integrity — Values, Tradeoffs, Ethics (4/5)
00:18:02
This is episode 76 of the UpSkill Talks podcast. This week, we continue the conversation about Radical Integrity, particularly, how to measure it in different social contexts.
This is part 4 out of 5 in a special series about Radical Integrity. Find the first episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/episodes/12625114
In this special series, we have a group of UpSkillers joining us: Tiffany Castell, Silvia Caicedo, Diana McIntyre, Cadeem Lalor, and Michel Shah. This conversation is anchored by UpSkiller Peter Walfall.
Together, our guests discuss how radical integrity can transform the way we interact with others, our decision-making processes, and our overall approach to life. They share personal stories, tips, and strategies for cultivating radical integrity in both individuals and organizations.
Whether you are a business leader, a professional, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of radical integrity.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
Go to UpSkill Community to review show notes and join a community of leaders devoted to UpSkilling.
We are all a work in progress...
Register for weekly Live Sessions FREE of cost every Thursday at 7pm EST We are building a community of UpSkillers - learning and growing together.
We offer Corporate Training, Coaching and Consulting Services
Soft Skills Leadership Skills Inclusive Leadership Skills Book your Free Consultation today!
Please listen, subscribe and share!
Go to UpSkill Community to review show notes and join a community of leaders devoted to UpSkilling.
We are all a work in progress...
Register for weekly Live Sessions FREE of cost every Thursday at 7pm EST We are building a community of UpSkillers - learning and growing together.
We offer Corporate Training, Coaching and Consulting Services
77. Radical Integrity, Leadership & Inclusion In Our Organization (5/5)
00:18:21
This week, we wrap up our special series on Radical Integrity with a thought-provoking question: how can leaders like YOU embody radical integrity, foster inclusive leadership, and create a diverse culture -- even in a high-stress environment that lacks support?
Join us as we explore groundbreaking strategies, share inspiring stories, and empower you with the tools to create a thriving, values-driven workplace where everyone can thrive.
This is episode 77 of the UpSkill Talks podcast, and the last episode in a special series about Radical Integrity. Find the first episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/episodes/12625114
In this special series, we have a group of UpSkillers joining us: Tiffany Castell, Silvia Caicedo, Diana McIntyre, Cadeem Lalor, and Michel Shah. This conversation is anchored by UpSkiller Peter Walfall.
Together, our guests discuss how radical integrity can transform the way we interact with others, our decision-making processes, and our overall approach to life. They share personal stories, tips, and strategies for cultivating radical integrity in both individuals and organizations.
Whether you are a business leader, a professional, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this series will provide valuable insights into the power of radical integrity.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
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78. Inclusivity in Higher Ed: Vice President At University of Toronto Dr. Wisdom Tettey Shares His Story
00:34:49
This is part one of a three-part exclusive fireside chat series. Part Two: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/12873588 Part Three:
In this episode, we are joined by an exceptional guest who shares his insights on creating an inclusive learning environment, promoting diversity, and overcoming challenges faced by underrepresented groups in academia.
Dr. Wisdom Tettey is the Vice President at the University of Toronto, and Principal at the University of Toronto Scarborough, as well as a professor of political science and development studies.
This conversation is co-hosted by Michel Shah, founder and president of the UpSkill Corporation. Michel is faculty at George Brown College and Program Director of the Master's Certificate in Leadership at Schulich Exec Ed, York University, based in Toronto.
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79. How To Lead Diverse Teams: Vice President Of University Of Toronto Dr. Widsom Tettey
00:32:39
This is part two of a three-part exclusive fireside chat series. Part One: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/12846931 Part Three: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/12930595
From interns to CEOs, I've worked with a wide array of leaders across all levels of organizations. Naturally, I wondered, who could truly benefit from embracing the principles of inclusive leadership?
Dr. Tettey's response? Simple, yet profound. "Everywhere, and for everyone."
Intrigued? Let's dive a little deeper…
Inclusion is more than a buzzword.
It’s a call to amplify every voice in the room. This isn't a power game—it's an empowerment game.
The most important takeaway is that inclusion isn't an afterthought, or another box to check on your leadership agenda. It’s developing the awareness that each person on the team, irrespective of role, title, or status, contributes in their unique way. As inclusive leaders, we must acknowledge and appreciate these differences. This way, the whole team SHINES.
Dr. Wisdom Tettey is the Vice President at the University of Toronto, and Principal at the University of Toronto Scarborough, as well as a professor of political science and development studies.
This conversation is co-hosted by Michel Shah, founder and president of the UpSkill Corporation. Michel is faculty at George Brown College and Program Director of the Master's Certificate in Leadership at Schulich Exec Ed, York University, based in Toronto.
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80. Q&A Edition: Vice President Of University Of Toronto Dr. Widsom Tettey
00:26:21
Last week, Dr. Wisdom Tettey, Vice President of the University of Toronto and Principal of the University of Toronto, shared valuable insights with UpSkill on being an inclusive leader.
This week, we're spicing things up with a Q&A. You asked, and Dr. Wisdom Tettey answered.
This is part three of a three-part exclusive fireside chat series. Part One: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/12846931 Part Two: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849741/12873588
Dr. Wisdom Tettey is the Vice President at the University of Toronto, and Principal at the University of Toronto Scarborough, as well as a professor of political science and development studies.
This conversation is co-hosted by Michel Shah, founder and president of the UpSkill Corporation. Michel is faculty at George Brown College and Program Director of the Master's Certificate in Leadership at Schulich Exec Ed, York University, based in Toronto.
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81. Dare To Diversify: Expanding Your "Range" With Silvia Caicedo
00:37:31
In this episode, we are joined by special guest Silvia Caicedo to discuss the concept of range.
Silvia is a Learning Facilitator and Professor at the School of Immigrant and Transitional Education at George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario.
What is "range"? Range refers to the variety and depth of your skills, knowledge, and experiences. In the workplace, having range means having a wide range of abilities that can help you succeed in different jobs. But the range isn't just about work - it's also beneficial in everyday life.
Range is all about unleashing the power of your diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences. It's a game-changer beyond the workplace too. Get ready to unlock your limitless potential!
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82. Cultivating Real Relationships | The Art Of Networking
00:43:05
In this episode of UpSkill Talks, we delve into the art of networking! Our host, lead UpSkiller Michel Shah, and guests discuss the importance of networking, the misconceptions around it, and how to effectively cultivate relationships.
Highlights from this episode:
Networking as a process: Emphasis on viewing networking as a continuous process of cultivating relationships, not a one-time event.
Misconceptions about networking
Importance of follow-up: Stressing the need to follow up after networking events to stand out and maintain connections.
Role of listening: Discussing the critical role of active listening in networking for maintaining a continuous stream of communication and building authentic relationships.
Authenticity in networking: Importance of being genuine and authentic in networking interactions.
Avoiding being "user-friendly": Discussion on the need to avoid only reaching out to others when needing something, instead fostering genuine relationships.
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This episode is a flashback of the first episode of Upskill Talks, one of our most important episodes. Lead Upskiller Michel Shah shares the most transformative experience of her career that forever changed her professional journey.
As leaders, we are often measured by our results. Yes, but when we focus solely on the metrics and the measurements that determine success, we lose sight of the personal stories that shape the human experience of our employees and team members.
UpSkill Keys
Trust, empathy, and understanding drive better results
How to understand your team's experiences and challenges for stronger relationships
Valuing individual stories and unique needs
Looking beyond the numbers
Balancing results with investing in your team's growth and well-being
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85. Key Takeaways from Collision Tech Conference 2023: AI, Startups, Elevator Pitch & Networking
00:25:14
Last week, the UpSkill team attended and hosted a booth at the renowned Collision Tech conference in Toronto. With 40K participants, this conference was a big deal for us -- but it was our first conference ever.
In this episode, we share the triumphs, blunders, and most importantly, lessons learned from rubbing shoulders with tech titans and promising startups. Tune in for our whiteboard session reflection and discover four key takeaways you can apply not just to conferences, but to any networking situation to propel yourself towards your goals.
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86. 5 Step Method To Prepare A Perfect Pitch For Founders, Leaders & Storytellers (Part 1)
00:17:16
This is part one of our two-part series on perfecting your pitch for founders, storytellers, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to elevate their ability to sell themselves or their ideas.
This episode, lead UpSkiler Michel Shah delves into the "who" and "why" of preparing your pitch.
We guide you in asking the right questions like: What is allowed with your pitch? Can you use visuals? How is it timed and structured? Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of defining the desired outcome of your pitch. Is it to sensitize the audience about a topic, practice and learn, ensure engagement, gain funding, or aim for a promotion?
The next episode, we take you on a deep dive into the "what," "where," "when," and "how" of planning a pitch that will command attention and drive results.
Join us on this journey toward perfecting your pitch. Tune in to discover the power of a well-crafted presentation and learn how to articulate your vision compellingly.
Stay tuned for the next episode!
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87. 5 Step Method To Prepare A Perfect Pitch For Founders, Leaders & Storytellers (Part 2)
00:13:43
This is part two of on step A) Preperation for perfecting your pitch for founders, storytellers, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to elevate their ability to sell themselves or their ideas. Next week, we delve into B) pitch delivery and C) refinement.
Last episode, we delved into the "who" and "why" of preparing your pitch. In this episode, lead UpSkiler Michel Shah takes you on a deep dive into the "what," "where," "when," and "how" of planning a pitch that will command attention and drive results.
She guides you in asking the right questions like: What is allowed with your pitch? Can you use visuals? How is it timed and structured? Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of defining the desired outcome of your pitch. Is it to sensitize the audience about a topic, practice and learn, ensure engagement, gain funding, or aim for a promotion?
Join us on this journey towards perfecting your pitch. Tune in to discover the power of a well-crafted presentation and learn how to articulate your vision compellingly.
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90. LinkedIn Makeover w/ Donna Serdula: SEO, Personal Branding, Keywords (part 1)
00:17:24
In this conversation, we will be diving deep into the world of LinkedIn -- from learning how to create impactful posts, optimizing your SEO through keywords and becoming a recognized industry expert, to effectively building a personal brand and empowering your employees to become brand ambassadors.
This three-part episode series is a gold mine for anyone looking to make a powerful impression on LinkedIn.
Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond. Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.
She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.
Welcome to part two of our personal and professional branding series on LinkedIn with Donna Serdula, world-renowned LinkedIn expert.
In the previous episode, we started exploring the secrets of LinkedIn, and how it translates into success online. Today, we delve deeper to understand the balance between passive and active engagement on LinkedIn, especially when you're first starting out.
We talk about how to advertise your product or service (or yourself) on LinkedIn, without turning it into a sales platform. Donna sheds light on how to find and engage with your target audience, all while maintaining an authentic presence. She shares insights on how to foster meaningful conversations, turn followers into potential customers, and leverage LinkedIn as a potent tool for growth.
Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond. Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.
She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.
92. LinkedIn Makeover w/ Donna Serdula: The Truth About Engagement & SOAR Methodology
00:21:02
Welcome to part three of our personal and professional branding series on LinkedIn with Donna Serdula, world-renowned LinkedIn expert.
In the previous episode, we delve deep to understand the balance between passive and active engagement on LinkedIn, especially when you're first starting out. We talk about how to advertise your product or service (or yourself) on LinkedIn, without turning it into a sales platform.
In this final episode, we cover...
How engagement on LinkedIn goes beyond visible metrics like likes, comments, and follows.
How LinkedIn is not just a platform for presence; active engagement and participation are crucial.
Networking in-person and on LinkedIn -- shared similarities and differences
How a strong LinkedIn profile can passively attract opportunities, but how active engagement amplifies success
How LinkedIn is not just a sales platform
"Lurkers" on LinkedIn
Having clear purpose on LinkedIn, guiding your actions and content.
Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond. Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.
She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.
Find Donna's website here and Donna's Linkedin here.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
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With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
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93. Q&A: How To Overcome Presentation Anxiety w/ Michel Shah
00:29:40
Upskiller Flora Xue chats over a Q&A session with Michel Shah, President & Founder of UpSkill, about overcoming presentation anxiety. She gives her advice on:
overcoming fear of judgment
decentering
the HBLT method
Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about pitching: how to prepare a pitch and how to deliver a pitch. Check out the series in previous episodes 86-89:
94. Presentation Anxiety Q&A: Language Barriers, Online vs. In Person, Preparation Tips (Part 2)
00:14:32
Upskiller Flora Xue chats over a Q&A session with Michel Shah, President & Founder of UpSkill, about overcoming presentation anxiety. She gives her advice on:
language barriers
online vs in-person
presentation practice tips
the HBLT method
Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about pitching: how to prepare a pitch and how to deliver a pitch. Check out the series in previous episodes 86-89:
97. Time Management 101 - How I Create More Time In My Life
00:18:02
Time Management 101 Q&A with Michel Shah, lead UpSkiller, president and founder of UpSkill:
🕰 Topics Covered:
Juggling Multiple Responsibilities: Learn strategies to balance work, family, and multiple projects
Eisenhower Matrix: The power of this prioritization tool
The Driving 'Why': Explore how a clear understanding of your 'why' can guide decision-making, prioritization, and help in keeping the main thing the main thing.
98. Discipline, Outsourcing Your Brain, Time & Self Management VS. Micromanagement (Part 2)
00:29:53
This is Part two of Time Management 101 Q&A with Michel Shah, lead UpSkiller, president and founder of UpSkill:
🕰 Key Takeaways : Understanding Discipline:
Discipline is not about being iron-fisted or micromanaging
Address the common misunderstandings about discipline
Disclipline as a form of self-love and integrity
Understanding oneself and managing time and activities effectively
Collaborative Time Management:
Time Management and Self-Management
Importance of reflecting about your time
Fostering independence rather than creating dependency
Learning to delegate and developing systems that allow for shared responsibility
Parenting and Discipline:
In parenting, discipline involves putting guardrails and teaching time management as a crucial skill, rather than enforcing strictness or micromanaging.
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Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance: The evolving concept of integrating work into life rather than trying to balance the two as separate entities.
Managing Burnout: Identifying the signs of burnout, understanding its causes, and strategies to prevent or mitigate it.
They offer key insights about:
The role of accountability partners
Mindfulness and Reflection
The Role of Rest: Different ways to rest
Resources and Tools
Setting Boundaries: both personal and professional
The pros and cons of having a flexible work schedule, especially with the rise of remote work.
Identity in the Modern Work Environment: How the blending of work and personal life might be affecting individuals' sense of self.
The need to communicate expectations and feelings, both in the workplace and at home.
How the pandemic has reshaped the work environment and its implications for individuals.
Stress vs. Burnout: Differentiating between the symptoms of stress and the more severe state of burnout.
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Ben handles all the clients and finds his work piling up, while the people he manages are sitting there twiddling their thumbs with no work to do.
To make matters worse, all the clients come to Ben, not the people who are supposed to be managing the clients.
What can Ben do?
In this episode, we discuss...
1. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? - A lack of confidence in his team - The company is lacking a system, or not using their system. Ben IS the system
2. PROBLEMS - ben’s mental health and Burnout - Being a people pleaser - Ego - Lack of trust in his team’s quality of work - Negative impact of the people he leads: feeling like they’re incompetent, they have no responsibility, thus it destroys their confidence
3. SOLUTIONS - How to bring the team back together - Effective team building - How to apologize to your team - Building a relationship with your team - Building a code of ethics
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104. Flashback: Get Set For Success In 4 Easy Steps
00:14:46
This is a flashback of episode 64, published on January 22, 2023.
It's a new year, new journey and new opportunities abound.
Are you Set for Success?
Step 1: Choose a theme for your year - a word or phrase.
Make this year, a themed year for you. Choose a theme. That's going to make a big difference in your life. Whether that's a verb, that's going to tell you the action that you need to do. Whether that's an adjective, that's going to describe how you go about it, whether that's an outcome or a result that you're looking for in your life, whether that's a way that you want to show up. Whatever that is for you. No judgment. It's your word?
Michel heard words like impact. Execute. Plan. Confidence. I heard words like self care, self assurance, emotional control. I heard phrases, like just do it. Get up and get out, go after it. Let's go.
Step 2: To think about one activity. That you can do every day to support your word or phrase to honour your word or phrase.
Step 3: Identify the resources you need to support you. This could be as simple as buying a journal or you may need a coach to support you.
Step 4: Make sure there is a specific block of time in your calendar for the activities in step 2.
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In this episode, we discussed why you should set a THEME instead of a New Year's resolution to achieve your goals in 2024.
Michel shares reflections on her word for 2023 -- clarity. Flora shares her theme for 2024. UpSkillers share their stories about persistence, designing life systems, and getting set up for success in four easy steps.
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106. Leadership 101: How To Include People In Conversations
00:16:47
Inclusivity is an essential part of leadership. But how do you ACTUALLY be inclusive in your day-to-day life, as a leader?
In this episode, Michel shares 5 tips on how to help people feel included in social settings, particularly in conversations, to help them feel seen and heard.
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Leaders who are forward thinking and want to be on the cutting edge, actively seeking innovative and creative ways to interact and lead others.
Leaders who want the most up to date people skills in their toolkit.
And it is especially only for leaders who are willing to explore ideas and perspectives outside of your comfort zone and take the risks to go wherever our conversations take us.
I am your host, Michel Shah, I invite you to join me starting November 15, 2021 for UpSkill Talks - brought to you by McGraw Hill. With every episode, it will be more about the journey and less about a destination, as we skill, reskill and upskill together.
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In this inaugural episode of Upskill Talks, host Michel Shah shares the most transformative experience of her career that forever changed her professional trajectory.
Yes, as leaders, we are measured by our Results. But when we focus solely on the metrics and the measurements that determine success, we lose sight of the personal Stories that shape the human experience of our employees and team members.
As shared in this first episode of Upskill Talks, when we begin with the Stories (before we focus on the Results), the outcome is a team that strives for greater heights. Plus, we help the building of a caring, more meaningful relationship between us (as leaders) and the people who "show up" for us everyday.
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#3: UpSkill — The Importance of Community for Leaders
00:14:40
As we have all seen, the pandemic and the social issues of the past 18 months have rewritten the rulebook for leaders.
Now, more than ever, we need one another.
In this episode of Upskill Talks, Michel shares the story of Lucy, who was called out by her employees and felt her confidence shaken. To use her words, she simply felt, "dumb". But with these realizations come growth and renewed confidence, and this confidence is not only in our actions, but how we guide our employees to gain their own confidence.
As told through the lens of Michel's upbringing in Jamaica, it's clear that we simply can't go back to normal. And through community, we can grow as leaders and as fellow humans.
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#2: UpSkill — Kinds of Empathy You Can Add To Your Toolkit
00:14:21
As leaders, many individuals are counting on you. Yes, your employees and colleagues, but equally as important, your partner and family.
In this episode, Michel shares the story of Sam and explores how some of us take our "mask" off at home while others put our "mask" on when we get home. And it was the pandemic that blended these "separate" lives as we had to learn to become whole.
Empathy, for leaders, is such a necessary part of our toolkit. It allows us to get to know our employees better. But as discussed in this episode, the three kinds of empathy allow our employees, as well as our families to know US better.
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#4: UpSkill — Vulnerability, a Strength for Leaders in this New World (1 of 3)
00:14:12
As leaders, we are always searching for the most effective tools to lead with confidence in an ever-changing world.
Today on Upskill Talks, Michel sits down with Peter Walfall, fellow UpSkiller in the UpSkill Community for a 3-part conversation on leading with confidence in this new world.
Peter and Michel begin this series by looking at how many of the strategies that once "rang true" for leaders to show up confidently have fallen apart.
This dismantling has shaken the foundation of confidence for many leaders. As well, Michel and Peter share how vulnerability is emerging as one of the most important attributes for today's confident leaders.
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#5: UpSkill — What is the Role of Confidence for Leaders? (2 of 3)
00:14:45
Asking this question, what is the role of confidence for leaders, sometimes is a little "fuzzy" to answer.
In today's episode, Michel and Peter Walfall continue with part two of their conversation on confidence for leaders. Looking at the role confidence plays for leaders, very often we reach for the "off the shelf" strategies to lead with confidence.
However, as Michel and Peter discuss in this episode, the role of confidence for leaders often requires looking deeper within ourselves. And as we begin to look deeply at ourselves, with the assistance of supportive community, we can discover how we show up and lead with the most authentic confidence for our teams, employees and all around us.
If you have not done so, please take a moment and listen to Episode 4 - part one of this three-part conversation surrounding confidence with leaders.
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#6: UpSkill — As Leaders, Remember, You Are Not Alone (3 of 3)
00:12:32
As leaders, we are tasked with "showing up" with confidence to our stakeholders, employees and colleagues as well as in our personal lives.
But how do we know what confidence should look like for everyone?
In one word, community.
In this final episode of the three-part series on confidence, Michel and Peter Walfall discuss the importance of having a community to help guide us to our most authentic selves as leaders.
In a community, fresh ideas around confidence are safely presented to help us grow. As well, Peter and Michel discuss how new streams of members in a community keep us from getting locked in our own echo chambers. New people with fresh ideas, much like fresh water in a pool, keep our perspectives from growing stagnant and allow us a leaders to continuously grow.
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#7: UpSkill — How You See Yourself, The Importance of Self Assessment
00:12:21
What is worse: To be a great leader and assess yourself poorly?
Or, to be a mediocre leader and assess yourself as “great”?
As leaders, we must have the skill to see and assess ourselves clearly and accurately, so that we may lead most effectively.
In today’s episode, Michel shares the story of an experiment where leaders were asked to assess themselves as leaders. While the results varied, the end result was very few assessed themselves accurately.
Just like looking through a cloudy lens, when we try to “see” ourselves through this blurred vision, we don’t see what’s really there. And as discussed in this episode, it’s better to uncover who you are intentionally, than to have your cover blown unintentionally.
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There is so much talk around skills. Hard skills, soft skills, personal and interpersonal skills, and yes...Upskill.
Thus, it is very important to clearly define exactly what a skill "is" and what a skill "is not"
In this episode, the first of four new episodes to clearly define and level set skill-learning, Michel provides clarity and shares how to develop skills - a crucial and important process.
According to LinkedIn, there are over 50,000 professional skills. Since a leader cannot be expected to learn ALL of these skills in one lifetime, it is important to focus on the skills most important for us to be effective leaders.
In Michel's book, UpSkill: Soft Skills and Professional Development Essentials, obtaining a new skill is defined by the 4 D's - Decide, Design, Develop, Demonstrate. Using this process, with a clear investment of time, leaders have the opportunity to acquire new and important skills.
However, the most important part of skill-learning is our focus and intention. We cannot expect to simply "absorb" new skills just going through the motions of our day.
To keep up with the ever-changing workplace environment, it is crucial to put intention around development, and have a clear process to learn new skills.
At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together.
Please listen, subscribe and share!
With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization.
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